Abstract: A dryer ball is provided for use in a clothes dryer to reduce clothes drying time. The dryer ball has a substantially spherical wool body and a substantially uniform distribution of wool fibers therethrough. The body has a volume in the range of about 600 cm3 to 930 cm3. A method of manufacturing the dryer ball includes providing a piece of wool material weighing in the range of 54 g to 60 g, folding the piece of wool material into a substantially spherical wool ball having a circumference in the range of 43 cm to 53 cm, sealing the wool ball in a porous bag, washing the wool ball in the bag, removing the wool ball from the bag, and allowing the wool ball to air dry.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel product and method to coat wood and wood composite products and improves their durability and service life in outdoor conditions. The method comprises coating a Type I waterborne adhesive, crosslinking polyvinyl acetate (XPVAc or x-PVAc), on wood and applying sufficient heat to dry and cure the coating to form a durable bond on wood or wood composites. The above paint system consists of at least two coating layers, in which both layers are crosslinking polyvinyl acetate coating. Alternatively, crosslinking polyvinyl acetate can be used as a primer, while the second or the third layer uses an acrylic, alkyd, or other water resistant coating. This coating approach results in a durable wood or wood composite product due to the excellent bonding with the wood substrate and the excellent water blocking by crosslinking polyvinyl acetate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stable aqueous disersion suitable for application to different substrates and especially to paper substrates for producing a barrier layer against compounds of the saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon type. The said aqueous dispersion are characterised in that they comprise destructurized starch in a complexed form. The present invention refers also to the use of said aqueous dispersion as a coating composition for paper based substrates, as microencapsulant of fragrances and as film-forming component for paints.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing insect and microbial decay in wood. The method comprises the steps of: a) immersing the wood in a treatment solution comprising i) a C1-C6monoalkanolamine ester of boric acid (e.g., monoethanolamine ester of boric acid) and ii) creosote; and b) exposing the immersed wood from step a) to conditions which cause the release of boron from the C1-C6 monoalkanolamine ester of boric acid (monoethanolamine ester of boric acid) and which cause the boron to migrate into the interior of the wood.

Abstract: Multi-filament polyamide yarns characterized by high tenacity and low shrinkage are disclosed. Such yarns or fabrics made therefrom can be used in industrial applications in which such a combination of properties is desirable. Such yarns are particularly useful in the manufacture of automobile airbag fabrics. Also disclosed is a process for making such yarns. The yarn manufacturing process involves spin-drawing molten nylon, relaxing and controlling the yarn tension, and then winding the yarn. Yarns made according to this process exhibit linear density in the range of 110-940 decitex, tenacity equal to or greater than 80 cN/tex, and shrinkage, measured at 177° C., of less than 5%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyurethane composite system comprising a rigid polyurethane foam and a coating material composed of a compact polyurethane or a compact polyurea, wherein the rigid polyurethane foam comprises a porous three-dimensional reinforcing material which forms a network, where the network encloses at least 50% of the volume of the rigid polyurethane foam, or at least two layers of a porous, at least two-dimensional reinforcing material. The present invention further relates to a process for producing the polyurethane composite system and also a sports article, cladding part or furniture item comprising such a polyurethane composite system.

Abstract: An article includes a thermoplastic resin, a metal-resin composite particle, and a pore and a method of manufacturing the article. The metal-resin composite particle includes a metal deposition layer, a first coating layer positioned on one side of the metal deposition layer, and a second coating layer positioned on the other side of the metal deposition layer, and the first and second layers include a thermosetting resin respectively.

Abstract: Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin binder compositions modified with a starch are described. The binder compositions may include about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a starch. In addition, fiber reinforced composites are described. The composites may include organic or inorganic fibers and a polymer matrix formed from a binder composition. The binder composition may include a UF resin and about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a starch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite elements comprising a profile and an insulating core enclosed at least to some extent by the profile, where the insulating core is composed of an organic porous material which has a thermal conductivity in the range from 13 to 30 mW/m*K, determined in accordance with DIN 12667, and a compressive strength of more than 0.20 N/mm2, determined in accordance with DIN 53421, processes for producing composite elements of this type, and the use of a composite element of this type for producing windows, doors, refrigerators, and chest freezers, or elements for facade construction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-proof and dust-proof membrane assembly and applications thereof. The water-proof and dust-proof membrane assembly comprises a body and a supporting member. The body is of membrane and has a first surface, a second surface, and an asymmetric porous structure formed between the first surface and the second surface of the body. The asymmetric porous structure has a thickness ranging between 1 ?m and 1000 ?m, a first volumetric porosity ranging between 5% and 99%. The asymmetric porous structure has plural pores, and each pore has a pore diameter between 0.01 ?m and 15 ?m. The supporting member is of a polymeric material and has a first contacting surface, a second contacting surface, and a second volumetric porosity which is greater than the first volumetric porosity. The first contacting surface of the supporting member is adhered to the first surface of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous solution containing at least one modification agent, whey, water glass and a solvent, in particular an aqueous solvent, and to the uses thereof, particularly as a fire-retardant impregnation, coating or sealant material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may take the form of a textile fabric, including: a first region defined by a first plurality of textile fibers; a second region adjacent the first region and being formed from a second plurality of textile fibers and a hot melt material adjacent the second plurality of textile fibers; wherein the first region is free of hot melt material. Other embodiments may take the form of a method for fabricating a textile product, including the operations of: applying heat to a textile having associated hot melt fibers, thereby melting the hot melt fibers; modifying a mechanical property of a portion of the textile by introducing a solvent to the textile; and stopping an action of the solvent on the textile when the mechanical property reaches a target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic composite for thermal and/or acoustic insulation comprising an expanded polymer (A) protected against fire by a high strength polymeric flame retardant layer (B), the process for manufacturing of such composite, and the use of such composite.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite material having high interlaminar toughness and compressive strength under wet heat conditions, as well as an epoxy resin composition for production thereof and a prepreg producible from the epoxy resin composition is described. The prepreg includes at least constituents [A], [B], and [C] as specified below and reinforcement fiber, wherein 90% or more of constituent [C] exists in the depth range accounting for 20% of the prepreg thickness from the prepreg surface: [A] epoxy resin; [B] epoxy resin curing agent; and [C] polymer particles insoluble in epoxy resin.

Abstract: An engineering or constructional member comprising at least two strips bonded with an adhesive; each of the strips comprises bamboo impregnated or treated with a polymer derived from one or more furfuryl alcohol resin precursors.

Abstract: An air bag coated with a cured organopolysiloxane composition, characterized in that the air bag is top coated with an antifriction coating comprising at least one solid lubricant dispersed in an organic polymer binder.

Abstract: Reduction/oxidation reagents have been found to be effective to chemically cure a sparse metal nanowire film into a fused metal nanostructured network through evidently a ripening type process. The resulting fused network can provide desirable low sheet resistances while maintaining good optical transparency. The transparent conductive films can be effectively applied as a single conductive ink or through sequential forming of a metal nanowire film with the subsequent addition of a fusing agent. The fused metal nanowire films can be effectively patterned, and the patterned films can be useful in devices, such as touch sensors.

Abstract: Geocomposite articles that can provide a barrier against high conductivity water e.g., ocean water, are described and their method of manufacture, for waterproofing surfaces that contact high conductivity water. The geocomposite article mat includes a woven or non-woven geotextile sheet or mat containing a powdered or granular partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer across its entire major surface(s). The powdered or granular copolymer has an unexpectedly high free-swell when hydrated with High Conductivity water, such as ocean water. A liquid-impermeable cover sheet is adhered to the upper major surfaces of the filled copolymer-carrying geotextile to provide a primary high conductivity water barrier layer that, if ruptured, is sealed by the swell of an underlying layer of water-insoluble, partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer.

Abstract: Geocomposite articles that can provide a barrier against high conductivity water e.g., ocean water, are described and their method of manufacture, for waterproofing surfaces that contact high conductivity water. The geocomposite article mat includes a woven or non-woven geotextile sheet or mat containing a powdered or granular partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer across its entire major surface(s). The powdered or granular copolymer has an unexpectedly high free-swell when hydrated with High Conductivity water, such as ocean water. A liquid-impermeable cover sheet is adhered to the upper major surfaces of the filled copolymer-carrying geotextile to provide a primary high conductivity water barrier layer that, if ruptured, is sealed by the swell of an underlying layer of water-insoluble, partially cross-linked acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer.

Abstract: Provided are a self-crosslinking polysiloxane-modified polyhydroxy polyurethane resin derived from a reaction of a 5-membered cyclic carbonate polysiloxane compound represented by the following formula (1) and an amine compound and having polysiloxane segments and masked isocyanate groups in its structure: wherein A means and its production process. The present invention can provide a polyhydroxy polyurethane resin, the development of applications of which has not moved ahead in the prior art, as a novel self-crosslinking polyhydroxy polyurethane resin that enables to provide products excellent in lubricity, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, non-tackiness, heat resistance and the like, is useful from the viewpoint of the reduction of warming gas, and is responsive to the environment.