Abstract: A composite membrane comprising: a) a porous support; b) a gutter layer; and c) a discriminating layer which satisfies Formula (1): wherein: Ø is <4; x is the arithmetic mean of N measurements of the thickness of the discriminating layer and has a value of between 30 and 150 nm; N is at least 100; xlow_meas is the thickness in nm of an individual measurement of thickness within the N measurements; x>xlow_meas>0; and n is the number of individual thickness measurements where x>xrow_meas, >0 ? = x _ ( N - n ) ? ( n - ? i = 1 n ? ? ( 1 - 1 x low meas ) ) Formula ? ? ( 1 )

Abstract: A process for preparing a composite membrane comprising the steps of: a) applying a radiation-curable composition to a porous support; b) irradiating the composition and thereby forming a layer of cured polymer of thickness 20 to 400 nm on the support; c) forming a discriminating layer on the layer of cured polymer; and d) optionally forming a protective layer on the discriminating layer; wherein the radiation-curable composition comprises a partially crosslinked, radiation-curable polymer comprises dialkylsiloxane groups. Composite membranes are also claimed.

Abstract: A composite membrane comprising: a) a porous support; b) a gutter layer; and c) a discriminating layer which satisfies Formula (1): wherein: Ø is <4; x is the arithmetic mean of N measurements of the thickness of the discriminating layer and has a value of between 30 and 150 nm; N is at least 100; xlow_meas is the thickness in nm of an individual measurement of thickness within the N measurements; x>xlow_meas>0; and n is the number of individual thickness measurements where x>xrow_meas, >0 ? = x _ ( N - n ) ? ( n - ? i = 1 n ? ? ( 1 - 1 x low meas ) ) Formula ? ? ( 1 )

Abstract: A process for preparing a composite membrane comprising the steps of: a) applying a radiation-curable composition to a porous support; b) irradiating the composition and thereby forming a layer of cured polymer of thickness 20 to 400 nm on the support; c) forming a discriminating layer on the layer of cured polymer; and d) optionally forming a protective layer on the discriminating layer; wherein the radiation-curable composition comprises a partially crosslinked, radiation-curable polymer comprises dialkylsiloxane groups. Composite membranes are also claimed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of producing paper support having a topside and a backside, at least said topside being provided with a pigmented coating based on clay and/or other pigment, and is provided with at least one pigmented polymer resin layer. Adhesion between the polymer resin layer and the pigment coated base paper is improved by applying an activating treatment to the base and exposing the polymer melt to an oxidizing gas prior to extrusion coating, making it possible to perform extrusion coating at higher speed.