The present invention relates to a method of producing a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), comprising the steps of (vi) providing MMVF; (vii) providing an uncured binder composition; (viii) providing a superabsorbent polymer; (ix) forming a mixture of the MMVF, the uncured binder composition and the superabsorbent polymer; (x) curing the uncured binder composition in the mixture to form the coherent growth substrate product; wherein the uncured binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

A polymer composition for producing gel extruded articles is described. The polymer composition contains polyethylene particles combined with a plasticizer. The polyethylene particles are particularly selected so that the particles rapidly form a homogeneous gel-like material when combined with the plasticizer during gel processing. In one embodiment, the polyethylene used to produce the particles has a relatively low bulk density. Alternatively or in addition, the particles can have a carefully controlled particle size distribution. Polymer articles such as fibers and films can be produced having little to no imperfections.

A composition kit for preparing a polyurethane foam and a preparation method and applications thereof are provided. The composition kit for preparing a polyurethane foam includes a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component are disposed in different containers respectively. The first component includes an organic isocyanate and a low boiling point foaming agent. The second component includes a polyol composition, a high boiling point foaming agent, a composite catalyst, water, and a silicone oil.

Use of twin screw extrusion to further enhance the uniformity of crosslinked rubber dispersion in thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) to improve elastic properties of TPVs is disclosed. Most specifically, this invention employs intermeshing twin screw extruders to further homogenize dynamically vulcanized rubber dispersions in TPVs so that their particle size dispersion index (PSDI), or the ratio of weight average equivalent dispersion particle diameter to number average equivalent dispersion particle diameter, can be lowered to less than 1.6 or 1.57 with corresponding elastic property improvements by having lower hysteresis, higher elongation to break, and higher retractive force. TPV products having lower PSDI and improved elastic properties, and apparatus for conducting the disclosed method, are also provided.

Biodegradable pellet compositions comprising: a starch at about 30% to about 80% by weight of the composition, a plasticizer at about 2% to about 30% by weight of the composition; a flexibility agent at about 10% to about 40% by weight; a binder at about 3% to about 13% by weight of the composition; a hydrophobic agent at about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition; and an emulsifier at about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition. The compositions further comprise a defoaming agent where a biodegradable foam pellet is the end product. The compositions may optionally include a plant fiber.

Please cancel the previous Abstract and replace it with the following NEW A contact medium for use in medical and non-medical sonography, in electrocardiography, in electroencephalography, or in defibrillation, which contains 0.05 to 2.5 wt. % of a gel-forming agent, 0.05 to 3.5 wt. % of a detergent, and 0.1 to 4.0 wt. % of an emulsifier and optionally additives as well as water as the remaining element.

A liquid colorant for use in molding or extruding plastic products comprises pigment dispersed in cottonseed oil.

The present invention relates to processes for making compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives and polymer compositions that comprise compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives. The invention also relates to compositions produced by these processes, and articles formed from polymer compositions of this invention. The barrier additives provide passive barriers to gas molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide minimizing transit of such molecules through sidewalls of polymer articles containing the barrier additives.

A method for producing a tire sidewall rubber member according to an embodiment comprises: a first kneading step of preparing a first kneaded product by kneading a diene rubber, carbon black, a compound represented by formula (I) (wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, and M.sup.+ is Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ or Li.sup.+), and zinc oxide; and a second kneading step of adding wax and/or stearic acid to the first kneaded product, followed by kneading. Thus, low heat generation properties are improved while suppressing the deterioration of tear resistance. ##STR00001##

A pigmentable non-asphaltic composition for use as a sealant for cracks and joints in pavement surfaces, and for other purposes, and a method of forming the composition wherein (a) the composition comprises a non-asphaltic base blend which uses one or more tree rosin esters and (b) the low temperature properties of the composition, such as ductility and flexural creep stiffness, are enhanced by incorporating distilled tall oil and/or other low temperature property enhancing additives.