Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a polyolefin resin foam which does not have a difference between the front side and the back side on the top and bottom surfaces which sandwich in the thickness direction the foam which is excellent in flexibility, buffer property, and heat insulation property despite its thinness, and which can be used suitably in the fields of architecture, electricity, electronics, vehicles, and the like as a variety of heat-resistant sealing materials. The surface hardness of the foam measured by a micro rubber hardness tester is 30° or more and 70° or less, and the centerline average roughness Ra75 of a first surface portion on one side of the foam in the thickness direction and of a second surface portion on the other side of the foam in the thickness direction is 5 ?m or more and 20 ?m or less.

Abstract: A reaction system for forming a step-growth polymerized sulfur-containing polyester polyol includes at least one sulfur-containing component selected from the group of a sulfur-containing polyol or a sulfur-containing polycarboxylic acid, an amount of the at least one sulfur-containing component being from 1 wt % to 60 wt %, at least one aromatic component selected from the group of an aromatic multi-functional ester, an aromatic multi-functional carboxylic acid, and an aromatic anhydride, an amount of the at least one aromatic component being from 1 wt % to 60 wt %, at least one simple polyol that excludes sulfur and is different from the sulfur containing polyol, an amount of the at least one simple polyol being from 0 wt % to 60 wt %, and at least one polymerization catalyst. The reaction system for forming the sulfur-containing polyester polyol has a sulfur content that is from 2 wt % to 20 wt %.

Abstract: Molded polymer foam articles are described as having a novel a 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, including in the surface region extending 500 microns beneath the surface 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 thickness of more than 2 cm, a volume of more than 1000 cm3; or both a volume of more than 1000 cm3 and a thickness of more than 2 cm. Methods of making the molded polymer foam articles are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aerogel made from a polyhydroxy benzene compound crosslinked with formaldehyde. The aerogel is dry and has a first volume and wherein the aerogel can be exposed to a liquid and be re-dried in a gas while retaining at least 70% of the first volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blowing agent compositions comprising at least one hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) selected from cis- and/or trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze) and at least one hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO) selected from cis- and/or trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd) used in the preparation of foamable thermoplastic compositions. The blowing agent compositions are useful in the production of low density insulating foams with improved k-factor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides thermally expandable microspheres at least partially prepared from bio-based monomers and a process of their manufacture. The microspheres include a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a blowing agent. The thermoplastic polymer shell includes a copolymer of an itaconate dialkylester and at least one aliphatic or aromatic mono-ethylenically unsaturated comonomer. The itaconate dialkylester has the formula (1): where each of R1 and R2, separately from one another, is an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, and the copolymer includes 0-50 wt. % of vinyl aromatic comonomers, based on the total weight of the comonomers. The present disclosure further provides expanded microspheres usable in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aerogel processing and production via vacuum-assisted solvent exchange and ambient pressure drying. In one example, a method includes injecting a solvent at each of a top surface and a base of a saturated aerogel and applying a vacuum-assisted pressure differential across the saturated aerogel to achieve solvent exchange. In some examples, following solvent exchange, the aerogel may be dried in ambient pressure and integrated in a vehicle component. In this way, a rate of solvent exchange may be increased, concomitantly increasing aerogel production efficiency. Further, in some examples, the aerogel may be protected from premature drying during solvent exchange.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of making a foam, specifically, the development of isocyanate-free foams using at least one unsaturated polyester. The at least one unsaturated polyester is a reaction product of at least one unsaturated cyclic anhydride, dicyclopentadiene, and at least one polyol. The disclosed formulation further comprises at least one reactive diluent and at least one initiator. The disclosed formulations are cured by a free radical mechanism.

Abstract: A recycled PET foam material and a manufacturing method thereof are characterized in that a recycled material can be used. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: uniformly mixing PET resin, chain extender, antioxidant, flame retardant and heat stabilizer, and then mixing with a twin-screw extruder to obtain a foam PET resin. The PET foaming material obtained is a material having the advantages of light weight, large rigidity, high specific strength, good electrical insulation, good sound insulation and the like, low raw material cost, simple manufacturing process and environmental protection.

Abstract: Porous three-dimensional networks of polyurea and porous three-dimensional networks of carbon and methods of their manufacture are described. In an example, polyurea aerogels are prepared by mixing an triisocyanate with water and a triethylamine to form a sol-gel material and supercritically drying the sol-gel material to form the polyurea aerogel. Subjecting the polyurea aerogel to a step of pyrolysis may result in a three dimensional network having a carbon skeleton, yielding a carbon aerogel. The density and morphology of polyurea aerogels can be controlled by varying the amount of isocyanate monomer in the initial reaction mixture. A lower density in the aerogel gives rise to a fibrous morphology, whereas a greater density in the aerogel results in a particulate morphology. Polyurea aerogels described herein may also exhibit a reduced flammability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to TPV compositions suitable for foaming, as well as foamed TPV compositions, methods of making the foregoing, and applications of various foamed TPV compositions. The TPV compositions comprise an at least partially vulcanized rubber component dispersed within a thermoplastic component comprising a thermoplastic resin and a propylene-based elastomer, oil, and optionally one or more additives. According to some aspects, the TPV composition may be made in part by preloading some portion of process oil prior to addition of the curative. TPV compositions provided herein are particularly suitable for foaming with thermo-expandable microsphere foaming agents.

Abstract: Composite particles are provided including a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are compositions and foam compositions containing the composite particles. Further, articles are provided including the foam compositions, such as a sheet, tape, or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are additionally described herein.

Abstract: A method of preparing a superabsorbent polymer sheet by polymerization of monomers in the presence of an encapsulated foaming agent and an inorganic foaming agent is provided. According to the method of preparing the superabsorbent polymer sheet of the present invention, a porous and flexible superabsorbent polymer sheet may be prepared.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing sheet comprises a foamed resin layer having a thickness of 200 ?m or less, a void ratio (P0.1) of a plane directional cross section at a thickness of 0.1 T, a void ratio (P0.5) of a plane directional cross section at a thickness of 0.5 T, and a void ratio (P0.9) of a plane directional cross section at a thickness of 0.9 T from one surface of the foamed resin layer each ranging from 10 to 70 area %; and the standard deviation (P?) for an average void ratio found from the void ratio (P0.1), the void ratio (P0.5) and the void ratio (P0.9) ranging from 1.0 to 20.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic olefin elastomer expanded beads, having an average aspect ratio of 1.10 or less and an average circularity of 0.985 or more. The thermoplastic olefin elastomer expanded beads preferably have a crystal structure such that a melting peak inherent in the thermoplastic olefin elastomer (inherent peak) and one or more melting peaks on a higher temperature side than the inherent peak (high temperature peaks) appear on a DSC curve obtained when heating the expanded beads from 23° C. to 200° C. at a heating rate of 10° C./min.

Abstract: A seating device has a seating platform and at least one leg supporting it in its elevated position.

Abstract: A composite shielding material in the form of syntactic foam where the spherical or spherical-like articles are encompassed by an organic or inorganic matrix material, and coated with a layer of nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene flakes. Such articles may be alternatively or additionally be covered with nano-sized metal particles and the mould is filled with organic or inorganic matrix, and micro and/or nano-sized reinforcement elements. Such material possesses both reflective and absorptive properties to improve shielding effectiveness. Also process for making the same is disclosed. The composite material can be used as an electromagnetic, thermal or acoustic shield.

Abstract: A polymeric material that includes a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyester and a copolyetherester elastomer is provided. The copolyetherester elastomer is dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a gelled, dried composition forming a monolithic aerogel with a heat conductivity of less than or equal to 40 mW·m?1·K?1 and derived from a resin of polyhydroxybenzene(s) and formaldehyde(s), to this aerogel composition and to the use thereof. This process comprises: a) polymerization in an aqueous solvent of said polyhydroxybenzene(s) and formaldehyde(s) in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst, to obtain a solution based on the resin, b) gelation of the solution obtained in a) to obtain a gel of the resin, and c) drying of the gel to obtain a dried gel. According to the invention, step a) is performed in the presence of a cationic polyelectrolyte dissolved in this solvent, and the process also comprises a step d) of heat treatment under inert gas of the dried gel obtained in step c) at temperatures of between 150° C. and 500° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel PMMA foams and the production thereof. Here, polymers which have been obtained by copolymerization of methacrylamides such as N-isopropylmethacrylamide and without styrene are foamed. It has surprisingly been possible to establish that a stable, simple-to-produce PMMA foam which has very good properties, e.g. a very high compressive strength, and can be joined more simply to covering layers, especially in comparison with known PMMA foams, can be obtained according to the invention.