Abstract: Elastomeric styrenic block copolymer (SBC) compositions comprise one or more SBCs and one or more polymers miscible with styrenic end blocks of the one or more SBCs, the block copolymer compositions being both both physically and chemically crosslinked, where the chemical crosslinking comprises covalent bonds between chains of SBC and the physical crosslinking comprises non-covalent interaction between styrenic end blocks of the one or more SBCs and the one or more polymers miscible with the styrenic end blocks. The block copolymer compositions are useful in forming immersion articles such as surgical gloves.

Abstract: A thermal insulating phenolic foam and method of manufacture thereof is provided. A phenolic foam is formed by foaming and curing a phenolic resin composition that comprises a phenolic resin, an acid catalyst, a blowing agent comprising a hydrocarbon having 6 carbon atoms or less, and an alkoxy alcohol. The resulting foam has low thermal conductivity and has excellent long term thermal stability.

Abstract: Polyamide pre-expanded particles of this disclosure have a peak temperature of a maximum endothermic peak of 150-275° C. on a DSC curve obtained while being heated from 30° C. to 280° C. at a heating rate of 10° C./min using a DSC. The width of the peak is 30-80° C. when a straight line approximating the DSC curve on a high-temperature side relative to the peak after an end of melting is used as a baseline. The width corresponds to a difference between an extrapolated melting start temperature which is a temperature at an intersection point between a tangent line at an inflection point of the peak on a low-temperature side and the baseline, and an extrapolated melting end temperature which is a temperature at an intersection point between a tangent line at an inflection point of the peak on a high-temperature side and the baseline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement that includes a melamine-formaldehyde foam. The melamine-formaldehyde foam includes from about 0.1 to about 5 weight % of at least one linear polymer with a number average molecular weight Mn in the range from 500 to 10,000 g/mol. Additionally the present invention encompasses processes for making and methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.

Abstract: A section of (cured and non-liquid) textured foam includes at least a portion of an upper surface that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint for a purpose of providing enhanced grip traction between the at least the portion of the upper surface of the textured foam and a hand or a foot of a user of the textured foam. Disposed opposite of the upper surface of the textured foam may be an adhesive backing for attachment to a diverse variety of exterior surfaces where improved grip traction are desired. Systems and methods for making such textured foam that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint may utilize a heating means and a compression means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement that includes a melamine-formaldehyde foam. The melamine-formaldehyde foam cleaning implement has a d90/d10 ratio above 1.65 and a compression deflection force above 3.25 psi. Additionally the present invention encompasses processes for making and methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.

Abstract: Bacteria repellant polymer composite having a reduced yellowness index prepared by melt processing a base polymer an epoxy resin and a bacteria repellant agent and methods of preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a foam bead. The foam bead is formed from a composition containing (A) a silane-functionalized ethylene/?-olefin multi-block interpolymer. The present disclosure also provides a sintered foam structure. The sintered foam structure is formed from foam beads that are formed from a composition containing (A) a silane-functionalized ethylene/?-olefin multi-block interpolymer.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate generally to the field of footwear, and more particularly to components of performance footwear, such as midsoles, and in particular related to a high performance composite foam for a midsole, the composite foam comprising: a pelletized expanded thermoplastic elastomer; and a polyurethane (PU) matrix, wherein the pelletized expanded thermoplastic elastomer is mixed within the PU matrix. Midsoles made from a high performance composite foam and footwear including such midsoles. A method of making a high performance midsole is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing solid microcapsules, comprising the following steps a) adding, with stirring, a composition C1 to a polymeric composition C2 comprising at least one aliphatic or aromatic ester or polyester, additionally bearing at least one function selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl ether, N-vinyl ether, epoxy, siloxane, amine, lactone, phosphate and carboxylate functions and mixtures thereof, whereby an emulsion (E1) is obtained comprising droplets of composition C1 dispersed in a composition C2; b) adding, with stirring, the emulsion (E1) to a composition C3 whereby a double emulsion (E2) is obtained comprising droplets dispersed in the composition C3; c) applying shear to the emulsion (E2) whereby a double emulsion (E3) is obtained comprising droplets of controlled size dispersed in the composition C3; and d) polymerizing the composition C2, whereby solid microcapsules dispersed in the composition C3 are obtained.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rubber-reinforced styrenic resin powder comprising 40% by mass or more of a rubbery polymer, satisfying the following conditions (1) to (4): (1) at least first and second coagulation baths are provided; (2) the first and second coagulation baths are connected; (3) an emulsified dispersion of fatty acid amide is supplied to the connecting part in an amount of 0.2 parts by mass to 2.0 parts by mass (solid content) with respect to 100 parts by mass (solid content) of a slurry; and (4) a temperature in the second coagulation bath is equal to or higher than a temperature in the first coagulation bath.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat-shrinkable product is provided. First, a polymer composition containing a polymer, a crosslinking agent and a micro-encapsulated foaming agent uniformly dispensed therein is melt mixed. The foaming agent has a peak activation temperature which is higher than a temperature of the melt mixing. Next, the polymer composition is injection molded into a molded product. This carried out at the peak activation temperature to activate the foaming agent. Then, the molded product is crosslinked within the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curable volume expandable polymer composition comprising an organic acid component, wherein the organic acid component comprises a first organic acid, a second organic acid, and optionally one or more additional organic acids; wherein said polymer composition, when being heated to an activation of expansion temperature above room temperature, undergoes volume expansion. When the organic acid component is heated to the activation of expansion temperature, the first organic acid and/or the second organic acid and/or the optionally present one or more additional organic acids decarboxylate and thus release carbon dioxide. The polymer composition traps the thus released carbon dioxide thereby causing the polymer composition to undergo volume expansion.

Abstract: The present invention is related to expandable vinyl aromatic polymers comprising comminuted coke, said comminuted coke having an average stack height (Lc) of carbon crystallites at least 4 nm, a volume median particle diameter (D50) comprised between 1 and less than 5 ?m and being characterized by a span (D90?D10)/D50 below 2.5 Molded parts produced from the expandable vinyl aromatic polymers prove low thermal conductivities for a low foam density.

Abstract: Alkali-swellable rheology modifier comprising a core-shell polymer comprising a core polymer and a shell comprising at least one shell copolymer layer at least partially cross-linked and containing a mole percent of crosslinking agent greater than the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer, provided if the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer is zero, then either the core polymer is greater than 60 wt % of the core-shell polymer; the core polymer comprises at least one associative monomer; at least one shell copolymer layer copolymer comprises at least one associative monomer; and/or the at least one shell copolymer layer that is at least partially cross-linked comprises greater than 3 mole % crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer composition comprising a low density polyethylene (LDPE); polypropylene (PP) and a compatibiliser. The invention also relates to cables comprising said polymer composition and the use of the polymer composition in the manufacture of an insulation layer of cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an ABS graft copolymer and a method of preparing a thermoplastic resin composition including the ABS graft copolymer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of preparing an ABS graft copolymer, in which a predetermined amount of a vinyl aromatic compound and a predetermined amount of a vinyl cyanide compound are grafted to a small-diameter rubber latex before enlarging particle size of the small-diameter rubber latex is performed, and then enlarging particle size of the small-diameter rubber latex is performed by adding a certain amount of a polymer coagulant, and to a method of preparing a thermoplastic resin composition including the ABS graft copolymer. According to the present invention, latex stability may be improved, and an ABS graft copolymer having excellent impact resistance may be prepared.

Abstract: Ultra-stable aqueous foam comprises hydrophobic silica particles residing within bubbles in an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic polymer, a protein, or aqueous dispersible colloidal particles. The combination of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic components stabilizes the foam interfaces to result in long term stability of the foam. The foams can be crosslinked to stable monolithic foams and used for structural foams, coatings, and thermal insulating for construction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising polylactone melt, extrudate, and processes for producing a foam. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the processes comprise: heating a polylactone composition containing a biobased polylactone in a reaction vessel; and subjecting the polylactone composition to molding to give a foamed structure.

Abstract: New polypropylene composition, which combines low sealing initiation temperature (SIT), high hot-tack and good optical properties, like low haze, the use of such polypropylene composition and articles made therefrom.