Method of molding polymeric materials to impart a desired texture thereto

A method of molding a polymeric material to create a desired texture therein using a mold having a plurality of cylindrical pores disposed therein, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a porous master comprising aluminum having a plurality of cylindrical pores dispersed therein, said plurality of cylindrical pores corresponding to projections to be imparted to a surface of the polymeric material Wherein the cylindrical pores are prepared by steps comprising;
• i) performing a first stage anodization on the porous master;
• ii) oxide etching the porous master;
• iii) performing a second step anodization;
• and
• iv) performing a pore widening treatment;
• wherein the first stage anodization and oxide etching steps are each performed multiple times;
• b) applying a release agent to the porous master said release agent selected from the group consisting of alkylphosphonic acids, arylphosphonic acids, fluoroalkylsilanes, perfluorochlorosilianes, fluorinated alkyl and aryl phosphonic acids, organofunctional silanes and combinations of the foregoing;
• c) disposing a polymeric material between a transparent film or translucent film and the porous master;
• and
• d) applying mechanical pressure to roll the porous master into the polymeric material,
• wherein the texture imparted to the polymeric material comprises projections corresponding to the cylindrical pores of the porous master.