Abstract: A process for the production of PET foams includes the extrusion of a mixture of PET, epoxy resin, catalyst consisting of imidazole, derivatives of imidazole or mixtures thereof plus a blowing agent, wherein the homopolymerization reaction of the epoxy phase is performed in the extruder, upstream of the introduction of the blowing agent. Compared to the methods of the known art, a process according to the invention offers the advantage of providing a stable PET foam, in which the structure of the polymer chains is kept unaltered. The system therefore has viscoelasticity characteristics which allow the PET/epoxy homopolymer to receive the expanding action of the blowing agent, as far as the innermost and deepest layers of foam also even if they have a significant thickness.

Abstract: A process for the production of PET foams includes the extrusion of a mixture of PET, epoxy resin, catalyst consisting of imidazole, derivatives of imidazole or mixtures thereof plus a blowing agent, wherein the homopolymerization reaction of the epoxy phase is performed in the extruder, upstream of the introduction of the blowing agent. Compared to the methods of the known art, a process according to the invention offers the advantage of providing a stable PET foam, in which the structure of the polymer chains is kept unaltered. The system therefore has viscoelasticity characteristics which allow the PET/epoxy homopolymer to receive the expanding action of the blowing agent, as far as the innermost and deepest layers of foam also even if they have a significant thickness.

Abstract: A perfected process for the production of expanded plastic materials, comprising a hot molding phase of a starting polymeric blend inside a mold, wherein the heating of said blend is effected by making the same a heat source, by triggering an exothermic reaction in its interior. With respect to the known art in the field, the process of the invention allows an improvement in the heating of the polymeric mass inside the mold, reducing the times necessary for effecting it and homogenizing the thermal values inside this mass.

Abstract: A perfected process for the production of expanded plastic materials, comprising a hot moulding phase of a starting polymeric blend inside a mould, wherein the heating of said blend is effected by making the same a heat source, by triggering an exothermic reaction in its interior. With respect to the known art in the field, the process of the invention allows an improvement in the heating of the polymeric mass inside the mould, reducing the times necessary for effecting it and homogenizing the thermal values inside this mass.

Abstract: A process for the production of expanded PVC of the type includes heating a mass of polymeric mixture inside a closed mold; controlling the expansion of the mass in an environment having a constant volume defined by the closed mold, control being performed by the presence, in the mass of polymeric mixture, of microparticles of a compressible material, suitable for being contracted, under the action of the pressure generated by the formation and expansion of microcells of expanding gas in the same mass, from an initial form having a larger volume, to a form having a smaller volume; and expanding the microparticles, from their configuration to the initial configuration, the density of the expanded material thus obtained being determined by the contemporary presence of both microcells of expanding gas and the microparticles in their configuration having a larger volume.

Abstract: A process for the production of expanded PVC of the type includes heating a mass of polymeric mixture inside a closed mold; controlling the expansion of the mass in an environment having a constant volume defined by the closed mold, control being performed by the presence, in the mass of polymeric mixture, of microparticles of a compressible material, suitable for being contracted, under the action of the pressure generated by the formation and expansion of microcells of expanding gas in the same mass, from an initial form having a larger volume, to a form having a smaller volume; and expanding the microparticles, from their configuration to the initial configuration, the density of the expanded material thus obtained being determined by the contemporary presence of both microcells of expanding gas and the microparticles in their configuration having a larger volume.

Abstract: Formulation for cellular, foamed-polymer product based on polyvinyl chloride, comprising: a polyvinyl chloride homopolymer having a K-value of from 60 to 85 and a pH value of the aqueous extract ranging of from 8 to 12; at least one isocyanate selected from isomers and homologues of diphenylmethane-4,4?-diisocyanate and modified diphenylmethane-4,4-diisocyanate s and mixtures thereof; at least one anhydride selected from the group of succinic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, methyl-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, 4-methyl-hexahydrophthalic anhydride, cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride, methyl-endomethylene tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, dodecenyl succinic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride and mixtures thereof; at least a surfactant; at least a foaming agent.

Abstract: Formulation for cellular, foamed-polymer product based on polyvinyl chloride, comprising: a polyvinyl chloride homopolymer having a K-value of from 60 to 85 and a pH value of the aqueous extract ranging of from 8 to 12; at least one isocyanate selected from isomers and homologues of diphenylmethane-4,4?-diisocyanate and modified diphenylmethane-4,4-diisocyanate s and mixtures thereof; at least one anhydride selected from the group of succinic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, methyl-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, 4-methyl-hexahydrophthalic anhydride, cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride, methyl-endomethylene tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, dodecenyl succinic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride and mixtures thereof; at least a surfactant; at least a foaming agent.

Abstract: A cellular, foamed-polymer product is disclosed, which is constituted by a mixture comprising: at least one isocyanate, at least one anhydride, at least one vinylidene compound, poly-(vinyl chloride), at least one foaming agent, a heat stabilizer, calcium stearate and zinc stearate.The product production scraps and processing wastes and residues are not riskful for health and environment, and can be disposed of as "waste similar to solid municipal waste".

Abstract: An expanded polymer product with high distortion temperature, high flame resistance and low smoke toxicity and opacity comprises, in combination:between 18% and 25% of a mixture of at least two isocyanates;between 8% and 11% of a styrene and maleic anhydride mixture;between 19% and 42% of a PVC resin in emulsion form;between 4% and 7% of at least one expanding agent;between 0.5% and 1% of at least one temperature stabilizer;between 16% and 40% of TiO.sub.2.Said product is used particularly in sea, ground and air transport, and in numerous constructional applications in which the materials must combine high technical characteristics with adequate lightness.

Abstract: A process for producing a foamed polymer comprises the steps of: mixing, in a dissolver, a mixture constituted by at least one isocyanate and a first unsaturated anhydride, which is charged to the dissolver in the liquid state and at a relatively high temperature; progressively cooling said mixture, with continued stirring, until a temperature not higher than 22.degree. C. is reached; adding to the mixture, with the latter being still kept with continuous stirring, a second unsaturated anhydride, at least one foaming agent, a vinylidene compound, poly(vinyl chloride) and a heat stabilizer; maintaining the mixture with continuous stirring, at said temperature, until a paste is obtained which is poured, after being preliminarily filtered, into a mould or container; curing said paste by charging the container to an oven at atmospheric pressure, and at a temperature not higher than 80.degree. C.; completing the curing of the paste-like mixture under pressure, by increasing temperature up to 180.degree. C.