Water-based adhesive compositions are improved by the incorporation of hollow polymeric microspheres having outer surfaces coated with one or more barrier materials such as calcium carbonate particles. The adhesive compositions exhibit enhanced rheology, sprayability, drying time, tack and storage stability as compared to analogous adhesives that are not modified with coated hollow polymeric microspheres. Such compositions are useful as both contact adhesives as well as wet bonding one-way adhesives.

Water-based adhesive compositions are improved by the incorporation of hollow polymeric microspheres having outer surfaces coated with one or more barrier materials such as calcium carbonate particles. The adhesive compositions exhibit enhanced rheology, sprayability, drying time, tack and storage stability as compared to analogous adhesives that are not modified with coated hollow polymeric microspheres. Such compositions are useful as both contact adhesives as well as wet bonding one-way adhesives.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

A thixomolding material includes: a metal body that contains Mg as a main component; and a coating portion that is adhered to a surface of the metal body via a binder and contains SiC particles containing SiC as a main component. A mass fraction of the SiC particles in a total mass of the metal body and the SiC particles is 2.0 mass % or more and 40.0 mass % or less. The binder may contain waxes. A content of the binder may be 0.001 mass % or more and 0.200 mass % or less.

There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having: (a) a first binder layer; (b) a plurality of transparent microspheres partially embedded in the first binder layer wherein the transparent microspheres have refractive indices that are less than a refractive index of the first binder layer and wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490. There is also provided a transfer article comprising: (a) a transfer carrier, the transfer carrier comprising: (i) a support layer; and (ii) a thermoplastic release layer bonded to the support layer; (b) a layer of a plurality of transparent microspheres, formed on a side of the thermoplastic transparent microsphere release layer opposite the support layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

Articles comprising: (1) a sheet having a first surface and a second surface and (2) an separation layer on at least a portion of the first surface, wherein the separation layer comprising (a) a binder layer with particles entrained therein and (b) an overcoat. Also methods for making such articles and methods for using such articles.

There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having: (a) a first binder layer; (b) a plurality of transparent microspheres partially embedded in the first binder layer such that about 20% to about 70% of the average diameter of the transparent microspheres is exposed at the outermost surface of the article, wherein the transparent microspheres have refractive indices that are less than a refractive index of the first binder layer and wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490. There is also provided a transfer article comprising: (a) a transfer carrier, the transfer carrier comprising: (i) a support layer; and (ii) a thermoplastic release layer bonded to the support layer; (b) a layer of a plurality of transparent microspheres, formed on a side of the thermoplastic transparent microsphere release layer opposite the support layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490.

A process and system for making a laminated surface covering and the surface covering itself are described. The covering includes several layers bonded to each other. The system performs the process. One example of the process includes passing a first material across a first conveyor, passing a second material across a second conveyor, passing a bonding material across a third conveyor, contacting the first material and the second material to the bonding material, and heating at least one of the first material and the second material. The process also includes introducing the first material, the second material, and the bonding material into a pressure zone such that the bonding material is introduced between a bottom surface of the first material and a top surface of the second material. The process applies pressure to bond the first material and second material together via the bonding material to produce a laminated material.

A thixomolding material includes: a metal body that contains Mg as a main component; and a coating portion that is adhered to a surface of the metal body via a binder and contains SiC particles containing SiC as a main component. A mass fraction of the SiC particles in a total mass of the metal body and the SiC particles is 2.0 mass % or more and 40.0 mass % or less. The binder may contain waxes. A content of the binder may be 0.001 mass % or more and 0.200 mass % or less.