Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet radiation which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing. In another variant, two different spectral regions of UV curing radiation are used so that a urethane coating can be employed as a top coat with a selectively embossed surface.

Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet light which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing.

Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet light which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing.

Abstract: Selectivity embossed surface coverings are prepared by mechanically embossing a wear layer which overlays at least one printing ink containing a photoinitiator which has been printed in a pattern or design. The embossed wear layer is subjected to ultraviolet radiation which causes curing of the wear layer in the surface areas disposed over the printing ink. The product then is fused whereby the mechanical embossing in surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink relaxes and becomes smooth. In a variant of the invention, a thermoplastic wear layer is employed which can be mechanically embossed in the surface areas which are not disposed over the printing ink with a texture different from the first applied mechanical embossing. In another variant, two different spectral regions of UV curing radiation are used so that a urethane coating can be employed as a top coat with a selectively embossed surface.

Abstract: An article that is a flooring material or a wall covering coated with a wear layer that is a heat-cured and radiation-cured coating composition, the composition including a polyvinyl chloride (PVC resin), an acrylic or methacrylic compound, and a radiation-reactive urethane oligomer, the composition being substantially or completely free of internal or external plasticizers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a barrier composition, surface covering products incorporating a barrier layer, methods for making such surface covering products and methods for inhibiting or preventing the migration of sub-surface stains to the decorative portions of the surface covering products. The barrier composition comprises thermoplastic latex. The barrier composition is applied to the lower surface of the substrate of a decorative surface covering, or the lower surface of a basecoat on the substrate, and is then heat cured to obtain the barrier layer.

Abstract: The specular gloss of a polyurethane wear layer of a surface covering is controlled by controlling the thermal conditions of a substrate before and after it is coated with a liquid polyurethane and by controlling the termal conditions of the liquid polyurethane before it is coated on the substrate. The liquid polyurethane is photo-curable or radiation-curable and it contains a matting agent. Changes in specular gloss are attained without changing the composition of the polyurethane or the conditions of photo-curing or radiation curing.

Abstract: A wear layer is applied to a flooring material to yield a product having superior properties. The wear layer is applied to the flooring material using a coating composition comprising (i) a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, (ii) an acrylic or methacrylic compound and (iii) a radiation-reactive urethane oligomer, which composition is substantially or completely free of internal or external plasticizers, heating to heat-cure the coating composition and irradiating the composition to radiation-cure the coating composition.

Abstract: A radiation-curable coating composition comprising a PVC resin, an acrylic or methacrylic compound and a radiation-reactive urethane oligomer. Also described is a process for coating a material, comprising the steps of applying to the material a coating composition according to the invention, heating to heart-cure the coating composition and irradiating the composition to radiation-cure the coating composition. There is also provided an article comprising a material coated with the composition according to the invention. The invention is particularly useful for coating resilient vinyl flooring materials.