Abstract: The invention relates to the use of microparticles hydrophobized with fluorosilanes or -siloxanes for producing surfaces which have self-cleaning and also lactophobic, oleophobic and lipophobic properties. The use of microparticles hydrophobized with fluorosilanes in the known processes for producing self-cleaning surfaces makes it possible to produce surfaces which have not only self-cleaning properties but also lipophobic, oleophobic and lactophobic properties. Articles finished with such surfaces are especially easy to clean easily with removal of oil-, grease- or milk-containing soilings. The inventive use is therefore especially suitable for producing industrial textiles, workwear and children's clothing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vapor-pervious water-impervious substrate, preferably a fibrous nonwoven web, which can be used in particular as a textile continuous sheet material, for example as an awning or as an inlet in apparel. The substrate according to the present invention may have self-cleaning properties. The substrate according to the present invention is simple to produce in an at least two-step process wherein a coating on the fibers of the substrate is produced in the first step and then hydrophobic particles are applied to the coated fibers by means of an adhesion promoter.

Abstract: Process for producing detachable dirt- and water-repellent surface coatings on articles, wherein during the coating process, hydrophobic particles are applied to the surface of the articles, thus generating a surface structure with elevations on that surface of the articles that has dirt- and water-repellent properties, which comprises suspending the hydrophobic particles in a solution of a silicone wax in a highly volatile siloxane, and applying this suspension to at least one surface of an article, and then removing the highly volatile siloxane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to textile sheetlike constructions having an enhanced watertightness and also to a process for producing them. It was found that, surprisingly, the watertightness of porous textile sheetlike constructions is enhanced when a coating of hydrophobic particles having an average particle size in the range from 0.02 to 100 ?m is applied to the surfaces of the fibers. The textile sheetlike constructions can be used for example as textile building materials or for producing tents, umbrellas or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to self-cleaning surfaces having improved mechanical stability and a process for the production thereof. The present invention is achieved by producing self-cleaning, hydrophobic, structured surfaces having mixtures of particles, which are fixed on their surface and which comprise structure-producing particles selected from semimetal or metal oxides, silicas and metal powders, and wax particles. Structured surfaces that are structured by such mixtures of particles are distinguished by substantially higher mechanical stability of the structure and are therefore especially suitable for the production of self-cleaning surfaces, which are exposed to relatively high mechanical loads, such as, for example, the surfaces of tarpaulins, awnings, greenhouse elements, conservatories or truck tarpaulins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to textile sheetlike constructions having an enhanced watertightness and also to a process for producing them. It was found that, surprisingly, the watertightness of porous textile sheetlike constructions is enhanced when a coating of hydrophobic particles having an average particle size in the range from 0.02 to 100 ?m is applied to the surfaces of the fibers. The textile sheetlike constructions can be used for example as textile building materials or for producing tents, umbrellas or the like.

Abstract: Diffuse-reflection surfaces which have a matte appearance and which have self-cleaning properties and preferably have antimicrobial properties, are prepared by coating a substrate with a random distribution of the particles to at least one surface of a substrate, thereby providing a surface comprising elevations with a height of from 20 nm to 100 ?m and with a separation of less than 100 ?m between the elevations. Such diffuse-reflection surfaces can be used as protective covers or as protective layers, in particular for providing non-angle-dependent viewing. The diffuse reflection surfaces of the present invention have self-cleaning properties and are resistant to colonization by microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing self-cleaning surfaces on coated textile sheets, by the following steps of the process: i.) applying hydrophobic nanostructured particles to a surface of a transfer-medium sheet, ii.) applying a coating composition and a textile sheet to those surfaces of the transfer medium to which the hydrophobic nanostructured particles were applied in step i.) of the process, iii.) heat treatment of the composite resulting from steps i.) to ii.) of the process, and iv.) removing the transfer medium, and also to the coated textile sheets produced by means of the process of the invention, and their use.

Abstract: A light-scattering material includes a coating with self-cleaning properties on a transparent substrate. Particles randomly distributed in and on the coating roughen the coating and provide a surface structure that scatters light. The light-scattering material is useful in providing indirect illumination, particularly using daylight. The coating can have antimicrobial properties. The light-scattering material can require significantly less maintenance than conventional light-scattering materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a suspension of hydrophobic oxidic particles which has a defined, adjustable viscosity, which comprises suspending low structured hydrophobic oxidic particles in at least one organic suspension agent and then adding from 0.05% to 15% by weight based on the suspension medium of high structured hydrophobic oxidic particles, a suspension of hydrophobic oxidic particles which has a defined, adjustable viscosity and the use thereof for producing soil and water repellent coatings on articles.

Abstract: A process for producing anti-allergic surfaces, and articles which comprise these anti-allergic surfaces. The process of the invention produces anti-allergic surfaces. The basis of the anti-allergic action is that self-cleaning properties make it impossible or very difficult for allergenic substances to deposit on these surfaces, and make it possible for them to be cleaned from the surface by a simple cleaning procedure using water set in motion. The surfaces may be either textile surfaces or polymer surfaces. Structures composed of elevations and depressions, as have been described on many previous occasions, are applied to these surfaces. The coatings of the invention can be applied very simply by applying a dispersion of suitable particles in a solvent to the relevant surface and then removing the solvent. Textiles, mattresses, or covers, for example, can be provided with the anti-allergic surfaces of the invention.

Abstract: A process for producing anti-allergic surfaces, and articles which comprise these anti-allergic surfaces. The process of the invention produces anti-allergic surfaces. The basis of the anti-allergic action is that self-cleaning properties make it impossible or very difficult for allergenic substances to deposit on these surfaces, and make it possible for them to be cleaned from the surface by a simple cleaning procedure using water set in motion. The surfaces may be either textile surfaces or polymer surfaces. Structures composed of elevations and depressions, as have been described on many previous occasions, are applied to these surfaces. The coatings of the invention can be applied very simply by applying a dispersion of suitable particles in a solvent to the relevant surface and then removing the solvent. Textiles, mattresses, or covers, for example, can be provided with the anti-allergic surfaces of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to mold-release agents, in particular mold-release agents which can be used for demolding moldings from molding tools, and also to the use of these mold-release agents. The mold-release agents of the invention, which are preferably based on suspensions of nanostructured microparticles, have the advantage of being markedly more environmentally compatible than the known mold-release agents based on organic or organosilicon compounds, since they can remain on the surfaces of the moldings. The use of the mold-release agents of the invention is very simple, since advantage can be taken of existing equipment. An example of a usual method is to produce injection moldings by means of injection molds into which the material is injected. The mold-release agent of the invention is applied, e.g. by spray-application, to the injection mold prior to the actual injection-molding process.

Abstract: A process for producing self-cleaning surfaces by a dry coating process. The process produces self-cleaning surfaces that have elevations formed by particles applied dry to the surface by a modified flame-spraying process. The process can equip textiles and other articles, in particular those having plastic surfaces, with self-cleaning properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to sheet extrudates with surfaces which have self-cleaning properties, and also to a simple process for producing these self-cleaning surfaces. The process of the invention is very simple, since it can make use of existing equipment. Sheet extrudates are usually smoothed by means of rolls. The process of the invention makes use of these rolls by applying microparticles to these rolls. The particles are impressed into the surface of the extrudate and thus transferred thereto during smoothing of the extrudates. The process of the invention provides access to self-cleaning surfaces which comprise particles with a fissured structure, without any need to apply an additional emboss layer or a foreign-material carrier layer to the moldings. Extrudates of the invention may have the shape of a film or sheet, for example.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for preparing a surfactant-free suspension including hydrophobic particles and at least 50.01% by weight of water, where hydrophobic, nanostructured particles are suspended in at least one organic solvent miscible with water and having a boiling point below 150° C., and then this concentrated organic suspension is intensively and thoroughly mixed with surfactant-free water.

Abstract: The invention relates to injection moldings with surfaces which have self-cleaning properties, and also to a simple process for producing the self-cleaning surfaces. The process of the invention is very simple, since it can make use of currently available equipment. Injection molded parts are usually produced by means of injection molds into which the material is injected. The process of the invention makes use of this process in that prior to the actual injection-molding process microparticles are applied to the injection mold and, during the injection-molding process, are transferred to the injection-molded part in that the particles are pressed into the surface of the injection-molded part. The process of the invention gives access to self-cleaning surfaces which have particles with a fissured structure, without any need to apply an additional emboss layer or foreign-material backing layer to the molding. Injection moldings of the invention may be three-dimensional articles of almost any type.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices produced by injection molding for storing and/or handling liquids, which can be emptied without residues, and also to a simple process for producing such devices. Liquids are frequently taken up and distributed in a defined manner using pipette tips, syringes, ampoules or similar devices. However, for technical reasons, the pipette tips available on the market today cannot pipette the smallest volumes desired without contact, i.e. provide unaided and complete release of the liquid to be pipetted from the pipette tip. Equally, it is currently impossible to completely empty storage vessels. The devices according to the invention overcome this problem by the surfaces which come into contact with the liquid being provided with self-cleaning properties. This makes it possible to take up and distribute liquids without residue in a simple manner and to completely empty storage vessels. The process according to the invention is very simple since it can use existing equipment.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process by which a coating which has dirt- and water-repellant properties can be applied non-permanently to any article. It is usual nowadays for articles to be provided with self-cleaning properties by generating, on the surface of the article, a surface structure made from elevations and depressions which have to have a certain height and a certain separation. This is usually achieved by impressing such structures, or by securing structure-forming particles by means of a carrier system. In this way the surfaces are provided with a permanent self-cleaning surface. If scratching, discoloration, or some other type of damage causes impairment of the surface or surface structure, this cannot be simply removed and reapplied, but instead the article then has to be retreated, freed from the surface structure by a complicated method, or disposed of. In contrast, the inventive coating can be removed again from the articles by relatively simple mechanical means.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfaces with hydrophilic properties and a method for producing such surfaces. Surfaces are provided with hydrophilic properties by applying a coating containing hydrophilic silicic acid by means of the inventive method. Said surfaces can be textile or polymer surfaces, metallic or wooden surfaces. The silicic acid can be permanently connected to the polymer surface or be in the form of a non-fixed coating. The inventive hydrophilic silicic acid is applied in a very simple manner by applying a suspension containing silicic acid particles in a solvent on the corresponding surface, whereupon the solvent is removed or the silicic acid particles are fixed to the surface by means of a carrier. Condensing devices of dehumidifiers, foams or sponges are examples of surfaces that can be provided with the inventive hydrophilic surfaces.