An oligomer represented by the formula

##STR00001##

where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbons, inclusive, R.sup.3 is hydrogen or hydroxyl, Y is hydrogen or an initiator residue, Z is a single bond or methylene, and n is an integer from 9 to 40, inclusive. Acrylate oligomer emulsions including the disclosed oligomer and fluorine-free treating compositions including the acrylate oligomer emulsion. Methods of making and using such compositions are also disclosed.

A method for producing a water/oil repellent composition can produce an article which is excellent in the oil repellency while maintaining the water repellency and the heavy-rain durability. The method includes mixing an emulsion of a polymer having from 10 to 50 mass % of units based on a monomer having a perfluoroalkyl group per all units and an emulsion of a monomer component containing at least 80 mass % of a monomer having a perfluoroalkyl group so that the proportion of the mass of the polymer will be from 50 to 99 mass % per the sum of the mass of the polymer and the total mass of the monomer component and then polymerizing the monomer component. The monomer component includes emulsified particles in the emulsion of the monomer component. The emulsified particles have an average particle size of from 50 to 600 nm.

The invention relates to a polymeric fabric comprising an outer functional layer having hydrophobic and oleophobic characteristics made of a first compound, and a second functional layer having hydrophobic characteristics made of a second compound, wherein the first and the second compound differ from each other. Further the outer functional layer at least partly coats the second layer. Additionally, the invention relates to a method of producing a polymeric fabric and an apparatus for producing a polymeric fabric.

To provide a liquid repellent composition which is excellent in liquid repellency and durability and an article having a liquid repelling film. A liquid repellent composition comprising a copolymer (I) and a copolymer (II), characterized in that the copolymer (I) containing from 65 to 95 mass % of a polymerized unit (a) (referred to as “[a.sub.1]”) and from 1 to 30 mass % of a polymerized unit (b); and the copolymer (II) containing from 25 to 80 mass % of a polymerized unit (a) (referred to as “[a.sub.2]”) and from 1 to 50 mass % of a polymerized unit (c) are contained in an amount of the copolymer (I)/the copolymer (II)=10/90 to 95/5 (mass ratio), and [a.sub.1]−[a.sub.2]≧10 (mass %).

A surface treatment agent which is an aqueous emulsion containing: (a) a fluorine-free polymer including: (i) repeating units derived from a long-chain (meth)acrylate ester monomer represented by the formula: CH.sub.2═CA.sup.11-C(═O)—O-A.sup.12, wherein A.sup.11 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and A.sup.12 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 10-30 carbon atoms; (b) a surface active agent including both of a nonionic surface active agent and an anionic surface active agent, wherein the amount of the anionic surface active agent is at least 22% by weight, based on the total of the nonionic surface active agent and the anionic surface active agent; and (c) a liquid medium comprising water.

For imparting enhanced water-repellency and oil-repellency properties to substrates compositions comprising blends of (A) one or more ester oligomers and (B) one or more polycarbodiimides. Also methods for applying such compositions and articles treated with such compositions.

A process of fabricating the composition coating may include selecting a textile material substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating a composition coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate. The composition coatings for treating textile materials improve soil-resistance and stain-resistance of the textile materials. The composition coatings and their use for treating textile materials can also impart water repellency, oil repellency, ease of cleaning stains and removing particulates. In addition, the composite solution may impart additional properties such as physical strength to the textile whilst retaining the original appearance.

Articles are provided that include a fibrous substrate and porous polymeric particles. At least 50% of the porous polymeric particles are bound to the fibrous substrate. Methods of making the articles are provided that include providing porous polymeric particles, providing a fibrous substrate, and binding the porous polymeric particles to the fibrous substrate. The articles can be used for fluid management.

A water repellent composition comprising a fluorinated copolymer having structural units based on a monomer (a) having a C.sub.1-6 polyfluoroalkyl group, structural units based on a monomer (b) having a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group and structural units based on a monomer (c) (halogenated olefin), and a medium, wherein the proportion of the structural units based on the monomer (a) is from 50 to 90 mass % of the structural units (100 mass %) based on all the monomers.

To provide a water/oil repellent composition whereby it is possible to obtain an article which is excellent in each of water repellency, oil repellency and heavy rain durability, a method for its production, and an article which is excellent in each of water repellency, oil repellency, heavy rain durability and texture. The water/oil repellent composition comprises a copolymer containing structural units based on a monomer (a), structural units based on a monomer (b) and structural units based on a monomer (c). Here, the monomer (a) is a compound represented by (Z—Y).sub.nX (wherein Z is a C.sub.1-6 perfluoroalkyl group, etc.; Y is a bivalent organic group, etc.; n is 1 or 2; and X is a polymerizable unsaturated group). The monomer (b) is a (meth)acrylate having no polyfluoroalkyl group and having an alkyl group with at least 12 carbon atoms. The monomer (c) is a monomer having a poly(oxypolyfluoroalkylene) chain.