Audio

In conventional tenter orientation, the sequence of steps is as described above (MD—TD). In some cases it is advantageous to reverse the draw order (TD—MD) or to use multiple draw steps, eg, MD—TD—MD. These other techniques are used to produce "tensilized" films, where the MD tensile properties are enhanced by further stretching. The films are generally unbalanced in properties and in extreme cases may be fibrillated to give fiber-like elements for special textile appHcations. Tensilized poly(ethylene terephthalate) is a common substrate for audio and video magnetic tape and thermal transfer tape. 

CD-ROM not erasablenot rewritable technology identical with audio compact disk (CD-DA) substrate and information layer from polycarbonate (PC)... 

CD-ROM disks are nearly identical to the weU-known compact disk-digital audio (CD-DA short CD). The information on a CD-ROM is stamped in the form of clearly defined pits on the disk surface during the disk s manufacture, using injection mol ding or injection stamping techniques. A metal stamper transfers the digital information to the disk s surface. 

ISO-Nomi 9660), respectively. This is equivalent to 200,000 pages of text. The access time is between 200 and 600 ms. The data transfer rate of a standard audio CD player is 144 KB/s, but dedicated CD-ROM drives can transfer data at up to 300 KB/s by doubling the rotational speed of the disk. 

Besides the estabUshed audio CD and CD-ROM, there are other variants of optical storage disks with imprinted information which differ in the way the data are processed. 

The CD-I (compact disk-interactive) is a low cost alternative to the CD-ROM for the entertainment industry. CD-I is a subset of the CD-ROM standard data format. It allows the digital storage of data, audio, and video information in a form that permits rapid interaction with a computer. CD-I is compatible to CD-ROM and to CD-AD 0 = 120 mm. The definition of the CD-I format is put down in the Green Book (Philips/Sony). 

CD-XA (CD-extended architecture) is the standard for CD-ROMs for data storage and compressed audio recording (up to four hours music in HiFi-stereo quaUty). The definition of the CD-XA format is also put down in the extended Yellow Book. 

CD-V (compact disk-video) is premolded for both video and digital music 0 = 305 mm oi0 = 203 mm. There is also a videocHp version (0 = 120 mm) for 22 min CD audio and 5 min of video information. CD-VEP (video extended play) 0 = 200 mm, is recorded on both sides, whereas for CD-VLP (video long play) 0 = 200 mm, one- or two-sided recording can be selected max. 60 min video/side. 

Polycarbonates. Currently, all audio CDs (CD-AD), all CD-ROM, and the biggest fraction of substrate disks for WORM and EOD worldwide are manufactured from a modified bisphenol A—polycarbonate (BPA-PC) (3). In 1991, some 1.3 x 10 compact disks were produced, equivalent to an annual amount of about 35,000 t BPA-PC. WORM and EOD disks are manufactured mainly from BPA-PC for sizes of 5.25 in. and below, and glass for larger form factors (eg, 12 in.), partially also from BPA-PC, and in some cases from aluminum or from cross-linked polymers (epoxy resins) (190). 

Poly(methyl methacrylate). PMMA offers distinct advantages over BPA-PC with respect to significandy lower birefringence, higher modulus, and lower costs, but has not been successhil as a material for audio CDs and CD-ROM as well as a substrate material for WORM and EOD disks because of its high water absorption (which makes it prone to warp) and its unsuitabiUty for metallising, and less so because of its low resistance to... 

Eor CD-DA (CD-digital audio) and CD-ROM including all variants, a CD-modified BPA-PC is used exclusively. BPA-PC is stipulated in the specifications for CD-DA. 

The compact disk player has become a very widespread consumer product for audio reproduction. The information is stored along tracks on the disk in the form of spots of varying reflectivity. The laser beam is focused on a track on the surface of the disk, which is rotated under the beam. The information is recovered by detecting the variations in the reflected light. The compact disk offers very high fideHty because there is no physical contact with the disk. This appHcation has usually employed a semiconductor laser source operating at a wavelength of around 780 nm. Tens of millions of such compact disk players are produced worldwide every year. 

Polyester film consumes 7% of production. When coated with a chemical emulsion, it is used as x-ray and microfilm when coated with a magnetic emulsion, it is used for audio and video tapes and when coated with an adhesive, it is used for wrapping and sealing tapes (see Films and sheeting). 

A total of 15,000—17,000 t of resin is used aimuaHy. Polycarbonate also has many technical uses in instmment panels and devices, especiaHy for membrane switches and insulators. Optical quaHty polycarbonate is the only suitable material for the compact disk market. Since their introduction in 1983, compact disks have shown explosive growth in the consumption of polycarbonate, with utiHty for audio, video, and computer appHcations. Consumption of optical quaHty resin more than doubled between 1988 and 1992, and as of 1995 accounted for about 20,000 t of annual production. 

PEN film for audio- and videotape and various electronic appHcations and blow molded PEN containers for hot-fill appHcations are already being marketed in Japan. NDA is unlikely to ever become as inexpensive as terephthaUc acid but novel NDA-based polyesters will become available if a market need exists. One example could be the experimental polyester PBN (Celanese Corp.) this is the NDA analogue of PBT, poly(l,4-butylene naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate) [28779-82-0]. It has a high rate of crystallization, faster even than that of PBT, and its combination of physical properties is weU-suited for injection molding. 

M. Szycher, Introduction to Biomedical Polymers, ACS Audio Courses, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1989. 

Polystyrene (PS). Common appHcations include packaging, food containers, and disposable tableware toys furniture, appHances, television cabinets, and sports goods and audio and video cassettes. For some of these appHcations, PS is modified by blending or graft polymerization with SBR to form impact polystyrene, which is less sensitive to breakage. Expandable polystyrene is widely used in constmction for thermal insulation. 

The exceUent adhesion to primed films of polyester combined with good dielectric properties and good surface properties makes the vinyhdene chloride copolymers very suitable as binders for iron oxide pigmented coatings for magnetic tapes (168—170). They perform very weU in audio, video, and computer tapes. 

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