A thixotropic agent for increasing the yield point of a curable composition, wherein the thixotropic agent includes (i) at least one urea compound from the reaction of at least one isocyanate with at least one amine and (ii) at least one polyether having blocked hydroxyl groups. The thixotropic agent is preparable in a simple manner and forms a spreadable paste which is firm at room temperature. It is particularly suitable as a constituent of moisture-curing polyurethane or SMP compositions, giving a good increase in the yield point thereof, without adversely affecting storage stability or migration characteristics. It enables phthalate-free adhesives, sealants or coatings that have surprisingly good conveyability coupled with a high yield point, and do not cause any problems with odor or fogging.

A thixotropic agent for increasing the yield point of a curable composition, wherein the thixotropic agent includes (i) at least one urea compound from the reaction of at least one isocyanate with at least one amine and (ii) at least one polyether having blocked hydroxyl groups. The thixotropic agent is preparable in a simple manner and forms a spreadable paste which is firm at room temperature. It is particularly suitable as a constituent of moisture-curing polyurethane or SMP compositions, giving a good increase in the yield point thereof, without adversely affecting storage stability or migration characteristics. It enables phthalate-free adhesives, sealants or coatings that have surprisingly good conveyability coupled with a high yield point, and do not cause any problems with odor or fogging.

The present invention provides a tire puncture sealant which exhibits excellent storage stability while having reduced low-temperature viscosity and therefore improved low-temperature injection properties, and also exhibits excellent initial sealing properties and sealing force retention properties. The present invention relates to a tire puncture sealant containing rubber latex and 1,3-propanediol, the 1,3-propanediol being present in a proportion of 55 to 61% by mass of the liquid component.

A spherical annular seal member 38 is used in an exhaust pipe joint and includes a spherical annular base member 36 defined by a cylindrical inner surface 32, a partially convex spherical surface 33, large- and small-diameter side annular end faces 34 and 35 of the partially convex spherical surface 33, and an outer layer 37 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 33 of the spherical annular base member 36. The spherical annular base member 36 includes a reinforcing member made from a metal wire net 5 and a heat-resistant material containing expanded graphite filling meshes of the metal wire net 5 of this reinforcing member and compressed in such a manner as to be formed integrally with this reinforcing member in mixed form. In the outer layer 37, the reinforcing member, the heat-resistant material, and the solid lubricant are integrated in mixed form.

Provided are an elastomer composition including a first fluoroelastomer that is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro (alkoxyvinyl ether) and a second fluoroelastomer different from the first fluoroelastomer, and a sealing material including a crosslinked product of the elastomer composition.

The present invention is: a curable composition comprising a component (A), a component (B), and a component (C), the curable composition comprising the component (A) and the component (B) in a mass ratio (component (A):component (B)) of 100:0.3 to 100:50, the component (A) being a curable polysilsesquioxane compound that comprises a repeating unit represented by a formula (a-1),

R.sup.1SiO.sub.3/2  (a-1)

wherein R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, the component (B) being fine particles having an average primary particle size of 5 to 40 nm, and the component (C) being a silane coupling agent that comprises an acid anhydride structure in its molecule. This invention provides: a curable composition that produces a cured product that exhibits excellent adhesion, excellent delamination resistance, and excellent heat resistance, and exhibits excellent workability during the application step, a method for producing the same, a cured product obtained by curing the curable composition, a method for using the curable composition as an optical element-securing adhesive or an optical element sealing material, and an optical device.

The present invention is: a curable composition comprising a component (A), a component (B), and a component (C), the curable composition comprising the component (A) and the component (B) in a mass ratio (component (A):component (B)) of 100:0.3 to 100:50, the component (A) being a curable polysilsesquioxane compound that comprises a repeating unit represented by a formula (a-1),

R.sup.1SiO.sub.3/2  (a-1)

wherein R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, the component (B) being fine particles having an average primary particle size of 5 to 40 nm, and the component (C) being a silane coupling agent that comprises a nitrogen atom in its molecule. This invention provides: a curable composition that produces a cured product that exhibits excellent adhesion, excellent delamination resistance, and excellent heat resistance, and exhibits excellent workability during the application step, a method for producing the same, a cured product obtained by curing the curable composition, a method for using the curable composition as an optical element-securing adhesive or an optical element sealing material, and an optical device.

Provided are a encapsulant composition that is for solar cells and can reduce the time required for a lamination process and improve light stability and resistance to moisture and heat, and a solar cell encapsulant layer and a solar cell module, each produced with the composition, wherein the composition includes an ethylenic copolymer and an organic peroxide having a peroxyester structure represented by formula (1) or (2)

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 each independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an optionally substituted aryl group of 5 to 18 carbon atoms.

The present invention relates to a compound of the following formula (I): Formula (I),

##STR00001##

as well as the polyurethanes obtained from these compounds, and their uses in sealant formulations.

A colored composition including a resin system, and a colorized filler. The colorized filler includes particles including a polymer. The particles have a density less than 2.6 g/cc and an average particle size from 100 microns to 600 microns.