Abstract: Disclosed is a low density, dimensionally-stable, extruded propylene polymer foam comprising primarily of an expanded propylene polymer material wherein the foam has a blowing agent comprising at least 15 percent by weight of one or more inorganic blowing agents. The propylene polymer material comprises at least about 15 weight percent of propylene monomeric units. The foam has a density of from about 10 to about 150 kilograms per cubic meter. The foam having an average cell wall thickness of less than about 35 micrometers.

Abstract: A closed-cell polypropylene foam, with at least eighty percent closed cells and a foamability characteristic of less than about 1.8 is disclosed. Also disclosed are several methods for making such closed-cell polypropylene foams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a thermoplastic polymer foam structure with a blowing agent having water. The process comprises in sequence: a) melting the polymer to form a polymer melt; b) incorporating a brominated aliphatic fire retardant into the polymer melt; c) incorporating and mixing a first blowing agent into the polymer melt to form a first foamable gel; d) cooling the first foamable gel to a suitable foaming temperature; e) incorporating and mixing a second blowing agent comprising water into the cooled first foamable gel to form a second foamable gel; f) optionally further cooling the second foamable gel to a suitable foaming temperature; and g) extruding the second foamable gel through an extrusion die to form a foam structure. Incorporating of the water blowing agent downstream in the process after the foamable gel has been cooled reduces or minimizes process corrosion problems. Further disclosed is an apparatus for making the foam structure.

Abstract: A low density foam having a density less than 15 pounds per cubic foot (240 kg/m.sup.3) is formed from an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate polymer. An expandable resin composition is also disclosed, comprising an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate polymer and a blowing agent mixture comprising a low permeability blowing agent and a high solubility blowing agent. Unexpanded and partially expanded foam particles, impregnated with the blowing agent mixture are disclosed. Numerous methods are disclosed for producing lightweight foams from amorphous polyethylene terephthalate polymers. One such method utilizes an Accumulating Extrusion Expansion System which avoids problems experienced with the prior art when attempting to extrusion expand polyesters.

Abstract: A polymer blend composition comprising:(a) from 0.5 to 99 percent by weight, based on the total weight of (a), (b), and (c), of an aliphatic .alpha.-olefin homopolymer or interpolymer, or an interpolymer of an .alpha.-olefin and a non-aromatic monomer interpolymerizable therewith;(b) from 0.5 to 99 percent by weight, based on the total weight of (a), (b), and (c), of a homopolymer or interpolymer of monovinylidene aromatic monomers, or an interpolymer of monovinylidene aromatic monomer and a monomer interpolymerizable therewith other than an aliphatic .alpha.-olefin; and(c) from 0.5 to 99 percent by weight, based on the total weight of (a), (b), and (c), of a substantially random interpolymer comprising an .alpha.-olefin and a vinylidene aromatic monomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, unitary, closed-cell olefin polymer foam structure in plank form. The foam structure has a cross-section of 2 or more inches in one dimension and 18 or more inches in the other dimension. The olefin polymer material has a melt index of about 3.5 grams/10 minutes or less. The foam structure contains a blowing agent of about 75 mole percent or more 1,1-difluoroethane based upon the total moles of blowing agent. Further disclosed is a process for making the foam structure at a shear rate of about 400/second or more. It was found surprising that 1,1-difluoroethane which has relatively low solubility in olefin polymers, could be used to make olefin polymer foam structures of large cross-section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cross-linked ethylenic polymer foam structure of an ethylenic polymer material of a cross-linked, substantially linear ethylenic polymer. The substantially linear ethylenic polymer having in an uncross-linked state has: a) a melt flow ratio, I.sub.10 /I.sub.2, .gtoreq.5.63; b) a molecular weight distribution, M.sub.w /M.sub.n, defined by the equation: M.sub.w /M.sub.n .ltoreq.(I.sub.10 /I.sub.2)-4.63; and c) a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear ethylenic polymer having about the same I.sub.2 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n. Further disclosed is a process for making the above foam structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene polymer foam structure having enhanced processing and physical properties. The foam structure comprises an ethylenic polymer material and a blowing agent of isobutane and 1,1-difluoroethane. Further disclosed is a process for making the foam structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene polymer foam structure having enhanced processing and physical properties. The foam structure comprises an ethylenic polymer material and a blowing agent. The blowing agent has a primary blowing agent of isobutane and a secondary blowing agent of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or a blend of them. Further disclosed is a process for making the foam structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cross-linked ethylenic polymer foam structure of an ethylenic polymer material of a cross-linked, substantially linear ethylenic polymer. The substantially linear ethylenic polymer having in an uncross-linked state has: a) a melt flow ratio, I.sub.10 /I.sub.2, .gtoreq.5.63; b) a molecular weight distribution, M.sub.w /M.sub.n, defined by the equation: M.sub.w /M.sub.n <(I.sub.10 /I.sub.2)-4.63; and c) a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear ethylenic polymer having about the same I.sub.2 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n. Further disclosed is a process for making the above foam structure.

Abstract: A emulsifiable, phenolic-resole-resin-based composition comprising a low salt, urea-extended phenol aldehyde resin and an emulsifying agent, wherein the resin has a water dilutability ranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1 v/v water to resin prior to neutralization and aldehyde scavenger addition, and the method for making the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylenic polymer foam structure comprising an ethylenic polymer material. The ethylenic polymer material contains a substantially linear ethylenic polymer having: a) a melt flow ratio, I.sub.10 /I.sub.2, .gtoreq.5.63; b) a molecular weight distribution, M.sub.w /M.sub.n, defined by the equation M.sub.w /M.sub.n .gtoreq.(I.sub.10 /I.sub.2)-4.63; and c) a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear olefin polymer having about the same I.sub.2 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n. The foam structures have toughness and elasticity similar to those formed from conventional LLDPE without the poor dimensional stability and foam quality associated with those structures. The foam structures have foam quality similar to those made with conventional LDPE but with enhanced toughness and elasticity. Further disclosed is a process for making the above foam structure and making it in a foam bead form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a low density, dimensionally-stable, open-cell, extruded propylene polymer foam comprising primarily an expanded propylene polymer material wherein the foam has a blowing agent comprising greater than 85 percent by weight of one or more organic blowing agents based upon the total weight of the blowing agent. The propylene polymer material comprises more than 50 weight percent or more of propylene monomeric units based upon the total weight of the propylene polymer material. The foam has a density about 96 kilograms or less per cubic meter. The foam is greater than 20 percent open cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylenic polymer foam structure comprising an ethylenic polymer material. The ethylenic polymer material contains a substantially linear ethylenic polymer having: a) a melt flow ratio, I.sub.10 I.sub.2, .gtoreq.5.63; b) a molecular weight distribution, M.sub.w /M.sub.n, defined by the equation M.sub.w /M.sub.n .ltoreq.(I.sub.10 /I.sub.2)-4.63; and c) a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear olefin polymer having about the same I.sub.2 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n. The foam structures have toughness and elasticity similar to those formed from conventional LLDPE without the poor dimensional stability and foam quality associated with those structures. The foam structures have foam quality similar to those made with conventional LDPE but with enhanced toughness and elasticity. Further disclosed is a process for making the above foam structure and making it in a foam bead form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making closed-cell, alkenyl aromatic polymer foam packing bodies. An alkenyl aromatic polymer material is heated to form a melt polymer material. The melt polymer material comprises greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units. A blowing agent is incorporated into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure to form a foamable gel. The blowing agent has about 20 weight percent or more based upon the total weight of the first blowing agent selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide and ethane. The foamable gel is extruded through a die to form a foam strand. The foam strand is pelletized to form a plurality of foam bodies. The bodies are further expanded by exposing them one or more times to heated air or steam. Preferably, the bodies are allowed to age for a preselected period of time after pelletizing and between subsequent expansions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cross-linked ethylenic polymer foam structure of an ethylenic polymer material of a cross-linked, substantially linear ethylenic polymer. The substantially linear ethylenic polymer having in an uncross-linked state has: a) a melt flow ratio, I.sub.10 /I.sub.2, .gtoreq.5.63; b) a molecular weight distribution, M.sub.w /M.sub.n, defined by the equation: M.sub.w /M.sub.n .gtoreq.(I.sub.10 /I.sub.2)- 4.63; and c) a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear ethylenic polymer having about the same I.sub.2 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n. Further disclosed is a process for making the above foam structure.

Abstract: A method of dispensing mercury into an arc discharge lamp containing a mercury capsule adjacent one of the coil electrodes is disclosed. The method includes the step of preparing a solution of a low ionization energy material and coating at least a portion of the mercury capsule. Thereafter, the mercury dispensing capsule is bombarded with a directed stream of electrons produced by the other coil electrode of sufficient energy to rupture the capsule causing the mercury to be released. The coating focuses the directed stream of electrons directly on the capsule, thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to rupture the capsule.

Abstract: Olefin polymer foams prepared utilizing "soft" blowing agents have improved properties when a small amount of a stability control agent comprising a glycerol monoester of a C.sub.20-24 fatty acid is employed.

Abstract: The use in otherwise conventional polyolefin extrusion foaming process of a stability control agent, in conjunction with certain binary or tertnary mixed blowing agent systems containing 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane provides closed-cell olefin polymer foam articles having increased maximum cross-sections, smooth skins and good dimensional stability.

Abstract: A single assembly of a water heating system for heating the water and air in a room, and an electrochemical reactor which activates a gas alarm for human safety upon detection of a predetermined dosage of gas, such as, for example, a fatal dose of a gas such as carbon monoxide, and which detoxifies the gas.