Abstract: A formulation includes a base resin, a nucleating agent, and a blowing agent. The formulation can be used to form a container.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for producing an aerogel, the method comprising reacting at least one acid monomer with at least one diamino monomer in a first solvent under conditions appropriate to form a polyimide polymer; conducting a solvent exchange wherein the first solvent is exchanged for a second solvent, said second solvent having a freezing point, wherein said solvent exchange further comprises (1) submersing the polyimide polymer in the second solvent in a pressure vessel and (2) creating a high pressure environment inside the pressure vessel for a first period of time; cooling the polyimide polymer to a first temperature below the freezing point of the second solvent; and subjecting cooled polyimide polymer to a first vacuum for a second period of time at a second temperature.

Abstract: The invention describes a foamable thermoplastic mixture, comprising (A) at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer (EBA), ethylene-hexene copolymer, ethylene-butene copolymer, ethylene-octene copolymer, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-propylene copolymer, (B) at least one long chain branched polymer as a foam stabilizer selected from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer (EBA), ethylene-hexene copolymer, ethylene-butene copolymer, ethylene-octene copolymer, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-propylene copolymer and (C) at least one chemical blowing agent, wherein the long chain branched polymer (B) is present in an amount of 1 to 30 wt.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising the following: A) a first polymer selected from the following: i) an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer; or ii) an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block interpolymer; B) a second polymer selected from the following: iii) an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer; iv) an ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated diene interpolymer; or v) an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block interpolymer; and wherein the first polymer has a density from 0.880 to 0.910 g/cc, and the second polymer has a density less than, or equal to, 0.867 g/cc, and wherein the weight ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer is from 0.5 to 9.

Abstract: Masterbatch comprising one or more organic peroxides in liquid form, dispersed in a polymeric matrix comprising at least 50 wt % of a bioresin, wherein the polymeric matrix has a porosity, expressed as percentage of voids on the volume of the matrix, of 2.5-70 vol % and the concentration of water in the masterbatch is kept to 2000 ppm or less, based on the total weight of the masterbatch.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

Abstract: A vehicle tire includes a tread formed of a heat-expandable rubber composition when in an unvulcanized state. The composition includes: from 50 to 100 phr of a copolymer based on styrene and butadiene; optionally from 0 to 50 phr of another diene elastomer, such as a polybutadiene or natural rubber; more than 50 phr of a reinforcing filler, such as silica and/or carbon black; between 5 and 25 phr of a blowing agent, such as an azodicarbonamide compound; and between 5 and 25 phr of a heat-fusible compound having a melting point between 70° C. and 150° C., such as urea or a heat-fusible urea derivative. A total content of the blowing agent and the heat-fusible compound is greater than 15 phr. Use of the composition enables, after the tire is vulcanized, a significant reduction in noise emitted by the tire during running.

Abstract: A method for making foamed thermoplastic materials includes processing a composition that contains (a) at least one thermoplastic material selected from one or more polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), or combinations thereof; and (b) at least one organic peroxide under conditions effective to permit the composition to foam. The foamed thermoplastic materials provide a low density and lightness in weight, can be used in a variety of useful articles spanning many industries, and can have, depending on the choice of thermoplastic materials, excellent biodegradability compared to foamed polymers derived from non-renewable resources.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising at least one thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a Vicat softening point (in accordance with ISO 306/A50) below 80° C. and from 5 to 95% by weight of at least one polymer obtainable via free-radical polymerization, based on the entirety of TPU and of the polymer obtainable via free-radical polymerization, where the polymer obtainable via free-radical polymerization has been bonded in the form of comb polymer, graft polymer, or copolymer to the TPU, is particularly suitable for injection-molding applications.

Abstract: A method for producing resin foam including: melting a resin composition including a polyolefin resin and a thermoplastic elastomer; impregnating the molten resin composition with a material that is a gas at normal temperature and normal pressure, in a supercritical state, under a condition in which the supercritical state of the material is maintained; foaming the resin composition impregnated with the material by arranging the resin composition under a condition in which the supercritical state of the material is not maintained; and hot-pressing the foamed resin composition.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a porous polytetrafluoroethylene film having good chemical resistance, good heat resistance, a high porosity, and good dimensional stability. The method for producing a porous polytetrafluoroethylene film includes a stretching step of stretching a sheet-like molded body composed of a fluororesin containing polytetrafluoroethylene as a main component in a longitudinal direction and/or a lateral direction at a temperature lower than a melting point of the fluororesin to make a porous fluororesin film, and, after the stretching step, an annealing step of holding the porous fluororesin film in a shape-fixed state, and maintaining the porous fluororesin film at a temperature lower than the melting point of the fluororesin but not lower than a temperature 30° C. lower than the melting point for 1 to 20 hours.

Abstract: A method of producing a foam is disclosed. The method includes providing an epoxy-containing compound, a cationic catalyst, an optional blowing agent, and at least one additive. The method further includes combining the epoxy-containing compound with the cationic catalyst, the optional blowing agent, and the at least one additive, wherein the epoxy-containing compound and the cationic catalyst react to polymerize the epoxy-containing compound to provide the foam having a density from about 0.3 lbs/ft3 to about 5.0 lbs/ft3 as measured by ASTM D1622. Further disclosed are the foam and a method for installing the foam.

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: Hydrophilic porous membranes comprising a random copolymer of: (a) 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate of formula (I): (b) an ethylene glycol dimethacrylate of formula (II): and (c) 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate of formula (III): and a hydrophobic polymer; filters including the membranes, and methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: Foamable aqueous compositions can be used to form light-blocking and light-colored foamed, opacifying elements with one or more dry foamed layers. The compositions contain: (a) 0.05 to 20 weight % of porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric phase and a first set of discrete pores, the porous particles having a mode particle size of 2 to 50 ?m; (b) at least 20 weight % of a binder material (that can be curable); (c) 0.1 to 30 weight % of one or more additives including dispersants, plasticizers, inorganic or organic pigments or dyes, thickeners, flame retardants, biocides, fungicides, optical brighteners, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inorganic or organic fillers; (d) water; and (e) at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from (c), which opacifying colorant absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The foamable aqueous composition can be aerated, disposed on a porous substrate, dried, and crushed on that porous substrate.

Abstract: Expandable vinyl aromatic polymers may contain comminuted graphite with a polymodal particle size distribution. Foams obtained from such expandable vinyl aromatic polymers have a reduced thermal conductivity at a reduced foam density.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer composition is provided containing a polymer containing perfluoroolefin units or partially fluorinated olefin units or a combination thereof, polytetrafluoroethylene having a melting point a melting point of 200° C. or more and 300° C. or less, and a crosslinking agent or a crosslinking promoter or a combination thereof. A molded article having a polytetrafluoroethylene layer on a surface is also provided.

Abstract: Composition embraces a fire retardant coating formulation that intumesces at a low temperature. The composition can be in a form of a paint, for instance, having as a primary fire retardant ingredient an ammonium phosphate and also having as a low-temperature intumescent agent an expandable graphite powder or flake. A temperature of intumescence can be substantially below 204.4° C. (400° F.) or thereabout, and it may have more than one temperature of intumescence. Such a composition can be made by contacting a fire retardant formulation, optionally with another active agent, with a low-temperature intumescencent agent under conditions sufficient to form the composition; it can be used by contacting it with a substrate, which may be otherwise flammable. Another aspect is the composition or its residue in combination with the substrate.

Abstract: Expandable vinyl aromatic polymers may contain comminuted needle petroleum coke with a polymodal particle size distribution. Foams obtained from such expandable vinyl aromatic polymers have a reduced thermal conductivity at a reduced foam density.

Abstract: A formulation for producing a polymeric material including high-density polyethylene, a chemical blowing agent, and other optional components is described.