Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing pre-expanded particles of a thermoplastic resin which comprises; heating under an elevated pressure an aqueous dispersion comprising thermoplastic resin particles containing a volatile foaming agent and an aqueous medium in a pressure vessel; releasing the dispersion from the pressure vessel into a space within a sealed low-pressure vessel wherein the pressure is lower than that in the pressure vessel and the space is sealed with an aqueous medium which exists in the lower portion of the vessel and communicates with the outside of the vessel, whereby expanding the thermoplastic resin particles to give pre-expanded particles; and sinking the resulting pre-expanded particles under the aqueous medium by means of a rotary impeller provided in the pressure vessel so that the pre-expanded particles are taken out of the low-pressure vessel through the aqueous medium towards the outside of the vessel, while recovering the foaming agent volatilized from the thermoplastic resin par

Abstract: A pre-expanded particle suitable for foaming in a mold comprising non-crosslinked linear low density polyethylene which has a characteristic property that an inclination of slope line obtained on a graph when logarithmic values of melt tension of the polyolefin are plotted as ordinate and reciprocals of absolute temperature at which the melt tension is measured are plotted as abscissa is not more than 1,500 is provided. A foamed article produced from the pre-expanded particles has an excellent appearance, a flat surface and good mechanical strength, and is useful for wrapping material, insulating material, a container or a fender of cars.

Abstract: A pre-expanded particle suitable for foaming in a mold comprising polyolefin which has a characteristic property that an inclination of slope line obtained on a graph when logarithmic values of melt tension of the polyolefin are plotted as ordinate and reciprocals of absolute temperature at which the melt tension is measured are plotted as abscissa is less than 1,500 is provided. A foamed article produced from the pre-expanded particles has an excellent appearance, a flat surface and good mechanical strength, and is useful for wrapping material, insulating material, a container or a fender of cars.A process for preparing the above-mentioned pre-expanded particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing pre-expanded particles of a thermoplastic resin which comprises; heating under an elevated pressure an aqueous dispersion comprising thermoplastic resin particles containing a volatile foaming agent and an aqueous medium in a pressure vessel; releasing the dispersion from the pressure vessel into a space within a sealed low-pressure vessel wherein the pressure is lower than that in the pressure vessel, whereby expanding the thermoplastic resin particles to give pre-expanded particles; and simultaneously recovering the foaming agent volatilized from the thermoplastic resin particles by discharging the foaming agent out of the space in the low-pressure vessel with controlling the pressure in the low-pressure vessel to substantially a given pressure. According to the process, the release of the volatile foaming agent into the air is prevented.

Abstract: A process for preparing pre-expanded particles of a thermoplastic resin which comprises; heating under an elevated pressure an aqueous dispersion comprising thermoplastic resin particles containing a volatile foaming agent and an aqueous medium in a pressure vessel; releasing the dispersion from the pressure vessel into a space within a sealed low-pressure vessel wherein the pressure is lower than that in the pressure vessel and the space is sealed with an aqueous medium which exists in the lower portion of the vessel and communicates with the outside of the vessel, whereby expanding the thermoplastic resin particles to give pre-expanded particles; and sinking the resulting pre-expanded particles under the aqueous medium by means of a rotary impeller provided in the pressure vessel so that the pre-expanded particles are taken out of the low-pressure vessel through the aqueous medium towards the outside of the vessel, while recovering the foaming agent volatilized from the thermoplastic resin particles by disc

Abstract: The mixture of water and the polyolefin resin particles impregnated with a volatile blowing agent are released from the interior of the pressure-resistant container under a constant temperature and constant pressure preferably keeping the partial pressure of the blowing agent constant, through at least one orifice having an area of 0.07 to 300 mm.sup.2, into a low-pressure zone.This invention gives various advantages when applied to the practical process resulting in expanded particles with superior properties which are free of blocking and remarkably uniform in the degree of expansion, and are useful for molding.

Abstract: Foams of polypropylene resin composition having remarkably improved extrusion foaming characteristics are prepared by a non-crosslinking extrusion foaming process comprising mixing and kneading polypropylene resin and 1,2-polybutadiene resin so that 1,2-polybutadiene resin reacts under the influence of the heat and shearing stress in the extruder, and extruding thereafter.