# How to Make Durable Non-Slip Surfaces Using Electron Beam Curing > A method for creating flexible, non-slip materials by bonding mineral grit to plastic sheets using a special radiation-cured glue that stays strong even when stretched. - **Patent:** US 5401560 - **Original title:** Polymer backed material with non-slip surface using E-beam cured urethane binder - **Owner:** Norton Co - **Granted:** 1995 - **Status:** Public domain (expired) - **Times cited:** 25 - **Field:** materials, mechanical, consumer_electronics ## What it does This patent describes a way to create a non-slip material by gluing abrasive mineral particles onto a flexible plastic backing. The key is using a specific type of polyurethane adhesive that is cured—or hardened—using an electron beam. Because the adhesive is radiation-cured, it forms a strong, flexible bond that allows the entire sheet to be stretched or thermoformed into complex shapes without the grit falling off or the layers separating. This is useful for things like safety flooring or grip pads that need to wrap around curved surfaces. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover non-slip materials that use heat-cured or air-dried adhesives instead of radiation-cured binders. - Does not cover materials where the abrasive particles are embedded into the plastic rather than bonded to the surface. - Does not cover adhesives that lack the specific blend of polyester urethane acrylate resin and the defined monomers. - Does not cover applications where the material cannot maintain at least 125% elongation before tearing. ## The clever bit The innovation lies in the specific chemical formulation of the binder that allows the finished product to remain 'thermoformable'—meaning it can be heated and stretched into a new shape without the grit layer cracking or peeling away from the plastic base. ## Real-world examples 1. Industrial safety floor treads 2. Non-slip grip pads for automotive interiors 3. Flexible safety tapes for stairs and ramps 4. Molded plastic components requiring high-friction surfaces ## Why it matters Before this technology, non-slip coatings often cracked or delaminated when applied to complex, curved surfaces. By using electron beam curing, manufacturers could create high-performance grip materials that were thin, flexible, and durable enough to be molded into shapes like vehicle interiors or industrial safety components. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How to Make Durable Non-Slip Surfaces Using Electron Beam Curing cover? A method for creating flexible, non-slip materials by bonding mineral grit to plastic sheets using a special radiation-cured glue that stays strong even when stretched. ### Who owns patent US 5401560? Norton Co owns this patent, granted in 1995. ### When does this patent expire? This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely. ### What is patent US 5401560 cited by? This patent has been cited by 25 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? Before this technology, non-slip coatings often cracked or delaminated when applied to complex, curved surfaces. By using electron beam curing, manufacturers could create high-performance grip materials that were thin, flexible, and durable enough to be molded into shapes like vehicle interiors or industrial safety components. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover non-slip materials that use heat-cured or air-dried adhesives instead of radiation-cured binders. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5401560/polymer-backed-material-with-non-slip-surface-using-e-beam-cured-urethane-binder **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US5401560 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [The Sticky Microscopic Beads Behind Post-it Notes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4166152/post-it-note-adhesive) — 3M's 1977 patent on tiny, naturally sticky plastic beads that can stick to a surface, peel off easily without leaving residue, and be reused over and over again. - [Sticky, Tiny Plastic Balls Made from Acrylates](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3691140/post-it-repositionable-adhesive) — This 1972 patent describes how to make tiny, sticky, and durable plastic balls (microspheres) using a specific mix of acrylate chemicals and a special water-based process. - [How 3D Printers Build Objects Layer by Layer from Liquid](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4575330/stereolithography-3d-printing) — This patent describes the foundational method for 3D printing, where a machine builds a three-dimensional object layer by layer by hardening a liquid material with light or other energy. - [How Bubble Wrap Is Manufactured](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3142599/bubble-wrap-cushioning) — A 1959 manufacturing process that creates cushioning material by trapping air between two layers of plastic film. - [How Super Glue Bonds Acidic Surfaces Like Wood](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2768109/super-glue-cyanoacrylate) — A 1954 method for using alcohol to help super glue stick to acidic surfaces like wood, which normally prevent the glue from hardening properly.