A plateable polymer composition is provided. The polymer composition comprises a noble metal catalyst distributed within a polymer matrix containing at least one high naphthenic thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer that includes repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic and/or dicarboxylic acids in an amount of about 10 mol. % or more, wherein the polymer composition exhibits a dissipation factor of about 0.01 or less as determined at a frequency of 2 GHz.

A polyamide resin composition for a vibration-damping material, containing a polyamide resin, a plasticizer in an amount of from 7 to 35 parts by mass, and one or more members selected from the group consisting of plate-like fillers and acicular fillers in an amount of from 15 to 80 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the polyamide resin. The polyamide resin composition of the present invention can be suitably used as a vibration-damping material for a material for audio equipment such as, for example, speakers, television, radio cassette players, headphones, audio components, or microphones, and manufactured articles such as electric appliances, transportation vehicles, construction buildings, and industrial equipment, or parts or housing thereof.

Disclosed herein is a sliding member that has a coating layer serving as a sliding surface thereof so that even when foreign matter enters between the coating layer and a partner member, smoothness between them is maintained to prevent the occurrence of seizing. When the coating layer has an elastic recovery ratio of less than 60%, foreign matter that has entered between the coating layer and the sliding surface of a partner member is efficiently embedded in the coating layer. When the coating layer is formed of a resin composition, the resin composition contains a binder resin, a solid lubricant, and metal particles having a Young's modulus of 10 GPa or more but 100 GPa or less.

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.

This disclosure provides cool paints and paint systems tailored for solar heat management comprising (a) hydroxyl-containing fluorocarbon polymer as binder, (b) an effect pigment, and (c) an IR transparent pigment. Specifically, the dark color paints exhibit higher than 40% total solar reflectance (TSR) and excellent weathering properties e.g., maintaining at least 80% gloss after two-year of exposure to solar irradiation in field test.

This disclosure provides for compositions and applications thereof of multifunctional additive systems for asphalt modifications. These systems comprise multiple functional additives in one source, and thus can reduce or eliminate the need for multiple redundant equipment, such as pumps and meters for the addition of each additive. In certain embodiments, the additive system is such that it can be stored and/or transferred without the need for or with reduced need for mixing.

There is disclosed a talc particulate having a d.sub.50 of from about 0.5 to 5.0 μm and comprising less than about 500 ppm of particles having a particle size of equal to or greater than 45 μm and a shape factor equal to or greater than about 40. A process for making the talc particulate is also disclosed. The talc particulate may be used in polymer compositions as a filler from which polymer composites and articles may be formed.

A paint composition of the present invention contains an aluminum pigment and a mica pigment. The content of the aluminum pigment is equal to or higher than the content of the mica pigment. The aluminum pigment has a specific surface area, determined by the BET method, of not more than 55000 cm.sup.2/g, an average thickness of not less than 0.3 μm, and an aspect ratio of not more than 50.

A swellable composition comprises: a matrix material; and a condensed expandable graphite material disposed in the matrix material. A seal arrangement comprises: a swellable member and a sealing member disposed on a surface of the swellable member; wherein the swellable member comprises a condensed expandable graphite material. The condensed expandable graphite material in the swellable composition and the swellable member has a bulk density of about 1 to about 8 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises expandable graphite.

A highly structured composite material, which can be applied and cured as a protective layer on corroding metal substrates, particularly on steel is provided. Due to its highly structured composition it is a particularly effective barrier to protect metals against attack by corrosive substances such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and sea water, if necessary under hydrothermal conditions. At the same time it is also abrasion stable, for example against a grinding effect by sand, as well as resistant to the impact of mechanical load e.g. by tools. This is achieved by a coating composition comprising a binder comprising at least one cross-linkable resin, wherein the resin comprises at least one of polar group; at least one type of hydrophilic flakes with an aspect ratio of more than 10, wherein the surface of the flakes at least partially comprises a metal oxide; and an organic solvent.