A composite material comprising an elastomer having ceramic platelets dispersed therein, and applications thereof including an armour system. The ceramic platelets each have a first plate surface and a second plate surface, the first and second plate surfaces being separated by a height H. The ceramic platelets each having a maximum diameter D measured in the first and second plate surfaces. The ceramic platelets have a mean height H.sub.m and a mean maximum diameter D.sub.m. The mean height H.sub.m is 0.1 to 1 μm and the ratio D.sub.m:Hm is 20 or more.

The invention relates to a polymer thick film (PTF) conductive paste composition comprising a conductive powder, a fluoroelastomer, a silane coupling agent, and one or solvents. The PTF conductive paste composition can be used to form a printed conductor and to form an electrically conductive adhesive on various articles. The PTF conductive paste composition is provides a stretchable electrical conductor for wearables.

A composite material for electromagnetic interference shielding is provided. The composite material comprises a polymer matrix with metal nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix. Methods of characterizing the nanocomposites are provided and demonstrate commercially relevant mechanical and electrical properties, particularly an electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness in the microwave frequency. An economical process for preparing the nanocomposites is also provided.

A composite material for electromagnetic interference shielding is provided. The composite material comprises a polymer matrix with metal nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix. Methods of characterizing the nanocomposites are provided and demonstrate commercially relevant mechanical and electrical properties, particularly an electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness in the microwave frequency. An economical process for preparing the nanocomposites is also provided.

A composite material for electromagnetic interference shielding is provided. The composite material comprises a polymer matrix with metal nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix. Methods of characterizing the nanocomposites are provided and demonstrate commercially relevant mechanical and electrical properties, particularly an electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness in the microwave frequency. An economical process for preparing the nanocomposites is also provided.

A colored metallic pigment according to the present invention is a colored metallic pigment including at least a metallic pigment, an amorphous silicon oxide film layer formed on a surface of the metallic pigment, a metallic-particle-supporting layer formed on a surface of the amorphous silicon oxide film layer, and metallic particles formed on a surface of the metallic-particle-supporting layer, characterized in that the metallic-particle-supporting layer is formed of one or both of a metal layer and a metal oxide layer composed of a metal oxide other than silicon oxide, the metallic particles are formed to directly cover a part of the surface of the metallic-particle-supporting layer, and the amorphous silicon oxide film layer has a thickness of more than 500 nm.

A colored metallic pigment according to the present invention is a colored metallic pigment including at least a metallic pigment, an amorphous silicon oxide film layer formed on a surface of the metallic pigment, a metallic-particle-supporting layer formed on a surface of the amorphous silicon oxide film layer, and metallic particles formed on a surface of the metallic-particle-supporting layer, characterized in that the metallic-particle-supporting layer is formed of one or both of a metal layer and a metal oxide layer composed of a metal oxide other than silicon oxide, the metallic particles are formed to directly cover a part of the surface of the metallic-particle-supporting layer, and the amorphous silicon oxide film layer has a thickness of more than 500 nm.

Provided is a silver powder which has an appropriate viscosity range at the time of paste production, can be easily kneaded, and prevents the occurrence of flakes. The silver powder to be used has a specific surface area ratio SA.sub.B/SA.sub.S of 0.5 to 0.9, wherein SA.sub.B is a specific surface area measured by the BET method, and SA.sub.S is a specific surface area calculated from a mean primary-particle diameter D.sub.S measured with a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the silver powder preferably has a degree of aggregation of 1.5 to 5.0, the degree being obtained in such a manner that a volume median diameter D.sub.50 measured by laser diffraction scattering is divided by the foregoing Ds.

Provided is a silver powder which has an appropriate viscosity range at the time of paste production, can be easily kneaded, and prevents the occurrence of flakes. The silver powder to be used has a specific surface area ratio SA.sub.B/SA.sub.S of 0.5 to 0.9, wherein SA.sub.B is a specific surface area measured by the BET method, and SA.sub.S is a specific surface area calculated from a mean primary-particle diameter D.sub.S measured with a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the silver powder preferably has a degree of aggregation of 1.5 to 5.0, the degree being obtained in such a manner that a volume median diameter D.sub.50 measured by laser diffraction scattering is divided by the foregoing Ds.

A die attach paste composition comprising (a) an organosilicone resin; (b) a single crystal alumina filler; (c) a hardener; and (d) an inhibitor. By using single crystal alumina filler in a silicone based die attach paste, thermal conductivity and anti-yellowing properties are improved in comparison with other spherical alumina particles at the same filler loading content.