Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf shoe which incorporates a spike socket spine frame system that extends throughout the shoe sole for receiving all of the spike receptacles and is embedded in the outsole. The spine frame provides improved shoe performance and spike location and is made of a material that is stiffer than the outsole material. More particularly, the shoe sole is comprised of a spike socket spine having seventeen spike socket locations: three spike sockets in the toe section, six spike sockets in the metatarsal section, four spike sockets in the shank section and four spike sockets in the heel section, for receiving the posts of the golf spikes.

Abstract: Expanded polyolefin particles are produced by impregnation of polyolefin granules with a volatile blowing agent in suspension under pressure and subsequent decompression. The blowing agent used is ammonia.

Abstract: Impurities dissolved in a solid polymer and/or trapped in the spacial volume of the polymer can be removed quickly and efficiently in one or more relatively short pressurization/depressurization cycles, using a penetrant fluid (e.g. carbon dioxide) having at least some solubility in the polymer. Polymers with inherently slow or delayed elastic recovery at the temperature or temperatures at which the cycle is carried out (e.g. within the range of 20 to 200.degree. C.) or polymers with a high T.sub.g are the ones most efficiently treated. The penetrant is used to expand the polymer matrix, increasing its spacial volume. The pressure is then decreased rapidly, so that the impurities will migrate out of the polymer matrix before the matrix has a chance to relax or return to substantially its original volume. Each complete cycle should last seconds or minutes rather than hours.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing bead-form expandable styrene polymers in which the styrene is prepolymerized in bulk to a conversion of 10 to 80%, the prepolymer is dispersed in liquid form in an aqueous phase in the presence of suspension stabilizers, and the polymerization of the prepolymer is completed in an aqueous suspension to a residual styrene content of less than 2000 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention aims to improve soundproof and heat insulating properties of a foamed plastic by reducing internal cells pressure inside foamed resins. A base polymer such as a polyester-based polyol and a volatile foaming agent having an conjugate unsaturated group (i.e., conjugate double carbon bonds and/or triple carbon bonds) such as chloroprene (bp. 51.degree. C.) and calcium stearate were blended and then mixed with a hardening agent such as hexamethylene diisocyanate. The volatile foaming agent existing in open cells of the foamed plastic sealed in the Al laminated film and between the film and the foamed plastic, i.e., gap, possesses an unsaturated group, such as isoprene. Thus polymerization may occur by irradiating with electron rays, and the inside of the foams and the gap region may be reduced in pressure while the bag of the laminated film retains its shape.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles comprising imparting expandability to polyolefin resin expanded particles having a crystal structure which shows two melting points in a DSC curve and heat expanding expanded particles having expandability, in which the relation between heat expansion temperature and the amount of a fusion preventing agent being attached to the surface of the polyolefin resin expanded particles is represented by the inequality: t-T.sub.V .ltoreq.49.1C-27.0 (t is heat expansion temperature, C is the amount of the fusion preventing agent being attached to the surface of the polyolefin resin expanded particles and T.sub.V is saddle temperature between two peaks showing two respective melting points in the DSC curve), and t is within the temperature range represented by the inequality: T.sub.L -30.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.T.sub.V (T.sub.V is the same as defined above and T.sub.L is lower melting point of the two melting points).

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a thermoexpandable microcapsule which can be expanded at a lower temperature without decrease of various properties such as chemical resistance and heat resistance; said thermoexpandable microcapsule contains at least two kinds of volatile expanding agents having different boiling points lower than softening temperature of a polymeric material forming a shell, production thereof; and a method of expanding the microcapsule in which it is subjected to first heating below the starting temperature of expanding and then to the second heating.

Abstract: Foam materials based on copolymers of styrene with from 2 to 50 mol % of 1,1-diphenylethene have a high heat distortion resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous polyfluoroethylene (PTFE), shaped articles prepared therefrom, and to methods of preparing said articles.

Abstract: Expandable ABS resin beads containing a volatile blowing agent are disclosed which have an internal-water content of 5% by weight or lower and, when expanded in an expansion ratio of 30, give expanded beads each having a non-expanded surface layer having a thickness of not more than 50 .mu.m. A process for producing the expandable ABS resin beads is also disclosed which comprises dispersing ABS resin beads into an aqueous medium in a closed vessel and impregnating a volatile blowing agent into the ABS resin beads, said aqueous medium containing an electrolyte at least during the impregnation of the volatile blowing agent, with the concentration of the electrolyte in the aqueous medium being from 0.01 to 2 mol/l. The expandable resin beads are capable of giving an expanded molded article excellent in chemical resistance and toughness and especially in surface appearance and heat resistance.

Abstract: Microspheres are described which have a shell of thermally expandable polymer and a hollow interior that contains a fluorinated hydrocarbon that boils at a temperature below the melting point of the polymer, and contains an organic ester or ether or ketone. The ester or ether or ketone improves the quality of microsphere product. The expandable particles are useful in insulation, packaging, for expanding other polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like.

Abstract: Partially expanded polyolefin granules are post-expanded by a process comprising charging a vessel containing foamed polyolefin beads having a bulk density of from 20-450 g/l with an inert gas under a pressure of from 2-25 bar and at a temperature of from T.sub.m -150.degree. C. to T.sub.m -40.degree. C. over a period of from 1-48 h, and then continuously or discontinuously transferring the pressurized foam beads into an apparatus in which a fluidized bed is created, where the beads expand further at a temperature of from T.sub.m -75.degree. C. to T.sub.m +20.degree. C.The resultant foamed beads are suitable for producing foamed moldings.

Abstract: Post-treatment method of polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles comprising: introducing the polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles foamed by using an inflammable blowing agent into an extraction vessel filled with steam previously; feeding an additional steam into the extraction vessel; extracting the inflammable blowing agent gas from the polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles; discharging the resulting steam which contains the extracted inflammable blowing agent gas from the extraction vessel continuously or intermittently; and liquefying the steam to separate and recover the inflammable blowing agent gas. According to the post-treatment method of polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles, the inflammable blowing agent can be extracted from the pre-expanded particles in a short period of time and the extracted inflammable blowing agent can be re-used.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of polyurethane microspheres, which comprises of preparing a solution of diol or polyol having a molecular weight in the range of 200-2000, crosslinker and a catalyst selected from amino or organometallic compounds, dispersing this solution in dilute solution of stabilizer which consists of a block copolymer having the general formula ?A!.sub.n-- ?B!.sub.m where A and B are chemically and compositionally dissimilar segments and n and m segments are in between 30-115 and 10-60 units respectively, such that the sum of n and m does not exceed 175 units, in an aliphatic hydrocarbon, adding an isocyanate dropwise to this dispersion, agitating the mixture at high speed of 100-1200 revolutions per minute, a temperature between 30.degree. to 55.degree. C. to permit the formation of polyurethane microspheres, separating these microspheres by filtration, washing with lower aliphatic hydrocarbon and drying the microspheres under vacuum.

Abstract: Expandable styrene bead polymers having improved expandability contain from 1 to 20% by weight of a liquid oligomeric aliphatic olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 200.

Abstract: In a process for producing polyolefin foam particles, partially foamed particles are produced in a first stage by extrusion of a polyolefin containing solid blowing agents, and these are then further foamed in the second stage using steam.

Abstract: A continuous process for making moldable foam beads comprising a non-crosslinked or crosslinked thermoplastic polymer foam are produced by mixing a composition comprising a non-crosslinkable or crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic polymer with a crosslinking agent, additives to achieve specific properties, a blowing agent, extruding the admixture under pressure, crosslinking, when applicable, the admixture under pressure, modulating the admixtures temperature to achieve the desired foaming properties, and then expanding the admixture in a zone of lower pressure to form a foam bead that can be molded.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a continuous process for expanding thermoplastic minipellets, particularly polypropylene. The minipellets are continuously expanded by continuously charging and mixing water and minipellets in a slurry tank to form a slurry which is subsequently pressurized. A blowing agent such as butane is entrained into the pressurized slurry flow, which said slurry is then heated by a heating means, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger, to the softening point of the minipellets. The heated minipellets are given the time necessary for impregnation by permitting them to flow through one or more impregnation vessels. The impregnated minipellets are released through an orifice into an expansion vessel where the blowing agent flashes off, thereby expanding the minipellets.

Abstract: The molded articles of foamed particles, which are produced by using foamed particles composed of a polypropylene-based polymer, have had excellent cushioning characteristics and impact resilience, but have been not always satisfactory in stiffness such as compressive strength.The invention is directed to foamed particles comprising a polypropylene homopolymer as a base resin and having a tensile modulus of 15,000-25,000 kg/cm.sup.2 and a crystal structure that an inherent peak and a high-temperature peak appear as endothermic peaks on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry of the foamed particles. A quantity of heat at the high-temperature peak is 30-60 J/g.A molded article of foamed particles according to the invention is obtained by using the foamed particles as described above and molding them, and has a density of 0.01-0.3 g/cm.sup.3 and a tensile modulus of 15,000-25,000 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the production of hopper feedable thermoplastic pellets having zones or compartments which contain physically separated reactants which react only after being melt-mixed, as in a screw type extruder, reciproscrew injection machine, or similar device which heat forms pellets into a larger mass. This new class of thermoplastic molding materials relies mainly on the relatively slow reaction kinetics of contained large molecule molding materials to provide a time interval after melt-mixing of zoned pelletized reactants in an extruder barrel or injection molding machine. During this time period, the thermoplastic molding material is easily filled into injection molds. As the reaction progresses, the material becomes more viscous and such flow is difficult or impossible. The involved reactions may continue after demolding at room temperature during a post molding cure, or appliance service generated heat may cause post molding cure.

Abstract: Prefoamed polyolefin beads, produced by extrusion followed by granulation, have a crystal structure with a double peak.

Abstract: The application relates to polyethylene and/or polypropylene foam moldings for packaging which consist of more than 50% of recycled material, and to a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous polyfluoroethylene (PTFE), shaped articles prepared therefrom, and to methods of preparing said articles.

Abstract: Heat temperature at the expansion molding of a finished expanded article is decreased by lowering the melting peak temperature of the pre-expanded particles of a polypropylene resin. Comprising the polypropylene resin and a .beta.-crystalline-nucleating agent, the percentage of the .beta.-form in the whole crystalline region is 5 to 100 parts by weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closed-cell polymer foam comprising a quantity of titanium dioxidce particulates sufficient to reduce the thermal conductivity of the foam to less than that of a corresponding foam without the titanium dioxide particulates. The titanium dioxide particulates have a wetting aggent applied to a substantial portion of their surfaces. Further disclosed are processes for making the foams.

Abstract: A coating powder consisting essentially of generally spherical particles ranging in size from less than 2 to about 40 microns, 75% of whose volume consists of particles of from about 2 to about 20 microns in size, is provided by dissolving the components of the coating powder in a supercritical fluid without the aid of a surfactant and spraying the solution into a zone whose pressure is less than that of the fluid. A very smooth continuous film of a cured thermosettable coating powder is achieved even when the film thickness is less than 1 mil, e.g., from about 0.2 and greater. The advantages of powder coatings may now be realized fully in the automobile and can industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of expanded polyolefin beads by impregnating polyolefin particles with volatile blowing agents in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable styrene polymers containing recycled polystyrene, having a recycled material content of from 10 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the polystyrene, to which alkyldi(2-hydroxyethyl)amines have been added during the polymerization.

Abstract: An expandable styrene resin bead containing voids therein, wherein the number of the voids present in the area from the surface of the bead to a depth of 0.1 mm along the radial direction is not more than 100 per mm.sup.2 as counted on a cross section passing through approximately the center of the bead. A process for producing expandable styrene resin beads by suspension polymerization is also disclosed in which a styrene monomer is suspended in an aqueous medium in the presence of an initiator and a suspending agent, and a blowing agent is incorporated into polymer beads produced, wherein an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of persulfuric acid is added to the reaction system in an amount of 0.5 to 30 ppm based on the aqueous medium while the degree of conversion of said monomer is in the range of from 0 to 30%, and an electrolyte is added to the reaction system in a concentration of 0.02 to 5.0 mol/l based on the aqueous medium when the degree of conversion is 30% or higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable beads based on a polymer of a vinylaromatic compound containing a blowing agent and, in an amount of 0.1 up to 2% wt, preferably 0.3 up to 1.5% wt calculated on the beads, of a plasticizer that is based on oligomers of styrene and/or alpha-methylstyrene having a number-average molecular weight (M.sub.n) in the range of 200 to 500, preferably of 260 to 460; and a process for preparing these expandable beads.

Abstract: A composite material is disclosed which comprises a shaped, expanded body having a closed cellular structure, and a layer of a thermosetting resin directly bonded to a surface of the shaped body, wherein the shaped body is formed of a mixed thermoplastic resin having a xylene-insoluble content of not greater than 1% by weight and containing at least 50% by weight of a polyolefin resin and at least 2% by weight of a polyene polymer having vinyl group-containing side chains.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of making simple or complex extruded gel profiles and the created article. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method involves the extrusion of a silicone gel composition through a die into a heated fluid to complete the cure of the gel as well as to produce the desired gel profile shape. Shapes such as stars, trapezoids, cusped squares, cusped triangle, triangles and the like can be fabricated according to the method.

Abstract: Expandable rubber-modified styrene resin beads, expanded rubber-modified styrene resin beads, and expanded molded rubber-modified styrene resin articles are described. The expandable beads comprise a rubber-modified styrene resin comprising a styrene resin having dispersed therein 8 to 15% by weight of conjugated diene rubber particles having a 1,4-cis structure in a proportion of not less than 70% and an average particle size of 1.5 to 3.0 .mu.m, the rubber-modified styrene resin having a mineral oil content of not more than 3.0% by weight, and the expandable rubber-modified styrene resin beads containing 1 to 15% by weight of a volatile blowing agent. The expanded molded article has excellent appearance, impact resistance and softness.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the production of hopper feedable thermoplastic pellets having zones or compartments which contain physically separated reactants which react only after being melt-mixed, as in a screw type extruder, reciproscrew injection machine, or similar device which heat forms pellets into a larger mass. This new class of thermoplastic molding materials relies mainly on the relatively slow reaction kinetics of contained large molecule molding materials to provide a time interval after melt-mixing of zoned pelletized reactants in an extruder barrel or inflection molding machine. During this time period, the thermoplastic molding material is easily filled into injection molds. As the reaction progresses, the material becomes more viscous and such flow is difficult or impossible. The involved reactions may continue after demolding at room temperature during a post molding cure, or appliance service generated heat may cause post molding cure.

Abstract: A molded structure 1 produced by extrusion, such as an expanded plastic foam, a sheet, a profile or the like, contains at least 10% by volume of open cells 2, 4 which have a polyhedron-like shape and are adjacent to one another. A higher temperature during the extrusion in comparison with the extrusion of thermoplastic molded structures having a closed-cell structure results in deformation-free opening of the cells. Webs 3 of cell walls 5, 6 remain intact in shape whether they have orifices 7 or no passages, so that the mechanical strength of the cell skeleton or of the space matrix is retained.

Abstract: Expandable styrene resin beads are described, which, when expanded to a bulk density of 20 g/l, give pre-expanded beads in which the number of cells present along those surface parts of radii which range from the bead surface to a depth of 0.2 mm from the surface is from 3 to 20 per mm and the number of cells present along those inner parts of the radii which range from a depth of 1 mm from the bead surface to the bead center is 10 or larger per mm, the number of cells present along said surface parts being smaller than the number of cells present along said inner parts.

Abstract: A strippable pressure-sensitive adhesive and an adhesive material using the same are disclosed, adhesive comprising a highly elastic base polymer whose dynamic modulus of elasticity is in the range of from 250,000 to 10,000,000 dyne/cm.sup.2 at a temperature between ambient temperature and 150.degree. C. with a small rate of change with temperature, having incorporated therein a blowing agent, which adhesive reduces or loses its adhesiveness on expansion or blowing of blowing agent. The adhesive and adhesive material are easily re-applied, is capable of satisfactorily following the shape of an adherent during forming of the adherent, reduces its adhesiveness on heating, and is applicable to various adherents with excellent workability.

Abstract: A continuous process for making moldable foam beads comprising a non-crosslinked or crosslinked thermoplastic polymer foam are produced by mixing a composition comprising a non-crosslinkable or crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic polymer with a crosslinking agent, additives to achieve specific properties, a blowing agent, extruding the admixture under pressure, crosslinking, when applicable, the admixture under pressure, modulating the admixtures temperature to achieve the desired foaming properties, and then expanding the admixture in a zone of lower pressure to form a foam bead that can be molded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing pre-expanded articles of a polyolefin resin wherein a blowing agent is incorporated into the polyolefin resin in an amount of 45 to 90 parts by volume with respect to 100 parts by volume of the resin and the pre-expansion is carried out at a temperature in the range of from Tm -35.degree. C. to Tm -20.degree. C., or a second external pressured gas which facilitate the impregnation efficiency of the blowing agent is further introduced in an amount of expressing an additional pressure more than 10 kg/cm.sup.2 with the blowing agent. Also, the present invention relates to pre-expanded articles of a polyolefin resin produced by the above process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of bead shaped, expandable polystyrene by the polymerization of styrene in an aqueous suspension in the presence of dimeric .alpha.-methylstyrene as a regulator and a C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 hydrocarbon as a blowing agent, whereby one first reports the content of saturated hydrocarbons, having a boiling point between 70.degree. and 170.degree. C., in the styrene and dimeric .alpha.-methylstyrene, and then enough saturated hydrocarbons, having a boiling point from 70.degree. to 170.degree. C., are added before, during or after the polymerization so that their total content in the suspension is from 0.1 to 0.8 weight percent, based on the styrene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a lightly crosslinked polyolefin foam and articles made therefrom is disclosed. According to the method, a polyolefin resin is lightly crosslinked, mixed with a blowing agent, forwarded as a molten gel admixture through an extruder, cooled, and expelled from a die into a zone of lower pressure, e.g., the atmosphere or a controlled pressure zone, to produce a uniform fine celled expanded shape.

Abstract: Bead-form, expandable styrene polymers containing, based on the styrene polymer, from 0.005 to 1.5% by weight of polyethylene wax and from 0.005 to 1% by weight of dimeric .alpha.-methylstyrene, and a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a continuous process for expanding thermoplastic minipellets, particularly polypropylene. The minipellets are continuously expanded by continuously charging and mixing water and minipellets in a slurry tank to form a slurry which is subsequently pressurized. A blowing agent such as butane is entrained into the pressurized slurry flow, which said slurry is then heated by a heating means, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger, to the softening point of the minipellets. The heated minipellets are given the time necessary for impregnation by permitting them to flow through one or more impregnation vessels. The impregnated minipellets are released through an orifice into an expansion vessel where the blowing agent flashes off, thereby expanding the minipellets.

Abstract: A foamed article of styrene type resin, in which base resin particles are styrene type resin particles obtainable by a graft polymerization of a cis-rich polybutadiene with a styrene type monomer, a blowing agent contains n-pentane as its main component and the foamed article shows a density of 0.015-0.040 g/cm.sup.3, an average foam diameter of 60-300 micrometers and a closed cell foam rate of not less than 50%.

Abstract: A one-step emulsification process for preparing aqueous suspensions of hollow, acrylate polymer microspheres conducted in the presence of at least one acid that is not free radically polymerizable. Surprisingly, the use of such an acid eliminates the previous requirement of using a polar copolymerizable monomer in the one-step emulsification process. The hollow acrylate polymer microspheres prepared from the process of the invention may be tacky or tack-free.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compatibilized carbon black useful in melt processing of plastic material. The carbon black is coated with a compatibilizing agent which enhances the dispersibility of the carbon black in a melt of the plastic material. Further disclosed are processes for making plastic foam structures with the compatibilized carbon black.

Abstract: An expandable styrene polymer comprisinga) from 0 to 90% by weight of a styrene polymer or styrene copolymer other than b) contains at least 50% by weight of copolymerized styrene,b) from 10 to 100% by weight of a styrene/methacrylamide copolymer comprising from 0.5 to 50% by weight of at least one copolymerized N-substituted methacrylamide of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are hydrogen, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.15 -alkyl, C.sub.6 - to C.sub.16 -cycloalkyl or C.sub.6 - to C.sub.20 -aryl, it being possible, if R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 contain at least 2 carbon atoms, for at least 2 carbon atoms to be linked via hetero atoms, andc) from 1 to 15% by weight, based on the sum of a) and b), of an aliphatic C.sub.3 - to C.sub.9 -hydrocarbon and/or carbon dioxide as blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic microcapsule which is softened by heat, has a good thermoexpandability, and can provide a MICROBALLOON which shows a high heat resistance after thermoexpanded; such a thermoexpandable microcapsule is composed of a shell and an expanding agent therein, in which said shell is made from a copolymer essentially consisting of a polymerizable monomer having two or more polymerizable double bonds and a monomer which can produce a homopolymer having a high glass transition temperature, and said expanding agent is vaporizable at a temperature lower than the softening temperature of the copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to expandable styrene polymers for elastic polystyrene foams, comprisinga) from 75 to 98% by weight of polystyrene and/or a styrene copolymer containing at least 50% by weight of copolymerized styrene,b) from 2 to 25% by weight of at least one styrene-soluble elastomer,c) from 1 to 15% by weight, based on the sum of a) and b), of a low-boiling blowing agent, and, if desired,d) conventional additives in effective amounts,where the unfoamed beads have a structure in which the elastomer phase is dispersed in the polystyrene phase in the form of cell particles, and to foams and foam moldings produced therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to expandable styrene polymers for elastic polystyrene foams, comprisinga) from 50 to 90% by weight of polystyrene and/or a styrene copolymer containing at least 50% by weight of copolymerized styrene,b) from 5 to 30% by weight of at least one styrene-soluble elastomer,c) from 5 to 20% by weight of at least one block copolymer containing styrene as one component,d) from 1 to 15% by weight, based on the sum of a), b) and c), of a low-boiling blowing agent, and, if desired,e) conventional additives in effective amounts,where, in the unfoamed polystyrene beads, component b) is in the form of cell particles and component c) is in the form of particles having a mean size of from 0.2 to 2 .mu.m in the polystyrene phase, and to foams and foam moldings produced therefrom.