A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a metallic substrate. The method can include anodizing a nanoporous layer of anodic metal oxide on the surface; cathodizing yttrium oxide nanoparticles onto the surface; applying a hydrophobic ceramic coating composition to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of: flowing, dipping, and spraying; and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 150 C. to about 300 C. for at least 2 hours.

A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a metallic substrate. The method can include anodizing a nanoporous layer of anodic metal oxide on the surface; cathodizing yttrium oxide nanoparticles onto the surface; applying a hydrophobic ceramic coating composition to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of: flowing, dipping, and spraying; and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 150 C. to about 300 C. for at least 2 hours.

The present invention provides writing compositions that are capable of being erased or changed in color chemically. The present invention also provides erasing media for erasing or changing the color of marks produced with the writing compositions, as well as writing systems and incorporating the erasing media and the writing compositions. The present invention further provides writing instruments produced using the writing compositions.

The present invention provides writing compositions that are capable of being erased or changed in color chemically. The present invention also provides erasing media for erasing or changing the color of marks produced with the writing compositions, as well as writing systems and incorporating the erasing media and the writing compositions. The present invention further provides writing instruments produced using the writing compositions.

A polymer-bound lead refill for writing, drawing and/or painting devices, in particular for pencils or colored pencils, including at least one binding agent, at least one wax, at least one coloring agent and at least one filling agent. The lead refill including at least one surfactant.

A polymer-bound lead refill for writing, drawing and/or painting devices, in particular for pencils or colored pencils, including at least one binding agent, at least one wax, at least one coloring agent and at least one filling agent. The lead refill including at least one surfactant.

The present invention provides a writing or coloring pencil comprising the following three layers obtained by co-extrusion: an unexpanded polymer-based lead; an unexpanded intermediate protective layer surrounding the lead and comprising an ethylene (C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl) acrylate copolymer, alone or as a blend with a styrene polymer; and an expanded styrene polymer-based synthetic wood material surrounding the intermediate protective layer.

The present invention provides a writing or coloring pencil comprising the following three layers obtained by co-extrusion: an unexpanded polymer-based lead; an unexpanded intermediate protective layer surrounding the lead and comprising an ethylene (C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl) acrylate copolymer, alone or as a blend with a styrene polymer; and an expanded styrene polymer-based synthetic wood material surrounding the intermediate protective layer.

The present invention relates to a multifunctional clay composition which can be used as a clay capable of performing various functions before drying and which can be used as writing instruments similar to crayons, pastels or colored pencils after drying, and to a process for preparing the same. The multifunctional clay composition may comprise an extender material; a binder; a multifunctional crosslinking agent including a compound having a hydroxyl group of two or more functionality, or forming an ion having a hydroxyl group of two or more functionality in a water solvent; a wax and a pigment.

The present invention relates to a multifunctional clay composition which can be used as a clay capable of performing various functions before drying and which can be used as writing instruments similar to crayons, pastels or colored pencils after drying, and to a process for preparing the same. The multifunctional clay composition may comprise an extender material; a binder; a multifunctional crosslinking agent including a compound having a hydroxyl group of two or more functionality, or forming an ion having a hydroxyl group of two or more functionality in a water solvent; a wax and a pigment.