Abstract: A method and composition for polymer-reinforced composite cementitious construction materials is described. In one embodiment, a crosslinking component is mixed with a high molecular weight strengthening component and an inorganic cementitious material. The addition of the mixture to water causes a crosslinked molecular network to form within the hydrated, composite cementitious construction material. Both enhanced flexural strength and improved nail-pull resistance are shown, allowing a reduction in weight of the composite cementitious construction material compared to cementitious construction materials made according to other known methods.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and methods of making high internal phase emulsion foam (HIPE) and inverse high internal phase emulsion foam (I-HIPE) using super critical fluids. Such foams may be used in a wide variety of articles such as absorbent articles.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising: at least one epoxy resin modified by at least one aromatic polyamine, said resin being formed from at least one polyepoxide containing at least two primary amine groups in its molecule, the mole ratio of the polyamine to the epoxide being such that each amine group corresponds to 1.6 to 2.6 epoxy groups; and at least one pore-forming agent or the degradation product or products of said pore-forming agent; acts to form an alveolar material that can be used in thermal or sound insulation, for example in the building, home or transport fields, and more particularly in the oil exploitation, hydrocarbon transport and refining fields.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making polyolefin foams comprising isopentane and at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent having a boiling point less than 28° C., or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The blowing agent blend comprises less than about 99 mol % isopentane.

Abstract: A method for preparing a highly porous, high surface area non-degradable material includes the steps of mixing a non-degradable polymer with a solvent or mixture of solvents; gelling the mixture; and treating the gel under conditions whereby a substantially solvent free porous structure is created having a porosity greater than about 80%. The resultant material is mechanically strong and has an architecture including at least one of nano fibrous, micro fibrous, non fibrous, complex porous structure with nano fibrous architecture, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A silicone rubber is produced by curing a silicone rubber composition which includes (A) a curable organopolysiloxane composition and (B) at least one hollow organic resin filler whereby the filler forms cells in an open-cell state. The open-cell state gives the silicone rubber good cushioning property and a low compression set.

Abstract: Acrylic composition for use in variety of indoor or outdoor sealing applications, where it is required to seal, to fill or to repair cracks, joints, gaps etc. in concrete, masonry, stone, wood or other constructional materials. The composition comprises acrylic based reactionable oligomers and it can be foamed and then polymerized while producing foam with structure suitable for sealing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making an open celled microcellular foam comprising providing at least one foamable polymer and a crosslinking agent in an extruder, injecting at least one blowing agent into said at least one foamable polymer and said crosslinking agent in said extruder, blending said blowing agent injected into said at least one foamable polymer and said crosslinking agent in said extruder, feeding said blended blowing agent, at least one foamable polymer and said crosslinking agent in said extruder to a die, and depressurizing said blended blowing agent, said at least one foamable polymer and said crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a water-soluble foam matrix which is capable of delivering an active ingredient and articles of manufacture comprising said foam matrix, said article comprising: i) a water-soluble polymeric component in the form of a foam matrix; and ii) an active ingredient component dispersed throughout said matrix; said process comprising the steps of: a) admixing a water-soluble polymer and an active ingredient to form a homogeneous admixture, said admixture having a viscosity of at least 150 Pa-sec; b) introducing a gas or a compound capable of releasing a gas into said admixture to form a foam matrix; and c) optionally, shaping said matrix to provide a matrix having a shape or a form.

Abstract: A polymeric composition to be used in producing foam in which the polymeric composition comprises conventional linear polypropylene, high melt strength polypropylene and a rheology modifier resin. The conventional linear polypropylene is in an amount of from about 1 to 25 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The high melt strength polypropylene is in the amount of from about 51 to 85 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The rheology modifier resin is in the amount of from 5 to about 30 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The conventional linear polypropylene may be offgrade virgin polypropylene or recycled polypropylene from post-industrial or post-consumer sources. The rheology modifier resin is a member of the group of styrene-olefin copolymers.

Abstract: An organic aerogel or xerogel formed by a sol-gel reaction using starting materials that exhibit similar reactivity to the most commonly used resorcinol starting material. The new starting materials, including thio-, amine- and nitro-containing molecules and functionalized macrocyclic molecules will produce organic xerogels and aerogels that have improved performance in the areas of detection and sensor technology, as well as water stream remediation. Also, further functionalization of these new organic aerogels or xerogels will yield material that can be extracted with greater facility than current organic aerogels.

Abstract: This invention relates to foam insulating products, particularly extruded polystyrene foam, containing asphalt as an infrared attuation and process additives for improving the insulating properties and for reducing the manufacturing cost of the foam products.

Abstract: Interpolymer resin particles comprised of 20% to 80% by weight polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene and 80% to 20% by weight of an in situ polymerized vinyl aromatic resin, e.g. polystyrene or poly(styrene-butyl acrylate) and forming an interpenetrating network of polyolefin and vinyl aromatic resin particles. The interpolymer particles are impregnated with a volatile hydrocarbon blowing agent, and limonene, e.g. d-limonene, ranging from about 0.1 to about 5 parts, preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the interpolymer particles, for improved expandability and a pleasant fragrance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfonated polymer membrane and to a process for the preparation thereof. According to the process, a polymer film is irradiated, and the irradiated polymer film is sulfonated in order to link sulfonic acid groups thereto. According to the invention, the sulfonation is continued until the total concentration of sulfonic acid groups in the membrane is 0.4-3.0 meq/g and they are homogeneously distributed in the membrane material in such a manner that their concentration in the middle of the membrane is at minimum 0.2 meq/g. With the help of the invention, it is possible by a rapid and simple process to prepare membranes the chemical and mechanical properties of which can be regulated by means of the selection of the initial film, by irradiation and by the sulfonation process.

Abstract: A durable, conformable, absorbent, hydrophilic, polymeric latex foam composition having a free absorbent capacity of at least 5 grams of a 0.9 weight percent aqueous saline solution per gram of foam and capable of vertically wicking said aqueous saline solution to a height of greater than about 5 cm. In a preferred embodiment, after compression, the latex foam composition remains thin until wet, whereupon it expands and exhibits a high free absorbent capacity and high vertical wicking height.

Abstract: Single component compositions for making a moisture-cured polyurethane foam are disclosed. Foam produced from the compositions of the present invention produce very low foaming pressure due to their 60-95 percent open-cell content. After these compositions are applied and cure, they form a permanent seal around the perimeter of installed fenestration products.

Abstract: This invention relates to latent foamable compositions for use in or as adhesives, sealants and/or coatings. The compositions include a curable component or a thermoplastic component, together with a latent foaming agent. In curable versions of the inventive compositions, a cure initiator or catalyst may also be included.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compositions and methods are provided in which the mechanical strength and durability of a precursor material having a plurality of pores is increased by a) providing a precursor material; b) treating the precursor material to form a nanoporous aerogel, preferably by using a supercritical drying process; c) providing a blending material having a reinforcing component and a volatile component; d) combining the nanoporous aerogel and the blending material to form an amalgamation layer; and e) treating the amalgamation layer to increase the mechanical strength of the layer by a substantial amount and to ultimately form a low dielectric material that can be utilized in various applications.

Abstract: Foamable compositions are provided including a polymeric component, an encapsulated foaming component in an amount effective in foaming the foamable composition and a wood component in an amount effective as a filler in a foamed composition obtained from the foamable composition. Foamed compositions and methods of producing foamed positions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis of a series of amylose (starch) derivatives with various degrees of substitution and amylose/amylopectin ratios. These chains are chemically crosslinked and then mechanically deformed (stretched) to produce a biodegradable and mechanically superior material. Specifically, the process consists of chemically modifying starch into starch derivatives such as starch ethers, starch esters and starch carbamates. The polymers have a percentage degree of substitution of from about 35% to about 95% (degree of substitution is from about 1.05 to about 2.85) and preferably have a percentage degree of substitution of from about 65% to about 90% (degree of substitution is from about 1.95 to about 2.70). The starch derivatives are crosslinked to obtain crosslinked chains and processed into sheets, films, fibers, threads or other articles as known in the art.