An epoxy resin composition, and a prepreg, a laminate, and a metal foil-clad laminate manufactured using same. The epoxy resin composition comprises epoxy resin (A), phenolic curing agent (B), high molecular weight resin (C), and an optional inorganic filler (D), the high molecular weight resin (C) having the structure shown in formula (1), formula (2), formula (3), and formula (4), the weight-average molecular weight being between 100,000 and 200,000, and the content of the epoxy resin (A) containing a naphthalene ring skeleton and the phenolic curing agent (B) containing a naphthalene ring skeleton being 0%. The present epoxy resin composition, and the prepreg, the laminate, and the metal foil-clad laminate manufactured using same have good heat resistance, low modulus, and a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The formulas are:

##STR00001##

An epoxy resin composition, and a prepreg, a laminate, and a metal foil-clad laminate manufactured using same. The epoxy resin composition comprises epoxy resin (A), phenolic curing agent (B), high molecular weight resin (C), and an optional inorganic filler (D), the high molecular weight resin (C) having the structure shown in formula (1), formula (2), formula (3), and formula (4), the weight-average molecular weight being between 100,000 and 200,000, and the content of the epoxy resin (A) containing a naphthalene ring skeleton and the phenolic curing agent (B) containing a naphthalene ring skeleton being 0%. The present epoxy resin composition, and the prepreg, the laminate, and the metal foil-clad laminate manufactured using same have good heat resistance, low modulus, and a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The formulas are:

##STR00001##

A surface physical property modifier composition includes (A) a wax, (B) a vinyl (co)polymer, and (C) an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a carbon number of 5 to 14. Component (A) is set to be at least one selected from the group consisting of (a1) paraffin wax, (a2) microcrystalline wax, (a3) Fischer-Tropsch wax, and (a4) polyethylene wax, and component (B) is produced from at least one of (b1) a (meth)acrylonitrile, (b2) a (meth)acrylic acid having a carbon number of 1 to 4, (b3) a hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate or hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, (b4) styrene, and (b5) predetermined (meth)acrylic acid alkyl esters. Component (A) is 50 to 98 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the total of (A) and (B), and component (C) is 0.001 to 1 percent by mass relative to the total amount of (A).

A surface physical property modifier composition includes (A) a wax, (B) a vinyl (co)polymer, and (C) an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a carbon number of 5 to 14. Component (A) is set to be at least one selected from the group consisting of (a1) paraffin wax, (a2) microcrystalline wax, (a3) Fischer-Tropsch wax, and (a4) polyethylene wax, and component (B) is produced from at least one of (b1) a (meth)acrylonitrile, (b2) a (meth)acrylic acid having a carbon number of 1 to 4, (b3) a hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate or hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, (b4) styrene, and (b5) predetermined (meth)acrylic acid alkyl esters. Component (A) is 50 to 98 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the total of (A) and (B), and component (C) is 0.001 to 1 percent by mass relative to the total amount of (A).

A method for making a sulfur based cathode composite material is disclosed. Polyacrylonitrile and elemental sulfur are dissolved together in a first solvent to form a first solution. An electrically conductive carbonaceous material is added to the first solution to mix with the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur. An environment in which the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur are located in is changed to reduce a solubility of the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur in a changed environment to simultaneously precipitate the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur, thereby forming a precipitate having the electrically conductive carbonaceous material. The precipitate is heated to chemically react the polyacrylonitrile with the elemental sulfur. A sulfur based cathode composite material is also disclosed.

A method for making a sulfur based cathode composite material is disclosed. Polyacrylonitrile and elemental sulfur are dissolved together in a first solvent to form a first solution. An electrically conductive carbonaceous material is added to the first solution to mix with the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur. An environment in which the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur are located in is changed to reduce a solubility of the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur in a changed environment to simultaneously precipitate the polyacrylonitrile and the elemental sulfur, thereby forming a precipitate having the electrically conductive carbonaceous material. The precipitate is heated to chemically react the polyacrylonitrile with the elemental sulfur. A sulfur based cathode composite material is also disclosed.

The present invention provides a thermally expandable microcapsule that is excellent in heat resistance and durability and exhibits an excellent foaming property in a wide temperature range from low temperatures to high temperatures. The present invention is a thermally expandable microcapsule, which comprises a shell containing a copolymer, and a volatile liquid as a core agent included in the shell, the copolymer being obtainable by polymerization of a monomer mixture containing a monomer A and a monomer B, the monomer A being at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitrile group-containing acrylic monomer and an amide group-containing acrylic monomer, the monomer B being at least one selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group-containing acrylic monomer and an ester group-containing acrylic monomer, a total amount of the monomer A and the monomer B accounting for 70% by weight or more of the monomer mixture, and a weight ratio of the monomer A and the monomer B being 5:5 to 9:1.

Provided is a thermoplastic resin composition [X] for reduction of squeaking noises containing a rubber-reinforced vinyl resin [A] obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer [b1] in the presence of an ethylene-α-olefin rubber polymer [a1] having Tm (melting point) of 0° C. or higher, wherein an amount of silicon contained in the thermoplastic resin composition [X] is 0.15% by mass or less based on 100% by mass of the thermoplastic resin composition [X]. According to the present invention, a structure can be provided, which is characterized in that squeaking noises that are generated when members rub against each other is remarkably reduced, that an effect of reducing squeaking noises is maintained without deterioration even when placed under high temperature for a long time, and that impact resistance and molded appearance are superior.

Provided is a thermoplastic resin composition [X] for reduction of squeaking noises containing a rubber-reinforced vinyl resin [A] obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer [b1] in the presence of an ethylene-α-olefin rubber polymer [a1] having Tm (melting point) of 0° C. or higher, wherein an amount of silicon contained in the thermoplastic resin composition [X] is 0.15% by mass or less based on 100% by mass of the thermoplastic resin composition [X]. According to the present invention, a structure can be provided, which is characterized in that squeaking noises that are generated when members rub against each other is remarkably reduced, that an effect of reducing squeaking noises is maintained without deterioration even when placed under high temperature for a long time, and that impact resistance and molded appearance are superior.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.