A resin film has improved rigidity and flex resistance, and reduced optical distortion. A polyimide film has a polyimide containing an aromatic ring, and inorganic particles having a smaller refractive index in a major axis direction than an average refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the major axis direction, wherein, when the polyimide film is monotonically heated from 25? C. at 10? C./min, a size shrinkage ratio represented by the following formula in at least one direction is 0.1% or more at at least one temperature in a range of from 250? C. to 400? C.: size shrinkage ratio (%)=[{(size at 25? C.)?(size after heating)}/(size at 25? C.)]?100; wherein a birefringence index in a thickness direction is 0.020 or less at a wavelength of 590 nm; and wherein a total light transmittance measured in accordance with JIS K7361-1 is 80% or more at a thickness of 10 ?m.

A fluoroelastomer composition containing (a) a polyol-crosslinkable fluoroelastomer, (b) a cross-linking agent for polyol crosslinking, (c) a crosslinking accelerator; and (d) at least one acid acceptor selected from basic magnesium carbonate and magnesium phosphate, wherein the content of a divalent metal oxide is lower than 1 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the fluoroelastomer (a). Also disclosed is a molded article obtained by crosslinking the fluoroelastomer composition.

The present invention provides a polyacetal resin composition, which comprises a polyacetal resin, and which further comprises the following (A), (B) and (C), with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polyacetal resin: (A) 0.05 to 5.5 parts by weight of a low-density polyethylene having a melt flow rate of 1.0 to 50 g/10 minutes (190? C., 2.16 kg), (B) 0.05 to 2.0 parts by weight of a fatty acid compound (excluding calcium stearate), and (C) 0.001 to 1.0 part by weight of a layered double hydroxide represented by the following general formula (1): [(M.sup.2+).sub.x(M.sup.3+).sub.y(OH).sub.2(x+y)](A.sup.n?).sub.x/n.sub.?(H.sub.2O) (1) (wherein, in the general formula (1), M.sup.2+ represents a divalent metal ion, M.sup.3+ represents a trivalent metal ion, A.sup.n? represents an n-valent anion, wherein one or more of the anions are contained in the layered double hydroxide, x represents a number in the range of 0<x? 6.0, n represents 1, 2, or 3, and y and z each represent a number of 0 or greater).

Fire retardant paint compositions and coatings containing acrylic modified polysiloxane, polyphosphate salt, expandable graphite, and fire retardant additives are provided. The paint compositions find use in protecting a substrate against fire and exhibit excellent adhesion to substrates and long term weather resistance.

A thermoset polymerizable casting compound, formulated for production of kitchen sinks and sanitary ware, including: (a) at least one monofunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic monomer from recycled material and/or of plant or animal origin, (b) at least one polyfunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic biomonomer of plant or animal origin, (c) at least one polymer or copolymer selected from (co)polyacrylates, (co)polymethacrylates, polyols, polyesters, rosins, polyterpene resins, each from recycled material or of plant or animal origin, where the substances according to (a)-(c) form a polymer binder, and (d) inorganic and/or organic filler particles of natural origin or from recycled material. The proportion of the monofunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic monomer(s) and of the polyfunctional acrylic and methacrylic biomonomer(s) is 10-40% by weight, the proportion of the polymer(s) or copolymer(s) is 1-16% by weight, the proportion of the inorganic and/or organic filler particles is 44-89% by weight, and the polymer binder further includes at least one polymerizable terpene or derivatives thereof.

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 flame retardant optical fiber is provided. The flame retardant optical fiber includes a glass core, a cladding surrounding the glass core and a primary coating adhered to the cladding. The flame retardant optical fiber also includes a secondary coating surrounding the primary coating, wherein the secondary coating is formed from a coating composition that is substantially free of an oligomeric component and that comprises a flame retardant composition including a flame retardant material.

The present invention relates to a filler, in particular a powdery filler, for a coating composition, in particular for a paint, a lacquer or an impregnating agent. The invention is characterised in that the filler comprises particles which have a surface coating, the particles comprising a siliceous or carbonatic component and having a basic pH value in aqueous solution, and the surface coating of the particles comprising one of the substances alkyltrimethoxysilane, alkyltriethoxysilane and/or alkyl siloxane. The invention furthermore relates to a coating composition containing a filler of this kind. In addition, the invention relates to uses of a filler of this kind for treating stones, ceramics or construction materials against moisture penetration, corrosion and algae, mold and/or plant growth.

Moisture curing alkoxysilyl-functional polymer compositions containing a high phenyl-content silicone resin and carbon black exhibit high adhesion to substrates, high tensile strength, very high elongation, and high tear strength without becoming unduly hard.

A process for the manufacturing of fire suppressing crystals having a high Q-factor particle size distribution, said fire suppression crystals being intended for use as a fire suppressing additive in polymer compositions, the process comprising the steps; a) Preparing a mother liquor comprising water and a salt composition obtained in step c) or d), the temperature of said mother liquor being adjusted to 10-50 C. and comprising said salt composition to a level of at least 90% of saturation. Calcium hydroxide is added to the mother liquor to a level of at least 90% of saturation. b) Preparing an acid solution comprising water and two or more acids selected from the group consisting of; C.sub.2-C.sub.6 mono-, di- and/or tri-carboxylic acids, and optionally a phosphorous compound. The temperature of said acid solution is adjusted to 20-90 C. 31 and comprising acids to a level of at least 50% of saturation. c) The mother liquor, comprising calcium hydroxide, obtained from step a) is subjected to intense agitation under which the acid solution obtained from step b) is slowly added to said mother liquor allowing reaction to form salt until supersaturation is achieved while maintaining PH at a level securing that no unreacted acids remains after reaction, d) Crystals formed in the reaction of step c) is continuously or discontinuously removed from the reaction product of step c).