Compositions and methods for producing smoke suppressants are disclosed. The smoke suppressant molecularly encapsulates a naturally-occurring inorganic substrate, such as expanded volcanic ash. These intercalated smoke suppressant compositions have particular utility for smoke suppression in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both flexible and rigid compounds as well as other polymeric resins and materials.

The present invention is directed to a method for printing energy curable ink and coating compositions comprising high amounts of monofunctional monomers that exhibit both good adhesion to plastic substrates, and good solvent resistance. The method of the present invention employs electron beam curing of the ink and coating compositions, at accelerating voltages greater than or equal to 70 keV, and electron beam doses greater than or equal to 30 kGy, and preferably greater than or equal to 40 kGy.

The present invention provides a method for printing energy curable ink and coating compositions that comprise high amounts of multifunctional monomers, achieving cured inks and coatings that exhibit good adhesion to plastic substrates, good resistance when cured, and low amounts of uncured, migratable monomers. The method of the present invention employs electron beam curing of the ink and coating compositions, at accelerating voltages greater than or equal to 70 keV, and electron beam doses greater than or equal to 30 kGy, and preferably greater than or equal to 40 kGy.

The present invention provides a method for printing energy-curable ink and coating compositions that have good adhesion to substrates, good print quality, solvent and scratch resistance, and low potential for migration of uncured monomers. The method comprises the steps of printing the ink or coating onto a substrate; partially curing the printed ink or coating by irradiating with UV energy; optionally printing and partially UV curing additional ink layers printed on the first layer; and completing curing via exposure to electron beam radiation, wherein the EB cure dose is greater than or equal to 20 kGy, and the accelerating voltage is greater than or equal to 70 keV.

Embodiments of the invention relate to payment cards and methods for making payment cards. In one embodiment, a card comprises a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer. The second layer comprises a plurality of particles comprising metal, and the plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the second layer. In another embodiment, a mixture is prepared comprising polymer and a plurality of particles comprising metal. The plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the mixture. The mixture is pressed and an outer layer is applied. The mixture and outer layer are then cut to form the card.

Embodiments of the invention relate to payment cards and methods for making payment cards. In one embodiment, a card comprises a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer. The second layer comprises a plurality of particles comprising metal, and the plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the second layer. In another embodiment, a mixture is prepared comprising polymer and a plurality of particles comprising metal. The plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the mixture. The mixture is pressed and an outer layer is applied. The mixture and outer layer are then cut to form the card.

Embodiments of the invention relate to payment cards and methods for making payment cards. In one embodiment, a card comprises a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer. The second layer comprises a plurality of particles comprising metal, and the plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the second layer. In another embodiment, a mixture is prepared comprising polymer and a plurality of particles comprising metal. The plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the mixture. The mixture is pressed and an outer layer is applied. The mixture and outer layer are then cut to form the card.

A method of coating an extruded member includes advancing an extruded member through a coating die and applying an outer layer material on to the extruded member with the coating die while a floating support supports the extruded member and makes vertical adjustments to the extruded member to maintain a substantially constant thickness of the outer layer material.

The present invention relates to the field of methods for producing eye-catching overt security features exhibiting one or more indicia as anti-counterfeit means on value documents or articles as well as decorative purposes. In particular, the present invention provides methods for producing security features that can be easily, directly and unambiguously authenticated by the human without any external device or tool, wherein said security features comprised a cured ink and one or more cured indicia, said ink comprising cured cationically curable compounds or cured hybrid curable compounds and silver nanoplatelets.

Decorative sheets used for decorative materials, such as for general fittings, and methods for producing, and prevents discoloration due to contact between chlorine and silver, including at least a polyvinyl chloride resin layer, a pattern layer, and a surface protective layer, the surface protective layer contains silver components including silver and is free from chlorine-containing components. The surface protective layer may be composed of a plurality of laminated layers that include at least one layer containing the silver components; the laminated layers of the surface protective layer may include at least one layer disposed adjacent to the polyvinyl chloride resin layer and being free from silver components; the silver components may each be supported on an inorganic substance; the surface protective layer may have a cross-linked structure; and the cross-linked structure of the surface protective layer may be formed by use of ultraviolet light or an electron beam.