An object of the present invention is to provide a sizing agent composition that gives a carbon fiber from which a carbon fiber-reinforced composite material having excellent adhesion between a resin and the carbon fiber and having excellent mechanical properties can be formed. The sizing agent composition of the invention is a sizing agent composition comprising (A) a blocked isocyanate, and (B) a compound containing at least one polar group and at least one unsaturated group per molecule. In the invention, the mixing ratio (mass ratio) of the blocked isocyanate (A) and the compound (B) containing at least one polar group and at least one unsaturated group per molecule (A/B) is preferably 95/5 to 5/95. In the invention, the blocked isocyanate (A) is preferably a compound having an aliphatic skeleton.

A variety of agricultural spacer fabrics/textiles are provided that protect plants from insect penetration while allowing for light and air penetration, and methods of use. The textiles can be used alone or in conjunction with agents such as insecticides, insect repellants, and fungicides. The agricultural textile can have an outermost fabric layer, an innermost fabric layer, and a plurality of filaments connecting the outermost fabric layer and the innermost fabric layer.

The present invention is a softening base agent containing a compound represented by the following formula 1:

##STR00001## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents a hydrocarbon group with 6 or more and 24 or less carbons, and the total number of carbons in R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is 18 or more and 30 or less; and M is a cation, excluding a hydrogen ion.

An atmospheric pressure plasma processing apparatus and method employing argon as a plasma gas in the absence of helium, including nanosecond pulse-powered electrodes having planar surfaces, and grounded electrodes having planar surfaces parallel to the surfaces of the powered electrodes and spaced-apart a chosen distance therefrom, forming plasma regions, are described. The absence of helium from the plasma discharge has been found not to affect the quality of the resulting plasma-polymerized coatings of the processed substrates.

Disclosed in certain embodiments are compositions for malodor reduction in fabric and methods for reducing malodor in fabric.

An oil for a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber including: a hydroxybenzoate ester (A) indicated by formula (1a); an amino-modified silicone (H) indicated by formula (3e); and an organic compound (X) which is compatible with the hydroxybenzoate ester (A), in which a residual mass rate R1 at 300° C. in thermal mass analysis in an air atmosphere is 70-100 mass % inclusive, and which is a liquid at 100° C., and a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber bundle to which the oil for a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber is adhered.

##STR00001##

A combination is provided that is used as a self-healing cutting board or a storage container. Both comprise a natural fabric and a formulation. The formulation infuses the natural fabric. The formulation comprises a natural wax, which is preferably bees wax and Damar resin, and has a melting point of about 70 C to about 80 C. The cutting board can be rejuvenated by heating. Both the board and the storage containers are anti-microbial, non-skid, water resistant, re-useable and compostable.

An insect barrier and repellant fabric includes a plurality of resilient spacers. Each resilient spacer has a first end secured to a first side of a fabric substrate, and a free second end extending away from the fabric substrate. A pesticide is carried by the plurality of resilient spacers. The pesticide is one of permethrin, deltamethrin or other similar chemical insect repellant. The pesticide may be carried on a surface of the resilient spacers or encapsulated within its structure, for example.

A resin composition for preventing fibers from unraveling according to the present invention comprises ethyl acrylate; poly acrylic amide; poly urethane; methyl acrylate; formaldehyde; antistatic agent; quaternary ammonium; maleic anhydride, and surfactant.

The present invention is a method for producing carbon fiber, characterized by using a carbon-fiber precursor produced from a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution and by applying only a small amount of a smoothing agent, composed of a specific component, to the carbon fiber surface immediately before winding of carbon fiber. According to the present invention, it is possible to stably produce carbon fiber, which has excellent dispersibility and do not deteriorate in quality and quality even when a sizing agent is not attached to the carbon fiber surface. In addition, the produced carbon fiber is suitable for use in a composite material which is produced by high-temperature processing using a thermoplastic resin.