Abstract: The present application is generally directed to novel compositions and methods used to produce a biodegradable, starch-based, water-resistant article of manufacture. The teachings include a composition comprising a biodegradable fiber component in an amount ranging from about 5% to about 40% on a dry weight basis, starch component in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 94.5% on a dry weight basis, and an additive component in an amount ranging from more than 0% to about 15% on a dry weight basis. The additive component can comprise an epoxidized vegetable oil, a hydrogenated triglyceride, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl acetate-ethylene) copolymer, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold releasing film for printed circuit board production, which comprises a resin layer (P) containing (A) a polyphenylene ether-based resin in an amount of 50 wt % or more. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mold releasing film suitable for production of printed circuit boards, particularly flexible printed circuit boards, which is excellent in mold-releasing property, exhibits little heat shrinkage, hardly imparts wrinkles to printed circuit board products, itself hardly gets wrinkled, and is excellent in contamination resistance since no bleeding-out is observed, and which is also excellent in an anti-moisture absorbing property, shape-following property, less overflow of adhesive, adhesion between multilayer films and slipping property between films.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a rubber composition is provided. In at least one embodiment, the rubber composition comprises a rubber, an oil blend of a petroleum oil and a bio-based oil, the bio-based oil being non-hydroxyl-functionalized, hydroxyl-functionalized, or combinations thereof; and a filler. In certain instances, the bio-based oil includes a soy oil. In certain other instances, the soy oil is hydroxyl-functionalized having a hydroxyl number of from 10 to 350 KOH/g, 40 to 150 KOH/g, or 25 to 200 KOH/g. According to at least another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising providing a rubber composition as described herein and molding the rubber composition to form the rubber article.

Abstract: A veneer composition that includes a mixture of at least one of an acrylic emulsion and one or more hard resins and also includes at least about 60% by volume of translucent, uniformly spherical, non-resin, absorbent beads of at least one of acrylic and polypropylene.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of natural fiber and polymer composites is described. Thermoplastically processed plasticized soy flour based plastics are used with thermoplastic polymers. Polymers of soy flour and an in situ polymerized polyvinyl polymer which links proteins and carbohydrates in the flour to form the polymer are used. The composites are useful in engineering materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for producing naturally-degradable substitutes of plastics and to a method for producing a granular combination of naturally-degradable polymers suitably usable in the plastic transformation industry.

Abstract: A coatable composition that comprises water, a film-forming organic polymer, and a leveling agent comprising an anionic species represented by the formula wherein Rf represents a perfluoroalkyl group having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, and R represents H or an alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid isoprene compound. The compound includes a liquid isoprene rubber. The compound also includes a curing agent selected from sulfur and/or sulfur donors. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 3% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid isoprene compound. The compound includes a liquid isoprene rubber. The compound also includes a nonsulfur curing agent. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent.

Abstract: A solid adhesive composition which has an excellent applying performance even after an applying part of the solid adhesive is left to stand in the atmosphere for a long time and which is excellent in a cap-off performance and which comprises at least an adhesive component, a gelling agent and a solvent, wherein contained in the above composition are at least one selected from the group consisting of waxes such as paraffin waxes and olefin waxes which are a solid at room temperature and have a solubility of 20% or less in the solvent at room temperature and/or a substance absorbing moisture contained at least in the atmosphere and/or the adhesive composition to form an evaporation-inhibiting film.

Abstract: This invention relates to aqueous resin dispersions comprising water, resin, a surfactant, and a caseinate. This invention also relates to the process for producing the aqueous resin dispersion and to adhesives formulated with the aqueous resin dispersion.

Abstract: A coating material contains at least one substance selected from the group consisting of water-soluble resin such as water-soluble acryl resin, resin emulsion such as acryl emulsion and solvent resin such as solution of urethane resin into a solvent (A); resin beads such as polyethylene beads (B); and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of soluble protein such as collagen and resin emulsion incompatible with the (A) such as ethylene-acryl copolymer (C). (A) improves adhesion with a base member, (B) improves heat sealability and (C) improves surface lubricity and anti-blocking properties. Further, water-soluble amine additive (D) may be added to improve adhesion with olefin base member.

Abstract: Hindered amines substituted on the N-atom with an hydroxy-substituted alkoxy moiety are particularly effective in stabilizing organic polymer compositions against the deleterious effects of oxidative, thermal and actinic radiation where the presence of the OH group on the compounds adds important properties not otherwise attainable.

Abstract: The reaction product of at least one polyanhydride and at least one amine is disclosed. A phase change ink composition and a phase change ink containing the polyanhydride/amine adduct are also disclosed.

Abstract: A phenolic resin modified with an alkali salt of sulfite or bisulfite in order to provide compatibility with a wax emulsion sizing agent, an adhesive prepared from the phenolic resin and wax emulsion, and the use of the adhesive in making bonded composites such as wood products, including, parallel strand lumber, oriented strand board (OSB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), medium density fiberboard, wafer board and particle board, and textile products.

Abstract: Natural or synthetic wax dissolved in the continuous organic phase of an water-in-oil emulsion retards evaporation of water from a dispersed aqueous phase. An in situ prepared equilibrium mixture of benzyl alcohol, formic acid and benzyl formate emulsified with oleic hydroxyethyl imidazoline or similar oil soluble emulsifying agent is thickened with hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and contains 0.1 to 1.0% by weight paraffin wax with a melting point of 47.degree. to 65.degree. C. Wax dissolved in the organic phase retards evaporation of water, and formic acid or ammonia which are very volatile in comparison with benzyl alcohol forming the major component of the organic phase. A petroleum distillate is used to pre-wet a hydroxypropyl cellulose thickener and dissolve the wax.

Abstract: Natural or synthetic wax dissolved in the continuous organic phase of an water-in-oil emulsion retards evaporation of water from a dispersed aqueous phase. An in situ prepared equilibrium mixture of benzyl alcohol, formic acid and benzyl formate emulsified with oleic hydroxyethyl imidazoline or similar oil soluble emulsifying agent is thickened with hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and contains 0.1 to 1.0% by weight paraffin wax with a melting point of 47.degree. to 65.degree. C. Wax dissolved in the organic phase retards evaporation of water, and formic acid or ammonia which are very volatile in comparison with benzyl alcohol forming the major component of the organic phase. A petroleum distillate is used to pre-wet a hydroxypropyl cellulose thickener and dissolve the wax.

Abstract: Materials containing fine natural organic material particles are disclosed. As the fine particles, superfine silk fibroin particles are produced by a process comprising a first step of comminuting silk fibroin into coarse particles with dry mechanical comminuting means, a second step of comminuting the coarse silk fibroin particles into fine particles with dry mechanical comminuting means, and a third step of comminuting the fine silk fibroin particles into superfine particles with an average particle diameter of 10 .mu.m or below with dry mechanical comminuting means, the silk fibroin particles being beta-treated during or after at least one of the first to third comminuting steps. Specific examples of the material are films, sheets, paints, fiber treating materials, etc.

Abstract: A water-soluble, biodegradable, repulpable, waterbearing colloidal hydrogel material manufactured from a mixture of natural organic materials, water and additives which is capable of being heated and applied with hot melt glue application equipment for use in paper bag sealing, corrugated and paperboard carton closure, and fishing lures.

Abstract: For the thermoplastic processing of polyvinyl alcohol, the processing temperature must be below the decomposition temperature of the polyvinyl alcohol; this is attained by incorporating plasticizers. For preparing a plasticizer-containing granular polyvinyl alcohol wherein the plasticizer is homogeneously distributed, there is used as starting material a granular polyvinyl alcohol consisting substantially of particles having a definite diameter. The plasticizer is incorporated in the presence of a small amount of water insufficient to dissolve the polyvinyl alcohol, and the temperature is adjusted in a definite manner during the mixing operation. Simultaneous presence of fine particles of a high molecular weight organic compound soluble or dispersible in water is advantageous. The plasticizer-containing granular polyvinyl alcohol is suitable for the manufacture of any shaped articles, especially films and sheets.