Abstract: The invention provides a polymer composition comprising a polyolefin or a diene elastomer, and an unsaturated compound (A) containing at least two groups each comprising an olefinic —C?C— bond or acetylenic —C?C— bond, characterized in that each group comprising an olefinic —C?C— bond or acetylenic —C?C— bond in the unsaturated compound (A) contains an aromatic ring or a further olefinic double bond or acetylenic unsaturation, the aromatic ring or the further olefinic double bond or acetylenic unsaturation being conjugated with the olefinic —C?C— or acetylenic —C?C— unsaturation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a thermosetting resin with a hardness of at least 55 Shore D, wherein the resin essentially consists of an ethylene ?-olefin copolymer with a density of less than 880 kg/m3, which resin is crosslinked to a degree such that the volume swelling measured in decaline after 64 hours at 23° C. is less than 50% by volume on the composite and the composite contains at least 40% by volume of a reinforcing filler, wherein the vol % of the filler is related to the volume of the resin. The composite according to the invention is an excellent isolator when at least 100 phr cork are present in the composite. A composite according to the invention can be made by crosslinking of the copolymer in the presence of a high amount of peroxide in the presence of at least 40% by volume on the resin of a filler.

Abstract: Including crosslinked rubber particles in an oriented polymer composition induces cavitation in the oriented polymer composition and can increases the scratch and mar resistance as well as fibrillation resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least the following: A) an ethylene/?-olefin/polyene interpolymer, B) an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer, C) optionally at least one filler, D) at least one crosslinking agent, E) at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: A tyre is formed of a tread that includes, in the unvulcanized state, a heat-expandable rubber composition. The rubber composition includes at least a diene elastomer, 70 to 120 phr of a reinforcing filler, between 5 and 25 phr of a blowing agent, and between 5 and 25 phr of a thermofusible compound. The melting point of the thermofusible compound is between 70° C. and 150° C. and the total amount of the blowing agent and the thermofusible compound is greater than 15 phr. The rubber composition provides improved grip for the tread on melting ice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a closed-cell foamed rubber sheet whose sealability is less likely to decrease even after long-time use and which has excellent water resistance. The closed-cell foamed rubber sheet of the present invention comprises a rubber-based resin, and is provided by the steps of: providing a foamable resin composition containing the rubber-based resin and a foaming agent; irradiating the foamable resin composition with ionizing radiation to cross-link the foamable resin composition; and foaming the cross-linked foamable resin composition. In the case where the foamable resin composition further contains 0.5 parts by weight or more of a powdery additive other than the foaming agent per 100 parts by weight of the rubber-based resin, the rubber-based resin preferably contains a rubber-based resin ingredient which is in a liquid state at normal temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molded product exhibiting excellent various properties by improving compatibility of an ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer with a polyolefin resin and a rubber composition for forming the molded product. The present invention further provides a molded product which comprises a rubber composition, is inhibited from fogging and tackiness and is excellent in mechanical strength and heat aging resistance. The rubber composition of the invention comprises an ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer (A), and a polyolefin resin (B) having Mn of not less than 10,000 and/or an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (C) having Mn of 2500 to 5000, and satisfies the following requirements: (1) a maximum value and a minimum value of an ethylene distribution parameter P of the component (A) have a relationship of Pmax/Pmin?1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a porous resin particle having a functional group X, the method including: dissolving a radical polymerizable aromatic monovinyl monomer and a radical polymerizable aromatic divinyl monomer together with a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent to prepare a monomer solution, dispersing the monomer solution in water in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer to obtain a suspension polymerization reaction mixture, and performing a suspension copolymerization while adding, when 0 to 80% of the entire polymerization time of the suspension copolymerization is passed, a mercapto compound represented by the formula (I): HS—R—X??(I) in which R represents an alkylene group having a carbon number of 2 to 12, and the functional group X represents a functional group selected from a hydroxy group and a primary amino group, to the suspension polymerization reaction mixture; and the porous resin particle obtained by the method.

Abstract: Foamable compositions which are usable for the manufacture of foamed, flexible, heat resistant, thermoplastic elastomeric articles, and which comprises at least: (a) 100 pbw of one or more selectively hydrogenated block copolymers, (b) 5 to 50 pbw per 100 pbw of component (a) of one or more different selectively hydrogenated block copolymers, (c) 42 to 80 pbw per 100 pbw of component (a) of a linear crystalline polymer comprising propylene as the major component, (d) from 100 to 250 pbw per 100 pbw of component (a) of a softener compatible with blocks B and B?, and (e) from 0.01 to 3 wt. %, relative to the weight of the primary components (a) to (e) of a solid chemical nucleating agent of the endothermic group in combination with a blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising blends of alkenyl aromatic polymers such as styrenic polymers (i.e. PS and HIPS) and bio-based or biodegradable polymers (i.e. PLA, PGA, PHA, PBS, PCL) compatibilized with styrene-based copolymers (i.e. styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymers, maleated SEBS, styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate (SMMA) copolymer) or a mixture of two or more styrene-based copolymers such as SEBS and SMA. These novel compositions can be extruded and thermoformed to produce very low density food service and consumer foam articles such as plates, hinged lid containers, trays, bowls, and egg cartons with good mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam comprising (a) a polylactic acid resin, (b) at least one thermoplastic resin selected from a polyolefin resin and a polystyrene resin, and (c) a block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, wherein a ratio of (a) to (b) by weight (a/b) is 80/20 to 20/80, and the foam comprises 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of (c) with respect to 100 parts by weight of (a) and (b) in total.

Abstract: A tear and fatigue resistant gels, gel composites, and gel articles including collapsible articles having two or more communicating internal volumes like cavities when depressed by external pressure or force is capable of collapsing unto itself in a controllable and directionally preselected manner by venting static air within said internal through openings in said gel article, said gel of said article having rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom suitable for cushioning, cushioning composites, cushioning gel liners, cushioning composite gel liners, and other uses of selected shape gels, gel composites, and articles.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least the following: A) from “greater than zero” to “less than 100” phr (based on sum weight of Components A and B) of an interpolymer comprising, in polymerized form, ethylene, an ?-olefin and a nonconjugated polyene, and wherein the interpolymer comprises less than, or equal to, 5 weight percent of the polyene, based on the total amount of polymerized monomers, and wherein the interpolymer has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) less than 3; B) from “less than 100” to “greater than zero” phr (based on sum weight of Components A and B) of an interpolymer comprising, in polymerized form, ethylene, an ?-olefin and a nonconjugated polyene, and wherein the interpolymer comprises greater than, or equal to, 5 weight percent of the polyene, based on the total amount of polymerized monomer; and wherein the total polyene content is less than 7 weight percent (based on the total amount of polymerized monomers in the interpolymers of Components A and B).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising blends of alkenyl aromatic polymers such as styrenic polymers (i.e. PS and HIPS) and bio-based or biodegradable polymers (i.e. PLA, PGA, PHA, PBS, PCL) compatibilized with styrene-based copolymers (i.e. styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymers, maleated SEBS, styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate (SMMA) copolymer) or a mixture of two or more styrene-based copolymers such as SEBS and SMA. These novel compositions can be extruded and thermoformed to produce very low density food service and consumer foam articles such as plates, hinged lid containers, trays, bowls, and egg cartons with good mechanical properties.

Abstract: A process for producing thermoplastic vulcanizates, the process comprising (i) dynamically vulcanizing a rubber with a curative in a first stage, where the rubber is within a blend that includes the rubber, a thermoplastic resin, and the curative, where said step of dynamically vulcanizing occurs at a temperature at or above the melting point of the thermoplastic resin, where said step of dynamically vulcanizing employs a peroxide curative, and where said rubber includes polymeric units deriving from 5-vinyl-2-norbornene, (ii) continuing said step of dynamically vulcanizing to cause phase inversion of the blend to thereby convert the thermoplastic resin into a continuous phase, (iii) maintaining the blend at or above the melting point of the thermoplastic resin after the phase inversion, and (iv) introducing molten thermoplastic resin into the blend in a second stage, where said step of introducing molten thermoplastic resin occurs after phase inversion but before the blend is cooled to a temperature below th

Abstract: The present invention provides a vulcanizable rubber composition containing (A) an ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber, (B) a polyolefin resin and (C) a blowing agent, wherein the polyolefin resin (B) is microdispersed in a melted state in the ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), the polyolefin rain (B) having an average dispersed particle diameter of 2 ?m or less, the polyolefin resin (B) is present in an amount of from 5 to 15 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), the blowing agent (C) is present in an amount of from 2 to 6 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), and the vulcanizable rubber composition has a specific gravity of from 1.05 to 1.15 and a Mooney viscosity (Vm) at 125° C. of from 25 to 55.

Abstract: A process for preparing functionalised microporous polymers (which are also known as micro-cellular polymers or polyHIPE polymers (PHPs)) using intensified internal heating (for example by microwave irradiation).

Abstract: The present technology relates to a foam comprising a polypropylene material. The polypropylene material is produced in the presence of a metallocene catalyst, and the foam and/or the polypropylene has a branching index g? of less than 1.00 and a strain hardening index (SHI@1 s?1) of at least 0.30 measured by a deformation rate d?/dt of 1.00 s?1 at a temperature of 180° C., where the strain hardening index (SHI) is defined as the slope of the logarithm to the basis 10 of the tensile stress growth function (log(?E+)) as a function of the logarithm to the basis 10 of the Hencky strain (log(?)) in the range of Hencky strains between 1 and 3.

Abstract: The copolymer rubber composition comprises 60 to 75% by weight of a copolymer rubber (1) and 40 to 25% by weight of a copolymer rubber (2), and [iodine value of the copolymer rubber (1)—iodine value of the copolymer rubber (2)] is 5 to 30. The copolymer rubber (1) is an ethylene-?-olefin-nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber having an ethylene unit of 50 mol % to 70 mol %, an ?-olefin unit of 50 mol % to 30 mol %, and an iodine value of 15 to 45, and the copolymer rubber (2) is an ethylene-?-olefinic copolymer rubber having an ethylene unit of more than 70 mol % and 95 mol % or less, an ?-olefin unit of less than 30 mol % and 5 mol % or more, and an iodine value of 10 to 30.

Abstract: Foam a polymer blend of (a) a high melt strength polypropylene (HMS PP); (b) a linear or substantially linear polypropylene that has a melting point within ten degrees Celsius of (a), a melt flow rate that is significantly different than (a) and that is miscible with (a); and, optionally, (c) a polyethylene that is immiscible with (a) produces a polymeric foam having an average cell size of at least four millimeters and that has an inherent open-celled content of at least 40 percent. The HMS PP makes up 60 weight percent (wt %) or more and 90 wt % or less of the total combined weight of (a) and (b). Component (c) makes up 60 wt % or less of the total polymer blend weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having a tread with a cellular rubber running surface to promote a fast wearing tread running surface designed to expel internally heated tread rubber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing 10-60 parts by weight of a non-crosslinkable crystalline polyolefin resin (A), 1-30 parts by weight of a specific propylene 1-butene random copolymer (B) and 89-10 parts by weight of an ethylene ?-olefin non-conjugated polyene copolymer rubber (C) which is composed of ethylene, an ?-olefin having 3-20 carbon atoms and a non-conjugated polyene, in such amounts that the total of the components (A), (B) and (C) is 100 parts by weight. The thermoplastic elastomer composition is dynamically crosslinked by an extruder. This thermoplastic elastomer is excellent in moldability and economic efficiency, and enables to obtain a molded body exhibiting sufficient adhesion strength to a vulcanized rubber or thermoplastic elastomer without the intermediation of an adhesive layer, as well as a lightweight molded body having sufficient hardness and rubber elasticity.

Abstract: The invention is a method of producing a cross-linked polymeric support having a multimodal pore structure, which comprises providing a degradable initiator molecule; providing an organic phase comprising said initiator molecule, radically polymerizable monomers and a porogen in a solvent; providing an aqueous phase comprising a transition metal catalyst; suspension polymerization of the organic phase by adding a ligand, co-ordinating to the transition metal in the aqueous phase to produce a cross-linked polymeric support having a primary pore structure and comprising initiator molecule; and subjecting the support obtained to degrading conditions to remove the initiator molecule from within the support to produce a cross-linked polymeric support having a secondary pore structure in addition to the primary pore structure.

Abstract: A tear and fatigue resistant gel article comprising two or more communicating internal volumes like cavities when depressed by external pressure or force is capable of collapsing unto itself in a controllable and directionally preselected manner by venting static air within said internal through openings in said gel article, said gel article is made from gel compositions having rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom suitable for cushioning and other uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to springs made from compositions comprising rubber, foam formulated therewith and resulting bedding products such as foam mattress or toppers as well as other cushioning elements in a bedding or a seating product.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition having a melt tension of 5.0 cN or more at 210° C. and a pulling rate of 2.0 m/min and a compression set of 80% or less when measured according to JIS K6262 at 70° C. and 22 hours is provided. The composition is obtained by dynamically treating a mixture of (A) a rubber and (B) a thermoplastic resin (B-1) and/or a thermoplastic resin composition (B-2) with heat in the presence of (C) a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A synthetic cork stopper which has excellent gas-barrier properties and is satisfactory in sealing properties and suitability for opening. The synthetic cork stopper is obtained by foaming a composition including (a) an isobutylene-based block copolymer comprising a polymer block comprising isobutylene as its main component and a polymer block formed from a cationic polymerizable monomer ingredient in which isobutylene is not its main component; and a foaming agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molded product exhibiting excellent various properties by improving compatibility of an ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer with a polyolefin resin and a rubber composition for forming the molded product. The present invention further provides a molded product which comprises a rubber composition, is inhibited from fogging and tackiness and is excellent in mechanical strength and heat aging resistance. The rubber composition of the invention comprises an ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer (A), and a polyolefin resin (B) having Mn of not less than 10,000 and/or an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (C) having Mn of 2500 to 5000, and satisfies the following requirements: (1) a maximum value and a minimum value of an ethylene distribution parameter P of the component (A) have a relationship of Pmax/Pmin?1.

Abstract: This invention relates to films having selective permeability and/or permeation rates for different gases, liquids, particulate matter, and combinations thereof. The films may be employed as packaging films or separation membranes. The films may be comprised of at least one layer including one or more high permeability polymers blended with one or more low permeability polymers. Blending of different amounts and combinations of low and high permeability polymers may provide a method by which individual permeation and permeation rates can be increased or decreased, and made selective for one or more gasses, liquids, particulate matter or combinations thereof. Methods for making such films are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymer composition, its manufacture and use, said composition may comprise greater than about 90 mole % propylene monomer, and having a unique combination of properties, including one or more of the following: a heat of fusion of more than about 108 J/g, a melting point of 165° C. or higher, a Melt Flow Rate so low that it is essentially not measurable and a molecular weight of greater than about 1.5×106. Further disclosed herein are blends or mixtures of the present novel polymer composition and products, such as, for example, microporous film structures and the like comprising same.

Abstract: A method of molding a foam-molded product is provided which includes foam-molding a thermoplastic elastomer composition with a gas or a supercritical fluid, the composition containing 10 to 93 parts by mass of (1) an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer, 3 to 30 parts by mass of (2) a crystalline polyethylene resin, 3 to 30 parts by mass of (3) a hydrogenated block copolymer formed by hydrogenating a specific block copolymer, and 1 to 30 parts by mass (4) an ?-olefin resin having three or more carbon atoms (provided that the total amount of the components (1), (2), (3), and (4) is 100 parts by mass), and having a melt flow rate at a temperature of 230° C. and a load of 10 kg of 5 g/10 min or more and a melt tension at a temperature of 210° C. and a take-up speed of 2 m/min of less than 3.0 cN.

Abstract: A biocompatible non-memory expandable polymeric article selected from stents, implantable prostheses, catheters, other surgical articles and sealants for implantable prostheses, and which is at least in part biodegradable and includes a combination where hollow cylindrical element (2) is depicted in cutaway form to reveal helical element (4), terminated schematically at (6) and where a combination of at least one thermoplastic elastomeric component and at least one thermoplastic non-elastomeric component, the article being either porous articles or having the potential to become porous by action of body fluids in situ), the thermoplastic non-elastomeric component being present in such an amount as will provide mechanical strength and rigidity to the article when in an expanded mode.

Abstract: Aqueous-based, dispersed olefin polymers, froths, durable, open-cell foam compositions, structures and articles derived from same; methods for preparation of such froths and foams; and use of the dry durable foams in various applications are disclosed. Further described is use of the foams and structures and articles made of same in absorption, filtration, insulation, cushioning and backing applications, and in particular for odor removal, hygiene and medical applications due to, among other properties, good absorption capabilities, softness and/or flexibility of the foams and their recyclable nature.

Abstract: A polypropylene-based resin composition for injection foam molding, containing (A) 50 to 95 parts by weight of a linear polypropylene-based resin having a melt flow rate of from 10 g/10 min. to 100 g/10 min. and a melt tension of 2 cN or less and (B) 5 to 50 parts by weight of a modified polypropylene having a melt flow rate of from 0.1 g/10 min. to less than 10 g/10 min. and a melt tension of 5 cN or more and exhibiting a strain hardening property (provided that a total of the resin (A) and the resin (B) is 100 parts by weight) and a foaming agent are supplied to an injection molding machine to be injected into a die, thereby achieving a foam molding. It is thus possible to obtain a injection foamed molded article which has a satisfactory injection foam moldability, a skin layer having little silver streaks or the like on its surface, and an internal core layer having a foam of high expansion ratio and uniformly fine and a excellent appearance glossiness, lightweightness, and rigidity at a low cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides sintered polymeric materials and methods of making the same which are useful in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sintered polymeric material comprising at least one plastic and at least one elastomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of an ethylene polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a crosslinking agent, and optionally a foaming agent wherein the ethylene polymer includes ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, ethylene acid copolymer, ionomer of the acid copolymer, ethylene alkyl(meth)acrylate copolymer, or combinations of two or more thereof; the thermoplastic elastomer can include copolyetherester, copolyetheramide, elastomeric polyolefin, styrene diene block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof; and the crosslinking agent includes one or more organic peroxides, irradiation, or combinations thereof. Also disclosed is a product made from the composition such as foam for shoe applications.

Abstract: A soft, flexible, low-density, open-cell, thermoplastic, absorbent foam formed from a foam polymer formula including a balanced amount of a plasticizing agent and a surfactant in combination with a base resin. Thermoplastic elastomers can be added to the foam polymer formula to improve softness, flexibility, elasticity, and resiliency of the resulting foam. The surfactant may be either a single surfactant or a multi-surfactant system. The foam possesses a number of qualities, such as softness and strength, which render the foam particularly suitable for use in a variety of personal care products, medical products, and the like.

Abstract: A heterogenous hybrid thermally regenerable salt sorbent resin is formed from a hybrid precursor resin. The hybrid precursor resin is formed by intimately mixing a dry, solid crosslinked macroporous copolymer with a solution containing a polyunsaturated monomer, a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a haloalkyl group and a polymerization initiator, followed by heating to cause polymerization. The hybrid precursor resin is then treated with a weak base, then subjected to hydrolysis conditions to form, respectively, weak base groups and weak acid groups to produce the hybrid thermally regenerable salt sorbent resin.

Abstract: SEEPS gel and gel foam molded shape articles for use in medical and sport health care, such use include therapeutic hand exercising grips, dental floss, crutch cushions, cervical pillows, bed wedge pillows, leg rest, cushions, mattress, bed pads, elbow padding, dermal pads, wheelchair cushions, helmet liner, cold and hot packs, exercise weight belts, traction pads and belts, cushions for splints, slings, and braces, cushions for the hand, wrist, finger, fore, knee, leg, clavicle, shoulder, foot, ankle, back, rib, soles for orthopedic shoes, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a stable flexible latex foam. The latex foam will contain at least one polymer having a plurality of hard domains and a plurality of soft domains, a micelle forming agent, a hydrocarbon propellant substantially free of dimethyl ether, and an agent which is a solvent for said micelle forming agent and an emulsifier for said hydrocarbon propellant.

Abstract: A water insoluble interpenetrating polymer network is obtained by independently cross-linking a first polymer derived from a sulfonic acid or phosphonic acid group containing alkenyl monomer and a second polymer polymerized independently of the first polymer and interpenetrating the first polymer, where the second polymer is selectively permeable to water compared to methanol. Through adjustment of the degree of first polymer monomer acidification, polymer ratios and the extent of cross-linking in the at least two interpenetrating polymers, ion conductivity and solvent permeability are controlled. A film produced from such a water insoluble interpenetrating polymer network is well suited as a membrane in a direct methanol fuel cell. The relative degree and mechanism of cross-linking and interpenetrating the first polymer and second polymer are also adjustable parameters that impact on film properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam cushion, a method of making the foam cushion, and a method of using the foam cushion. The foam cushion is formed from: (a) at least one of rubber and a resin; (b) a blowing agent; (c) a polymeric adhesion modifier; (d) a decomposition accelerating agent, and (e) a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A macrocellular foam is described having improved cell size and Fire-test-response Characteristics, among other features, which is obtained by selecting a particle size less than 1 micron for the flame retardant adjuvant. The inventors found that the amount of fire retardant adjuvant can be increased for a given foam cell size or the foam cell size can be increased for a given amount of fire retardant adjuvant, allowing the production of foams having exceptionally large, well-formed, cells that have excellent Fire-test-response Characteristics. The benefits are especially noteworthy in relation to thermoplastic foams and inorganic flame retardation adjuvants, due to the unexpected reduction in the nucleation effect of the adjuvant. The foams are useful for improving the acoustic performance of products that are required to meet certain Fire-test-response Characteristics.

Abstract: The present photosensitive resin composition 2 comprises a polyamic acid resin 4, a photosensitive agent, a dispersible compound 3 dispersible in the polyamic acid resin 4, and a solvent. The porous resin is obtained by removing the solvent from the photosensitive resin composition 2 to form a composition in which the dispersible compound 3 is dispersed in the polyamic acid resin 4, removing the dispersible compound to make the composition porous, and curing the porous photosensitive resin composition. The porous resin enables forming a fine circuit pattern and has a low dielectric constant and, when used as an insulating layer of a circuit board, brings about improved high frequency characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for the formation of superporous hydrogels using an ion-equilibration technique. Anionic polysaccharides are included in the hydrogel reaction mixture and cations are introduced either during or after hydrogel formation. Properties of the resulting hydrogel can be subsequently adjusted by treating the cation-complexed gel with a different cation or cation mixture under equilibrating conditions. It has been found that by properly adjusting the cations and the sequence in which they are used in the equilibration process, superporous hydrogels can be formed that are highly absorbent while maintaining favorable structural properties, including strength, ruggedness, and resiliency. It has also been found that applying appropriate dehydration conditions to them after their formation can further stabilize the superporous hydrogels formed by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A process for producing thermo-expansive microcapsules wherein a polymerizing mixture containing ethylenic unsaturated monomer and a blowing agent is suspend-polymerized to microencapsulate the blowing agent with the resultant polymer. The above-mentioned suspension-polymerization is performed with the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polypeptides and derivatives thereof as a suspension stabilizer. The process can control the particle size of microcapsules easily, attain stable reaction system and produce thermo-expansive microcapsules that disperse well in medium such as paint or inks.

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 relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition having a three-dimensional network structure which is not formed by a chemical crosslinking and having an excellent elasticity recovery and flexibility, a foam having a highly closed cell, an uniform cell shape, an excellent elasticity recovery, flexibility and appearance, and a process for producing the same. A thermoplastic elastomer of the invention is obtained by mixing in a predetermined ratio an EPDM (1), a crystalline polyethylenic resin (2) and a block copolymer (3) having a crystalline ethylenic polymeric block and a block which is more compatible with said EPDM than with said crystalline polyethylenic resin together with an anti-aging agent followed by kneading in a pressurized kneader. A foam of the invention is obtained by adding 1 part by mass of a wetting agent to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic elastomer composition described above together with a foaming agent, agitating and then performing an extrusion foaming.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam cushion, a method of making the foam cushion, and a method of using the foam cushion. The foam cushion is formed from: (a) at least one of rubber and a resin; (b) a blowing agent; (c) a polymeric adhesion modifier; (d) a decomposition accelerating agent, and (e) a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: An ethylene propylene rubber foam which comprises as the crude rubber, an ethylene propylene rubber having an iodine value of 35 to 45 and a Mooney viscosity ML1+4 at 100° C. of 20 to 50, and which has less compression set and is suitable as a material for a transfer member, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer member, a cleaning member for image formation bodies, a bias member, a backup member, etc.; an electroconductive ethylene propylene rubber foam which comprises as the crude rubber, an ethylene propylene rubber having an iodine value of 35 to 45 and a Mooney viscosity ML1+4 at 100° C.