The use of redsipersible polymer powders containing no organic emulsifier for a binder in the production of carpeting is surprisingly superior to use of the same polymers in the form of an aqueous dispersion. Tuft removal force in particular, is improved. The compositions contain no thickener, or a reduced level of thickener.

A method for forming an antimicrobial coating on a substrate is provided. The method comprises dissipating and entrapping (embedding) sulfonated copolymer particles in void spaces or interstices of fibers of a fabric forming an outer layer of a substrate. The sulfonated copolymer is selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers such as sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, polysulfones such as polyether sulfone, polyketones such as polyether ketone, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The fibers comprise a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point of less than 120° C., or 45-110° C., or 45-80° C. The sulfonated copolymer forms an antimicrobial coating layer for killing at least 90% microbes in the air within 30 minutes of contact with the coating.

A carpet or carpet tile comprising a biobased backing is provided. The resultant carpet tile has advantages in terms of environmental issues and reduces the need for fossil fuels. The backing is made using a backing composition comprising a resin, an oil, optionally a thermoplastic elastomer, and a filler material.

A method of maintaining soil strength and stability involves positioning a sheet of soil stabilization and strengthening material on a selected area where the strengthening and stabilization of the soil is desired. The sheet of soil stabilization and strengthening material includes a fabric layer that forms a base of the soil stabilization and strengthening material. The lower surface of the fabric layer is positioned against and engages the selected area. A moisture impervious layer is coupled to the upper surface of the fabric layer. A particulate aggregate material is embedded in the moisture impervious layer.

The invention provides for a method of manufacturing artificial turf (1000), The method comprising the steps of: —creating (100) a polymer mixture (100, 400, 500) comprising at least one polymer and a nucleat ing agent for crystallizing the at least one polymer; —extruding (102) the polymer mixture into a monofilament (606); —quenching (104) the monofilament; —reheating (106) the monofilament; —stretching (108) the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber (1004), wherein during the stretching the nucleating agent boosts the creation of crystalline portions of the at least one polymer within the monofilament; —incorporating (110) the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing, thereby mechanically fixing the monofilaments of the arranged artificial turf fibers in the artificial turf backing.

FIG. 2a

FIG. 2b

FIG. 2c

A method of manufacturing artificial turf includes the steps of: creating a polymer mixture including at least one polymer and a nucleating agent for crystallizing the at least one polymer, extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber, wherein during the stretching the nucleating agent boosts the creation of crystalline portions of the polymer within the monofilament; incorporating the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing, thereby mechanically fixing the monofilaments of the arranged artificial turf fibers in the artificial turf backing.

The invention comprises a method. The method comprises applying a composition to a tufted primary backing material, wherein the primary backing material has a first primary surface and a second primary surface, wherein tufts extend outwardly from the first primary surface and loop backs are formed on the second primary surface, and wherein the composition is applied to the loop backs and second primary surface of the tufted primary backing material. The composition comprises an aqueous polymer dispersion of colloidal thermosetting polymer particles or colloidal thermoplastic polymer particles and second thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in the water, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer particles have an average particle size of approximately 200 micron to approximately 1,000 microns. The method further comprises heating the tufted primary backing material and aqueous polymer dispersion to remove water therefrom. A novel adhesive composition is also disclosed.

A carpet for a sound reduction material is disclosed including: a non-permeable primary coating layer formed of polyethylene (PE) resin, being in contact with a lower surface of a fabric layer and having a basis weight of 200 to 300 g/m.sup.2; a permeable felt layer in contact with a lower surface of the primary coating layer and having a basis weight of 200 to 500 g/m.sup.2; and a non-permeable secondary coating layer formed of polyethylene (PE) resin or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), being in contact with a lower surface of the felt layer and having a basis weight of 200 to 1,000 g/m.sup.2. The carpet for a sound reduction material may thus have improved noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance, reduced total weight and improved stiffness.

A hydrophobic binder/adhesive, for treating a substrate, may include about 60% to 98.9% by weight bulk polymer selected from one or more monomers associated with styrene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid esters, ethylene, or butadiene; about 0.1% to about 10.0%, by weight of one or more hydrophobic monomers selected from stearyl methacrylate or laurel acrylate; and about 1% to about 30%, by weight of one or more protective colloids associated with a hard resin polymer. The hydrophobic binder/adhesive may increase resistance to wetting of the substrate when expose to moisture, and increases durability of the substrate.

A carpet or carpet tile comprising a biobased backing is provided. The resultant carpet tile has advantages in terms of environmental issues and reduces the need for fossil fuels. The backing is made using a backing composition comprising a resin, an oil, optionally a thermoplasticelastomer, and a filler material.