Abstract: Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding, or injection molding followed by compression molding.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a resin porous body using a water-insoluble polymer, the method being excellent in terms of simplicity and capable of suppressing formation of a skin layer. A method of producing a resin porous body disclosed herein includes the steps of: preparing a coating liquid in which a water-insoluble polymer is dissolved and insulating particles are dispersed in a mixed solvent containing a good solvent for the water-insoluble polymer and a poor solvent for the water-insoluble polymer; coating the coating liquid on a substrate; and removing the mixed solvent from the coated coating liquid by vaporization. The poor solvent has a boiling point higher than a boiling point of the good solvent. Pores are formed by removing the mixed solvent by vaporization to obtain a porous body.

Abstract: A composite material and a foam prepared from the composite material are provided. The composite material includes a network polymer, a fluorine-containing polymer fiber, and a reinforcement fiber. The polymer network is a crosslinking reaction product of a polymer and an oligomer, wherein the polymer is polyamide, polyester, polyurethane, or a combination thereof, and the oligomer is a vinyl aromatic-co-acrylate oligomer with an epoxy functional group. The oligomer has a weight percentage of 1% to 10%, based on the weight of the network polymer. The ratio of the weight of the reinforcement fiber to the total weight of the network polymer and the fluorine-containing polymer fiber is from 1:9 to 4:6.

Abstract: A chemical blowing agent for foaming a thermoplastic polymer, for example PVC plastisol or a polymer resin in an extrusion process, comprising a functionalized particulate bicarbonate containing at least one additive, preferably excluding an exothermic blowing agent. The additive may be selected from the group consisting of polymers; inorganic salts; oils; fats; resin acids, any derivative thereof, and salts thereof; amino acids; fatty acids; carboxylic or polycarboxylic acids, soaps; waxes; derivatives thereof; salts thereof; or any combinations thereof. The particulate bicarbonate may be functionalized by spray-drying, coating, extrusion or co-grinding with at least one additive. The functionalized particulate bicarbonate may comprise 50 wt % to less than 100 wt % of the bicarbonate component, and 0.02-50 wt % of the additive. A foamable polymer composition comprising such chemical blowing agent.

Abstract: A process of microcellular foam molding an article includes using a modifier to modify properties of amorphous PLA, pouring the modified amorphous PLA into a high pressure vessel, dissolving an SCF in the high pressure vessel to impregnate the modified amorphous PLA in the high pressure vessel which is configured to allow the SCF to effuse through, forming foamed pellets, conveying the foamed pellets to a mold in a second vessel filled with water or oil, heating the second vessel, and cooling the second vessel until a foamed article is finished in the mold.

Abstract: A polystyrene (PS) composition for making an extruded foam, the PS composition comprising polystyrene, a blowing agent, and an additive selected from glycerol monostearate (GMS), glycerol tri-stearate (GTS), mineral oil (MO), epoxidized soy oil (ESO), epoxidized polybutadiene, or combinations thereof. Methods of producing a low density polystyrene (PS) foam are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a porous body of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, the method being excellent in terms of simplicity. The method of producing a porous body of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer disclosed here includes the steps of: preparing a solution in which an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is dissolved in a mixed solvent of water and propyl alcohol; and removing the mixed solvent from the solution by vaporization. A porous skeleton and pores are formed in the step of removing the mixed solvent by vaporization.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Provided is an adsorption temporary fixing sheet having a sufficient shear adhesive strength in a direction parallel to its surface, having a weak adhesive strength in a direction vertical to the surface, and having excellent antistatic performance. The adsorption temporary fixing sheet includes a foam layer including an open-cell structure, and has a surface resistivity of from 1.0×104 to 1.0×1010?/?, wherein, when a silicon chip vertical adhesive strength of a surface of the foam layer after 18 hours at each of such different temperatures as ?30° C., 23° C., or 80° C. is represented by V1, V2, or V3 (N/1 cm2), and when a silicon chip shearing adhesive strength of the surface of the foam layer after 18 hours at each of such different temperatures as ?30° C., 23° C., or 80° C. is represented by H1, H2, or H3 (N/1 cm?), relationships of V1<H1, V2<H2, and V3<H3 are satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypropylene composition, an injection molded article comprising the polypropylene composition, a foamed article comprising the polypropylene composition as well as the use of a polypropylene homopolymer (H-PP1) for reducing the 5stiffness reduction factor of a foamed injection molded article by at least 40 as determined by the difference of the flexural modulus measured according to ISO 178 of the non-foamed and foamed injection molded article and compared to an article comprising the same amount of a polypropylene which has been polymerized in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

Abstract: Molded polymer foam articles are described as having a novel foam structure. The polymer foam articles include a continuous polymer matrix defining a plurality of pneumatoceles therein which is present throughout the entirety of the article. The surface region is further characterized as having compressed pneumatoceles. The novel foam structure is achieved even when molding polymer foam articles comprising a shape and volume wherein a sphere having a diameter between 2 cm and 1000 cm would fit within the article in at least one location without protruding from a surface of the article, and the article further has a total volume of more than 1000 cm3. Methods of making a stabilized molten polymer foam, and of making a molded polymer foam article using the stabilized molten polymer foam are also described.

Abstract: A nanovoided polymer-based material may include a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and an interfacial film disposed at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. The interfacial film may include one or more layers of material. A method of forming a nanovoided polymer-based material may include (1) forming a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and (2) forming an interfacial film at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. Various other methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process comprising combining a polymerization catalyst with propylene at a polymerization temperature to produce polypropylene granules having an MFR1, wherein the temperature of the polypropylene granules is maintained at least at the polymerization temperature; mixing the polypropylene granules with an organic peroxide at a temperature of at least the polymerization temperature for a residence time of at least 40 seconds at a temperature below the melting point temperature of the polypropylene granules to form a polypropylene product having an MFR2, wherein MFR1 is greater than MFR2.

Abstract: Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyolefin foam having improved light-transmittance comprises an average cell size of about 70 microns to about 500 microns; a total cell wall thickness to gauge ratio of between about 0.15 to about 0.55; a basis weight of about 0.00005 lb/in2 to about 0.00050 lb/in2; an L color solid value of about 95 to about 45; and a light transmittance of about 10% to about 50% according to JIS K 7361-1. A process for producing a polyolefin foam having improved light-transmittance comprises extruding a foamable sheet at a pressure from about 1 psi to about 55 psi, and foaming the foamable sheet with a foaming agent having an average diameter of about 10 to about 25 microns to produce a foam having a light transmittance of about 10% to about 50% according to JIS K 7361-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a noncrosslinked block copolymer foam, comprising at least one rigid block and at least one flexible block, in which the copolymer includes at least one carboxylic acid chain end blocked with a polycarbodiimide. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing this foam and to articles manufactured therefrom.

Abstract: A thermally expandable composition includes at least one polymer P cross-linkable by peroxide, and at least one acrylate, and at least one peroxide, azodicarbonamide and a zinc compound. The thermally expandable composition leads to low odor formation and low ammonia emission during and after the foaming process. The thermally expandable composition further shows excellent properties in terms of expansion stability.

Abstract: A structure for protecting a substrate. The structure comprises an inner tie coat layer which can bond to the substrate, a geopolymer foam layer, and an outer protective layer. The geopolymer foam layer is the reaction product of a mixture comprising an aluminosilicate source, an alkali activator, reinforcing fibres, and a plurality of microparticles.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed article, for example a foamed component for an article or footwear, comprises forming a structure of interconnected, unfoamed, thermoplastic polymeric members spaced to define openings between the thermoplastic polymeric members. The structure may be made by printing a thermoplastic polymeric material with a three-dimensional printer. The thermoplastic polymeric members are heated to a first temperature to soften the thermoplastic polymeric members and the softened thermoplastic polymeric members are infused with at least one inert gas at a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The first pressure is sufficient to cause the at least one inert gas to permeate into the softened thermoplastic polymeric members. After being infused with the inert gas, the pressure is reduced to at least partially foam the thermoplastic polymeric members.

Abstract: Described are dissolvable, porous solid structures formed using certain vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymers. The copolymer and the porosity of the structure allow for liquid flow during use such that the structure readily dissolves to provide a desired consumer experience. Also described are processes for making open cell foam and fibrous dissolvable solid structures.