A foamed, opacifying element having a target light blocking value (LBV.sub.T) and a target porous substrate is prepared by determining the light blocking value (LBV.sub.S) of the target porous substrate; calculating the LBV.sub.T-S difference; choosing a foamable aqueous composition; determining a dry coating weight for the chosen foamable aqueous composition (when foamed); and using the dry coating weight to form the single dry opacifying layer as the only layer disposed on the target porous substrate, such that the single dry opacifying layer has light blocking value that is equal to LBV.sub.T-S, 10%. The chosen foamable aqueous composition comprises the essential components (a) through (e) described herein. The desired foamable aqueous composition can be chosen from a set of similar compositions to achieve the desired LBV.sub.T with the noted target porous substrate using suitable mathematical formula relating dry coating weight to light blocking value and a suitable data processor.

A method for providing a foamed, opacifying element includes providing a foamable aqueous compositions, aerating it to a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm.sup.3, applying the foamed aqueous composition to a porous substrate, drying, and densifying the dried layer Such foamable aqueous compositions have 0.05-15 weight % of porous particles; at least 20 weight % of a binder; at least 0.0001 weight % of additives (including a surfactant); water; and at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant. Each porous particle includes a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores; a mode particle size of 2-50 m; and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The continuous polymeric phase T.sub.g is>80 C. and has a polymer viscosity of 80-500 centipoises at an ethyl acetate shear rate of 100 sec.sup.1 at a concentration of 20 weight % at 25 C.

A process for producing elastomeric composition is provided comprising mixing at least one elastomer, at least one cellulose ester additive, at least one methylene acceptor, at least one methylene donor, and optionally, at least one filler; wherein the cellulose ester additive comprises at least one cellulose ester. The cellulose ester additive can also comprise at least one compatibilizer and/or plasticizer.

An elastomeric composition is provided comprising at least one elastomer, at least one cellulose ester additive, at least one methylene acceptor, at least one methylene donor, and optionally, at least one filler; wherein the cellulose ester additive comprises at least one cellulose ester. The cellulose ester additive can also comprise at least one compatibilizer and/or plasticizer.

Included are polymer compositions including a polymer and about 0.1% to 25% by weight of a cellulose additive. The polymer composition is in the form of a film and the cellulose additive may be a cellulose ester such as cellulose acetate butyrate.

A fibrous cellulose composite resin being excellent in strength, a method for producing the same, and a reinforcing material for resins capable of significantly improving resin strength are provided. The fibrous cellulose composite resin includes fibrous cellulose containing microfiber cellulose, a resin, and an acid-modified resin, wherein the microfiber cellulose has an average fiber width of 0.1 m or larger, an average fiber length of 0.02 to 2.0 mm, and a percentage of fibrillation of 1.0% or higher, and hydroxyl groups substituted with carbamate groups, and the carbamate groups are ionically bonded to acidic groups of the acid-modified resin.

This invention relates to improved cellulose nanocrystal fillers for rubber compositions and more specifically with the grafting of disulfide and thioesters onto cellulose nanocrystals for improved performance as a filler in rubber compositions. At least one embodiment describes a method to graft thiols or disulfides on CNC surfaces via esterification exemplified by 3-mercapto-propionic acid (MPA), 3-(acetylthio) propionic acid (APA), or dithiodipronanoic acid (DTDPA). The reaction may be carried out on CNCs highly dispersed in a suitable solvent and improved reaction conditions to achieve a favorable degree of substitution, DS. The embodiment further discloses how surface thiol groups can then be protected, in a second step, as thioesters or asymmetric disulfides to tune the hydrophobicity of CNCs to improve compatibility with styrene-butadiene, SBR, or natural rubbers.

A molding material production method according to the present disclosure includes an acylation step of conducting acylation reaction of cellulose, while irradiating, with microwaves of 0.4 GHz or more and 6.0 GHz or less, a mixture including the cellulose, an acylation agent, and a solvent, in which the solvent is an ionic liquid or a liquid including a salt, and the mixture includes the acylation agent at a ratio of 0.2 equivalents or more based on all hydroxy groups included in the cellulose.