A composite material is produced from carpet waste and a binding agent, in intimate association, and may also include wood fiber or chips and/or other additives. A method of manufacturing a composite material includes shredding carpet waste, coating the carpet waste with a binding agent, and subjecting the shredded, coated carpet waste to elevated heat and pressure. As an additional step, the composite material may be actively cooled to prevent deformation of the material.

A multilayer protective film comprising a first layer, a second layer and a PSA layer. The first layer at least comprises a polyester-based polyurethane, a polycarbonate-based polyurethane or a combination or blend of both. The second layer at least comprises a polycaprolactone-based thermoplastic polyurethane. The PSA layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. One major surface of the first layer is bonded to one major surface of the second layer, and the PSA layer is bonded to an opposite major surface of the second layer such that the second layer is sandwiched between the first layer and the PSA layer.

Co-cured urethane and vinyl ester, epoxy, or unsaturated polyester gel coats having improved toughness and flexibility compared with conventional polyester gel coats are disclosed. The gel coats, which have 10-50 wt. % urethane content, adhere well to structural layers and can be used in a traditional in-mold process. Co-cured elastomeric coatings comprising from 50 to 95 wt. % of a urethane component and an unsaturated polyester, epoxy, or vinyl ester are also disclosed. Unlike conventional urethane coatings, the elastomeric coatings adhere well to structural layers and can be used in a traditional in-mold process. Castings or structural layers comprising a reinforced thermoset of co-cured urethane and vinyl ester, epoxy, or unsaturated polyester components, including 10-95 wt. % of the urethane component, are also described. The invention includes in-mold processes for making laminates that utilize the gel coats, elastomeric coatings, and/or structural layers. The in-mold process gives flexible, durable, urethane-containing laminates having good interlayer adhesion.

A biodegradable biomass article for use in construction includes a cellulose biomass. The cellulose biomass includes an alkaline crystalline substance. An adhesive layer covers an outer surface of the biomass, and a sealing layer covers the adhesive layer. A method for manufacturing the biodegradable biomass article includes drying a cellulose biomass, and mixing the biomass with water into a slurry. The slurry is heated, and strained after the step of heating, resulting in a residual paste. The residual paste is compressed to form a biomass mat. The biomass mat is heated, and an adhesive layer is applied which covers the biomass mat. A sealing layer is applied over the adhesive layer.

New stretchable electrically conductive composite materials comprising at least one polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, which exhibit high conductivity even at high strain levels. The composite may comprise polyurethane as the polymer and spherical gold nanoparticles. Such materials have conductivity levels as high as 11,000 Scm.sup.1 at 0% strain and 2,400 Scm.sup.1 at 110% strain. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the composite have a maximum tensile strain of 480% while still exhibiting conductivity of 35 Scm.sup.1. The inventive materials are highly flexible, highly conductive and suitable for a variety of applications, especially for advanced medical devices, implants, and flexible electronics. The disclosure also provides methods of making such stretchable electrically conductive nanocomposites, including formation by layer-by-layer and vacuum assisted flocculation. In certain embodiments, stretchable chiral plasmonic composite materials for use as optic devices and methods for making them are provided.

Padding element for seats such as sofas, armchairs, chairs and armrests, wherein such seats have a support structure, or similar support structure for the human body or parts thereof, such as rest or anti-fatigue mats, anti-decubitus mattresses, shower mats, anti-impact mats, wherein the padding element is provided with a support surface for a user, wherein the padding element includes one film or covering, one gel layer adhering to part of the film or covering and one compact elastomeric layer having a surface for contact with the gel layer and with part of the film or covering and one surface for contact with the seat and/or with the support structure of the seat, wherein the compact elastomeric layer adheres to the gel layer and the film or covering; method for obtaining such padding element.

Co-cured urethane and vinyl ester, epoxy, or unsaturated polyester gel coats having improved toughness and flexibility compared with conventional polyester gel coats are disclosed. The gel coats, which have 10-50 wt. % urethane content, adhere well to structural layers and can be used in a traditional in-mold process. Co-cured elastomeric coatings comprising from 50 to 95 wt. % of a urethane component and an unsaturated polyester, epoxy, or vinyl ester are also disclosed. Unlike conventional urethane coatings, the elastomeric coatings adhere well to structural layers and can be used in a traditional in-mold process. Castings or structural layers comprising a reinforced thermoset of co-cured urethane and vinyl ester, epoxy, or unsaturated polyester components, including 10-95 wt. % of the urethane component, are also described. The invention includes in-mold processes for making laminates that utilize the gel coats, elastomeric coatings, and/or structural layers. The in-mold process gives flexible, durable, urethane-containing laminates having good interlayer adhesion.

New stretchable electrically conductive composite materials comprising at least one polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, which exhibit high conductivity even at high strain levels. The composite may comprise polyurethane as the polymer and spherical gold nanoparticles. Such materials have conductivity levels as high as 11,000 Scm.sup.1 at 0% strain and 2,400 Scm.sup.1 at 110% strain. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the composite have a maximum tensile strain of 480% while still exhibiting conductivity of 35 Scm.sup.1. The inventive materials are highly flexible, highly conductive and suitable for a variety of applications, especially for advanced medical devices, implants, and flexible electronics. The disclosure also provides methods of making such stretchable electrically conductive nanocomposites, including formation by layer-by-layer and vacuum assisted flocculation. In certain embodiments, stretchable chiral plasmonic composite materials for use as optic devices and methods for making them are provided.

A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

The disclosure relates to curable polyureasil compounds, methods related to curing of such compounds via hydrolysis and/or condensation to form coatings on a substrate, and coated articles formed from the curable polyureasil compounds. The polyureasil compounds are generally hydrocarbon-based, including multiple urea groups and multiple hydrolysable silyl groups per molecule. The hydrolysable silyl groups can be hydrolyzed and subsequently condensed to provide a networked polymeric structure with siloxane/urea linkages between polyureasil compound precursors to form a cured polyureasil composition useful as a coating for a substrate, in particular an anti-corrosion coating for a metallic substrate.