Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A polymer is prepared by polymerizing a polymerizable component from a mixture containing the polymerizable component and a surfactant, the surfactant and the polymerizable component being present in the mixture in a molar ratio of at least 0.2: 1, having an average pore size greater than 4 nm and a density greater than 0.1 g/cc. The polymerizable component can comprise a resorcinol/formaldehyde system and the mixture can comprise an aqueous solution or the polymerizable component can comprise a divinylbenzene/styrene system and the mixture can comprise an organic solution. Alternatively, the polymerizable component can comprise vinylidene chloride or a vinylidene chloride/divinylbenzene system. The polymer may be monolithic, have a BET surface area of at least about 50 m2/g., include a quantity of at least one metal powder, or have an electrical conductivity greater than 10 Scmn−1.

Abstract: A closed cell phenolic foam is formed from a phenolic resin, a blowing agent such as HCFC141b, a catalyst and less than 2.5% by weight relative to the resin of at least one hydrofluoroether or an azeotrope formulation thereof 1-methoxy-nonafluorobutane and especially an azeotrope formulation thereof with trans-1,2-dichloroethylene are preferred hydrofluoroethers. The phenolic foam has a stable closed cell content of greater than 90% and a stable thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A porous polyimide having a finely cellular structure and having a low dielectric constant and heat resistance. The porous polyimide can be produced by a process comprising adding a dispersible compound to a polyimide precursor to form a micro-domain structure in which the dispersible compound is dispersed in the polymer so as to have a size smaller than 10 &mgr;m and then removing the dispersible compound by extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide to thereby make the precursor porous, wherein the interaction parameter &khgr;AB between the polyimide precursor A and the dispersible compound B is larger than 3. This porous polyimide has an average cell diameter smaller than 5 &mgr;m and a dielectric constant of 3 or lower.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved dosing assembly (valve/feed line/liquid collecting vessel) which permits nearly immediate response time to an actuator signal. Such an assembly is used for the controlled introduction of any liquid through a valve into a collecting vessel. In particular, the inventive assembly exhibits substantially no leakage from the feed line into the liquid collecting vessel when the valve is closed and an instantaneous introduction of the feed line liquid into the liquid collecting vessel upon opening of the valve, both when a liquid possessing a surface tension of about 50 dynes/cm2 is used as the measurement standard. This assembly is particularly and preferably suited for injecting colorants into reactants for the production of polyurethane slabstock foam and permits a substantial reduction in foam waste due to low colorations during an on/off cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for injecting an expandable or foaming material in a closed sectional structure of a body. The apparatus is suitable for mass-producing vehicles, such as automobiles efficiently. This apparatus is provided with a manipulator (38) movable to a desired position, a injector (50) fixed to the manipulator, a device (56) for supplying the expandable or foaming material to the injector, and a controller (40) adapted to control the position of the manipulator (10) so that the injector is set in a position in which the foaming material can be supplied to the closed sectional structure of the vehicle body through an injection port of the same closed sectional structure, and also adapted to control the supply device so that the foaming material can be injected and filled in the closed sectional structure thereof by only such an amount that was set in accordance with the volume of the inside of the sectional structure.

Abstract: A composition for production of cover packing, comprising:

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for injecting an expandable or foaming material in a closed sectional structure of a body. The apparatus is suitable for mass-producing vehicles, such as automobiles efficiently. This apparatus is provided with a manipulator (38) movable to a desired position, a injector (50) fixed to the manipulator, a device (56) for supplying the expandable or foaming material to the injector, and a controller (40) adapted to control the position of the manipulator (10) so that the injector is set in a position in which the foaming material can be supplied to the closed sectional structure of the vehicle body through an injection port of the same closed sectional structure, and also adapted to control the supply device so that the foaming material can be injected and filled in the closed sectional structure thereof by only such an amount that was set in accordance with the volume of the inside of the sectional structure.

Abstract: A superporous hydrogel composite is formed by polymerizing one or more ethylenically-unsaturated monomers, and a multiolefinic crosslinking agent, in the presence of particles of a disintegrant and a blowing agent. The disintegrant, which rapidly absorbs water, serves to greatly increase the mechanical strength of the superporous hydrogel and significantly shorten the time required to absorb water and swell. Superporous hydrogel composites prepared by this method have an average pore size in the range of 10 &mgr;m to 3,000 &mgr;m. Preferred particles of disintegrant include natural and synthetic charged polymers, such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, crosslinked sodium starch glycolate, and crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blowing agent is preferably a compound that releases gas bubbles upon acidification, such as NaHCO3. Improved hydrogel composites formed without a blowing agent are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A mesoporous material prepared by polymerizing a resorcinol/formaldehyde system from an aqueous solution containing resorcinol, formaldehyde and a surfactant and optionally pyrolyzing the polymer to form a primarily carbonaceous solid. The material has an average pore size between 4 and 75 nm and is suitable for use in liquid-phase surface limited applications, including sorbent, catalytic, and electrical applications.

Abstract: A process for producing an urea preparation of reduced particle-size and narrow particle-size distribution by using an air milling process is provided. Also provided is an urea preparation of reduced particle-size, narrow particle-size distribution, and high purity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for preparing foam board or sheet including the steps of (A) forming a foamable mixture of (1) a major amount of a styrenic polymer having a high melt index, (2) a minor amount of a low melt index styrenic polymer, and (3) a blowing agent containing a major amount of carbon dioxide under a pressure sufficient to prevent prefoaming of the mixture, and (B) foaming the mixture into a region of reduced pressure to form a foam product.

Abstract: Polymer foam compositions comprise polymer foam and chemically modified carbonaceous filler, specifically, carbonaceous filler having polymer moieties chemically bonded to the carbonaceous particulates. Exemplary carbonaceous fillers include carbon black, activated carbon, graphite, carbon fibers, fibrils and the like. The polymer moieties have a valence orbital bond to the carbonaceous particulate, such as an ionic or covalent bond. The chemical bond survives shear forces and the like, such as would be encountered by filler material in a reaction injection molding process for the manufacture of filled polyurethane foam insulation panels.

Abstract: A closed-cell polymeric foam is provided which is formed using oil-containing furnace black as an insulation enhancer. Other foam properties (for example, cell sizes, densities, limiting oxygen index performance) are similar to those obtained with the use of thermal blacks.

Abstract: Foam forming techniques are capable of permitting foaming of biodegradable resin to be positively and uniformly accomplished to provide a biodegradable resin foam with satisfactory quality. The biodegradable resin foam is made of biodegradable resin a main biodegradable resin ingredient of 100° C. or more in melting point and a low-melting biodegradable resin ingredient of 100° C. or less in melting point. The biodegradable resin foam is produced by placing a starting material of at least biodegradable resin and a substantial amount of moisture in a heated and pressurized environment, releasing the starting material from the environment to foam the biodegradable resin, and subjecting the foamed resin to forming by a forming mold. An apparatus for producing the foamed biodegradable resin foam includes a pressure adjusting chamber, an air-permeable forming mold, a pressure reducing tank and an injection machine.

Abstract: Control of high density polyethylene resin melt strength and melt viscosity is useful for producing foamed articles. The foamed articles are produced by compounding high density polyethylene with a peroxide and/or electron beam exposure.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an artificial receptor includes subjecting a functional monomer and a crosslinker in the presence of a template substance in a vessel into polymerization, thereby forming a resultant polymer with the template substance usually in the form of a thin film, dissociating the template substance from the polymer and removing it from the vessel by washing an inside of the vessel, thereby to prepare an artificial receptor, feeding a solution of the same or different template substance into the vessel to associate the template substance with the resulting polymer; then determining the amount of the template substance remaining in the vessel, and evaluating the artificial receptor on the basis of a determination result.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams prepared using polysiloxane/polyoxyalkylene surfactants, preferably blended with a viscosity modifying agent, particularly in combination with particulate silica, especially silica aerogel, exhibit improved thermal insulating capacity, as measured by K-factor, and improved closed cell content, without increasing the density of the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: An epoxy foam comprising a plurality of resins, a plurality of curing agents, at least one blowing agent, at least one surfactant and optionally at least one filler and the process for making. Preferred is an epoxy foam comprising two resins of different reactivities, two curing agents, a blowing agent, a surfactant, and a filler. According to the present invention, an epoxy foam is prepared with tailorable reactivity, exotherm, and pore size by a process of admixing a plurality of resins with a plurality of curing agents, a surfactant and blowing agent, whereby a foamable mixture is formed and heating said foamable mixture at a temperature greater than the boiling temperature of the blowing agent whereby said mixture is foamed and cured.

Abstract: A fire retardant coating composition which comprises expandable graphite particles, a solid absorbent material, a polymeric binder, a carbonific material, a blowing agent, a solvent and a rheology modifier. The expandable graphite particles include from about 20 to about 95% by weight of the combined amount of expandable graphite particles and solid absorbent material. The polymeric binder comprises from about 10 to about 50% by weight of the combined amount of the polymeric binder, the expandable graphite particles, and the solid absorbent material. The carbonific material comprises from about 0 to about 70% by weight of the combined amount of the carbonific material and the polymeric binder. Similarly, the blowing agent comprises from about 0 to about 70% by weight of the combined amount of the blowing agent and the polymeric material. The solvent comprises from about 25 to about 50% by weight of the total composition. The rheology modifier is present in an amount of from 0.

Abstract: Paint sludge is mixed with a polyether or polyester polyol. Optionally, lignin in the range of 0.25 to 70% by weight may be mixed with polyol. The paint sludge-polyol mixture is mixed with an isocyanate for curing the material into a mass. Alternatively, the lignin-polyol-paint sludge mixture is mixed with an isocyanate for curing the material into a mass. The lignin improves the flame resistance and moisture resistance of the mass. A catalyst may be added to the mixture to improve the rate of reaction.

Abstract: A method for foaming or foam-coating components is used for foaming hollow cavities of double-walled or multiple-walled components or foam-coating component parts with decorative surfaces so as to improve haptic properties of component parts. A material is introduced or applied in an unfoamed state to be foamed through the use of microwave energy. In order to achieve high dielectric losses and to ensure that the heat effect is evently distributed and essentially restricted to the material to be foamed, the material is adjusted in a polar manner by addition of certain substances such as conductive soot. Reflecting agents are used to improve the distribution and effect of the microwaves. The method ensures fully foamed hollow cavities and foam layers of uniform thickness. A foamable material for foaming or foam-coating components is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for molecularly imprinting the surface of a sol-gel material, by forming a solution comprised of a sol-gel material, a solvent, an imprinting molecule, and a functionalizing siloxane monomer of the form Si(OR).sub.3-n X.sub.n, wherein n is an integer between zero and three and X is a functional group capable of reacting with the imprinting molecule, evaporating the solvent, and removing the imprinting molecule to form the molecularly imprinted metal oxide sol-gel material. The use of metal oxide sol-gels allows the material porosity, pore size, density, surface area, hardness, electrostatic charge, polarity, optical density, and surface hydrophobicity to be tailored and be employed as sensors and in catalytic and separations operations.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to improved alkenyl aromatic polymer foams (and processes for their preparation) having increased heat distortion temperature and improved dimensional stability while maintaining good tensile/tear, creep and environmental dimensional change properties.The closed cell low density alkenyl aromatic polymer foams exhibit increased heat distortion temperature, when substantially random interpolymers of about 21 to about 65 mol % styrene are blended in. When these same alkenyl aromatic polymer foams are made without these interpolymers, the heat distortion temperature is not improved.

Abstract: Rigid polyurethane foams having a low thermal conductivity are produced by reactinga) organic and/or modified organic polyisocyanates withb) at least one compound containing at least 2 reactive hydrogen atoms in the presence ofc) blowing agents,d) catalysts and, if desired,e) auxiliaries and/or additives,wherein graphite is added to the component a) and/or b).

Abstract: A foam rubber composition and a method for making same which is foamable to a high degree and a molded product made from the foam rubber composition wherein the compositions has: (A) a low-molecular Ethylene-propylene-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene terpolymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4 at 100.degree. C.) of 20 to 40, an ethylene/propylene ratio by weight of 65/35 to 50/50, an iodine value of 20 to 30, and a Q value (Mw/Mn) not exceeding 3 as determined by gel permeation chromatography; (B) a high-molecular ethylene-propylene-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene terpolymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4 at 100.degree. C.) of 100 to 300, an ethylene/propylene ratio by weight of 65/35 to 50/50, an iodine value of 20 to 30 and a Q value (Mw/Mn) of 6 to 10; (C) a vulcanizing system agent containing sulfur as a vulcanizer, and zinc carbamate and sulfenamide as accelerators; and (D) a foaming agent containing N, N'-dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine and urea.

Abstract: Provided is a curable composition comprising (A) a phenolic compound having a carbon-carbon double bond, (B) a compound having an SiH group, and (C) a foaming agent. The composition can be foamed and cured at room temperature or under heat at relatively low temperatures, and is poorly corrodable and poorly toxic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a foamed material for fireproofing and/or insulating purposes, consisting of 30 to 90 parts by weight of a solution that contains 20 to 70 wt-% Al (H.sub.2 PO.sub.4).sub.3 and 30 to 80 wt-% water, 5 to 55 parts by weight of a mixture that contains 10 to 70 wt-% MgO, 0 to 70 wt-% mica, 0 to 70 wt-% aluminium hydroxide and 1 to 20 wt-% MnO.sub.2, as well as 1 to 30 parts by weight of a foaming agent that contains 3 to 33 wt-% H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and 67 to 97 wt-% water. In accordance with the invention, the term "insulating purposes" refers to the use of the inventive foamed material for heat and sound insulation.

Abstract: A plastic sheet capable of being shaped by a cold room temperature tool, said sheet being a semi-rigid thermoformable plastic foam doped with carbon black having a concentration within a range of 0.0000081 to 0.0081% by weight of the foam. And a method of forming a product from such sheet by heating it to its thermoforming temperature range by infrared (IR) heat and placing and compressing the sheet between mold parts of a cold tool, the IR heat preferably being generated by quartz lamp electric heaters.

Abstract: A flexible aerogel and process of fabrication. An aerogel solution is mixed with fibers in a mold and allowed to gel. The gel is then processed by supercritical extraction, or by air drying, to produce a flexible aerogel formed to the shape of the mold. The flexible aerogel has excellent thermal and acoustic properties, and can be utilized in numerous applications, such as for energy absorption, insulation (temperature and acoustic), to meet the contours of aircraft shapes, and where space is limited since an inch of aerogel is a 4-5 times better insulator than an inch of fiberglass. The flexible aerogel may be of an inorganic (silica) type or an organic (carbon) type, but containing fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers.

Abstract: A foamed rubber composition for pneumatic tires comprises at least one diene polymer as a rubber ingredient and includes closed cells in a matrix rubber, each of these cells being covered with a coat layer made from a given amount of a resin or resin composite having a JIS-C hardness of not less than 75, a particle size of 10-200 .mu.m and a reacted conjugate diene unit content of not less than 10% by weight. In the production of the foamed rubber composition, the melting point or glass transition point of the resin or resin composite is restricted to at least 5.degree. C. lower than the vulcanizing temperature.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to polyisocyanate based aerogels and their method of preparation. The aerogels are produced by mixing an organic polyisocyanate, carbon black and catalyst in a solvent. The invention advantageously enables preparation of filled polyisocyanate based organic aerogels of lower density than aerogels which do not include a filler.

Abstract: Control of polyethylene melt strength and melt viscosity has been used to produce foamed articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium density chlorinated polyvinyl chloride foam and the method of preparing such a foam using a blend of chemical blowing agents. The foam having a specific gravity in the range of about 0.3 to about 1.5 comprises chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, a blend of decomposition type blowing agents, a tin stabilizer, an optional impact modifier and an optional high molecular weight process aid.

Abstract: It has been found that non-chlorinated pentafluoropropane blowing agents may be used alone or in combination with water in flexible integral skin foams. For example, foams prepared using 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFA-245fa) alone or in combination with water exhibit physical characteristics such as resistance to abrasion and cracking on flex comparable to conventional chlorinated fluorocarbon blown foams. The foams of the present invention are suitable for use in many applications including, for example, shoe soles.

Abstract: This invention relates to pigment preparations containing(a) a pigment,(b) a monohydroxy ether, a polyether polyol, and/or a polyester polyol,(c) a polyisocyanate addition product having an NCO content of <1.0 wt. % and 30 to 95 wt. % of ethylene oxide units arranged within polyether chains and derived from monofunctional alcohols (B) that is prepared at an NCO index of 100 to 600 by reacting(A) a polyisocyanate component having an (average) NCO functionality of 1.7 to 6 and an NCO content of 5 to 65 wt. % with(B) 5 to 100 equivalent %, based on (A), of monohydric poly-ether alcohols having a molecular weight of 150 to 10,000 and an ethylene oxide unit content of 40 to 99.5 wt. %,(C) 0 to 20 equivalent %, based on (A), of a monofunctional isocyanate-reactive compound other than monohydric alcohol (B),(D) 0 to 50 equivalent %, based on (A), of an isocyanate-reactive tertiary amine compound, and(E) 0 to 20 equivalent %, based on (A), of a formative component containing at least two NCO-reactive groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evacuated and unevacuated microcellular foam containing an infrared attenuating agent (IAA). The evacuated foam has an average cell size of about 70 micrometers or less. The unevacuated foam has an average cell size of 1.0 micrometers or less. The IAA provide a greater proportional reduction in foam thermal conductivity in these foams than in foams of larger cell size. Further disclosed is a method of using the foams.

Abstract: A foamed solid product characterized in that said product is produced and prepared by a continuos process comprising mixing water permeated municipal solid waste (MSW) with a solidification reagent, wherein said solidification reagent initiates a polymerization reaction with the waste and the polymerization reaction forms a rigid polymer matrix therein. In addition, the polymer matrix also expands in volume during the polymerization reaction to form a foamed, environmentally stable, recycled solid product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compressed, evacuated, open-cell polymer foam, the foam having an open cell content of about 70 percent or more prior to compression, the foam having a thickness of about 40 to about 90 percent of the initial thickness of the foam prior to compression, the foam having an absolute cell gas pressure of about 10 torr or less in its open cells, the foam having a density of about 16 to about 250 kilograms per cubic meter. Further disclosed is an evacuated insulation panel employing the foam.

Abstract: A process is described for producing foam materials from two-component reactive plastics using carbon dioxide as blowing agent by mixing at least one of the reactive components with carbon dioxide under pressure, mixing the components, at least one of which contains carbon dioxide under pressure, expanding the reactive mixture containing carbon dioxide obtained by mixing, and hardening, wherein the expansion takes place suddenly with the production of high rates of shear. Preferably the rate of flow of the reaction mixture is reduced after expansion.

Abstract: Disclosed are foamable EPDM compositions comprising EPDM, a carbon black having a CTAB of about 50 to 60 m2/g and DBP of 90 to 115 cc/100 g and a blowing agent which are advantageous for use in applications where UHF microwave curing is utilized and for replacing foamable EPDM compositions incorporating similar amounts of conventional blends of carbon blacks. Also disclosed are foamed, cured EPDM compositions comprising: EPDM and a carbon black having a CTAB of about 50 to 60 m2/g and DBP of 90 to 115 cc/100 g which have advantageously lower sponge density and lower sponge compression set than EPDM compositions incorporating similar amounts of conventional low reinforcing carbon blacks. Further disclosed is a process for producing the foamed, cured EPDM compositions of the present invention. Additionally disclosed is use of the foamed, cured EPDM compositions of the present invention as weatherstripping.

Abstract: A foamed rubber composition for tire comprises a particular amount of particles having specified hardness and average particle size and containing aluminum-bonded hydroxy group and/or silicon-bonded hydroxy group at its surface, and a particular amount of at least one specified silane coupling agent, and develops excellent performances on ice. Further, pneumatic tires contain the foamed rubber composition as a tread rubber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium density chlorinated polyvinyl chloride foam and the method of preparing such a foam using a blend of chemical blowing agents. The foam having a specific gravity in the range of about 0.3 to about 1.5 comprises chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, a blend of decomposition type blowing agents, a tin stabilizer, a optional impact modifier and a optional high molecular weight process aid.

Abstract: This invention relates to insulating foams and to a process for producing the foams. Preferably, the foams are made from phenol formaldehyde resins. The blowing agents for making the foams include film forming coating material which coats the interior surfaces of the foam cells. The coated foams have better thermal conductivity.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a stock solution composition for use in production of hard polyurethane foam, which composition can disperse the flame retardant filler component stably therein when allowed to stand and, when subjected to stirring or an external pressure, has a reduced viscosity, promising easy transfer of the composition and easy foaming in production of hard polyurethane foam at the site. The present invention provides a stock solution composition for use in production of hard polyurethane foam, which comprises, as the essential components, a polyol, a foaming agent, a flame retardant filler, a flame retarder and a solvent-swollen clay mineral. The swollen clay mineral has thixotropy; that is, it is a gel owing to the interaction between molecules when allowed to stand and, when subjected to an external pressure or the like, said interaction between molecules is cut and the gel changes into a liquid sol.

Abstract: A foamed rubber composition for pneumatic tires comprises at least one diene polymer as a rubber ingredient and includes closed cells in a matrix rubber, each of these cells being covered with a coat layer made from a given amount of a resin or resin composite having a JIS-C hardness of not less than 75, a particle size of 10-200 .mu.m and a reacted conjugate diene unit content of not less than 10% by weight. In the production of the foamed rubber composition, the melting point or glass transition point of the resin or resin composite is restricted to at least 5.degree. C. lower than the vulcanizing temperature.

Abstract: There are disclosed a thermal insulating foamed material, which is superior in thermal insulating property and does not cause deterioration of the thermal insulating property with a time lapse, and a method for producing the same. According to a method for producing a thermal insulating foamed material, a foamed polyurethane resin composition having closed cells, in which at least carbon dioxide is filled, is formed by blowing a raw material mixture containing epoxides comprising at least two members of an epoxide compound having high reactivity with carbon dioxide and an epoxide compound having low reactivity with carbon dioxide, a carbon dioxide fixation catalyst, polyisocyanate, a reactive blowing agent which evolves carbon dioxide by reacting with said polyisocyanate, and a polyol composition. Then, the carbon dioxide in the closed cells is allowed to react with the epoxides in the presence of the carbon dioxide fixation catalyst, thereby to fix carbon dioxide as carbonate compounds.

Abstract: A foamable silicone rubber composition is provided that includes:(A) a diorganopolysiloxane;(B-1) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the general formula (2): ##STR1## (B-2) an organohydogenpolysiloxane represented by the general formula (3): ##STR2## (C) a hydroxyl-group source; and (D) a platinum group metal compounds;the component (B-1) and the component (B-2) being in a weight ratio of from 20/80 to 90/10.

Abstract: A foamed isocyanate-based polymer having a cellular structure and comprising a superabsorbent material, the polymer being capable of: (i) absorbing at least about 10 times its weight of a 0.9 wt./wt. % aqueous NaCl solution maintained at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C., and (ii) retaining at least about 10 times its weight of absorbed aqueous NaCl solution which is bound to the superabsorbent material, the cellular structure having a cell size of at least about 30 cells/inch when measured pursuant to ASTM D3576-77. A process for producing the foamed isocyanate-based polymer is also described. The process comprises the steps of: contacting an isocyanate, an active hydrogen-containing compound, an aqueous blowing agent, a catalyst and a superabsorbent material, the superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing at least about 10 times its weight of a 0.9 wt./wt. % aqueous NaCl solution maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 20.degree. to about 25.degree. C.