Abstract: Porous, polymer particles comprising a functionalized cross-linked copolymer having microporous regions and macroporous regions in the polymer matrix thereof, wherein the functional groups are essentially present only within the macroporous regions, as well as processes for preparing these particles based on a template polymerization technique followed by removal of the template polymer from the particles are disclosed. The particles of the invention are useful in chromatography, and in various analytical, diagnostic techniques and solid state peptide, DNA synthesis.

Abstract: Foamable thermoplastic resin compositions are provided having vinyl chloride polymer, a graft copolymer having a superstrate grafted to a substrate wherein the superstrate has alphamethyl styrene, unsaturated nitrile, and unsubstituted styrene therein, and the substrate is a butadiene rubber, a rubber-free copolymer having alkylmethacrylate, vinyl aromatic, and unsaturated nitrile therein, and a chemical blowing agent. The foamable thermoplastic resin composition may be coextruded with a nonfoamed thermoplastic resin skin to produce a coextruded rigid foamed structure by a process of coextruding the skin and foamable thermoplastic composition. The composition and process are useful for making coextruded rigid foam structures which are useful in rigid foam applications such as foamed pipe and foamed sheet.

Abstract: A dry, initially non-tacky, expansible, shaped and formed sealant and baffle component is provided for sealing and providing an acoustic baffle for cavities in the hollow structural components of a vehicle body or the like, which during the manufacturing operation is conveyed through a bake oven at an elevated temperature. The component is made up of a metal ion neutralized ethylene-.alpha.,.beta. ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer (ionomer), a blowing agent, and a tackifier, and optionally with an additive polymer and a cross-linking agent. The blowing agent is selected to be activated at the temperature of the bake oven so that the shaped and formed component expands in the body cavity to seal the cavity and prevent ingress of moisture, dust and other contaminating materials and particles, as well as to form a sound barrier therein.

Abstract: A random copolymer of (a) an .alpha.-olefin having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, (b) a non-conjugated diene represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and n is a number of from 2 to 10, and (c) optionally ethylene, which random copolymer comprises 0.1 to 15 mol % of monomer units of said non-conjugated diene, 0 to 4 mol % of monomer units of ethylene, and pendent ethylenical unsaturations, and has a crystallization degree of 20% or more determined by an X-ray diffraction method, a melt index of 0.01 to 200 g/10 minutes, and a modulus of elasticity according to JIS K-7203 of 1,000 to 30,000 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A method of foaming thermoplastic aromatic polycarbonates is disclosed. Accordingly, a polycarbonate resin is mixed with 0.01 to 10%, the percent being relative to the total weight of polycarbonate resin and polysaccharide, of a particular polysaccharide and the mixture then processed thermoplastically without the application of negative pressure in an extruder, at temperatures of 180.degree. C. to 320.degree. C., or in an injection molding machine, at temperatures of 190.degree. C. to 330.degree. C., to obtain foamed molded articles.

Abstract: The introduction of a foamable silicone rubber composition that evolves neither toxic gas nor hydrogen, that does not suffer from inhibition of its cure to give silicone rubber, and that cures to give a silicone rubber foam containing uniform microcells. The foamable silicone rubber composition comprises:(A) 100 weight parts thermosetting liquid silicone rubber composition, and(B) 0.1 to 30 weight parts thermally expansible hollow plastic microparticles.

Abstract: A foam body is made integrally of at least a layer of foam material having great resilience and at least a layer of foam material having great capability to absorb shock. The foam material having great capability to absorb shock is made from a first mixture while the foam material having great resilience is made from a second mixture. The first and the second mixtures contain respectively 5-50% by weight of acrylobutadiene rubber, 50-95% by weight of polyvinyl chloride, a plasticizer, a bridging agent, a foaming agent, an extrusion-aiding agent and other additives. The first mixture differs from the second mixture in that the former contains less than 50 parts by weight of the plasticizer and that the latter contains more than 50 parts by weight of the plasticizer. The first and the second mixtures are stacked orderly in a mold cavity in which they are heated under pressure to foam to take shape of the foam body.

Abstract: A foamable composition for producing an ultra low density polyolefin foam having a density of about 0.6 to about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot comprising a heat-plastified mixture comprising (1) an olefin polymer resin selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and a copolymerizable monomer; (2) an elastomer in an amount of about 3 to about 30 wt. parts per 100 wt. parts of said olefin polymer resin; (3) polystyrene in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt. parts per 100 wt. parts of said olefin polymer resin; (4) a stability control agent selected from the group consisting of partial esters of long chain fatty acids with polyols, higher alkyl amines, fatty acid amides, and olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, and (5) a hydrocarbon blowing agent having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a boiling point between -175.degree. C. and 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Elastomeric low density foamable compositions are described which are prepared from blends comprised of a major amount of a block copolymer comprised of an alkenyl aromatic and a conjugated diene and a minor amount of one or more other thermoplastic resins. Also described are such foamable compositions wherein such blends are comprised of a major amount of a triblock copolymer of the A-B-A type and a minor amount of polystyrene resin and/or polyphenylene ether resin. Also described are processes for preparing such low density foamable compositions and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: The odor of blends of polyphenylene ether resin, alone, or in combination with a polystyrene resin or a high impact polystyrene is improved by including a carboxylic acid, and acid anhydride or mixture thereof in the compositions.

Abstract: A composition and foam insulation for copper tubing is described herein which is formulated to retard copper oxidation and eliminate or reduce stress corrosion in the copper tubing. The copper compatible, elastomeric foam insulation is made from a composition comprising 100 parts by weight of rubber, vinyl chloride polymer at about 15 to about 85 pphr, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of an alkyl phosphate ester and an oxyalkyl phosphate ester at about 10 to about 100 pphr, a fire retardant in an amount of at least about 100 pphr, a stabilizer in an amount effective to prevent degradation of the rubber and vinyl chloride polymer, a preservative at from about 0.1 to about 10 pphr, and a lubricant at about 10 to about 85 pphr, wherein the composition and foamed product contains no more than about 5 parts of free phenol per million.

Abstract: A column packing material to be used in gel permeation chromatography (GPC) consists of support particles with a mean particle diameter of 1 to 50 .mu. of which the matrix is formed by an inorganic or organic, polymeric and porous hard material with a mean pore diameter of 6 to 50 nm and a pore volume of 0.1 to 3 ml/g, the matrix pores containing chemically bound polymer chains. The column packing material of the invention is characterized in that the polymer chains consist of linear, permeable and not-crosslinked polymers with an upper exclusion limit between 200 and 200,000, the pores of the matrix being entirely filled by the polymer chains. The method of the invention is characterized in that the pores of the support particles are filled by polymer chains chemically bound to the pore surfaces, these polymer chains being permeable to solvents and partly to dissolved substances.

Abstract: A method for producing expandable thermoplastic microspheres by polymerisation in a reaction vessel of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or a mixture of monomers in an aqueous suspension in the presence of a condensed propellant. In the method, the monomer or monomer mixture is suspended in the aqueous medium in the presence of a powder stabilizer which consists of a salt or hydroxide of any of the metals Ca, Mg, Ba, Fe, Zn, Ni or Mn. The powder stabilizer is insoluble in the aqueous medium at the pH the aqueous medium has at the polymerisation. The aqueous medium has at the polymerization. The aqueous medium may also contain a co-stabilizer. The method further comprises the step of washing off the powder stabilizer from the microspheres after the polymerization by lowering the pH of the aqueous medium by the addition of acid. Alternatively, amphoteric hydroxides can also be dissolved by a pH increase.

Abstract: A foamable polymer composition comprising[A] at least one cyclo-olefin resin selected from the group consisting of(A-1) ring-opened polymers derived from cyclo-olefins represented by the following general formula [I],(A-2) ring-opened copolymers derived from the cyclo-olefins of general formula [I],(A-3) hydrogenation products of the ring-opened polymers (A-1),(A-4) hydrogenation products of the ring-opened copolyers (A-2), and(A-5) addition polymers of the cycloolefins of general formula [I] with ethylene, and[B] a blowing agent, ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or a positive integer; R.sup.1 to R.sup.12, independently from each other, represent an atom or a group selected from the class consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atoms and hydrocarbon groups; R.sup.9 to R.sup.12 may be linked to each other to form a monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon group; and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10, or R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 may each form an alkylidene group.

Abstract: A foaming agent is mixed to a thermoplastic resin composition containing a graft copolymer obtained by emulsion graft polymerization of a vinyl monomer to an ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber latex comprising from 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of a modified low molecular weight .alpha.-olefin copolymer uniformly dispersion in 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene copolymer.

Abstract: Elastomeric low density foamable compositions are described which are prepared from blends comprised of a major amount of a block copolymer comprised of an alkenyl aromatic and a conjugated diene and a minor amount of one or more other thermoplastic resins. Also described are such foamable compositions wherein such blends are comprised of a major amount of a triblock copolymer of the A-B-A type and a minor amount of polystyrene resin and/or polyphenylene ether resin. Also described are processes for preparing such low density foamable compositions and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: A biodisintegrable thermoplastic resin foam and a process for producing same are disclosed, the biodisintegrable thermoplastic resin foam being comprised as a substrate thereof a mixed resin comprising 5-40 weight % of a thermoplastic resin decomposable by microorganisms and 95-60 weight % of a thermoplastic resin not decomposable by microorganisms and being characterized in that the individual aerial cells constituting the foam have an average cell wall thickness of 1-100 .mu.m and an apparent density of 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 or less than 0.5 g/cm.sup.3. The biodisintegrable thermoplastic resin foam is easily disintegrable after disposal in an environment where microorganisms exist so that it can be reduced in bulkness and gives no harmful effect on the life of natural plants and animals. The foam incorporated with a filler can be promoted in disintegration by microorganisms. Thus the present invention affords an effective means for solving various problems in the treatment of disposed materials.

Abstract: A process for preparing foamed polymer blends of thermoplastic polymers with elastomeric polymers comprises mixing the elastomeric polymers with a chemical blowing agent and compounding additives. The mixture is then combined with a thermoplastic polymer to form a blend, and thereafter mixed with a curing system and a blowing agent activator. The curable composition thus prepared can subsequently be blown in either a one or two-step process. The two-step process entails partially curing the elastomer in the composition at a lower temperature, and then blowing the composition at a higher temperature. The one-step process involves (a) heating the composition to the higher temperature initially, thereby initiating curing, and after an activating induction period of the blowing agent, producing blowing; or (b) curing and blowing the composition by extruding it through an extruder.

Abstract: An electron-beam cured sheet-type foam comprises: a polypropylene type resin (A) of 100 parts by weight of which main component is polypropylene; a copolymer resin (B) of 5 to 40 parts by weight which is made of ethylene and at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, ethylacrylate maleic acid anhydride and vinylacetate; and a copolymer resin (C) made of ethylene and an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 8 carbon atoms, having a melting point of 117.degree. C. to 123.degree. C. and a density of 0.890 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.910 g/cm.sup.3. This foam contains 20 to 60 percent in gel content and has an expansion ratio of 5 to 40.

Abstract: A biodisintegrable thermoplastic resin foam and a process for producing same are disclosed, the biodisintegrable thermoplastic resin foam being comprised as a substrate thereof a mixed resin comprising 5-40 weight % of a thermoplastic resin decomposable by microorganisms and 95-60 weight % of a thermoplastic resin not decomposable by microorganisms and being characterized in that the individual aerial cells constituting the foam have an average cell wall thickness of 1-100 .mu.m and an apparent density of 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 or less than 0.5 g/cm.sup.3. The biodisintegrable thermoplastic resin foam is easily disintegrable after disposal in an environment where microorganisms exist so that it can be reduced in bulkness and gives no harmful effect on the life of natural plant and animals. The foam incorporated with a filler can be promoted in disintegration by microorganisms. Thus the present invention affords an effective means for solving various problems in the treatment of disposed materials.

Abstract: A composition comprising:(i) a blend of a homopolymer of ethylene or a copolymer of ethylene and one or more comonomers; an organopolysiloxane; optionally, a monomeric diene; and, optionally, an organic peroxide, said blend having a gel content of at least about 10 percent by weight; and(ii) a blowing agent.

Abstract: A sponge is disclosed, comprising a copolymer of ethylene, an .alpha.-olefin, and a diolefin, said copolymer (a) containing the ethylene units and the .alpha.-olefin units at a weight ratio of from 73:27 to 40:60, (b) having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4 121.degree. C.) of from 135 to 200, and (c) containing the diolefin units giving an iodine value of from 10 to 36.A sponge composition is also disclosed, comprising 100 parts by weight of the aforesaid copolymer and from 30 to 130 parts by weight of a plasticizer.

Abstract: A column Packing material to be used in gel permeation chromatography (GPC) consists of support particles with a mean particle diameter of 1 to 50 .mu. of which the matrix is formed by an inorganic or organic, polymeric and porous hard material with a mean pore diameter of 6 to 50 nm and a pore volume of 0.1 to 3 ml/g, the matrix pores containing chemically bound polymer chains. The column packing material of the invention is characterized in that the polymer chains consist of linear, permeable and not-crosslinked polymers with an upper exclusion limit between 200 and 200,000, the pores of the matrix being entirely filled by the polymer chains. The method of the invention is characterized in that the pores of the support particles are filled by polymer chains chemically bound to the pore surfaces, these polymer chains being permeable to solvents and partly to dissolved substances.

Abstract: The disclosed dulled stretched molding of at most 30% in gloss value, which is useful as a general-purpose packaging material, printing paper, tracing paper, etc., is produced from a composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a propylene-ethylene lock copolymer and 3 to 40 parts by weight of a cyclopentadiene type petroleum resin having a ring and ball softening point of at least 160.degree. C. through melt extrusion thereof and stretching of the resulting flat extrudate.There also is disclosed a heat-shrinkable foamed molding of at most 0.85 in density and at least 10% in heat shrinkability at 100.degree. C., which is useful as a packaging material, a tying material, a label material, etc. This heat-shrinkable foamed molding is produced from a composition comprising a crystalline propylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer having a crystal melting point of at most 150.degree. C. and 5 to 40 wt.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for producing a superabsorbent polymer with reduced residual monomer content which comprises partially drying a crosslinked, partially neutralized polymer gel, then raising the temperature of the gel using microwaves or RF radiation in the absence of circulating air and thereafter completing the drying.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, tubular foam can be produced from a composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin-nonconjugated diene copolymer, 1 to 20 parts by weight of a foaming agent, 5 to 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin having a Vicat softening point of 50.degree. to 200.degree. C., and up to 10 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent, by shaping the composition into a tube, crosslinking and foaming the tube and pressurizing the tube in the interior to inflate it. This heat-shrinkable, tubular foam is best suited for jacketing pipes, hoses, and the like.

Abstract: A process of making a foamed thermoplastic elastomer is disclosed, and the foam thus produced. The thermoplastic elastomers, which are blends of 90 to 10 parts of rubber and 10 to 90 parts of crystalline polyolefin plastic, are melted, admixed with water under pressure, and released to atmospheric pressure. The resultant foam has good cell structure and low density, and a high percentage of closed (as opposed to interconnecting) cells.

Abstract: A method of forming a heat-resistant product, produced from a polymer composition comprising 40-70 weight % of a thermoplastic elastomer containing a repeating unit derived from ethylene and a repeating unit derived from propylene and 60-30 weight % of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing 7.5 weight % or more of a vinyl acetate repeating unit, which comprises blending the polymer composition at a temperature of 160.degree. C. or less, molding it at a temperature of 180.degree. C. or less, and then cross-linking the resulting molded product by irradiating it with an electron beam or by heating to produce a foamed product which has good shape memory characteristics.

Abstract: A foam material, particularly suitable for use as a midsole material for an athletic shoe, comprises polyethylene modified by an elastomer modifier and cross-linked, preferably using a peroxide cross-linking agent, to form a closed cell foam material which has superior strength properties, improved energy return and reduced sensitivity to temperature change.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, tubular foam can be produced from a composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin-nonconjugated diene copolymer, 1 to 20 parts by weight of a foaming agent, 5 to 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin having a vicat softening point of 50.degree. to 200.degree. C., and up to 10 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent, by shaping the composition into a tube, crosslinking and foaming the tube and pressurizing the tube in the interior to inflate it. This heat-shrinkable, tubular foam is best suited for jacketing pipes, hoses, and the like.

Abstract: A high-gloss, impact-resistant rubber-modified polystyrene composition, characterized in that said rubber-modified polystyrene consists essentially of(i) a polystyrene,(ii) dispersed particles of elastomeric polymers, and optionally polydimethylsiloxane and at least one member selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, and metallic salts or amides of higher fatty acids based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Construction materials prepared from recycled polymeric material containing primarily polyolefins such as high density polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers are useful for profiled extruded forms such as fence posts, door frames, rails, railway sleepers, and other applications where lumber is conventionally employed. The compositions of the invention contain, in addition to the mixed plastic matrix, reactive compatibilizers, impact modifiers, and reinforcing agents. When desired, foaming agents may also be employed. The recycled mixed plastic materials have been subject to at least one high temperature processing step when used in their original application. Such plastics differ in physical and chemical composition from virgin material.

Abstract: The odor of blends of polyphenylene ether resin, alone, or in combination with a polystyrene resin or a high impact polystyrene is improved by including a carboxylic acid, an acid anhydride or mixture thereof in the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel single-functional and mixtures of multi-functional oligomeric performance additive compounds having one or more components of Structure A ##STR1## (The definitions of R, Z1, Z2, Z3, A1, A2, A3 and y are given in the Summary Section), their uses and polymeric compounds and compositions containing them which have enhanced oxidative stabilities, enhanced ultraviolet (UV) and light stabilities and/or enhanced flame retardance. An example is the bis sulfonic acid bispotassium salt reaction product from an oligomeric caprolactone diol (TONE.RTM. 260), 2-sulfobenzoic acid anhydride and potassium carbonate, and use of this product, at levels up to about 3.0%, in a general purpose bisphenol A polycarbonate resin, to enhance the fire resistance or flame retardance of the polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: A water absorbent latex polymer foam produced by the process of combining a foamed latex polymer product with both a water absorbent polymer and chitin and drying that blend to form a foamable latex polymer containing both water absorbent polymer and chitin. The latex foams produced by this process are of great use, for example, with wound or surgical dressings.

Abstract: An integral skin polyurethane steering wheel is prepared by reacting (a) a mixture of a graft polymer dispersion in a polyol or a polyol mixture (b) an organic polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of an isocyanate prepolymer prepared by reacting 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate with a mixture of dipropylene glycol and a polyoxypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 420, a polymeric polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate containing about 55 weight percent diphenylmethane diisocyanate, a 1:1 mixture of 2,4'and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and mixtures thereof, (c) a blowing agent, (d) a chain extender, and (e) a catalyst, surfactant and optionally flame retardants, fillers U.V. adsorbers and other additives.

Abstract: Active and elastic foamed materials useful for heating elements and medical materials comprising a foamed matrix of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or synthetic resin and an active substance contained therein, the active substance being zircon or zirconium complex compound and the content of said substance being 20-150 wt % to the foamed matrix.

Abstract: A water absorbent latex polymer foam produced by the process of combining a foamed latex polymer product with a water absorbent polymer and drying that blend to form a foamable latex polymer containing a water absorbent polymer is disclosed in this invention. The latex foams produced by this process are of great use, for example, within diapers, sanitary napkins, packaging materials, and the like. In particular, the use of water absorbent polymers with particle size less than about 30 microns has been shown to produce particularly effective absorbent latex foams.

Abstract: A method for production of a composite material comprises the incorporation of a foaming agent into a thermo-fusible fluoro-resin for providing bubbles in the thermo-fusible fluoro-resin. The thermo-fusible fluoro-resin is comminuted to a suitable size, and the comminuted thermo-fusible fluoro-resin is mixed with a polymer for surrounding and supporting the thermo-fusible fluoro-resin with the polymer. The thermo-fusible fluoro-resin is foamed after incorporation of the foaming agent. The comminuted thermo-fusible fluoro-resin is foamed after mixing with the polymer. A composite material having low permittivity comprises hollow bubbles formed of a thermo-fusible fluoro-resin and a polymer material surrounding and supporting the thermo-fusible fluoro-resin forming the hollow bubbles.

Abstract: A heat-resistant formed product produced from a polymer composition comprising 40-70 weight % of a thermoplastic elastomer containing a repeating unit derived from ethylene and a repeating unit derived from propylene and 60-30 weight % of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing 7.5 weight % or more of a vinyl acetate repeating unit, by blending the polymer composition at a temperature of 160.degree. C. or less, molding it at a temperature of 180.degree. C. or less, and then cross-linking the resulting molded product by irradiating electron beam or heating. The formed product also has good shape memory characteristics.

Abstract: A foam material, particularly suitable for use as a midsole material for an athletic shoe, comprises polyethylene modified by an elastomer modifier and cross-linked, preferably using a peroxide cross-linking agent, to form a closed cell foam material which has superior strength properties, improved energy return and reduced sensitivity to temperature change.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of microencapsulated blowing agents in the bulk polymerization of cycloolefin monomers by ring-opening polymerization. These microencapsulated blowing agents aid in filling molds during reaction injection molding procedures such that both surfaces of the article being molded remain in contact with their respective mold surfaces eliminating sink marks in these surfaces. In addition, the microencapsulants may be introduced at higher levels which provide structural foams with the polymers from cycloolefin monomers.

Abstract: Asymmetric membranes are prepared by selectively treating a major surface of an incompatible polymer blend prepared by melt blending having at least one extractable polymer component and then contacting the polymer blend with a solvent to extract the extractable polymer component. The treated surface becomes the dense layer of the membrane. The major surface is treated by crosslinking, by contacting the surface with a crosslinking agent which is subsequently cured, or by contacting the surface with an agent which reacts with groups on the surface and imparts a polar character to it.

Abstract: A rubber composition for producing sponge rubber products which comprises 1 to 20 parts by weight of a blowing agent and 0.1 to 0.8 part by weight of sulfur relative to 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin-non-conjugated dienes tetrapolymer containing as non-conjugated dienes the ethylidene-norbornene component amounting to 15 to 30 in terms of iodine value and the dicyclopentadiene component amounting to 1 to 10 in terms of iodine value and having a branching index of at least 2.

Abstract: A process for packaging a product, particulary one with sharp protrusions, a composition for cushioning the sharp protrusions during packaging and a foamed material prepared therefore, the process including the steps of applying a foamed composition to the product to be packaged; and encasing the product in an outer package. The foamed material can be applied in liquid or semiliquid form at a point-of-contact temperature less than about 130.degree. F. and solidifies substantially on contact. The foamed material is, preferably, applied selectively to cover the sharp protrusions and contains a chemical substrate containing a polymer having the general formula, a resin and a stabilizer. A suitable gas is encapsulated therein. The process, composition and foamed material have particular utility in the meat-packing industry.

Abstract: A Chemical Blowing Agent (CBA) concentrate was developed comprising a modifying agent and a chemical blowing agent. The CBA is characterized in that its decomposition products contain a primary amine. The modifying agent is a blend of a maleic anhydride copolymer and a butadiene based rubber. It was surprisingly found that resin degradation which often accompanies foam moldings using a CBA of the present type and is expressed in terms of a reduction in the molecular weight of the resin, is much reduced upon the incorporation of the modifying agent and chemical blowing agent of the invention. The concentrate may optionally further comprise a polymeric resin component.

Abstract: A foam of a polyolefin/polystyrene resin mixture obtained by mixing a polyolefin resin and a polystyrene resin in the presence of a hydrogenated styrene/butadiene block copolyer, and subjecting the resultant mixed resinous composition to extrusion foaming, wherein;(1) said hydrogenated styrene/butadiene block copolymer comprises, as components before hydrogenation, 10 to 38% by weight of styrene and butadiene with a content of 1,2-bond type butadiene of 20 to 50% by weight based on butadiene, and;(2) said foam comprises a thin surface skin portion showing a value of 0.65 or more of the surface structural index S represented by the following formula:S=t/T.gtoreq.0.65wherein t and T each represent a total light-transmission evaluated according to the method of ASTM D1003 with respect to a surface skin layer and an inner layer of the foam,is found to have the cushioning properties (or the foam properties) that enables elastic cushioning of a large load.

Abstract: A Chemical Blowing Agent (CBA) concentrate was developed comprising a modifying agent and a chemical blowing agent. The CBA is characterized in that its decomposition products contain a primary amine. The modifying agent is a blend of a maleic anhydride copolymer and a butadiene based rubber. It was surprisingly found that resin degradation which often accompanies foam moldings using a CBA of the present type and is expressed in terms of a reduction in the molecular weight of the resin, is much reduced upon the incorporation of the modifying agent and chemical blowing agent of the invention. The concentrate may optionally further comprise a polymeric resin component.

Abstract: An in situ foamable semi-organic composition, a half ester compound useful in such a composition and a foam prepared by reacting such an adduct are disclosed. A half ester adduct is prepared by reacting an anhydride and an unsaturated conjugated vinyl hydroxy compound and generally has the structureCH.sub.2 .dbd.CR--COO--R'--O--CO--Z--COOHwhere,R=H, CH.sub.3, CN, C.sub.6 H.sub.11 (CYCLOHEXYL), X (X=F, Cl, Br)R'=--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CXR--CXR--, --(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --).sub.n where n=1,2, . . . 8, andZ=--CH.dbd.CH--, phthalic, trimellitic, .alpha.-naphthoic, .beta.-naphthoic, substituted phthalic anydrides of the structure ##STR1## wherein R"=Cl, F, Br, I, CH.sub.3, CN, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+2. The foamable semi-organic composition, in addition to the half ester adduct, includes a fluorocarbon blowing agent and an initiator.

Abstract: A process for producing expanded particles of a styrene-acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer is disclosed, comprising dispersing styrene-acrylonitride-butadiene copolymer particles in water in a closed vessel, feeding a volatile blowing agent to the aqueous dispersion in the closed vessel, heating the aqueous dispersion to a temperature higher than a glass transition point of the copolymer particles by at least 20.degree. C. to impregnate the volatile blowing agent into the copolymer particles, and opening one end of the closed vessel to release the aqueous dispersion containing the expandable copolymer particles into a low pressure zone having a pressure lower than the inner pressure of the closed vessel. The resulting expanded particles have a degree of expansion of from 10 to 50.