Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and process for preparing fine-celled polyurethane foam obtained from frothing a polyurethane foam-forming composition possessing a synergistic combination of silicone surfactants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous polymer and a synthetic method thereof. The porous polymer has the following general formula: wherein, the positions marked with the numeral 1-10 are C, CH, N, or CH with its H being substituted by methyl, ethyl, amido, carboxyl, methoxyl, hydroxyl, or ester group; the positions marked with letter a or b are C, N+, or B?.

Abstract: Microporous polyolefin and microporous polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD) based aerogels and methods for preparing and using the same are provided. The aerogels are produced by forming a polymer gel structure within a solvent from a olefin or dicyclopentadiene monomer via Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) reactions, followed by supercritical drying to remove the solvent from the aerogel. Other aerogels are prepared by sequentially (1) mixing at least one dicyclopentadiene monomer, at least one solvent at least one catalyst and at least one inorganic and/or organic reinforcing material, (2) gelling the mixture, (3) aging, and (4) supercritical drying. Aerogels provided herein are inexpensive to prepare, possess desirable thermal, mechanical, acoustic, chemical, and physical properties and are hydrophobic. The aerogels provided herein are suitable for use in various applications, including but not limited to thermal and acoustic insulation, radiation shielding, and vibrational damping applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foam ply based on a biodegradable polyester mixture, comprising i) from 70 to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of at least one polyester based on aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and on aliphatic dihydroxy compounds, and ii) from 30 to 95% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of poly-lactide, and iii) from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of a copolymer which comprises epoxy groups and is based on styrene, acrylates, and/or methacrylates, and iv) from 0.5 to 15% by weight of additives; and v) from 0 to 50% by weight of inorganic or organic filler, and also to processes for production of the foam ply mentioned, and to the use of the foam plies for the production of moldings and foils, and also to moldings and foils comprising the foam plies mentioned.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing expandable styrene polymers which comprises the steps of: (a) adding an aqueous phase comprising a suspension stabilizer and an organic phase comprising styrene and an initiator to a reactor, (b) commencing the addition of a blowing agent at a styrene conversion in the range from 40 to 70% and adding the blowing agent over a period ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, (c) adding a stabilizer to stabilize the bead size distribution of the expandable styrene polymer at a styrene conversion in the range from 65 to 99%.

Abstract: To provide a resin composition capable of forming a thin film layer so as to cause tenting over concave portions by conventional coating processes without depending on dry films, and also a coating method so as to cause tenting of the resin composition. A resin composition, which, by spin coating, causes tenting over concave portions formed on a substrate, the resin composition including a resin component (a) and a solvent (b) and has a viscosity of at least 200 cP, and tenting can be achieved by using the resin composition, allowing the resin composition to fall drop wise onto a substrate on which concave portions are formed, and spin coating the substrate at a rotating speed of 300 to 4000 rpm.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: An ester of a sugar and a brominated fatty acid is a useful FR additive for combustible polymers. The brominated FR additives unexpectedly are stable at the extrusion temperatures, and provide excellent flame retardancy to the combustible polymers.

Abstract: There is provided a predominantly open-cell polyurethane foam obtained from a predominantly open-cell polyurethane foam-forming reaction medium which comprises: a) at least one polyol; b) at least one polyisocyanate; c) at least one catalyst; d) water; e) a predominantly open-cell polyurethane foam-forming amount of at least one surfactant which is a balanced, substantially linear polyether-polysiloxane ABA? block copolymer; and, f) optionally, at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of other polymer and/or copolymer, chain extender, crosslinker, non-aqueous blowing agent, filler, reinforcement, pigment, tint, dye, colorant, flame retardant, antioxidant, antiozonant, UV stabilizer, anti-static agent, biocide and biostat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing diluent from a polymer extrudate, especially in connection with a process for producing a microporous membrane. The method involves contacting the extrudate with a second solvent in a first stage; contacting the extrudate from the first stage with a third solvent in a second stage; conducting a first stream away from the first stage and/or conducting a second stream away from the second stage; and cooling at least a portion of the first and/or second stream and separating therefrom at least one of a first phase rich in the second solvent or a second phase rich in the third solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid type rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, which is prepared by adding a tackifier, a softener, and an isocyanate-based crosslinking agent reactable with active hydrogen into an acrylic rubber containing a monomer having an active hydrogen-containing functional group as a copolymerization component to thereby obtain a solventless and nonaqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and particularly it relates to a solid type rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition having the above-mentioned constitution, in which the above-mentioned acrylic rubber includes a copolymer containing butyl acrylate as a main component, and as the copolymerization component a monomer having a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group as the active hydrogen-containing functional group.

Abstract: A biodegradable composition includes: a polymer component including a first polymer of polybutylene-1,4-succinate (PBS); and a cross-linking agent capable of producing a free radical to allow the polymer component to be subjected to a free radical cross-linking reaction in such a condition that the biodegradable composition has a melt index ranging from 1.5 to 3.0.

Abstract: Provided are polyvinylidene fluoride resin expanded beads which can be molded by in-mold molding and thus stably provide, without impairing excellent characteristics inherent in polyvinylidene fluoride resin, molded articles having excellent mechanical properties. Polyvinylidene fluoride resin expanded beads, characterized in that when 1 to 3 mg of the expanded beads are subjected to heat-flux type differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) wherein the beads are heated from 25° C. to 200° C. at a temperature rise rate of 10° C./min, the obtained DSC curve (of first heating) has both an inherent endothermic peak which is inherent in polyvinylidene fluoride resin and one or more higher-temperature endothermic peaks which appear on the higher-temperature side of the inherent endothermic peak, the quantity of heat of melting of the higher-temperature endothermic peaks being at least 0.5 J/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a porous epoxy network, especially a porous epoxy membrane. The process according the present invention comprises the steps of: providing a reactant solution comprising an epoxy resin, a solvent and a curing agent; performing a first curing process to transform the reactant solution to a gel; and performing a second curing process to essentially remove the remaining solvent and transform the gel to form a porous epoxy network with open pores; wherein the curing agent is a tertiary amine.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to compositions for natural and artificial nail coatings, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to polymerizable compositions and adhesion-promoting basecoats polymerized therefrom. The disclosure further relates to methods of making a polymerized basecoat that are more easily removed than artificial nail enhancements and more durable and long lasting than nail polish coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcellular foam of a thermoplastic resin and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly to a microcellular foam comprising a skin layer having a porosity of below 5% and a core layer having a porosity of at least 5%, wherein the thickness of the skin layer accounts for 5 to 50% of the entire foam, and a method for preparing the same. The microcellular foam of the present invention is advantageous in that it has a thicker skin layer and smaller and uniform micropores in the core layer, compared with conventional microcellular foams, while having mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional non-foamed sheets.

Abstract: Improved polypropylene resin foamed beads that without detriment to the excellence in properties, such as compression properties and heat resistance, characterizing the polypropylene resin foamed beads, can provide a polypropylene resin foamed bead molded article with equal properties by an molding conducted at low heating temperature. There are disclosed polypropylene resin foamed beads composed of a polypropylene resin of 115 to 135° C. melting point and 500 MPa or higher Olsen flexural modulus. The amount of ash at the surface of the foamed beads is 3000 wt. ppm or less (including 0). With respect to the foamed beads, in the first DSC curve obtained by heating 1 to 3 mg of polypropylene resin foamed beads from room temperature to 200° C. at a temperature elevation rate of 10° C.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous structure from a first material. The method comprises the acts of mixing the first material with a second material to form a mixture, the first material having a melting point which is lower than the second material, heating the mixture under pressure to a temperature between a melting point of the first material and a melting point of the second material, cooling the molten mixture until it hardens and removing the second material from the first material. The method may also include a subsequent annealing step. There is also described a material suitable for implant, illustratively vertebral or spinal implants, comprising a rigid biocompatible polymer such as PEEK comprising a plurality of interconnected pores. The polymer illustratively has a porosity of between 50% and 85% by volume and in a particular embodiment is able to withstand pressures of up to 20 MPa. The porous PEEK material may also have a minimum thickness in any dimension of one (1) inch.

Abstract: This invention relates to composition containing expandable microspheres and at least one ionic compound and having a zeta potential that is greater than or equal to zero mV at a pH of about 9.0 or less at an ionic strength of from 10?6 M to 0.1M, as well as methods of making and using the composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nail coating system comprising a basecoat, a color layer, and a topcoat. The system of the present disclosure may be applied to natural and/or pre-existing artificial nail coatings. The present disclosure relates generally to compositions for natural and artificial nail coatings, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to polymerizable compositions and color layers polymerized therefrom. The disclosure further relates to methods of making a polymerized color layer.