Abstract: A storage tank has side walls (100) each assembled from a plurality of panels (1), preferably of metal clad GRP, interconnected with one another. The panels (1) are each of hyperbolic paraboloid ("hypar") shape thus providing a concave surface (3) which, on assembly of the tank, faces out. The tanks may be strengthened by internal bracing (500) under tension or external bracing under compression.

Abstract: Curable epoxide resin compositions having improved mechanical and fire-resistant properties comprise an epoxide resin adducted with an elastomer polymer including a chlorinated monomer such as a chlorinated butadiene, vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride and an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. The composition may be produced by stirring an aqueous latex of the polymer into the liquid resin, with heating if necessary. The compositions can be cured with conventional curing agents and can replace ordinary epoxide resins in most applications without any change in procedure.

Abstract: An aqueous copolymer emulsion useful as a ceramic tile adhesive contains filler material, a zinc compound and an aqueous emulsion of a copolymer containing residues of an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon monomer, an unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith and a small amount of residues containing carboxyl groups.

Abstract: A method and kit for repairing in situ a utility pole, especially a wooden one, when damaged at around ground level uses a sleeve to surround a substantial length of a pole and a non-shrink hardenable pourable composition to occupy a clearance between the sleeve and the pole and form a solid core bonded to both of them, so as to yield a very strong assembly. Preferably the sleeve is of two identical parts clipped together round the pole, and the composition is a magnesium phosphate cement.

Abstract: For a method of making foundry cores and moulds using a resin-coated sand in a hot box process, a crystalline unsaturated polyester resin for making the binder uses an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, a symmetrical dicarboxylic aromatic acid and a glycol which is predominantly 1,6 hexanediol, with the possible addition of ethylene glycol and other symmetrical glycols. The molecular weight of the resin is at least 2000 and it is mixed with solid monomer such as methylene bis acrylamide or a low-viscosity liquid monomer such as diallyl phthalate or a mixture of the two. The aromatic acid is between 30 and 55 mole percent of the total acid and the acid value before addition of the monomer is below 30 mg KOH/g to result in a viscosity of not more than 30 poise at 125.degree. C.

Abstract: An elastomer-modified unsaturated polymer comprises an unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester polymer modified by a low molecular weight elastomer. The elastomer has terminal groups provided by an epoxy resin which render it compatible with the unsaturated polymer. These elastomer-modified unsaturated polymers are useful for providing resin compositions which include a cross-linking agent for the unsaturated polymer. The elastomer is soluble in the resin composition, which is curable to provide an unsaturated resin matrix having particles of the modifying elastomer dispersed therein.

Abstract: A compound containing an epoxy group, is reacted with a carboxyl compound by heating a mixture of these compounds in the presence of a benzotriazole such as unsubstituted benzotriazole or tolyltriazole as accelerator. The accelerator is particularly effective in the reaction of a carboxyl compound which is a polyester containing free carboxylic acid groups with an epoxy compound which is triglycidyl cyanurate or an epoxy resin based on bisphenol A.

Abstract: The flash point of a free radical curing resin containing styrene as cross-linkable monomer is raised to a value above 32.degree. C. by incorporating in the resin a perhalohydrocarbon preferably containing fluorine as at least one of the halogen atoms and chlorine as another of the halogen atoms.

Abstract: A laminate containing an inorganic structural material clad with a facing of metal or plastics material has at least one layer of adhesive between the structural material and the facing. The adhesive preferably includes either a layer of polyester modified hydraulic cement or a thermosetting resin and more preferably one layer of polyester modified cement adjacent the structural material and one layer of thermosetting resin adjacent the facing.

Abstract: A polyester moulding composition for providing a moulded article less susceptible to cracking than those made from conventional polyester moulding compositions contains an unsaturated polyester resin, 25-55 mole % of the acid of which is a symmetrical aromatic saturated dicarboxylic acid and the glycol of which is preferably 1,6 - hexanediol, a monomer which is a solid or liquid of low volatility, at least one inorganic filler and reinforcing fibres. The filler preferably has a mean particle size of below 5.mu. or from 15 to 130.mu. inclusive.

Abstract: A composite for providing a metal clad article of thermosetting resin includes a metal facing, a curable thermosetting resin and, between the metal facing and the resin, a layer of adhesive material. The adhesive material is capable of adhesion to the metal facing and to the thermosetting resin on curing of the resin to thereby bond the metal to the resin. The thermosetting resin may be cured hot or cold, some adhesives being more suitable for one or other method.

Abstract: A composition for anti-fouling coatings includes 20 to 80% of heavy metal particles such as copper or a copper alloy powder. To prevent instability on storage the resin matrix has a low acid value, preferably not greater than 5 mg KOH/g. The resin is one of a type cured by a free-radical-initiated cross-linking mechanism such as an unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester or urethane acrylate.

Abstract: A preimpregnated material has a reinforcement substrate impregnated with a thermoset resin mix which includes an initiator susceptible to light in the visible range. The material has cover films in the conventional manner but at least one of them is opaque whereby to protect the material from premature hardening. It gels and cures on exposure to ordinary daylight. The material has wide applicability in patching or locally reinforcing, and in laying-up laminating processes.A preferred mix has a polyester resin, or small amount of a thickener and a photoinitiator system comprising tribenzylamine, rosin and a benzoyl substituted-oxime carbonate ester.

Abstract: A prepasted wall covering has a dry coating (to be activated as the adhesive paste for the covering by immersion in water) formed from a "reverse" emulsion i.e. a water in oil emulsion of a water-soluble very high molecular weight synthetic polymer. The very low coating weight of 3-8 g/m.sup.2 can be used because the water in oil emulsion has a comparatively low viscosity at high solids content.

Abstract: A photo-initiator system of a polyester resin is disclosed which consists of an oxime carbonate of a vicinal diketone (I), a photo-reducible dye (II) and an amine (III). This system is capable of polymerizing and curing unsaturated polyester resins by irradiation with visible light to provide coatings, adhesives, castings and fibre reinforced composites.The formulae of the ingredients of the system are ##STR1## where R' and R" are independently alkyl, aryl or aralkyl (R' preferably being CH.sub.3 and R" C.sub.2 H.sub.5) ##STR2## wherein X=Br or I on at least 2 positionsY=H, Br, IZ=H, COOM, COOR wherein R=C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alyl.M=H, K, Na, Li, NH.sub.4(there preferably being 4X substituents which are Br, and Z preferably being --COOM or --COOR), and wherein also 4Y substituents may be present and preferably be I) and (III) ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 is H, alkyl, hydroxy-substituted alkyl, aryl or aralkyl. R.sub.2 is independently alkyl, hydroxyl substituted alkyl, aryl or aralkyl.

Abstract: Highly filled crosslinkable emulsion polymer compositions containing vinyl aromatic monomers and acrylate or methacrylate monomers can be provided with improved retention of adhesive power in the face of attack by water and improved shelf-life by the presence of zinc ammonium carbonate in the composition. The zinc ammonium carbonate is preferably in the form of an aqueous solution prepared by reacting an equimolar amount of ammonium carbonate and ammonium hydrogen carbonate with zinc oxide and ammonia.

Abstract: An unsaturated polyester resin composition for ambient temperature open lay-up moulding contains styrene as an agent for cross-linking during curing, a wax for preventing air inhibition and a compound for allowing reduction of styrene evaporation. The compound is of the formulaR.sub.1 --X--CH.dbd.CHCOOHwhere R.sub.1 is a straight- or branched-chain substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic C.sub.6 --C.sub.24 hydrocarbon, and ##STR1## Such resin compositions are particularly suitable for producing laminates and the abovementioned compounds serve as adhesion-promoting agents. Incorporation of such compounds into the compositions enables larger amounts of the waxy substances to be included by compensating for the loss of adhesion which would otherwise have arisen from the presence of larger quantities of waxy substance.

Abstract: An adhesive for the efficient bonding of ceramic tiles and having improved water resistance comprises an emulsion copolymer composition including an acrylate or methacrylate monomer, a vinyl aromatic monomer, and, for reducing water sensitivity, an unsaturated organo-silicon compound. Compositions which are effective in promoting water resistant adhesion may contain as little as from 0.1-1.0% by weight of the unsaturated organosilicon compound.

Abstract: To allow the use of stearyl stearate or paraffin in amounts to restrict styrene evaporation from an unsaturated polyester resin during curing, there is present in the resin a small amount (0.1 to 5% by weight) of a long-chain vinyl compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is straight- or branched-chain substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic C.sub.6 -C.sub.24 hydrocarbon,Y=H or CH.sub.3,n=zero or 1, ##STR2## Preferred such compounds are lauryl and stearyl methacrylate. The resins are made by admixture of the selected compound(s) with the conventional other components of the resin.

Abstract: A composite for providing a metal clad article of thermosetting resin includes a metal facing, a curable thermosetting resin and, between the metal facing and the resin, a layer of adhesive material. The adhesive material is capable of adhesion to the metal facing and to the thermosetting resin on curing of the resin to thereby bond the metal to the resin. The thermosetting resin may be cured hot or cold, some adhesives being more suitable for one or other method.