Abstract: A system that includes an electromagnetic wave transmission structure having a first end and a second end, conducting components, the conducting components selected from at least one of a network of carbon nanotubes, at least one strip of palladium, at least one strip of platinum or at least one exfoliated graphene sheet, deposited across a location in a wave transmission section of the wave transmission structure (also referred to as a gap), and at least one antenna electromagnetically coupled to the electromagnetic wave transmission structure at one of the first or second end, the antenna and the electromagnetic wave transmission structure being formed by integrated circuit techniques is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a polymer blend comprising a copolymer and an additional polymer, the copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer immiscible with the backbone; the additional polymer consisting of a polymer miscible with the polymeric sidechains.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion adhesive, which is composed of an oil phase and a water phase, wherein the water phase comprises a water-soluble polymer that functions as an adhesive component, the oil phase comprises a non-aqueous polar solvent having an SP value of 8 to 12 (cal/cm3)1/2, and the oil phase comprises a resin that is solid at 30° C. and has an acid value of 10 or less, in an amount of 5 to 15% by mass relative to a total mass of the adhesive.

Abstract: A process to coat a shear thickening fluid onto a material which comprises emulsifying dispersions of a shear thickening fluid (STF) dissolved in a miscible carrier fluid or a partially miscible carrier fluid to form an emulsion and applying said emulsion to the material. The invention also relates to a suspoemulsion containing a shear thickening fluid which has been emulsified in a volatile solvent. The invention further relates to a method coating a material. The invention further relates to a method of a coating a material with the suspoemulsion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder-slurry that can be hardened by actinic radiation or by thermal means, comprising (I) components containing functional groups (A) which render them hardenable by actinic radiation and components containing complementary functional groups (B) which render them thermally hardenable, in a weight ratio of 50:1 to 1:50 and/or comprising (II) components containing the functional groups (A) and (B) which render them thermally hardenable and hardenable by actinic radiation in a molar ratio of 100:1 to 1:100.

Abstract: The invention discloses an acrylic acid-modified epoxy polyester resin and the preparation process thereof. The resin comprises 100 pbw of a copolymer (A) formed from an unsaturated fatty acid-modified polyester and a bisphenol A type epoxy resin, and 20-40 pbw of poly(meth)acrylic acid (ester) (B). The preparation process comprises the following steps: (1) alcoholyzing a drying oil with a polyol; (2) adding successively, to the product from step (1), a dibasic anhydride, a fatty acid containing a conjugated double bond and an epoxy resin, and esterifying to obtain an epoxy polyester; and (3) copolymerizing the epoxy polyester from step (2) and an acrylic monomer. This invention also provides a water-based emulsion containing said resin, and a water-based paint exhibiting excellent antirust property and having low production cost.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing vesiculated granules of crosslinked carboxylated polyester resin utilising a particular class of non-alkylphenolethoxylate surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a binder composition including a polymer formed from at least one vinyl type monomer and at least one water dispersible polyester-ionomer.

Abstract: A binder for a coating composition is obtainable as the reaction product of a carboxyl-terminated fatty acid ester with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester. The carboxylic fatty acid ester is produced by reaction of an autoxidisable fatty acid and a polyol, with modification to introduce at least one terminal carboxyl group. The reaction is optionally effected in an organic solvent which is substantially removed at the end. The material is neutralized with a base to render it water-soluble. Thixotropy can be endowed by an amine/(poly)isocyanate final reaction stage to prior neutralization.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising either: a) a high internal phase ratio emulsion having water as a continuous phase and a thermoplastic hydroxy-functional polyether as a disperse phase; or b) a stable aqueous dispersion of the thermoplastic hydroxy-functional polyether. The composition of the present invention addresses a need in the art by providing a thermoplastic coating that exhibits an excellent barrier to oxygen and carbon dioxide, but which barrier properties are not adversely affected by contact with water. The composition is particularly useful in the paper packaging industry where biodegradability and resistance to spoilage of food is desirable.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous coating compositions comprising:an aqueous, polyester- and acrylate-based polymer dispersion obtainable by free-radical polymerization of at least:a. one (meth)acrylic acid ester;b. one ethylenically unsaturated, at least monofunctional acid; and optionallyc. one ethylenically unsaturated monomer other than (a) and (b)or mixtures thereof, with a poly ester resin capable of undergoing a free-radical polymerization;one amino resin as crosslinking agent,one water-soluble and/or water-emulsifiable polyalcohol and optionally conventional laquer additives.Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of these aqueous coating compositions as clear coats for the preparation of multi-layer coatings.

Abstract: Hair care compositions which provide improved styling and hair conditioning properties are disclosed. The compositions comprise from about 0.1% to about 10.0% of a specifically-defined silicone copolymer and from about 0.5% to about 99.5% of a carrier suitable for application to hair. These compositions are characterized by the fact that, when dried, the polymer phase separates into a discontinuous phase which includes a silicone macromer and a continuous phase which includes the copolymer backbone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waterborne coating composition which includes a polymeric film-forming resin. The polymeric film-forming resin includes a dispersion of polymeric microparticles prepared by forming, in aqueous medium, a mixture of: (a) an unsaturated, substantially hydrophobic polyester component, and (b) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component. With various hydrophobic polyesters, the ethylenically unsaturated monomer component of the polymeric film-forming resin includes: (a) an acrylamide or methacrylamide with N-methylol or N-alkoxymethyl functionality, (b) an alpha-beta ethylenically unsaturated compound with carboxyl functionality, and (c) an alpha-beta ethylenically unsaturated compound with no additional reactive functionality. Such a waterborne coating composition has a low V.O.C., provides added stiffness, does not block, and can be applied in such a manner that it does not substantially mask the texture of the nonwoven fabrics and/or textiles over which it is applied.

Abstract: The present invention are dielectric black particles for use in electrophoretic images displays, electrostatic toner or the like, and the corresponding method of manufacturing the same. The present invention black particles are latex particles formed by a polymerization technique, wherein the latex particles are stained to a high degree of blackness with a metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waterborne coating composition which includes a polymeric film-forming resin. The polymeric film-forming resin includes a dispersion of polymeric microparticles prepared by forming, in aqueous medium, a mixture of: (a) an unsaturated, substantially hydrophobic polyester component, and (b) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component. With various hydrophobic polyesters, the ethylenically unsaturated monomer component of the polymeric film-forming resin includes: (a) an acrylamide or methacrylamide with N-methylol or N-alkoxymethyl functionality, (b) an alpha-beta ethylenically unsaturated compound with carboxyl functionality, and (c) an alpha-beta ethylenically unsaturated compound with no additional reactive functionality. Such a waterborne coating composition has a low V.O.C., provides added stiffness, does not block, and can be applied in such a manner that it does not substantially mask the texture of the nonwoven fabrics and/or textiles over which it is applied.

Abstract: Stable emulsions based on unsaturated polyetherester resins are disclosed. The emulsions have high stability compared with conventional emulsions that are based on unsaturated polyester resins. The invention includes base-stabilized emulsions, as well as emulsions containing fillers or functional additives. The emulsions, which are storage stable for weeks or months, are useful for making water-extended polyetherester thermosets having excellent physical properties, even at high water contents.

Abstract: Stable emulsions based on unsaturated polyetherester resins are disclosed. The emulsions have high stability compared with conventional emulsions that are based on unsaturated polyester resins. The invention includes base-stabilized emulsions, as well as emulsions containing fillers or functional additives. The emulsions, which are storage stable for weeks or months, are useful for making water-extended polyetherester thermosets having excellent physical properties, even at high water contents.

Abstract: The present Application relates to an aqueous, reactive microgel dispersion, wherein the microgel particles have an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 1 .mu.m, are insoluble but are capable of swelling in the usual organic solvents, dry without additional film-forming agents to form uniform, transparent, reactive films, and have iodine numbers of 2 to 100.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for cleaning and providing a protective shine to a hard surface. The method involves preparing an alkyd resin, dissolving the alkyd resin in one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers to form a mixture, dispersing the mixture in water in the presence of a surfactant to form an emulsion, and heating the emulsion to form an alkyd/acrylic latex which is applied to a hard surface.

Abstract: A process for preparing an emulsion of water-insoluble particles useful in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, paint and ink industries comprising:treating the water-insoluble particles with a wetting agent in an organic solvent;combining the water-insoluble particles with an oily or polymeric substance to obtain an oily suspension;preparing an aqueous solution of a combination of surface active agents; andcombining the aqueous solution with the oily suspension to form an emulsion.

Abstract: Spherical resin particles having a sharp particle size distribution and a method for producing such particles are disclosed. Resin particles according to this invention contain at least a polyester polymer and a polymer formed from a polymerizable monomer, and have an average diameter (D) of 1 to 500 .mu.m. At least 70% by weight of the particles have a diameter in the range of 0.5 D to 2.0 D. Such resin particles can be produced by swelling polyester-containing seed particles with a polymerizable monomer and then polymerizing the polymerizable monomer in swelled seed particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a water-in-oil emulsion of a water-soluble polyacrylamide or polyacrylic acid polymer or copolymer by the inverse emulsion process characterised in that there is used as the emulsifying agent for the water-in-oil emulsion a water-insoluble, oil-soluble surface active agent of the formula (I):X-Y-Z Ior a functional derivative thereof, wherein X- represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing from 30 to 500 carbon atoms, -Y- represents a succinic anhydride residue carried terminally upon the group X-, and -Z represents a hydrophilic group carried by the group -Y-.

Abstract: A method for the production of water absorbent polymer beads which retain a bead like shape after the absorption of water, wherein the absorbent beads are used in the manufacturing of concrete/mortar.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer blends of polyesters or polyesteramides and a polymer containing an acrylamide sulfonate monomer. The blends are preferably prepared by polymerizing monomers in the presence of the polyester or polyesteramide. The blends impart superior freeze-thaw stability to aqueous compositions such as inks.

Abstract: A polymeric bead has now been developed to act as a support for other entities having a volume mean diameter of up to 250 microns and having a surface provided with pores which form at least 10% by area of the surface. At least one third of the total area of the pores is provided by pores having a larger size of at least 0.4 micron. A method for the manufacture of such polymeric beads involves using a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion technique in which the amount of water used in the preparation of the aqueous phase is not greater than 125 parts by weight per 265 parts by weight of the mixture of the polyester resin and monomer which is used.The porous beads provide an excellent base for carrying enzymes, bacteria and catalysts species useful in a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A water-based aerosol coating composition suitable for discharge from an aerosol container comprising: a monomer-modified alkyd resin which is rendered water-soluble by neutralization with a base, a rosin-modified maleic resin which is rendered water-soluble by neutralization with a base, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, and a propellant, preferably dimethyl ether. The composition provides a durable coating or film when applied onto a substrate. Further, the composition is non-flammable upon discharge.

Abstract: An air-drying paint composition comprising (a) internally cross-linked polymer microparticles produced by emulsion polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers including at least one cross-linking monomer, (b) a film-forming resin selected from the group consisting of an air-drying alkyd resin, an acrylic polymer and an acrylic-modified alkyd resin, and (c) a volatile organic solvent. The paint may be formulated in high solids content while retaining low viscosity.

Abstract: New shrinkage control agents, for unsaturated polyester resin systems, which are copolymers of vinyl versatate and vinyl acetate, i.e., poly(vinyl versatate-co-vinyl acetate). The shrink control agents are useful both with neat and filled unsaturated polyester resin systems. The shrink control agents are especially useful under conditions where the unsaturated polyester resin system is cured at or below ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A size for carbon fibers and glass fibers comprises an epoxy resin and a polyester with a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic moiety in the molecule.

Abstract: Chemically treated glass fibers of the present invention provide good processing properties in reinforcing thermosetting polymers while resulting in fiber reinforced thermosetting materials having good strength properties. The chemically treated glass fibers have a dried residue of an aqueous chemical treating composition having: two film forming polymers, at least an acryloxy alkyl trialkoxysilane, a fiber lubricant and polyester curing agent and water. One film forming polymer is a polyvinylacetate copolymer having a low solubility in acetone and the other film forming polymer is unsaturated, curable, essentially linear polyester polymer. The fiber lubricant is a nonionic polyethylene-containing polymer or a cationic lubricant like polyalkylene polyamine polyamino amide, and partially amidated polyalkylenimines and mixtures thereof present in an effective lubricating amount.

Abstract: A nonaqueous resin dispersion in which particles of a low molecular weight polyolefin are finely and uniformly dispersed, which dispersion is obtained by the polymerization of a vinyl monomer (C) in the presence of 20 to 90% by weight of a substantially saturated polymer (A), based upon the total weight of the reactants (A), (B) and (C), and a low molecular weight polyolefin (B) dispersed finely therein. The resin dispersions of the present invention contain the low molecular weight polyolefin finely and uniformly dispersed such that it has an average particle diameter of not more than 10.mu. and preferably not more than 1.mu.. According to the Invention, the polyolefin is more finely and uniformly dispersed than previous dispersions produced by mechanical melt-dispersion of low molecular weight polyolefin and a resin.

Abstract: A novel aqueous dispersion type resin composition obtained by the method comprising polymerizing at least one .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer in an aqueous medium containing a water soluble resin with an amphoionic group of the formula ##STR1## (in which R and Y are defined in the specification) and in the presence of an organic initiator, the solid weight ratio of said water soluble resin to said monomer being, 10:90 to 90:10. The aqueous coating composition based on said resin composition is excellent in storage stability, application characteristics and capable of resulting a coating with excellent film properties.

Abstract: Vesiculated granules of cross-linked carboxylated polyester resin prepared by the free radical polymerization of a dispersion of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a carboxylated unsaturated polyester resin having an acid value of from 5-50 mg KOH/g and an alkyl acryloyl derivative. Aqueous compositions comprising the granules are used in conjunction with fibrous cellulosic or non-cellulosic materials for the preparation of paper containing the vesiculated polymeric granules dispersed therein. The paper has improved optical opacity.

Abstract: A porous, open-pore, hardened, plastic composition suitable as a replacement for plaster for use as a mold in shaping a ceramic article by any of various ceramic shaping methods prepared by subjecting a water-in-oil emulsion to hardening, without breaking the emulsion, and then drying the hardened product, the emulsion having a viscosity of 1600-5000 cP and/or containing 2-12% by weight of an alkali-reactive, water-binding material, the water phase/oil phase ratio providing an open pore volume in the composition equivalent to 10-60% of the total volume of the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a water-in-oil emulsion of a water-soluble polyacrylamide or polyacrylic acid polymer or copolymer by the inverse emulsion process characterized in that there is used as the emulsifying agent for the water-in-oil emulsion a water-insoluble, oil-soluble surface active agent of the formula (I):X--Y--Z Ior a functional derivative thereof, wherein X- represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing from 30 to 500 carbon atoms, --Y-- represents a succinic anhydride residue carried terminally upon the group X--, and --Z represents a hydrophilic group carried by the group --Y--.

Abstract: A method for producing a plastic material from a water-in-oil emulsion of an unsaturated polyester resin dissolved in a hardenable compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated group. The emulsion has an adjusted viscosity of 1600-5000 cp. The plastic material is suitable as a replacement for plaster in the shaping of ceramics. The emulsion may contain an alkali-reactive water-binding material to increase the ceramic forming capability of the plastic material.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for solidifying radioactive wastes is formed of unsaturated polyester resins comprising a polyester (I) obtained polycondensing (a) maleic anhydride and/or maleic and/or fumaric acid, (b) isophthalic and/or terephthalic acid, (c) neopentylglycol, (d) optionally one or more conventional glycols, wherein the amount of (c) is at least 50% by moles with respect to (c)+(d); another polyester (II) obtained polycondensing (a) maleic anhydride and/or maleic and/or fumaric acid, (b) isopropylidene-bis-(phenylene-oxypropanol-2), (c) optionally one or more conventional glycols, wherein the amount of (b) is at least 50% by moles with respect to (b)+(c); an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (III) capable of copolymerizing with (I) and (II); inhibitors, initiators, accelerators, glass fibers and other conventional additives and fillers the weight ratio of component (I) to (II) being from 100:0 to 20:80.

Abstract: A process of preparing aqueous slurries of vesiculated granules of crosslinked polyester resin wherein the granules have a maximum shrinkage on drying of 5% of the granule diameter.The formation of aggregates of granules in the large scale production of granules using a metal oxide, hydroxide or weak acid salt as base can be overcome by using a surfactant which comprises a species ##STR1## wherein a=5-12, X is an anion of pK.sub.1 less than 2 and R is an alkylene oxide chain composed of units selected from ethylene, propylene and butylene oxides. When alkylene oxide other than ethylene oxide is present in the chain, such alkylene oxide must not provide more than two units per chain and the chain must additionally comprise at least three ethylene oxide units.The granules prepared by the process are useful as matting and opacifying agents in, for example, coating compositions.

Abstract: Vesiculated beads having improved scattering efficiency and resistance to shrinkage are prepared by a process which comprises:(a) forming in the presence of a polyamine, as a water-in-oil emulsion, a stable dispersion of droplets of water in a solution of a carboxylic acid functional unsaturated polyester resin having an acid value of 8 to 20, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable with the polyester; and(b) forming in an aqueous solution, as a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion, a stable dispersion of the globules of the droplet-containing amine neutralized solution of the carboxylic acid functional unsaturated polyester and copolymerizable monomer; and(c) polymerizing the polyester and copolymerizable monomer by free radical addition polymerization thereby producing granules of opaque, cross-linked vesiculated beads;wherein the polyamine contains at least 3 amine groups per molecule; and wherein the amine is present at a concentration such that there are at least about 2.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of vesiculated beads has been developed which can be used for the production of semi-gloss or satin finished paints. The process involves mixing an oil-phase containing a cross-linkable polyester resin in solution with a monomer co-polymerizable with the resin and an aqueous phase containing an emulsifying agent under conditions such that globules of the oil-phase are formed having a diameter of less than 1.5 microns. The emulsion containing the globules also contains a base and the amount of the emulsifying agent is from 3 to 16 grams per 100 ml of the oil-phase and the volume fraction has a value of 0.2 to 0.4 and X as defined is from 4 to 8. Preferably the beads are pigmented with titanium dioxide pigment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to water-dilutable alkyd and acrylate resins. More particularly, this invention is directed to a method for the preparation of water-dilutable resin preparations based upon alkyd and acrylate resins which comprises the steps of:(a) preparing an aqueous alkyd resin dispersion, wherein the alkyd resin has an acid number of from about 5 to 40 and a hydroxyl number of from about 150 to 300 and the dispersion has a solids content of from about 30 to 90 percent by weight; and(b) polymerizing monomers of acrylic acid derivatives or methacrylic acid derivatives in the dispersion from step (a), optionally in the presence of additional water, to obtain a total solids content of from about 30 to 80 percent by weight, the weight ratio of alkyd resin to acrylate resin being from about 1:4 to 9:1.This invention is also directed to the use of these binders in water-dilutable lacquer systems.

Abstract: An aqueous, oxidatively drying coating composition is provided, the binder system of which comprising (A) the polymer obtained by polymerization of a monoethylenically unsaturated compound in the presence of (B) an aqueous solution of an ionized, oxidatively drying alkyl resin, and (C) a dispersed, oxidatively drying alkyd resin having a number average molecular weight of 600-6000, a viscosity of at most 30 Pa.s, measured at 20.degree. C., an acid number of 0-20 and a hydroxyl number of 0-130, and built up of 3-40% by weight of a hydroxyl compound, 2-44% by weight of a carboxylic acid including a cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and 20-90% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated fatty acid. Calculated on solid matter, component C forms 5-65% by weight of the binder system. The coating composition is preferably applied to wood.

Abstract: An aerosol paint system under sprayable pressures in the container is provided comprising two film-forming polymeric binders. One of the two being monomer modified alkyd resin of relatively low molecular weight having an acid value (before neutralization with selected bases) of about 40 to 80 and the second polymeric binder of water-reducible nature being an emulsion polymer latex of high molecular weight, but capable of forming a continuous film in the total aerosol paint system aided by the monomer modified alkyd and a selection from co-solvents including in a first group low molecular weight alcohols, ketones, and esters and in a second group the co-solvents illustrated by the Cellosolves, Cellosolve acetates and other esters and the Carbitols as to chemical class.Pressures essential to spray application are principally provided by dimethyl ether and closely related ethers as a class.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of rigid beads, of cross-linked polyester resin which beads may be solid or vesiculated, by forming an oil-in-water or a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion in which the oil phase contains an unsaturated polyester resin and an unsaturated organic monomer to provide said cross-linking and thereafter heating the emulsion to a temperature of at least 45.degree. C. before initiating polymerization of the oil phase by the introduction into the system of a polymerization initiator, and promoter system, if the latter is not already present in the emulsion.

Abstract: A sizing composition and method of preparing sized glass fiber strand is provided to produce sized glass fiber strand that has reduced tackiness. The sizing composition has a low molecular weight liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer or hydroxy or carboxy derivatives of said copolymers, epoxy resins, polyester resins, or polyurethane resins that are free radically curable; and a free radical precurser selected from the group consisting of peroxides, hydroperoxides in an amount in the range of about 0.2 to 5 parts per hundred parts of liquid polymer in said sizing composition; or the said liquid polymer that can be treated with radiation to produce an equivalent amount of free radicals.

Abstract: An aqueous sizing composition, method of preparing same and sized glass fibers are provided that enables the production of sized glass fibers having improved filamentization. The aqueous sizing composition has one or more cross-linkable film formers, one or more organo silane coupling agents and about 2 to about 12 weight percent of an interaction product of an unhydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed amino organo silane coupling agent and an epoxidized polar thermoplastic copolymer. The epoxy copolymer has about 2 to about 12 parts of monomer with epoxy functionality per 100 parts of copolymer. Also the epoxy copolymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from -10.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. The unhydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed amino silane coupling agent is contacted with the epoxidized copolymer, where the copolymer has a percent solids in the range of about 15 to about 60 weight percent.

Abstract: An aqueous sizing composition, glass fiber strands having the dried residue of the aqueous sizing composition and processes for producing these articles are provided that enable the production of glass fiber reinforced polymeric materials having improved properties. In addition, improvements are obtained in the processability of using glass fiber roving in the production of sheet molding compound, bulk molding compound and thick molding compound. The sizing composition, sized glass fiber strands, processes, reinforced polymeric materials and improvements of this invention emanate from the use of epoxidized polar thermoplastic copolymers in aqueous sizing compositions that are substantially insoluble in the matrix polymer. The aqueous sizing composition has one or more cross-linkable film formers, one or more organosilane coupling agents and about 3 to about 12 weight percent of the aqueous sizing composition of the epoxidized polar thermoplastic copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing aqueous slurries of vesiculated granules of crosslinked polyester resin wherein the granules have a maximum shrinkage on drying of 5% of the granule diameter. Previously-known processes for the preparation of granules of this type have utilized polyamines; this has led to odor and color problems. These problems may be eliminated or substantially reduced by the use of bases which are metal oxides, hydroxides or salts wherein the metal cation is selected from Ca, Mg, Ba, Ti, Zn, Pb, Sr and Co and, when a metal salt is used, the pKa value of the conjugate acid of the anion is greater than 2. The resulting granules are useful at matting and opacifying agents in, for example, paint compositions.