Abstract: This invention relates to a single- or multilayer, oriented film formed from polyester and at least one inorganic black pigment. The inventive films include at least one layer which has, alongside polyester, an amount of from 0.5 to 75% by weight of particles incorporating iron oxide as black pigment.

Abstract: Coating compositions for fibrous nonwoven and woven coated mats comprising a platey filler, mica, talc, clay, etc., of particular critical mean particle sizes and aspect ratios, one or more pigments of particular particle sizes and a resin binder producing a good surface and low permeabilities achieved with low coating weights are disclosed. Also, disclosed are fibrous mats coated on at least one surface with the coating compositions and laminates having a coated fibrous mat bonded to at least one surface of the substrate of the laminate. The platey mica in the coating has a mean particle size of about 38+/?8 or less microns and an aspect ratio of about 36+/?7 or less.

Abstract: A pure pearl powder preparation method of preparing a pure pearl powder by: (a) preparing pearl and washing the prepared pearl to remove sands and other, and then infusing the washed pearl in milk/soybean milk till that the milk/soybean milk becomes rancid, (b) washing the pearl with water to remove foul smell from the pearl, and then drying the pearl, and crushing the pearl into a superfine pearl powder, and (c) mixing the superfine pearl powder thus obtained with water in a high-speed mixer to form a pearl powder suspension, and then drawing the pearl powder suspension out of the mixer through a sieve over 100 mesh, and then drying the collected pearl powder suspension at low temperature to obtain the desired pure pearl powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inkjet ink pigments having surface counter-ions replaced with other counter-ions with larger size and/or hydrophobicity. The effect of the replacement is to decrease pigment-ink-vehicle-separation in the inkjet ink printing process.

Abstract: Particles having a relative viscosity or thickening effect ?rel of more than 2, measured in a liquid medium having a viscosity of 1 Pas at a temperature of 25° C. and measured at a shear gradient of 10 s?1. The particles can form beds having a porosity ?>0.5 in a dry form.

Abstract: A pigment prepared using nanofillers with modified properties because of the powder size being below 100 nanometers. Blue, yellow and brown pigments are illustrated. Nanoscale coated, un-coated, nanorods type fillers are included. The pigment nanopowders taught comprise one or more elements from the group actinium, antimony, aluminum, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cesium, cobalt, copper, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, gallium, gold, hafnium, hydrogen, indium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mendelevium, mercury, molybdenum, neodymium, neptunium, nickel, niobium, nitrogen, oxygen, osmium, palladium, platinum, potassium, praseodymium, promethium, protactinium, rhenium, rubidium, scandium, silver, sodium, strontium, sulfur, selenium, tantalum, terbium, thallium, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of preparing particulate products, the process comprising the steps of printing a liquid precursor of a non-metal particulate onto or into a collecting substrate and recovering non-metal particulates.

Abstract: Solid pigment preparations comprising as essential constituents (A) from 60% to <90% by weight of at least one pigment, (B) >10% to 40% by weight of at least one anionic surface-active additive based on acid phosphoric, phosphonic, sulfuric and/or sulfonic esters of polyalkylene oxides or of reaction products of alkylene oxides with aliphatic alcohols, with phenol or naphthol, which may each be alkyl substituted if desired, with aliphatic or aromatic amines or with aliphatic carboxylic acids or carboxamides or on salts thereof, the fraction of the phosphorus-containing additive in a mixture of phosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives being not less than 50% by weight, and (C) from 0% to <30% by weight of at least one nonionic surface-active additive based on polyethers, with the proviso that component (B) is a phosphoric and/or phosphonic ester when the fraction of component (C) is 0% by weight, are made and used for pigmenting macromolecular organic and inorganic materials.

Abstract: A liquid coating material in the form of a water-in-oil dispersion which is curable with actinic radiation, is substantially or completely free from organic solvents and has a pH<5, comprising (A) at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of low molecular mass, oligomeric, and polymeric organic compounds which contain at least one group which can be activated with actinic radiation, and also air-drying and oxidatively drying alkyd resins, (B) at least one acidic ester of polyphosphoric acid and at least one compound (b1) containing at least one hydroxyl group and at least one group which can be activated with actinic radiation, (C) at least one acidic ester of monophosphoric acid and at least one compound (c1) containing at least one hydroxyl group and at least one group which can be activated with actinic radiation, and (D) at least one acidic, corrosion-inhibiting pigment based on polyphosphoric acid; process for its preparation, and its use as a coil coating primer.

Abstract: A compressor includes a swash plate, and a shoe connected to an outer periphery of the swash plate. A surface of the swash plate slides upon a flat surface of the shoe. A sliding film is applied to the surface of the swash plate. The sliding film is formed of binder resin which contains a solid lubricant and titanium oxide powder. This allows the surface of the swash plate and the flat surface of the shoe to smoothly slide upon each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pigments whose particles have a length of from 2 ?m to 5 mm, a width of from 2 ?m to 2 mm and a thickness of from 50 nm to 1.5 ?m and a ratio of length to thickness of at least 2:1, the particles having a core of a metallically reflecting material having two substantially parallel faces, the distance between which is the shortest axis of the core, comprising (a), optionally, on one parallel face of the core, an SiOy layer wherein 0.95<y?2.0, (b), on the SiOy layer, an SiOx layer wherein 0.03<x?0.95, and (c), on the SiOx layer, an SiOz layer wherein 0.95<z?2.0, to a method for the production thereof, and to the use thereof in paints, textiles, ink-jet printing, cosmetics, coating compositions, plastics, printing inks and in glazes for ceramics and glass. The pigments without an SiOy layer produce brilliant colours. The pigments with an SiOy layer are opaque and exhibit brilliant colours with a metallic appearance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye loaded zeolite material comprising: a) at least one zeolite crystal having straight through uniform channels each having a channel axis parallel to, and a channel width transverse to, a c-axis of crystal unit cells; b) closure molecules having an elongated shape and consisting of a head moiety and a tail moiety, the tail moiety having a longitudinal extension of more than a dimension of the crystal unit cells along the c-axis and the head moiety having a lateral extension that is larger than said channel width and will prevent said head moiety from penetrating into a channel; c) a channel being terminated, in generally plug-like manner, at least at one end thereof located at a surface of the zeolite crystal by a closure molecule hose tail moiety penetrates into said channel and whose head moiety substantially occludes said channel end while projecting over said surface; and d) an essentially linear arrangement of luminescent dye molecules enclosed within a terminated chann

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing coated, fine-particle, inorganic solids, the surface of which is coated with fine inorganic solid particles containing at least two different organic additives. At least one of said additives contains a wetting agent, dispersing agent, or deflocculant. The additives represent a maximum of 15 percent by weight of the coated solids.

Abstract: A non-aqueous pigment ink includes a colorant and a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the colorant is a pigment complex of a pigment, a dispersant and a polymer compound, the polymer compound contains 2 or more primary and/or secondary amino groups within each molecule, and the dispersant contains 2 or more reactive functional groups within each molecule that exhibit reactivity with the amino groups of the polymer compound.

Abstract: A color balancer composition achieves a change in tone or hue on a vehicle painted surface as needed to achieve an acceptable color fade to match an adjacent area. The composition is composed of a clear coat, a toner or colorant, and a reducing agent. The color balancer composition is formed by mixing these three parts. In one implementation, one part of the colorant is blended with about 100 parts of the clear coat, and then the resulting blend is combined at about 4 parts by volume of the reducing agent with one part of the colorant-clear coat mixture. The ratios can be varied.

Abstract: Pigment preparations including as essential constituents (A) from 60 to 90% by weight of at least one pigment, (B) from 10 to 40% by weight of at least one nonionic surface-active additive based on polyethers, and (C) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of at least one anionic surface-active additive based on sulfonates, sulfates, phoshonates or phosphates, the sum total of the weight percentages not exceeding 100% by weight, are prepared and used for pigmenting macromoleular organic and inorganic materials.

Abstract: Composite compounds of co-structured or co-adsorbed organic or mineral fillers or pigments containing at least two organic or mineral fillers or pigments of a different nature and the use thereof in the paper industry for manufacturing paper, filling or coating or for any other surface treatment of the paper as well as wood or metal or plastic or cement surface treatment compounds in the fields of aqueous and non-aqueous prints and plastics materials. Coating colors, uncoated filling compound and sheets of base paper for coating containing them.

Abstract: A photocurable ink for ink-jet printing, including: a photopolymerizable compound; a pigment; and a dispersing agent, wherein the photopolymerizable compound is a radical polymerizable compound; an amine value of the pigment (AMp) is larger than an acid value of the pigment (ACp); and an acid value of the dispersing agent (ACd) is larger than an amine value of the dispersing agent (AMd).

Abstract: A dispersible colorant is provided which comprises a colorant and a chargeable resin pseudo fine particle of a size smaller than the size of the colorant being fixed or fused to the colorant, wherein the colorant itself has a surface charge. Thereby, it becomes possible to process a surface of the colorant while exploiting both the characteristic of a resin adhered and fixed to the surface of the colorant and the characteristic of the surface of the colorant, so that it is possible to provide a dispersible colorant that has sufficiently high dispersibility and a simple and easy method of producing the colorant, by use of a colorant that is essentially water-insoluble.

Abstract: The present invention relates to platelet-shaped pigments comprising (a) a layer obtained by calcination of a layer comprising SiOz wherein 0.03?z?2.0 and a metal, to a process for the production thereof, and to the use thereof in paints, text ink-jet printing, cosmetics, coating compositions, plastics, printing inks and in glazes for ceramics and glass. The aforementioned process makes available platelet-shaped pigments having a high degree of planeparallelism and a defined thickness in the range of ±10%, preferably ±5%, of the average thickness.

Abstract: A method of coloring a cellulosic material which includes a) dispersing pulped cellulosic material into water; and b) coloring the pulped cellulosic material by adding a cationic dispersion to the water, where the dispersion includes: (i) at least one pigment; (ii) water; and (iii) at least one acid salt of a styrene maleimide resin in an amount effective to disperse the pigment. The cationic dispersion may be prepared by (i) mixing, at 500 to 10,000 rpm, at least one pigment; water; and either (a) at least one acid salt of a styrene maleimide imide resin or (b) at least one styrene maleimide imide resin in combination with at least one weak acid, thereby forming a dispersion premix; (ii) milling the dispersion premix in a mixer filled with ceramic, metal or glass beads for a period of time sufficient to reduce pigment agglomerates to primary particles, thereby forming a nonstandarized dispersion; and (iii) standardizing the dispersion against a color standard by adding water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for preparation of inorganic colourants from mixed rare earth compounds, which are directly obtained from the ore industry, without undergoing any separation, thereby enabling a cost reduction to the extend of 10-100 times. Colors ranging from brown, blue and green can be obtained by suitable doping with other metal ions.

Abstract: A product produced in a PVD method is described, which consists of thin plane-parallel structures having a thickness in the range from 20 to 2000 nm and small dimensions in the range below one mm. Production is carried out by condensation of silicon suboxide onto a carrier passing by way of the vaporisers. The carrier is pre-coated, before condensation of the silicon suboxide, with a soluble, inorganic or organic separating agent in a PVD method. All steps, including that of detaching the product by dissolution, can be carried out continuously and simultaneously at different locations. As final step, the SiOy may be oxidised to SiO2 in an oxygen-containing gas at atmospheric pressure and temperatures of more than 200° C. or SiOy may be converted to SiC at the surface of the plane-parallel structures in a carbon-containing gas at from 500° C. to 1500° C. The products produced in that manner are distinguished by high uniformity of thickness.

Abstract: A curable film-forming composition is provided comprising (i) 10 to 90 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film-forming composition of a crosslinking agent; (ii) 10 to 90 percent by weight of a polymer containing a plurality of functional groups reactive with the crosslinking agent; and (iii) 5 to 85 percent by volume of particles having a mean particle size less than 100 nm. The particles comprise 1 to 99 percent by weight of at least one metal oxide wherein the metal is selected from zinc, titanium, cerium, manganese, bismuth, copper, zirconium and iron. A multi-component composite coating composition is also provided, comprising a pigmented basecoat and a clear coat. The basecoat and/or clearcoat may be derived from the curable film-forming composition described above. Also provided are coated substrates in which the curable coating compositions or the multi-component composite coating compositions described above are applied to a substrate and cured to form a cured coating.

Abstract: Pigment granules having an average particle size from 50 to 5000 ?m and a BET surface area ?15 m2/g, including as essential constituents (A) from 60 to 90% by weight of at least one pigment and (B) from 10 to 40% by weight of at least one nonionic surface-active additive based on polyethers, are prepared and used for pigmenting macromolecular organic and inorganic materials.

Abstract: The invention related to solid pigment preparations essentially comprising the following components: (A) 60 to 90 wt. % of at least one pigment and (B) 10 to 40 wt.

Abstract: Multilayer interference pigment consisting of a transparent carrier material coated with alternating layers of metal oxides of low and high refractive index, the difference in the refractive indices being at least 0.1, which is obtainable by alternate coating of the transparent carrier material with a metal oxide of high refractive index and with a metal oxide of low refractive index in a wet process by hydrolysis of the corresponding water-soluble metal compounds, separation, drying and, if desired, calcination of the resulting pigment.

Abstract: Presented are methods for reducing energy consumption by coating external vertical walls of a building with a wall paint comprising reflective metal oxide pigments. Methods for painting external vertical walls as well as compositions comprising base paint combined with reflective metal oxide pigments are also presented.

Abstract: Materials for coating, coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture comprising a nanoparticle system or employing the same to impart surface modifying benefits for all types of hard surfaces are disclosed. In some embodiments, dispersement of nanoparticles in a suitable carrier medium allows for the creation of coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture that create multi-use benefits to modified hard surfaces. In some embodiments, actively curing the coating composition on the hard surfaces, including, but not limited to by radiative heating the air surrounding the hard surface with the coating thereon can be used to increase the durability of the hard surface coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of organofunctionally modified polysiloxanes containing phenyl derivatives as dispersants for preparing aqueous pigment formulations, paints, coating materials, and coatings. For the purposes of this invention the term “polysiloxanes” shall be understood to embrace oligomeric siloxanes as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to addition compounds of formula (1): in which: n is a number from 1 to 10; R1 and R2 are identical or different and are each a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 are identical or different and are each a hydrogen atom or alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and the bridge member (R3+R4) is in each case positioned ortho or meta in relation to the phenolic oxygen atom; Z represents a group —CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH(CH3)—, —CH(CH3)—CH2— or a combination thereof; s is number from 1 to 200; B represents hydrogen, —CO—CH?CH—COOM, —COCH(SO3M)CH2COOM, —CO—CH2—CH(SO3M)—COOM, —SO3M, —SO2M and/or —PO3MM, whereby M is preferably a cation selected from the group Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+, HO—CH2—CH2—NH3+, (HO—CH2—CH2—)2NH2+ or (HO—CH2—CH2—)3NH+; and Y is a radical of an amine. The inventive addition compounds are used as dispersing agents of solids, for example, pigments, particularly in aqueous media.

Abstract: A method of dusting-preventive treatment in which a powder having dusting property is treated with fibril-forming PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) to impart non-dusting property thereto and the non-dusting property of the powder, after having been reduced during transportation, are economically and advantageously recovered or improved through a relatively simple step. The method comprises: a first dusting-preventive treatment step in which fibril-forming polytetrafluoroethylene is added to a powder having dusting property, and a compression/shear force is exerted to the mixture at a temperature in the range of 20 to 200° C. to thereby regulate powder so as to have a flow value of 150 mm to 200 mm; and a second dusting-preventive treatment step in which a compression/shear force is exerted again at a temperature in the range of 50 to 150° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye loaded zeolite material comprising: a) at least one zeolite crystal having straight through uniform channels each having a channel axis parallel to, and a channel width transverse to, a c-axis of crystal unit cells; b) closure molecules having an elongated shape and consisting of a head moiety and a tail moiety, the tail moiety having a longitudinal extension of more than a dimension of the crystal unit cells along the c-axis and the head moiety having a lateral extension that is larger than said channel width and will prevent said head moiety from penetrating into a channel; c) a channel being terminated, in generally plug-like manner, at least at one end thereof located at a surface of the zeolite crystal by a closure molecule hose tail moiety penetrates into said chanel and whose head moiety substantially occludes said channel end while projecting over said surface; and d) an essentially linear arrangement of luminescent dye molecules enclosed within a terminated channe

Abstract: A security document or other device including a substrate (2), a smooth highly reflective layer (1) applied thereto and having a reflectivity of at least 60 gloss units, and a raised printed image (3) applied to said reflective layer by a printing process such as the gravure process, the raised printed image having a height of at least 10 microns and being printed using a translucent ink having a large value of 85 to 95 as measured on an XL 211 Hazegard haze measuring instrument, which render it substantially transparent or translucent while causing scattering of the light reflectance and transmittance in at least a partially specular manner. A method of producing a document is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aggregate turf filler for use with the turf of athletic fields and landscaped areas which comprise crushed silica sand particles (SiO2) which are substantially round in shape and are sized to be between 12 and 40 mesh. An acrylic based sealer covering the outer surface of each of the silica sand particles. Finally, providing that the silica sand particles have a smooth outer surface, possess an angle of repose of less than 30°, repel water, resist compacting, present no damaging sharp edges when incorporated with the turf and are environmentally safe.

Abstract: Coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture comprising a nanoparticle system employing same to impart surface modifying benefits for all types of soft surfaces, and in some cases, hard surfaces, are disclosed. In some embodiments, dispersement of nanoparticles in a suitable carrier medium allows for the creation of coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture that create multi-use benefits to the modified surfaces. These surface modifications can produce long lasting or semi-permanent multi-use benefits that, in some embodiments, may include at least one of the following improved surface properties: cleaning, wettability, liquid strike-through, comfort, stain resistance, soil removal, malodor control, modification of surface friction, reduced damage to abrasion and color enhancement, relative to the surfaces unmodified with such nanoparticle systems.

Abstract: A composite pigment is provided with the composite pigment including a dense inorganic material and silica. The pigment composition is characterized by a CTAB surface area of greater than about 20 m2/g; a BET surface area of greater than about 15 m2/g; and a density of greater than about 2.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: An irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 29 wt % to 37 wt % cobalt chromite spinel, alumina, gold purple and frit, 35 wt % to 45 wt % acrylic resin and 20 wt % to 30 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The solvent comprises a mixture of 80% 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 20% dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. A particular irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 34.9 wt % cobalt chromite spinel, alumina, gold purple and frit, 42.5 wt % acrylic resin and 22.6 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The irreversible temperature indicating paint has four or more colour changes in the temperature range 500° C. to 900° C. The irreversible temperature indicating paint is used to determine the temperatures to which various parts of turbine blades, turbine vanes or other component are subjected in operation of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 29 wt % to 37 wt % cobalt aluminium spinel and glass, 35 wt % to 45 wt % acrylic resin and 20 wt % to 30 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The solvent comprises a mixture of 80% 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 20% dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. A particular irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 34.9 wt % cobalt aluminium spinel and glass, 42.5 wt % acrylic resin and 22.6 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The irreversible temperature indicating paint has four or more colour changes in the temperature range 500° C. to 900° C. The irreversible temperature indicating paint is used to determine the temperatures to which various parts of turbine blades, turbine vanes or other components are subjected in operation of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 29 wt % to 37 wt % cobalt zinc silicon blue phenacite and a frit, 35 wt % to 45 wt % acrylic resin and 20 wt % to 30 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The solvent comprises a mixture of 80% 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 20% dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. A particular irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 34.9 wt % cobalt zinc silicon blue phenacite and a frit, 42.5 wt % acrylic resin and 22.6 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The irreversible temperature indicating paint is used to determine the temperatures to which various parts of turbine blades, turbine vanes or other components are subjected in operation of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A process and apparatus collects pigment nanoparticles by forming a vapor of a pigment that is solid at room temperature, the vapor of the pigment being provided in an inert gaseous carrying medium. At least some of the pigment is solidified within the gaseous stream. The gaseous stream and pigment material is moved in a gaseous carrying environment into or through a dry mechanical pumping system. While the particles are within the dry mechanical pumping system or after the nanoparticles have moved through the dry pumping system, the pigment material and nanoparticles are contacted with an inert liquid collecting medium.

Abstract: A fluorescent ink composition comprising functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals, an aqueous-based ink carrier comprising water or a water-based solution, and a binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to coloring pigment granulates and a method for producing the same. The aim of the invention is to provide a granulate and a method for economically producing the same. The granulate disintegrates very quickly once added to a building material that is to be colored. To this end, the granulates are comprised of granulate cores which do not contain binding agents, which have a granular size ranging from 0.1 to 8 mm and which are enclosed by an enveloping layer made of a material that can be broken down. In addition, the granulates have a moisture content <30% and the granulates that do not contain binding agents are produced in a pregranulator, are compacted immediately after granulation and are subsequently subjected to a screening process. Lastly, the useful granular fraction that has been separated out during the screening process is enclosed with an enveloping material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous dispersion containing at least two powder types selected from one or more metal oxide powders and/or one or more non-metal oxide powder. The present invention also provides a coating composition containing this dispersion, an inkjet recording medium containing the coating composition, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Copper or excess copper is added to one or more layers of a superconducting composite structure to reduce migration of copper form a copper based superconducting layer.

Abstract: Nanoscale materials with domain sizes less than 100 nanometers and unusual shapes and morphologies are disclosed. A broad approach for manufacturing oxide and non-oxide nanomaterials with aspect ratio different than 1.0 is presented. Methods for engineering and manufacturing nanomaterials' size, shape, surface area, morphology, surface characteristics, surface composition, distribution, and degree of agglomeration are discussed. The methods taught includes the use of surfactants, dispersants, emulsifying agents in order to prepare precursors, which are then processed into novel nanoscale particle morphologies.

Abstract: Achromatic multilayer diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects. The diffractive foils and diffractive compositions applied to an object exhibit an iridescent diffractive effect over an achromatic background.

Abstract: The invention provides heteroanellated aminophenols of the general formula (I) 1

Abstract: The invention relates to an anhydrous pigmentary paste comprising: from 20 to 32% by volume of at least one solid pigment, with respect to the total volume of the pigmentary paste, a pigment dispersion medium containing at least one anhydrous solvent selected from the hydrocarbon oils and the silicone oils, and a dispersing agent containing at least one imide or succinimide group linked by a covalent bond to a polymer chain compatible with the dispersion medium.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a fiber-reinforced, starch-bound cellular matrix. Suitable mixtures used to form the articles are prepared by first preparing a viscous preblended mixture comprising water, a gelatinized starch-based binder, and fibers having an average length greater than about 2 mm. The highly viscous preblended mixture effectively transfers the shearing forces of the mixer to the fibers. The final moldable mixture is then prepared by mixing into the preblended mixture the remaining starch-based binder, water, and other desired admixtures, e.g., mold-releasing agents, inorganic filler rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria.