Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for the production of paper from a suspension containing cellulosic fibers, and optionally fillers, comprising adding to the suspension at least one cationic organic polymer and an aqueous silica-containing composition comprising an anionic naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate and anionic silica-based particles, the composition having a weight ratio of naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate to silica-based particles within the range of from 0.2:1 to 99:1, and containing naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate and silica-based particles in an amount of at least 0.01% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous silica-containing composition, and with the proviso that the composition contains substantially no cellulose-reactive sizing agent. The invention also encompasses an aqueous silica-containing composition and a method for preparation of an aqueous silica-containing compound.

Abstract: A closed loop continuous emulsion polymerization apparatus at least comprising a circulation pump, a reactor tube which connects the outlet of the circulation pump to its inlet, at least one feed for supplying raw materials, an outlet, and means for cooling the tube, characterized in that the reactor further comprises an additional tube for by-passing a pig around the circulation pump, a pig receiving station which is in parallel connection with the circulation pump or the reactor tube, and optionally means for directing a pig into the pig receiving station. The invention allows simple removal of the pig from the reactor, afforts great freedom in selecting the type of circulation pump and material and shape of the pig, and enables total control over the launching of the pig substantially independent of the reaction medium flow.

Abstract: A transfer line for the transfer of fluid or powder-like substances from one or more sources to an outlet characterized in that the transfer line comprises at least one movable section, optionally including associated equipment such as one or more pumps or filters. The movable line section to be cleaned is coupled to a cleaning station. Water for a first washing is transferred through the movable line section and preferably at least for a part recirculated a number of times. The used water is drained off. Fresh water for a second washing is transferred through the movable line section. After transferring the used water from the second wash tank into the first wash tank, water from a third wash tank is transferred through the movable line section to the first wash tank. The washings collected in the first wash tank can be reused as a first washing for a next movable line section to be cleaned.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically conductive powder coating composition having anti-static properties comprising metallic fibers. Further, the coating composition shows effective EMF shielding. Very good results are found when the metallic fibers have an L/D ratio in the range between 5 and 75, wherein L is the length of the fiber and D is the diameter of the fiber. In a preferred embodiment stainless steel fibers are incorporated in the powder coating composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a film forming composition, a method of forming the composition, and application of the composition to coating formulations which provide a cured coating having acid rain resistance. A film-forming polyurethane polyol composition comprises a reaction product of an n-functional isocyanate (wherein n is a number ranging from about 2 to about 5) with at least one diol or triol or mixtures thereof and a compound containing isocyanate-reactive functional groups, preferably a monofunctional alcohol or thiol. The low viscosity polyurethane polyol of the present invention is typically crosslinked/cured using a melamine to produce a cured coating which is highly acid etch resistant as well as having other desirable physical-mechanical properties. The coating compositions have improved flow characteristics compared to compositions containing polyurethane polyols prepared without the monofunctional alcohols or thiols.

Abstract: A water borne binder composition comprising (a) an aqueous dispersion of an acrylic copolymer comprising carboxylic acid and ethylene-urea functionality, having a weight average molecular weight below 200,000 and a Tg<−15° C., as calculated from the monomer composition using the Fox equation; and (b) a water soluble complex of a transition metal, preferably zinc.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a decorated substrate comprising the steps of: submitting the substrate to a treatment to prepare its surface for the application of a coating; applying a coating to the surface of the substrate in one or more cycles; covering the surface of the substrate with a sheet comprising a decoration which is to be transferred to the surface of the substrate; and heating the substrate and the sheet comprising the decoration to effect the transfer of the decoration from the sheet onto the substrate. In this process, the coating is cured using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength shorter than 400 nm, until a coating is obtained having a Tg between 50 and 130° C. and a scar resistance at 200° C. of at least 3N and wherein the temperature during the transfer of the decoration to the substrate is from 180 to 220° C. The process is particularly suited to the decoration of heat sensitive substrates, like MDF or wood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyurethane polyol compositions comprising the reaction product of a polyisocyanate, a polyol, and a Guerbet alcohol having at least 12 carbon atoms or a Guerbet alcohol mixture having an average of at least 12 carbon atoms. Preferred polyols are &agr;,&bgr; diols and &agr;,&ggr; diols. The polyurethane polyol compositions exhibit very low viscosity and are particularly useful in very low VOC coating compositions. The resulting cured coating provides surprisingly improved properties.

Abstract: An aqueous polymer dispersion is disclosed for use in coating compositions comprising monomer compositions A and B, wherein the difference of the Tg of A and B after monomer polymerization is at least 60° C. and with the highest of such Tg being at least 40° C., with the overall monomer composition being formed by ethylenically unsaturated compounds comprising: 1) one or more compounds selected from alkenyl aromatic monomer, acrylonitrile, an alkyl, (hetero)cycloalkyl or aralkyl ester of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid having 4-22 carbon atoms, acrylamide and methacrylamide, acrylamide and methacrylamide N-substituted with an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms, vinyl acetate and vinyl versatate, optionally having a second functional group for reacting with curing agent, 2) an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and 3) a nitrogenous adhesion promoting, copolymerizable monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition comprising: 5-95 wt. % of a polyurethane/acrylate hybrid dispersion and 95-5 wt. % of a dispersion of a polyurethane resin with oxidatively drying groups. Optionally, the coating composition comprises in addition to the above-mentioned dispersions an emulsion of an alkyd resin. The coating composition can be used as a translucent or opaque primer or topcoat or as a clearcoat in decorative applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antifouling paint having a binder comprising a rosin material and an auxiliary film-forming resin, the paint including an ingredient having marine biocide properties, wherein the binder comprises a blend of the rosin material and an auxiliary film-forming resin in a ratio of 20:80 to 95:5 by weight, the auxiliary film-forming resin comprising 20-100% by weight of an acid-functional film-forming polymer (A) whose acid groups are blocked by groups capable of hydrolyzing or dissociating to leave a polymer soluble in sea water, the blocking groups being selected from divalent metal atoms bonded to a monovalent organic residue, divalent metal atoms bonded to a hydroxyl residue and monoamine groups which form an organic solvent soluble amine salt of the polymer, and 80-0% by weight of a non-hydrolyzing water-insoluble film-forming polymer (B).

Abstract: The invention relates to an antifouling paint having a binder comprising a rosin material and an auxiliary film-forming resin, the paint including an ingredient having marine biocide properties, wherein the binder comprises a blend of the rosin material and an auxiliary film-forming resin in ratio 20:80 to 95:5% by weight, the auxiliary film-forming resin comprising 20-100% by weight of an acid-functional film forming polymer (A) whose acid groups are blocked by groups capable of hydrolyzing, dissociating or exchanging with seawater species to leave a polymer soluble in seawater, the blocking groups being selected from quaternary ammonium groups which form a quaternary ammonium salt of the polymer and quaternary phosphonium groups which form a quaternary phosphonium salt of the polymer, and 80-20% of a non-hydrolyzing water-insoluble film-forming polymer (B).

Abstract: The invention pertains to mixtures or pastes comprising a cellulose ester, a binder resin, water, and optionally a plasticiser, an organic solvent, an emulsifier, and/or a thickener, wherein in that at least a portion of the binder resin is functionalized with an amino-functional acetal. The mixtures can be cured at ambient temperature. The mixtures or pastes can be used for, for example, varnishing wood, metal, synthetic material, paper, leather, glass, and plastic films, and in particular on surfaces where great value is placed on solventless coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention to a coating composition comprising:(a) a bicyclic oxazolidine compound of the structure: ##STR1## (b) a monoyclic oxazlidine compound of the structure: ##STR2## (c) an isocyanate functional compound, and (d) a resin comprising a functional group selected from hydroxyl and amine.The invention further relates to a method of coating a substrate with the coating composition and to a substrate coated with the coating composition.

Abstract: The current invention relates to an alkyd resin particularly useful in high-solids coating compositions. The alkyd resin comprises the reaction product of an unsaturated fatty acid, a polyol, and the adduct of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid to an unsaturated fatty acid wherein the resin containsa) about 5 to about 40 weight % of the adduct of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid to an unsaturated fatty acid,b) about 50 to about 90 weight % of an unsaturated fatty acid which is not part of an adduct,c) about 8 to about 18 weight % of a polyol free from carboxylic groups,d) about 1 to about 30 weight % of an at least two hydroxyl groups-containing monocarboxylic acid,e) optionally, up to about 10 weight % of a dicarboxylic and/or a tricarboxylic acid, andf) optionally, up to 15 weight % of one or more monomers other than the monomers (a) through (e).Also disclosed is their use in coating compositions, particularly high-solids coating compositions having a VOC of less than 170.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing continuous polyester filament yarn for technical applications from a polymer over 90% of the chains of which are composed of-ethylene terephthalate units, via a one-step spinning process, with the undrawn filaments having a crystallinity smaller than 16% and the yarn being wound at a rate larger than 6000 m/min. The yarn obtained in this fashion is particularly suitable for use as reinforcing material in rubber articles, notably as reinforcing material in pneumatic tires for cars. The polyester filament yarn can be used to make cords of uncommonly high dimensional stability and a unique combination of breaking tenacity, shrinkage, and breaking toughness.

Abstract: The invention relates to bleaching granules containing a solid, water-insoluble peroxy acid and a hydratable inorganic material. The bleaching granules are made by a process wherein the constituents to be used are mixed to form a powder at low temperature and granules are formed from the powder as the temperature is increased to at least the hydration temperature of the hydratable inorganic material. The invention also relates to bleaching compositions and detergent compositions comprised of such bleaching granules.

Abstract: Polyolefins are stabilized against UV-deterioration by mixing therewith a hindered C-nitro compound having a molecular weight above 500. In a preferred embodiment the hindered C-nitro compound is a nitrated polyolefin. A conventional UV-stabilizer, such as a substituted benzophenone or a hindered piperidine, may be used in combination with the hindered C-nitro compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of secondary methylalkyl amines is disclosed, said process comprising reacting, at elevated temperature and pressure, a hexahydrotriazine compound in the liquid state with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst material having at least one catalytically active metal, said hexahydrotriazine compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are, independently, straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated, linear or cyclic hydrocarbon groups or straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated, linear or cyclic hydrocarbon groups wherein one or more CH.sub.