There is provided a method of coating a substrate comprising applying a first mixture where the first mixture reacts to form covalent bonds to the substrate surface and where the unreacted parts of the first mixture undergo diffusive mixing with a second layer, which is applied on top of the first mixture. This avoids creation of a weak layer, which may otherwise give lower adhesion. The adhesion as well as mechanical properties including the scratch resistance are improved.

A method for cleaning medical equipment by scrubbing the equipment with an open-cell melamine-formaldehyde foam comprising an antibacterial active composition, and wherein the open-cell melamine-formaldehyde foam is prepared from a melamine-formaldehyde precondensate, wherein the molar ratio melamine to formaldehyde of the melamine-formaldehyde precondensate is smaller than 0.5.

The current disclosure provides reinforced aerogel compositions that are durable and easy to handle, have favorable performance in aqueous environments, have favorable insulation properties, and have favorable, reaction to fire, combustion and flame-resistance properties. Also provided are methods of preparing or manufacturing such reinforced aerogel compositions. In certain embodiments, the composition has a silica-based aerogel framework, reinforced with an open-cell macroporous framework, and includes one or more fire-class additives, where the silica-based aerogel framework comprises at least one hydrophobic-bound silicon and the composition or each of its components has desired properties.

The current disclosure provides reinforced aerogel compositions that are durable and easy to handle, have favorable performance in aqueous environments, have favorable insulation properties, and have favorable, reaction to fire, combustion and flame-resistance properties. Also provided are methods of preparing or manufacturing such reinforced aerogel compositions. In certain embodiments, the composition has a silica-based aerogel framework, reinforced with an open-cell macroporous framework, and includes one or more fire-class additives, where the silica-based aerogel framework comprises at least one hydrophobic-bound silicon and the composition or each of its components has desired properties.

A method for preparing a semi-rigid melamine foam plastic, comprising Step (1): adding a formaldehyde solution and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to a reactor, heating the reactor, and adding alkali; Step (2): feeding solid melamine powder and a modifier 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) into the reactor, raising the temperature in the reactor to 75-85° C., adjusting the pH value of the solution of material by adding acid; heating the solution of material, performing a heat preservation reaction, and then adding alkali, Step (3): feeding a predetermined amount of foaming agent, emulsifier, auxiliary agent and curing agent into a stirring reactor to obtain a mixed auxiliary agent; pumping the mixed auxiliary agent and the semi-rigid modified melamine resin into an emulsifier; placing the emulsified resin into a microwave heating chamber for microwave foaming; Step (4): cutting the semi-rigid melamine foam plastic obtained in step (3) and then drying.

A resin system and methods of making resin system wherein lignosulfonate is added to urea-formaldehyde and melamine-urea-formaldehyde adhesives. Lignosulfonate is added to the resins which improves the performance characteristics of the adhesive while reducing environmental impact by consuming byproducts from other industrial processes. The resin system includes a urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin or melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF), prepared in at least two stages wherein the UF resin or MUF resin has a molar ratio (MR) of total moles formaldehyde to total moles urea plus, if present, the one or more melamine compounds of from about 0.25:1 to about 2.50:1, and wherein one or more lignosulfonate compounds are included in an amount of from about 0.1-30 wt. %, based on a total weight of the resin system, and wherein the resin system has a buffer capacity of 2-400 mL of 0.1 N HCl by the ATV Method for a period of time of at least about 20 days at 25° C.

Method for lowering the formaldehyde emissions of melamine/formaldehyde polymer moldings, films or fibers by impregnating the melamine/formaldehyde polymer moldings, films or fibers with an aqueous solution of at least one formaldehyde scavenger.

A foamable composition for injecting in a region of a ship, for example to prevent and/or reduce water ingress and/or progressive flooding in the ship so as to improve damage stability of the ship, is foamable to form a foam and is dissolvable in a removal composition. The provision of a foam, which can be dissolved by application of a removal composition, e.g., a solvent, may improve ease of removal of the foam, and therefore may reduce the cost and/or speed of reinstatement of the ship. The present invention also relates to a method of improving damage stability of a ship, the method comprising identifying one or more regions of the ship where injection of a material may lead to increase in ship stability, the material being impermeable to water and/or being capable of preventing migration of water.

An adherable element is disclosed, comprising a decorative element having a support surface, and a pressure activated adhesive system pre-coated on the support surface of the decorative element for adhering the decorative element to a surface, the adhesive remaining uncured until activated by application of a threshold pressure. The adhesive comprises a matrix comprising a hardener and a plurality of microcapsules filled with an adhesive resin, the microcapsules being configured to rupture on application of the threshold pressure, thereby exposing the resin to the matrix and allowing the resin to react with the hardener to form an adhesive bond between the decorative element and the surface. The matrix may further comprise a rheology additive such that the matrix has a higher viscosity than the hardener at room temperature. Methods of making an adherable element, and decorative articles comprising the adherable element are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a polymer foam, said polymer foam comprising pores forming an open-cell polymer foam, said polymer foam comprising a supramolecular gel inside pores, and said polymer foam comprising at least one enzyme. The present invention relates to a supramolecular gel; its preparation and its applications, notably in chemical synthesis and kinetic resolution, in particular of organic compounds. The present invention also relates to flow chemistry.