Abstract: Foamable aqueous compositions can be foamed and applied to porous substrates to make light-blocking dry opacifying elements. Such compositions have 0.05-15 weight % of porous particles; at least 20 weight % of a binder; at least 0.0001 weight % of additives (including a surfactant); water; and at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant. Each porous particle includes a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores; a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The continuous polymeric phase Tg is >80° C. and has a polymer viscosity of 80-500 centipoises at an ethyl acetate shear rate of 100 sec?1 at a concentration of 20 weight % at 25° C. The dry opacifying element light blocking value is at least 4 and has a luminous reflectance >40% as measured by the color space Y tristimulus value. The foamed aqueous composition has a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: Foamable aqueous compositions can be foamed and applied to porous substrates to make light-blocking dry opacifying elements. Such compositions have 0.05-15 weight % of porous particles; at least 20 weight % of a binder; at least 0.0001 weight % of additives (including a surfactant); water; and at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant. Each porous particle includes a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores; a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The continuous polymeric phase Tg is >80° C. and has a polymer viscosity of 80-500 centipoises at an ethyl acetate shear rate of 100 sec?1 at a concentration of 20 weight % at 25° C. The dry opacifying element light blocking value is at least 4 and has a luminous reflectance >40% as measured by the Y tristimulus value. The foamed aqueous composition has a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: A foamed, opacifying element has a porous substrate composed of woven yarn strands composed of a thermoplastic polymer-coated multifilament core. It has a dry foamed composition on an opposing surface of the substrate, which includes: (a) 0.1-40 weight % of porous particles; (b) 10-80 weight %; (c) 0.2-50 weight % of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of dispersants, plasticizers, flame retardants, optical brighteners, thickeners, biocides, fungicides, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inert inorganic or organic fillers; (d) less than 5 weight % of water; and (e) at least 0.002 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from all of the one or more additives of (c), which opacifying colorant absorbs electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 380-800 nm. The elements have a light-blocking value (LBV) of at least 4 and can have a bending stiffness that is greater than 0.15 milliNewtons-meter.

Abstract: A light-blocking article is designed to be lightweight but effective to block most incident actinic radiation and can be designed into fabrics, curtains, and other materials. Such an article has an opacifying layer that is capable of blocking predetermined electromagnetic radiation. The article contains (a) porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric binder and pores within the continuous polymeric binder, the porous particles having a glass transition temperature of at least 25° C. and a mode particle size of at least 2 ?m and up to and including 50 ?m. The article also contains an opacifying colorant that absorbs the predetermined electromagnetic radiation (such as within 400 nm to 700 nm), in an amount of at least 0.001 weight % based on the total dry weight of the opacifying layer, and a matrix polymer in which the porous particles and opacifying colorant are dispersed.

Abstract: A method for providing a foamed, opacifying element includes providing a foamable aqueous composition, aerating it to a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm3, applying the foamed aqueous composition to a porous substrate, drying, and densifying the dried layer. Such foamable aqueous compositions have 0.05-15 weight % of porous particles; at least 20 weight % of a binder; at least 0.0001 weight % of additives (including a surfactant); water; and at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant. Each porous particle includes a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores; a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The continuous polymeric phase Tg is >80° C. and has a polymer viscosity of 80-500 centipoises at an ethyl acetate shear rate of 100 sec?1 at a concentration of 20 weight % at 25° C.

Abstract: A foamed, opacifying element having a target light blocking value (LBVT) and a target porous substrate is prepared by determining the light blocking value (LBVS) of the target porous substrate; calculating the LBVT-S difference; choosing a foamable aqueous composition; determining a dry coating weight for the chosen foamable aqueous composition (when foamed); and using the dry coating weight to form the single dry opacifying layer as the only layer disposed on the target porous substrate, such that the single dry opacifying layer has light blocking value that is equal to LBVT-S, ±10%. The chosen foamable aqueous composition comprises the essential components (a) through (e) described herein. The desired foamable aqueous composition can be chosen from a set of similar compositions to achieve the desired LBVT with the noted target porous substrate using suitable mathematical formula relating dry coating weight to light blocking value and a suitable data processor.

Abstract: Foamable aqueous compositions can be foamed and applied to porous substrates to make light-blocking dry opacifying elements. Such compositions have 0.05-15 weight % of porous particles; at least 20 weight % of a binder; at least 0.0001 weight % of additives (including a surfactant); water; and at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant. Each porous particle includes a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores; a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The continuous polymeric phase Tg is >80° C. and has a polymer viscosity of 80-500 centipoises at an ethyl acetate shear rate of 100 sec?1 at a concentration of 20 weight % at 25° C. The dry opacifying element light blocking value is at least 4 and has a luminous reflectance >40% as measured by the color space Y tristimulus value. The foamed aqueous composition has a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method for providing a foamed, opacifying element includes providing a foamable aqueous compositions, aerating it to a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm3, applying the foamed aqueous composition to a porous substrate, drying, and densifying the dried layer Such foamable aqueous compositions have 0.05-15 weight % of porous particles; at least 20 weight % of a binder; at least 0.0001 weight % of additives (including a surfactant); water; and at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant. Each porous particle includes a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores; a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The continuous polymeric phase Tg is>80° C. and has a polymer viscosity of 80-500 centipoises at an ethyl acetate shear rate of 100 sec?1 at a concentration of 20 weight % at 25° C.

Abstract: Foamable aqueous compositions can be foamed and applied to porous substrates to make light-blocking dry opacifying elements. Such compositions have 0.05-15 weight % of porous particles; at least 20 weight % of a binder; at least 0.0001 weight % of additives (including a surfactant); water; and at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant. Each porous particle includes a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores; a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The continuous polymeric phase Tg is >80° C. and has a polymer viscosity of 80-500 centipoises at an ethyl acetate shear rate of 100 sec?1 at a concentration of 20 weight % at 25° C. The dry opacifying element light blocking value is at least 4 and has a luminous reflectance>40% as measured by the Y tristimulus value. The foamed aqueous composition has a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: A light-blocking article is designed to be lightweight but effective to block most incident actinic radiation and can be designed into fabrics, curtains, and other materials. Such an article has an opacifying layer that is capable of blocking predetermined electromagnetic radiation. The article contains (a) porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric binder and pores within the continuous polymeric binder, the porous particles having a glass transition temperature of at least 25° C. and a mode particle size of at least 2 ?m and up to and including 50 ?m. The article also contains an opacifying colorant that absorbs the predetermined electromagnetic radiation (such as within 400 nm to 700 nm), in an amount of at least 0.001 weight % based on the total dry weight of the opacifying layer, and a matrix polymer in which the porous particles and opacifying colorant are dispersed.

Abstract: Articles can be formed with either a dried layer or a dried pattern of a non-aqueous photocurable composition on one or both sides of a substrate. This composition includes a photocurable component and dispersed carbon-coated metal particles present in an amount of at least 10 weight % based on the total weight of the non-aqueous photocurable composition. The dispersed carbon-coated metal particles have a median diameter of less than 0.6 ?m, and a particle dispersing agent that has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2,000 and up to and including 10,000 and comprises nitrogen-containing units, the median diameter being determined using a dynamic light scattering method. Such articles can be used for various purposes including the formation of electrically-conductive grids, and can be incorporated into various devices including those having touch screen displays.

Abstract: A foamable aqueous composition can be used to form foamed, opacifying elements. These compositions have: (a) 0.5 to 20 weight % of porous particles having a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed therein. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2 to 50 ?m; (b) at least 20 weight % of a binder material; (c) 0.1 to 30 weight % of additives including dispersants, plasticizers, inorganic or organic pigments and dyes, thickeners, flame retardants, biocides, fungicides, optical brighteners, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inorganic or organic fillers; (d) water; and (e) at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from (c). The foamable aqueous composition is suitably aerated, disposed on a porous substrate, dried, and crushed on the porous substrate. The method can be used to provide such elements with one or more dry foamed layers.

Abstract: A foamable aqueous composition can be used to form foamed, opacifying elements with one or more dry foamed layers. These compositions generally contain: (a) 0.5 to 20 weight % of porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2 to 50 ?m; (b) at least 20 weight % of a binder material; (c) 0.1 to 30 weight % of a combination of various additives including dispersants, plasticizers, inorganic or organic pigments and dyes, flame retardants, biocides, fungicides, optical brighteners, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inorganic or organic fillers; (d) water; and (e) at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from (c). The foamable aqueous composition is suitably aerated, disposed on a porous substrate, dried, and crushed on the porous substrate to form a foamed, opacifying element.

Abstract: Foamable aqueous compositions can be used to form light-blocking and light-colored foamed, opacifying elements with one or more dry foamed layers. The compositions contain: (a) 0.05 to 20 weight % of porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric phase and a first set of discrete pores, the porous particles having a mode particle size of 2 to 50 ?m; (b) at least 20 weight % of a binder material (that can be curable); (c) 0.1 to 30 weight % of one or more additives including dispersants, plasticizers, inorganic or organic pigments or dyes, thickeners, flame retardants, biocides, fungicides, optical brighteners, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inorganic or organic fillers; (d) water; and (e) at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from (c), which opacifying colorant absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The foamable aqueous composition can be aerated, disposed on a porous substrate, dried, and crushed on that porous substrate.

Abstract: A non-aqueous photocurable composition contains dispersed carbon-coated metal particles in an organic diluent in an amount of at least 10 weight %. The dispersed carbon-coated metal particles have a median diameter equal to or less than 0.6 ?m, and are dispersed using a particle dispersing agent that has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2,000 and up to and including 100,000 and comprises nitrogen-containing units. The median diameter of the dispersed particles is determined using a dynamic light scattering method. Moreover, when the non-aqueous composition contains up to and including 25 weight % of the dispersed carbon-coated metal particles, it exhibits no visual settling when subjected to a settling test of at least 24 hours at 20° C. Such non-aqueous photocurable compositions include photocurable components and are useful to prepare photocurable and photocured electrically-conductive patterns and layers in various articles, including touch screen devices having touch screen displays.

Abstract: A non-aqueous photocurable composition contains dispersed carbon-coated metal particles in an amount of at least 10 weight %, and the dispersed carbon-coated metal particles have a median diameter of less than 0.6 ?m. These particles are dispersed with a particle dispersing agent that has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2,000 and up to and including 100,000 and comprises nitrogen-containing units. Such compositions include an organic diluent as well as suitable photocurable components that can be used for example in acid-catalyzed or free radical chemistries. When the non-aqueous photocurable composition contains up to and including 25 weight % of the dispersed carbon-coated metal particles, it exhibits no visual settling when subjected to a settling test of at least 24 hours at 20° C. The non-aqueous photocurable compositions can be used to provide photocured metallic patterns for various devices that have a touch screen display.

Abstract: A non-aqueous composition contains dispersed carbon-coated metal particles in an organic diluent in an amount of at least 10 weight %. The dispersed carbon-coated metal particles have a median diameter equal to or less than 0.6 ?m, and are dispersed using a particle dispersing agent that has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2,000 and up to and including 100,000 and comprises nitrogen-containing units. The median diameter of the dispersed particles is determined using a dynamic light scattering method. Moreover, when the non-aqueous composition contains up to and including 25 weight % of the dispersed carbon-coated metal particles, it exhibits no visual settling when subjected to a settling test of at least 24 hours at 20° C. Such non-aqueous compositions can include photocurable components and are useful to prepare photocurable and photocured electrically-conductive patterns and layers in various articles, including touch screen devices having touch screen displays.

Abstract: Articles can be formed with either a dried layer or a dried pattern of a non-aqueous photocurable composition on one or both sides of a substrate. This composition includes a photocurable component and dispersed carbon-coated metal particles present in an amount of at least 10 weight % based on the total weight of the non-aqueous photocurable composition. The dispersed carbon-coated metal particles have a median diameter of less than 0.6 ?m, and a particle dispersing agent that has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2,000 and up to and including 10,000 and comprises nitrogen-containing units, the median diameter being determined using a dynamic light scattering method. Such articles can be used for various purposes including the formation of electrically-conductive grids, and can be incorporated into various devices including those having touch screen displays.

Abstract: A non-aqueous photocurable composition contains dispersed carbon-coated metal particles in an organic diluent in an amount of at least 10 weight %. The dispersed carbon-coated metal particles have a median diameter equal to or less than 0.6 ?m, and are dispersed using a particle dispersing agent that has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2,000 and up to and including 100,000 and comprises nitrogen-containing units. The median diameter of the dispersed particles is determined using a dynamic light scattering method. Moreover, when the non-aqueous composition contains up to and including 25 weight % of the dispersed carbon-coated metal particles, it exhibits no visual settling when subjected to a settling test of at least 24 hours at 20° C. Such non-aqueous photocurable compositions include photocurable components and are useful to prepare photocurable and photocured electrically-conductive patterns and layers in various articles, including touch screen devices having touch screen displays.

Abstract: A non-aqueous photocurable composition contains dispersed carbon-coated metal particles in an amount of at least 10 weight %, and the dispersed carbon-coated metal particles have a median diameter of less than 0.6 ?m. These particles are dispersed with a particle dispersing agent that has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 2,000 and up to and including 100,000 and comprises nitrogen-containing units. Such compositions include an organic diluent as well as suitable photocurable components that can be used for example in acid-catalyzed or free radical chemistries. When the non-aqueous photocurable composition contains up to and including 25 weight % of the dispersed carbon-coated metal particles, it exhibits no visual settling when subjected to a settling test of at least 24 hours at 20° C. The non-aqueous photocurable compositions can be used to provide photocured metallic patterns for various devices that have a touch screen display.