Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of using steam to achieve simultaneous impregnation and drying of lignocellulosic material to improve the strength of lignocellulosic material and to reduce the number of serial processing steps. The steam may be either indigenously generated by way of a heated press or heated nip, or the steam may be externally applied.

Abstract: The tack of a polymeric substrate is reduced by (i) coating a surface of the polymeric substrate with a thermosetting liquid silicone rubber composition, (ii) applying an aqueous suspension of powdered silicone rubber with a mean particle size of 0.1 to 500 micron to the coating of thermosetting liquid silicone rubber composition on the polymeric substrate, and (iii) heating the coated polymeric substrate to cure the thermosetting liquid silicone rubber composition and simultaneously adhere the powdered silicone rubber to the coating on the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated board, a process for its manufacture, and containers and packaging formed therefrom. The board comprises at least one polymer-based coat preventing the transmission of liquids and gases, which coat is according to the invention made from a polymer dispersion to which talc particles are added so that talc will constitute 30-80% of the dry weight of the dried coat. The coating is applied onto the board during its manufacture as on-line coating. The board may be, for example, a multi-layer board (2) which has a middle layer (6) containing CTMP or other similar mechanical pulp, on its both sides outer layers (7) formed from sulfate pulp, against these on both sides of the board (2) talc-containing polymeric barrier layers (3), and on one side of the board a heat sealing layer (9) introduced onto the barrier layer (3).

Abstract: Abrasion resistant papers such as overlays or decor sheets useful in decorative laminates, and in particular, to abrasion resistant papers incorporating spacer or separator particles to minimize the amount of damage to highly polished caul plates caused by contact of the caul plates with abrasion resistant materials during the lamination process and a process for manufacturing such abrasion resistant papers.

Abstract: Use of fluorinated compounds to confer release properties to cellulosic substrata, selected from the following structures: (A) [Rf—CFY—L—O]mP(O) (O−Z+)3−m (B) (O−Z+)2P(O)[O—L—YFC—O—Rf—CFY—L—O—P(O) (O−Z+)]m′——[O—L—YFC—O—Rf—CFY—L—O]P(O) (O−Z+)2 (C) Fluorinated (meth)acrylic copolymers (D) [Rt—CF2—SO2N(U1) (U2) —O]g—P(O) (OZ)3−g wherein: m′ is an integer from 0 to 20; L is an organic group selected from —CH2—(OCH2CH2)n—, —CO—NR′—(CH2)q—, with R′═H or C1-C4 alkyl group; n=0-8, q=1-8; Z═H, alkane metal or a NR4 group with R═H or C1-C4 alkyl group; Y═F, CF3; m=1,2,3; Rf is a perfluoropolyether radical; Rt is a linear or branched perfluorocarbon radical having from

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous, storage-stable, crosslinkable polymer compositions comprising: (a) an aqueous dispersion of a an acrylic polymer component containing certain carbonyl-containing functional-groups; (b) a nitrogen-containing compound having at least two carbonyl-reactive nitrogen groups; and (c) optionally, co-solvents, pigments, fillers, dispersants, wetting agents, anti-foam agents, UV absorbers, antioxidants, biocides, and stabilizers. Such compositions are useful as coatings or binders in coating compositions, or as adhesives.

Abstract: Novel polyindanebisphenols or PIBPs for the preparation of new and improved thermosetting polymers having the general formula of are provided. Also disclosed are thermoplastic or thermoset compositions prepared using the novel compounds of the invention, as well as methods of making and using the same. When copolymerized or reactive with other commercial resins such as, e.g., epoxy compounds, PIBP based polymers are characterized by high glass transition temperature (“Tg”), low dielectric constant, low moisture absorption, low coefficient of expansion, low cost, and can be processed on equipment typically used for the production of epoxy based laminates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a textile material comprising a tightly woven paper fabric having a backing applied on only one side. The tight weave allows the backing to be applied as a liquid, whereupon curing cause the liquid to harden. The backing confers additional strength and durability to the paper fabric and allows mass production of paper fabrics by the formation of a continuous sheet that can be cut to desired dimensions and shapes without fraying at the edges. The present invention also provides methods for forming tightly woven fabrics and for applying a backing onto this fabric.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in coatings particularly suited for the preparation of paper products having an ink jet coating applied thereto and to the resulting paper products. The improvement in ink jet coatings resides in the incorporation of a primary amine functional polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH/PVNH2) as a polymeric binder. One form of an amine functional polyvinyl alcohol is produced by the hydrolysis of a copolymer of vinyl acetate and N-vinylformamide or vinyl acetate and allyl amine. Another is the polyvinyl butyral derivative of polyvinyl alcohol which typically is formed by the reaction of a 4-amino alkyl aldehyde dialkyl acetal, such as 4-aminobutyraldehyde dimethyl acetal with polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating of a substrate by contacting the substrate with a fluorochemical composition that comprises a condensation product of a di- or tri-isocyanate and at least one polyether, the polyether being obtained as the reaction product of a fluorochemical substituted epoxide. Substrates treated in accordance with the invention have good stain release properties, particularly to oil stains or tea stains, so stains can be more easily removed from the treated substrate in a laundering procedure.

Abstract: An electrophotographic transfer paper of the present invention has a basis weight of 60 to 100 g/m2, which is coated by a film at least on one side, and has an average surface centerline roughness (Ra) of 1.5 &mgr;m or less, volume resistivity of 1×109 &OHgr;cm or more at 30° C./80% RH and paper stiffness of 16 cm or more, and prevents uneven discharge under low humidity conditions, and produces no faulty images and shows sufficient paper transportability under high humidity conditions.

Abstract: The inkjet recording sheet substrate of the present invention comprises a cellulosic sheet support, e.g., paper, having on at least one surface thereof a base coating comprising pigment and binder. The preferred pigment component is a 50/50 mixture of kaolin clay and calcined clay, and the preferred binder component is polyvinyl acetate. This combination of binder and pigment has been found to possess a high absorption capacity for the vehicle of an inkjet ink and good compatibility with ink receptive top coatings applied over the base coat.

Abstract: A finished product from lignocellulose, such as a length of wood or chipboard, is impregnated with a composition containing a thermosetting resin in a nonaqueous solvent, and a styrene polymer in a nonaqueous solvent. Excess impregnating composition is removed from the impregrnated material. The solvent or solvents are also removed. The thermosetting resin may thereafter be subjected to temperature conditions for polymerization to form a finished product.

Abstract: A paper-based sheet for wallcoverings that is made in a single pass on a standard paper making machine is described. The sheet has a print side and a barrier side and is made from softwood pulp in an amount of about 15% to about 40% by dry weight; hardwood pulp in an amount of about 30% to about 55% by dry weight; and, mineral filler in an amount of about 15% to about 30% by dry weight. A first coating is applied to the print side of the sheet in an amount of about 5 to about 20 gm/m2 dry weight. A second coating is applied to the barrier side of the sheet in an amount of about 2.5 to about 10 gm/m2 dry weight. The advantage is a strong, durable, alkaline wallcovering that is less expensive to produce, and provides a smooth print surface.

Abstract: The bleeding of lignosulfonates from lignosulfonate-treated substrates when contacted under humid conditions is reduced by rendering the lignosulfonates water-insoluble via reacting them with an amine polymer-epichlorohydrin adduct containing at least one quaternary ammonium group under acidic conditions.

Abstract: The method of making a coated paper having a thermal shrinkage force (R), which satisfies the following relationship 0≦R≦45 gf, includes coating a paper web on both sides with an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol to form a coated paper web, drying the coated paper web to form a base paper with a polyvinyl alcohol coating having a coating weight on a dry basis of 0.5 to 5.0 g/m2 per side of the base paper and then applying a coating composition composed of an adhesive and at least one inorganic pigment to the base paper having the polyvinyl alcohol coating, followed by drying in order to form a coating layer on the base paper. The aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol preferably has a viscosity of from 100 to 2000 mPa·s measured with a Brookfield viscometer at 60 rpm and 20° C. and the polyvinyl alcohol dissolved in the aqueous solution has a saponification degree of not less than 85 mol %.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of aqueous polymer dispersions comprising at least one hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymer CP, for producing barrier coatings on paper, cardboard, or paperboard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making patterned paper. A printer patterning the paper is arranged in a patterning unit arranged in a paper machine, the printer patterning a paper web being made in the paper machine. The printer is preferably an ink-jet printer. The paper web patterned by the patterning unit can be coated by a coating unit arranged in the paper machine.

Abstract: A coating composition which includes from about 95 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the coating composition, of particles of a polymer having a solubility parameter of from about 19 to about 28 (MPa)½ and particle sizes of from about 0.5 to about 50 micrometers. The coating composition also includes from about 5 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the coating composition, of a binder. The binder may be essentially any polymer which can be dispersed or dissolved in the coating vehicle or solvent. Convenient binders are polymeric lattices such as poly(vinyl acetate), acrylic lattices etc., amine-dispersed carboxylated polymers such as polyesters and ethylene-acrylic acid lattices, and the like. The coating composition also may include a surfactant. For example, the surfactant may be nonionic. Other ingredients also may be present. Examples of such other ingredients include, by way of illustration only, crosslinking agents, viscosity modifiers, and defoamers.

Abstract: The invention relates to ink jet printing and a process for ink jet printing wherein a coating is formed on an ink receiving layer containing a plastic pigment. The coating is fused into a durable coating which is water-resistant, has some lightfastness, is scratch resistant and can be used in indoor and outdoor environments.

Abstract: A paper-based sheet for wallcoverings that is made in a single pass on a standard paper making machine is described. The sheet has a print side and a barrier side and is made from softwood pulp in an amount of about 15% to about 40% by dry weight; hardwood pulp in an amount of about 30% to about 55% by dry weight; and, mineral filler in an amount of about 15% to about 30% by dry weight. A first coating is applied to the print side of the sheet in an amount of about 5 to about 20 gm/m2 dry weight. A second coating is applied to the barrier side of the sheet in an amount of about 2.5 to about 10 gm/m2 dry weight. The advantage is a strong, durable, alkaline wallcovering that is less expensive to produce, and provides a smooth print surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of applying a powder coating to a substrate (5), in particular a temperature-sensitive substrate such as wood, wood-fiber material, plastic, rubber, cloth, paper or cardboard, wherein a thermoreactive powder is applied as a base layer (6) to the uncoated surface of the substrate (5), and wherein by means of infrared radiation with at least some components in the near and/or short-wave infrared region the powder is warmed throughout to the cross-linking temperature and cured, or is warmed throughout to the gelling temperature and in a subsequent processing step cross-linking is completed and the coating is cured. To generate the infrared radiation in particular halogen bulbs (7) are used in combination with a reflector (8) to reflect the emitted radiation towards the substrate. The halogen bulbs (7) are operated in such a way that the emitted radiation has a flux-density maximum in the near infrared.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dual crosslinkable polymer/crosslinking system particularly suited for use in preparing high quality nonwoven products. The polymeric binders incorporate at least two different but reactive functionalities, i.e., hydroxy and carboxyl, and which are capable of reacting with two other multifunctional reactants, i.e., polyaldehydes and aziridines, each of which reacts with at least one of the functionalities present in the polymer. This selection of reactive functionality coupled with the selection of crosslinking agents permits ambient temperature cure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating a cellulosic support to reduce the penetration of anti-adhesive agent into the support and/or to diminish its sensitivity to water. Said method consists in contacting the cellulosic support with an aqueous emulsion based on a grafted functionalised polyorganosiloxane, wherein said emulsion further contains an acrylic-type polymeric material, said polymeric material advantageously containing a styrene fraction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mineral-based coating composition that can be used on a wide range of substrate surfaces. The composition is comprised of a mineral extender, such as a delaminated hydrated aluminum silicate based clays, having an aspect ratio of about 11 to 1, water, a homopolymer polyvinyl acetate emulsion, a co-polymer polyvinyl acetate emulsion, an acrylic emulsion binder containing a metal dioxide and a buffering agent, a surfactant and a defloculant. Also provided is a method of preparing the mineral-based coating composition. The mineral-based coating composition may be applied to various substrate surfaces to form artistic medium surfaces. The present invention also provides a method of making an artistic medium surface using the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: Absorbent articles and processes for making absorbent articles are provided. The process includes spraying onto a fibrous web a blend containing superabsorbent polymer particles, superabsorbent forming monomer, initiator and water, and subjecting the web to polymerization conditions. The resulting web is useful as an absorbent article particularly in disposable hygiene products.

Abstract: A process of preparing an oxygen barrier coating using a compound of the general formula RaX3−aSi—Z—SiX3−aRa wherein Z is R′NH(R′NH)pR′, each R is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and a hydrocarbon group, each X is selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, an oxime group or an acyloxy group, each R′ is a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; a is from 0 to 3 and p is 0 or 1. The invention further comprises compositions incorporating the above compound. Coatings prepared may be used in packaging applications as a top coat, or a primer for further coatings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the spray application of additive compositions containing additive materials in the manufacture of sheet material products, such as paper products, textile products, and flexible sheet products by using compressed fluids, such as carbon dioxide and ethane, as a spraying medium. Additive compositions with high viscosity and which are substantially free of water and/or volatile solvent can be applied to sheet materials. Water-borne additive compositions with reduced water content can also be applied to sheet materials. One preferred spray method uses a decompressive spray of the compressed fluid which produces a uniform spray pattern and a narrow droplet size distribution that can improve application efficiency and quality when additive compositions are applied during the spraying step to rapidly conveyed sheet materials.

Abstract: Provided is a UV-curable ink jet coating comprised of a copolymer or mixture of polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene oxide, and a water-soluble polymer which can act as an electron and/or proton donor, preferably containing at least one carbonyl group. The entire mixture is UV cured once coated onto a substrate thereby creating a matrix due to crosslinking between the water soluble polymer and the polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene oxide copolymer or mixture. The result is an ink receptive coating which will absorb many different ink jet inks very rapidly, while exhibiting high gloss. The ink jet medium thereby permits use with many different printers and inks.

Abstract: An aqueous sespension, comprising; (1) water, (2) at least one mineral substance, and (3) a copolymer which comprises the following monomers in polymerized form: (a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one carboxyl function, (b) optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one sulphonyl function or phosphoryl function, (c) optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having no carboxyl function, (d) at least one ethylenically unsaturated oxyalkylated monomer terminating with a specified hydrophobic group, where the copolymer has a specific viscosity at most equal to 50. The suspension is useful in, for example, paper manufacturing and in the manufacture of coating colors for paper.

Abstract: A method for coating paper, wherein a coating composition containing coating particles is applied to the surface of a paper web containing lignocellulosic fibers to produce a coated paper web having coating particles bound to the paper web, and the coated web is dried. According to the method the surface area of the interface between the paper web and the coating particles is increased in order to enhance hydrogen bonding between the coating particles and the fibers of the web. The surface area can be increased by using a coating composition comprising fine fibrous material or by abrading the surface of the paper or paperboard web or both. The invention will improve the smoothness of the surface without addition of foreign polymer binding agents to the web.

Abstract: A coated roll printing paper for printing with the cold-set offset-printing process is described, which gives a printing result comparable with that of low-weight coated matte grades. The paper is characterized by a high proportion of a fine calcium carbonate in the coating pigment, and a relatively low proportion of highly active binders.

Abstract: Sheet products, such as card stock, envelopes and other paper products (10) are advanced on a vacuum surface conveyor belt (30) beneath a glue applicator drum (35). The glue transfer strips (37 and 38) of the glue applicator drum apply stripes of glue (42 and 43) at the ends of the sheet product, leaving a belt engaging space (41) without glue between the glue stripes. The sheet product is grasped by overlying conveyor belts (46 and 47) at the belt engaging space (41), thereby exposing the wet glue stripes on opposite sides of the belts. Hot air is applied on opposite sides of the conveyor belts (46 and 47), drying the glue. The glue transfer strips (37 and 38) of the glue applicator drum can be adjusted in size, shape and position so as to apply glue to one end, the other end, or both ends of the sheet product, and if glue is applied to only one end, one of the dryers (50 or 51) can be deactivated, saving energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for making an ink-jet recording material which comprises adding silica fine particles having an average primary particle diameter of 50 nm or less to a dispersion medium mainly comprising water containing a cationic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 or less and mixing to prepare a slurry of silica fine particles; dispersing the slurry of silica fine particles by a dispersing machine to prepare a dispersion of silica fine particles; mixing the dispersion of silica fine particles with at least a hydrophilic binder to prepare a coating solution for forming an ink-receptive layer; and coating the coating solution for forming an ink-receptive layer on a support and drying, a method for preparing a dispersion of silica fine particles and the silica dispersion.

Abstract: Process for the continuous coating of a strip of paper or of a textile support using a silicone composition, comprising at least one POS A containing SiVi or SiOR groups, a POS B containing SiH groups and a catalyst C (for hydrosilylation or for dehydrogeno-condensation) and not corresponding to an LTC/FC silicone system, the said process comprising the following steps: step 1 in which conditions for homogeneously mixing the constituents A, B and C are used such that the homogeneity obtained is reflected by a DSC signature comprising a Gaussian peak for which the peak end temperature T3 is in the range from a value above 110° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-adhesion treatment process by continuous coating of a strip of paper, this coating comprising a silicone composition based on polyorganosiloxanes (POSs) of FC/LTC type. According to this process, a POS A, a crosslinking agent B (hydrosilylation and/or dehydrogenopolycondensation), a catalyst C and, optionally, an inhibitor D, an adhesion modifier E and other compounds F are used. These constituents A to F are mixed continuously and in metered amounts, selecting mixing conditions such that the bath lifetime BLT is <10 h, such that the bath homogeneity is such that its DSC signature comprises a Gaussian peak (FIG. 2), and such that the flow rate of production of the homogeneous mixture A to F is such that the duration d separating the placing together of the components A, B and C and the time of application of the composition to the traveling support strip is less than or equal to the BLT.

Abstract: A coated plastic or high pressure laminated article and a process for making same includes coating a plastic or high pressure laminated substrate with a radiation curable top coat which may include ultraviolet inhibitors therein. The radiation curable top coat is subjected to a curing step which includes curing with either an electron beam, ultraviolet radiation or a combination thereof. The resulting article is a coated article which is comprised of a substrate coated with a radiation cured coating having an outer surface susceptible for receiving a sublimatable ink diffused therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers whitened with optical brighteners obtained by (a) emulsion polymerization of acrylonitrile with or without a comonomer in the presence or absence of a graftable substrate, and (b) addition of an optical brightener before, during, or after the emulsion polymerization.

Abstract: The invention is high temperature emulsion composition comprising borax and a substantially water-insoluble polymer prepared by aqueous suspension polymerizing a blend of monomers, said blend comprising a plasticizing amount by weight of at least one plasticizing alkyl acrylate monomer, a hardening amount by weight of at least one hardening alkyl acrylate monomer and a crosslinking amount by weight of at least one multi-ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in an aqueous suspension comprising a water-soluble polymer component comprising at least one acrylic polymer having carboxylate functionality, its method of use and coated substrates made therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable treating agent and a curing treatment process which provide excellent results with regard to any of heat resistance, water resistance, surface physical properties, and impregnability, and further, involve high productivity. The electron-beam-curable treating agent according to the present invention comprises a high boiling point resin in a ratio of not lower than 10 weight %, and is characterized in that the high boiling point resin includes a high boiling point radical-polymerizable component in a ratio of higher than 90 weight %, wherein the high boiling point radical-polymerizable component includes a specific acrylic derivative in a ratio of not lower than 5 weight %. The electron beam curing treatment process according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the step of irradiating a treating agent with an electron beam under specific conditions, wherein the treating agent includes a specific acrylic derivative.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a finished product from a length of a lignocellulosic material, such as a length of solid wood or chip board, includes the steps of impregnating the length of lignocellulosic material through its depth with an impregnating composition comprising a mineral oil, a non-aqueous solvent for the material oil such as dichloromethane or super critical carbon dioxide, and a thermosetting resin and, if necessary, a catalyst therefore dissolved in the mineral oil and solvent. Thereafter, the non-aqueous solvent is removed and the product is subjected to an elevated temperature to polymerize the thermosetting resin to bind the mineral oil into the lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: Polymer polysaccharide is added to a PVA coating liquid so that a density of the polymer polysaccharide is within the range between 0.05% and 0.5% by weight with respect to the PVA coating liquid. Next, a coating liquid layer is formed on a web by coating the web with the PVA coating liquid to which the polymer polysaccharide is added so that a temperature of the PVA coating liquid is within the range between 20° C. and 40° C. at the coating. Then, the coating liquid layer on the web is dried after it is preliminarily dried so that a temperature of the coating liquid layer is maintained at a temperature that is 3° C. lower than the temperature of the PVA coating liquid or lower for three seconds or more.

Abstract: A water and oil repellent composition comprising, as essential components, a phosphate of the following formula 1, a nonionic surfactant made of a compound containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and at least one hydroxyl group in its molecule and an aqueous medium: (Rf—Q—O—)mPO(OH)n(O−)3−m−n.(Y+)3−m−n  Formula 1 wherein Rf is a polyfluoroalkyl group, Q is a bivalent organic group, Y+ is a monovalent counter ion, m is an integer of from 1 to 3, and n is an integer of from 0 to 2, provided that (m+n) is 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for enhancing extruded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film adhesion to a cellulosic substrate. Such structures of this type, generally, use specialized primers which are applied in-line on the extruder such that the adhesion of PET to the cellulosic substrate can be greatly increased. This is accomplished by improvement of the chemical bond between the polymer film and substrate/primer.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a curable liquid resin, providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the substrate comprising fibers defining voids intermediate the first and second surfaces, and the substrate comprising a second material different from the curable liquid resin, the second material coating at least some of the fibers, wherein the voids adjacent the coated fibers provide fluid communication from the first surface of the substrate to the second surface of the substrate; removing at least some of the second material coating at least some of the fibers; applying the curable liquid resin to the substrate; and curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate.

Abstract: Binders for powder coatings are disclosed that contain, solid, unsaturated polyesterurethane (meth)acrylates having a melting temperature of from 35 to 180° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition featuring increased solids contents, which comprises at least one polyol I obtainable by subjecting at least one oligomer of the general formula I R1R2C═[═CH—R—CH═]n—CR3R4  (I) in which R=—(—CH2—)m—, in which the index m is an integer from 2 to 6, or in which X=—CH2— or an oxygen atom R1,R2,R3 and R4 independently of one another=hydrogen atoms or alkyl; and the index n=an integer from 1 to 15; to hydroformylation and reducing the resultant aldehyde-functional products I to give the polyols I, which, if desired, are subjected to partial or complete hydrogenation.

Abstract: A water-based treatment agent for tissue paper suppresses any feeling of slipperiness or wetness in ordinary tissue paper and toilet paper so the paper has a dry touch, ample smoothness, and a clean, smooth, tactile impression. It also provides the paper with a superior softness. The water-based treatment agent consists of a silicone oil emulsion in which crosslinked silicone particles with a mean particle size of 0.01-100 &mgr;m are contained in silicone oil droplets with a mean particle size of 0.05-500 &mgr;m, which are dispersed in water. The particle size of the crosslinked silicone particles is smaller than the particle size of the silicone oil droplets.

Abstract: An abrasion-resistant decor sheet comprising a resin-impregnated substrate containing abrasion-resisting particles and a protective overlayer comprising expanded thermoplastic microspheres, a method of producing the decor sheet and a method of producing a decor laminate comprising the decor sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mineral-based coating composition that can be used on a wide range of substrate surfaces. The composition is comprised of a mineral extender, such as a delaminated hydrated aluminum silicate based clays, having an aspect ratio of about 11 to 1, water, a homopolymer polyvinyl acetate emulsion, a co-polymer polyvinyl acetate emulsion, an acrylic emulsion binder containing a metal dioxide and a buffering agent, a surfactant and a defloculant. Also provided is a method of preparing the mineral-based coating composition. The mineral-based coating composition may be applied to various substrate surfaces to form artistic medium surfaces. The present invention also provides a method of making an artistic medium surface using the composition of the present invention.