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 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: A variety of foams and foam components are provided, including foam components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment. The articles include a composition having a foam structure, wherein the composition includes a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer comprising: (a) a plurality of first segments, each first segment derived from a dihydroxy-terminated polydiol; (b) a plurality of second segments, each second segment derived from a diol; and (c) a plurality of third segments, each third segment derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including at least one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by extrusion or injection molding to foam the polymeric composition, or extrusion or injection molding to foam the polymeric composition followed by compression molding of the foam.

Abstract: A chemical blowing agent for foaming a thermoplastic polymer, for example PVC plastisol or a polymer resin in an extrusion process, said chemical blowing agent comprising a functionalized particulate bicarbonate containing at least one polyoxyalkylene additive, preferably excluding an exothermic blowing agent. The polyoxyalkylene additive may be selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylenes, any derivative thereof, salts thereof, and any combinations thereof. The particulate bicarbonate may be preferably functionalized by spray-coating, extrusion or co-grinding with at least one polyoxyalkylene 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. The functionalized particulate bicarbonate may further comprise 0.1-5 wt % silica. A foamable polymer composition comprising such chemical blowing agent.

Abstract: A closed cell crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet comprises an opposing first surface region and second surface region, and an intermediate region disposed therebetween, wherein the intermediate region is configured to have a gel content lower than an average gel content of the first surface region and the second surface region to enable a controlled tear propagation within the intermediate region when a splitting force is applied to the closed cell crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet. For example, a ratio of a gel content of the intermediate region versus an average gel content of the first surface region and the second surface region may be about 75% or less, and a ratio of the average cell size of the intermediate region versus an average cell size of the first surface region and the second surface region may be about 125% or higher.

Abstract: A continuous method of producing polyamide foams by an extrusion foaming process is disclosed. The polyamide foam includes a polyamide resin compounded with a composite chain extender including an epoxy chain extender and a maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) wax. The produced polyamide foams have improved properties, including a smooth surface, low density, and small cell size.

Abstract: A phenolic resin foam has a density of 30 kg/m3 to 80 kg/m3, a closed cell ratio of 85% or more, and reaches a total amount of heat release of 8 MJ/m2 in a time of 20 minutes or more in a heat release test performed using a cone calorimeter.

Abstract: A foamable, insulating-layer-forming multi-component composition contains alkoxysilane-functional polymer, insulating-layer-forming fire-protection additive, blowing-agent mixture, cross-linking agent, and a flame-protection agent that is miscible in water or another compound that is miscible in water. The individual ingredients of the blowing-agent mixture are separated from one another to ensure inhibition of reaction prior to use of the composition, and the cross-linking agent is separated from the alkoxysilane-functional polymer to ensure inhibition of reaction prior to use of the composition. The foamable, insulating-layer-forming multi-component composition can be used as a foam-in-place foam or for production of molded blocks.

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: A phenolic resin foam has a density of 30 kg/m3 to 80 kg/m3, a closed cell ratio of 85% or more, and reaches a total amount of heat release of 8 MJ/m2 in a time of 20 minutes or more in a heat release test performed using a cone calorimeter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foam material (FP) comprising a polymer composition (C) comprising at least a polyphenylene sulfide polymer (PPS) and at least one functionalized elastomer (E). The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of said foam material and to an article (A) including said foam material (FP), for example a composite material.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer mould-free stereostructure foamed product from supercritical fluid, containing a supercritical fluid delivery system, a stereoscopic foaming system and a preheating system, and has the following steps: performing pressure molding on a polymer material to obtain a foaming preform, then preheating the foaming preform in the preheating system, delivering the foaming preform to the stereoscopic foaming system after a temperature rises to a preheating temperature, introducing the supercritical fluid, and decompressing after the supercritical fluid is swelled and diffused to the polymer. The polymer is swelled using high-temperature medium-pressure supercritical fluid by utilizing a one-step method in a stereoscopic foaming tank and then subjected to free mould-free stereoscopic pressure-relief form molding, so as to obtain a polymer microcellular foamed product with controllable product shape, size precision, pore fineness and product density.

Abstract: The foamed sheet of the present invention is a foamed sheet obtained by crosslinking and foaming a polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin composition comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin, wherein the polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin comprises a vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, a density of the foamed sheet is not more than 180 kg/cm3, and an average cell diameter of the foamed sheet is not less than 100 ?m and not more than 500 ?m. According to the present invention, a crosslinked polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin foamed sheet having both good flame retardance and good flexibility and a process for producing the foamed sheet are provided.

Abstract: A method produces porous materials by expansion of polymer gels. The porous materials can be a micro- or nano-porous polymer materials.

Abstract: A slurry for manufacturing gypsum board is disclosed. The slurry comprises calcined gypsum, water, a foaming agent, and a thickening agent. The thickening agent of the present disclosure acts to improve the cohesiveness of the slurry without adversely affecting the setting time of the slurry, the paper-to-core bond (wet and dry), or the head of the slurry by acting as a defoaming agent or coalescing agent. Examples of suitable thickening agents include cellulose ether and co-polymers containing varying degrees of polyacrylamide and acrylic acid. A gypsum board and method of forming the slurry and the gypsum board are also disclosed. The gypsum board comprises a gypsum layer formed from the slurry.

Abstract: A rigid polymer foam having specific characteristics in terms of resin absorption, and a structural element made from such rigid polymer foam and adapted to be used as a core layer in a multilayer structural element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate comprising mixing first and second additives with first and second polymer components, respectively, in dedicated mixers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foamable ethylene polymer composition comprising at least one antioxidant, at least one process aid and at least 80 wt % of a peroxide-treated ethylene polymer composition. The foamable ethylene polymer composition has melt strength of at least 2 cN, a density of 940 to 970 kg/m3, and dissipation factor measured at 1.9 GHz of 50-80?10?6. The invention further relates to a process for making such a foamable ethylene polymer composition, and use of the foamable ethylene polymer composition in a foamed cable insulation.

Abstract: This polyolefin microporous membrane has a TD thermal shrinkage at 120° C. of 8% or less, and the TD thermal shrinkage at 130° C. thereof is 3 to 5 times greater than the TD thermal shrinkage at 120° C. and at least 12% greater than the TD thermal shrinkage at 120° C.

Abstract: A melamine/formaldehyde foam having an open-cell foam structure, with an impregnation applied to the foam structure that comprises at least one particulate phyllosilicate surface-modified with aminosilane and at least one anionically- and/or nonionically-stabilized polyurethane dispersion.