An insulation panel has an insulation core layer disposed that includes at least a first particulate and a second particulate of a plurality of discrete puffed polysaccharide particulates that defines a plurality of voids within the core layer. The first particulate is at least partially adhered to at least the second particulate at one or more bonded areas without the use of external non-water-soluble adhesives.

Provided is a film for laminated glass, the film exhibiting satisfactory in-plane uniformity when processed into a laminated glass, and excellent processing suitability for a glass having a curved surface. Provided is also a laminated glass provided with the film for laminated glass.

The film for laminated glass of the present invention is a film for laminated glass, which has a resin film; and an optically functional layer containing a polymer on at least one surface of the resin film, and in which the heat shrinkage rate (S.sub.1) of the film for laminated glass and the heat shrinkage rate (S.sub.2) of the resin film obtainable after the films are left to stand for 30 minutes in an environment at 130 C. are respectively adjusted so as to satisfy the following expression (I) in a direction in the plane as well as a direction orthogonal thereto:

0.60S.sub.1/S.sub.20.98Expression (I):

The invention provides a polyester film for the protection of a back surface of a solar cell which, when applied to a silicon thin film solar cell, exhibits excellent durability even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions and long term thermal stability. The polyester film (a) contains a polyester, as a main constituent, obtained by polymerization using a polycondensation catalyst containing aluminum and/or its compound as well as a phosphorus compound having an aromatic group in the molecule; (b) has a whiteness degree of 50 or higher; (c) contains 3 to 50% by mass of fine particles with a mean particle diameter of 0.1 to 3 m; and (d) has an acid value from not lower than 1 (eq/ton) and not higher than 30 (eq/ton).

The invention relates to a method for producing a visible covering (1) comprising the following steps: mixing a stabilising agent with a granular material (2), introducing the granular material (2) into a receiver (3) to form a moulded article (4), connecting of at least a surface layer (9) of the moulded article with a carrier layer (10), removing the composite of surface layer (9) and carrier layer (10), wherein the visible covering (1) is obtained. The invention further related to a visible covering (1) produced with the method according to the invention and the use thereof as a facing of ceilings, walls, floors, doors, roofs and/or tabletops.

An optical device includes a shaped layer, an optical function layer, and an embedding resin layer. The shaped layer has a structure forming a concave section. The optical function layer is formed on the structure, and partially reflects incident light. The embedding resin layer is made of energy beam curable resin, the embedding resin layer having a first layer having a first volume, and a second layer formed on the first layer, the second layer having a second volume, the concave section being filled with the first layer, a ratio of the second volume to the first volume being equal to or larger than 5%, the structure and the optical function layer being embedded in the embedding resin layer. In the optical device, at least one of the shaped layer and the embedding resin layer has light transmissive property, and an entrance surface for the incident light.

Sound absorbing or attenuating laminate flooring materials are provided, which are directed to be used in the production of floor covering, floor panels, furniture panels, cabinets, counter-tops and wall panels. As well, the methods for producing such products are provided. In particular, abrasion resistant panels, with a laminated structure, created by forming an assembly which consists of laminating a heat-activated resin impregnated paper wear layer, a decorative layer with printed graphics or a wood veneer decorative layer, a medium density (MDF) or high-density (HDF) natural fiber-based core and a resin impregnated paper balancing layer. To achieve sound absorbing and/or attenuating properties, any or all paper layers may be pre coated with an additional flexible elastomeric coating, film or material prior to assembly of the panel, or the natural fiber core panel may be coated with a flexible elastomeric coating, film or material prior to assembly with the papers. The flexible elastomeric coating, film or material acts to absorb, reduce, and/or ameliorate the sound transmissions inherent in laminated panels.

A carrier film of thermoplastic polyester has releasable metal adhesive properties suitable for a metal transfer in which the polyester film is metalized and the metal layer is subsequently transferred to a permanent adhesive-coated substrate. The metal layer is in direct contact with the polyester carrier film and no intermediate release layer is present. Desired metal adhesion is provided by dispersing a suitable surfactant, and optionally, a hydrocarbon wax, uniformly into the polyester film. Surfactant on the outer surface of the carrier film modifies metal adhesion to the polyester such that the metal can be removed in a metal transfer operation.

An aspect of the invention relates to an optical film including a cellulose acylate film; and a hardened layer formed by hardening a curable composition, in which the cellulose acylate film includes polyester having a cyclic structure, the curable composition at least includes a granular filler, a polyester urethane having a tensile strength of 25 MPa or greater and a tensile elongation of 200% or greater, and a curable compound, and a content of the granular filler is in a range of 15 to 60 parts by mass and a content of the polyester urethane is in a range of 1 to 10 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a total amount of a solid content included in the curable composition, a polarizing plate, and an image display device.

A composite material, the composite material comprising at least one prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one fibrous reinforcement; and conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin.

An anisotropic conductive film of the present invention has a structure in which conductive particles are dispersed or arranged in a regular pattern in an insulating binder layer. A low-adhesive region having a lower adhesive strength than that of the insulating binder layer is formed at a part of a surface of the anisotropic conductive film. The low-adhesive region is a region where a recess portion formed in the insulating binder layer is filled with a low-adhesive resin.