Abstract: Method of making a composite material by paste polymerization, by forming an emulsion of at least one polymerizable monomer in an aqueous material, polymerizing the emulsion to provide a latex containing particles of polymer, in which the polymer has a glass transition temperature above 65° C., adding nanoparticles to the latex, the nanoparticles having at least one dimension in the range 0.5 to 200 nm, and spray-drying the latex. The at least one polymerizable monomer contains vinyl chloride.

Abstract: This invention relates to composite materials and methods of their production. More especially the invention provides methods of making a composite material by paste polymerisation comprising the steps of a) forming an emulsion of at least one polymerisation monomer in an aqueous material b) polymerising the emulsion to provide a latex comprising particles of polymer, c) adding nanoparticles to the latex said nanoparticles having at least one dimension in the range 0.5 to 200 nm, and d) spray-drying the laytex.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of polymer particles in cleaning agents, and such cleaning agents. The polymer particles used according to the present invention are spherical and monodisperse with a particle size which may be varied within the range 10 to 50 micrometers. When all the particles are identical in size and otherwise have identical properties, all the particles will contribute equally to the abrasive effect, and the problems of phase separation phenomena in the final formulation will be reduced. Particles of this type cause no problems with scratching either. Another new and surprising feature of the present invention is that spherical monodisperse polymer particles which have a surface evenly covered with “spikes” of the same polymer material as that of the spherical particle demonstrated much improved washing results in comparison with particles which only had a normal smooth surface. The invented cleaning agents produce good washing results without scratching.