Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a polyurethane foam, wherein a mixture having the following is discharged from a mixing head through a discharge line: A) a component reactive toward isocyanates; B) a surfactant component; C) a blowing agent component selected from the group comprising linear, branched, or cyclic C1 to C6 hydrocarbons, linear, branched, or cyclic C1 to C6 fluorocarbons, N2, O2, argon, and/or CO2, wherein the blowing agent C) is present in the supercritical or near-critical state; and D) a polyisocyanate component. The component A) has a hydroxyl value=100 mg KOH/g and =1000 mg KOH/g. The blowing agent component C) is present at least partially in the form of an emulsion, and means provided with an opening or several openings are arranged in the discharge line in order to increase the flow resistance during the discharge of the mixture comprising A), B), C), and D), wherein the cross-sectional area of the opening or the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all openings is =0.

Abstract: A method of forming a flame resistant flexible polyurethane foam that has a V-0 rating, according to Underwriters Laboratories Standard 94 Flammability Test, includes forming a reaction mixture that has an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component, and the isocyanate-reactive component includes a polyol component. The isocyanate component includes at least 30 wt % of a biuret modified aromatic diisocyanate, based on a total weight of the isocyanate component, and an isocyanate index of the reaction mixture is less than 100. The polyol component includes at least 5 wt % of a filled polyether polyol and at least 65 wt % of one or more other polyols that are different from the filled polyether polyol, based on a total weight of the isocyanate-reactive component.

Abstract: A process for producing a rigid polymer foam comprises reacting components A to C in the presence of component D or an isocyanate-functional prepolymer of components A and B with component C in the presence of component D, the total amount of which is 100 wt %, (A) 35 to 65 wt % of at least one polyisocyanate component A, (B) 5 to 50 wt % of at least one polyol component B, (C) 1 to 59 wt % of at least one polycarboxylic acid component C, and (D) 0.01 to 3 wt % of at least one Lewis base component D, wherein the reaction takes place with release of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Process for making a foam suitable as plant growth medium by reacting a polyisocyanate, a polyether polyol mixture and water at an isocyanate index of 90-150 wherein the polyol mixture used comprises at least 2 polyols and wherein the polyol mixture comprises less than 50% by weight oxyethylene calculated on the weight of the polyol mixture.

Abstract: Super-soft foam materials, optionally for use as medical dressings, are provided. The pads are made of a foam prepared from NCO-terminated prepolymers in combination with an aqueous phase including fatty alcohols and alkyl polysaccharides. The foam may optionally contain at least one medicinal agent.

Abstract: Aromatic polyester polyols with high functionality, moderate viscosity, and high aromatic content suitable as the sole polyol in the production of polyurethane foams without the use of any polyether polyols are disclosed. This unique combination of properties makes them suit for use as the sole polyol in the production of polyurethane foams. With reduction of flame retardants, these foams based on sole aromatic polyol can have E-84 class one fire properties. The aromatic polyester polyols of this invention are characterized as having a functionality of greater than 2.8 while having a moderate viscosity ranging from 4,000-10,000 cps @ 25 C. A typical high functional polyester polyol of the present invention has a hydroxyl number in the range of 320-400, viscosity of 4,000-10,000 cps @ 25 C, functionality of greater than 2.8 and percent phenyl content greater than 14.75.

Abstract: A one component precursor for the polymeric foam (OCF) composition comprising a very low amount of free monomeric MDI. The present OCF composition may be obtained without any free MDI removal step, and without the addition of extra solvent to compensate for the substantially lower amount of free MDI, compared with traditional compositions. The present composition comprises a source of free NCO of functionality of at least 2.6, a tri- or higher functional alcohol, all polyols being characterized by a rather low molecular weight and at least a specific mono-functional alcohol as well as an isocyanate end-capped prepolymer of toluene diisocyanate (=end capped TDI). The OCF composition is suitable for being dispensed from a pressurized can with a blowing agent.

Abstract: Viscoelastic foam is made by reacting an isocyanate compound with water and a polyol mixture. The polyol mixture contains a dispersion of polyurethane or polyurethane-urea particles in a carrier polyol (a PIPA polyol) and at least one other polyol that is a homopolymer of propylene oxide or a copolymer of 20 to 99.9 weight-% propylene oxide and 0.1 to 80 weight-% ethylene oxide, has 2 to 4 hydroxyl groups per molecule and has a hydroxyl equivalent weight of 200 to 400. The VE foams are characterized by high airflows and long recovery times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to predominantly (>50 vol %) open-cell (to DIN ISO 4590-5 86), cold-deformable, rigid polyurethane foams which possess high acoustic absorption and a uniform cell structure and which are suitable for producing automotive interior trim, more particularly roof linings and pillar trim.

Abstract: Methods and materials are described for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid gel compositions where a sulfur-containing cross-linking agent covalently links the organic and inorganic components. The gel compositions are further dried to provide porous gel compositions and aerogels. The mechanical and thermal properties of the dried gel compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyester polyol is formed in a polycondensation reaction between an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, a polyol, and an epoxy compound having a straight chain alkyl or alkenyl group having at least six carbon atoms. The polyester polyol exhibits excellent compatibility with hydrocarbon blowing agents. As such, it is a useful component in rigid polyurethane foam formulations that are contain hydrocarbon blowing agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing foamed molded bodies comprising the steps of A) providing a mold, and B) introducing a foam-forming reaction mixture into the mold under variable pressure of injection, wherein the method is characterized in that the foam-forming reaction mixture has a fiber time of ?20 s to ?60 s.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a radially outer cap layer and radially inner cap layer underlying the outer cap layer; the outer cap layer comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), from about 50 to about 90 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from ?65° C. to ?55° C. and functionalized with an alkoxysilane group and at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of primary amines and thiols; from about 50 to about 10 phr of polybutadiene having a cis 1,4 content greater than 95 percent and a Tg ranging from ?80 to ?110° C.; from 30 to 80 phr of a combination of a resin having a Tg of at least 30° C.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a novel process for the incorporation of one or more water-soluble active agents in a hydrophilic polymer foam. Said process makes it possible in particular to obtain a hydrophilic polyurethane foam exhibiting a gradient of active agents. This process is of particular use when manufacturing hydrophilic polyurethane foams intended for medical, cosmetic and dermocosmetic purposes.

Abstract: Polymer extruded foams that contain cell size enlarging agents are provided. The inventive composition includes a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, and at least one cell size enlarging agent. The blowing agent utilized in the inventive composition is preferably selected such that the composition has a zero ozone depletion and low global warming potential. Examples include any inorganic blowing agents and/or non-hydrogenated chlorofluorocarbons (non-HCFCs). The foamable polymer material is preferably polystyrene. The cell size enlarging agent may be chosen from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA). The cell size enlarging agent permits the formation of a foam with large cell sizes that are desirable to achieve a high insulation value and to optimize the physical properties of the foamed product. In addition, the cell size enlarging agent provides an increased cell size to the foamed product without detracting from the physical and thermal properties.

Abstract: Skinned composites contain a plasticized polymer skin layer adhered to a layer of a polyurethane. The polyurethane is made from a reaction mixture that contains specified amounts of a polyester polyol and an acidic material. The presence of both the polyester polyol and acid leads to significantly improved adhesion between the polyurethane and skin layer. The invention is particularly useful when the skin is highly plasticized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing a microcellular polyurethane elastomer by reacting naphthalene diisocyanate with a polyol to prepare a prepolymer containing an isocyanate (NCO) group, followed by mixing the prepared polyurethane prepolymer with a plasticizer, water, an emulsifier and the like, and then foaming the prepolymer blend to prepare a polyurethane elastomer, wherein the emulsifier is a mixture of (a) a compound selected from the group consisting of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, 2,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4?-cyclohexane diisocyanate and mixtures thereof, and (b) a C2-10 hydrocarbon having a molecular weight of 500 or less with two to four hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. The method of the invention can optimize the viscosity and properties of the prepolymer resulting from the reaction of naphthalene diisocyanate with a polyol, thus improving processability.

Abstract: A process of making a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam comprises the step of mixing under low pressure: (A) An isocyanate; (B) A compound reactive with the isocyanate, e.g., a polyol; (C) A liquid blowing agent; and (D) Carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams which are highly flame resistant are described, as well as the production of such polyurethane foams by the reaction between a natural polyol, such as sucrose or a blend of mono- or disaccharides in place of the standard hydrocarbon-based polyol component, a polyisocyanate and water in the presence of a suitable polyurethane forming catalyst and a flame retardant, and optionally one or more components such as surfactants and/or emulsifiers. The resultant polyurethane foam has a bio-based solid content ranging from about 17% to 30%, may be formulated in a variety of foam densities for a variety of applications, and exhibits a high degree of fire and burn resistance, as exhibited by the flame spread index and the smoke spread values.

Abstract: Porous polymeric resins, reaction mixtures and methods that can be used to prepare the porous polymeric resins, and uses of the porous polymeric resin are described. More specifically, the polymeric resins typically have a hierarchical porous structure plus reactive groups that can be used to interact with or react with a variety of different target compounds. The reactive groups can be selected from an acidic group or a salt thereof, an amino group or salt thereof, a hydroxyl group, an azlactone group, a glycidyl group, or a combination thereof.