Abstract: The melt of polyvinyl aromatic polymers comprising from 10 to 45 weight % of star branched polymer prepared using a combination of thermal and tetra functional peroxide initiation has an improved melt strength permitting better foam formation for extrusion foam blown with conventional blowing agents and inert gases including CO2 and an improved tensile strength for oriented polystyrene (OPS) articles, e.g. blown film or extruded sheet.

Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride resin compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof for increasing the degree of whiteness in finished polyvinyl chloride foam. The resin compositions contain sulfur compounds selected from sulfonic acid derivatives, sulfinic acid derivatives, and mercapto acetic acid sodium salt, and optionally contain water soluble salts and/or t-butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: Flowable reaction components of a reaction mixture which form solid or foamed material comprising filling material are transported from a storage container to a high-pressure mixing head in pressure stages by the use of gear pumps connected in series without major wear of the gear pumps.

Abstract: A foamed gypsum composition is provided. The composition may be used in making a crosslinked, foamed gypsum product. The composition is comprised of gypsum, foaming agents, epoxy resin, and a hardener. Optional ingredients would include one or more additives selected from the group consisting of inert fillers, aggregates, clay, sand, fibers, pigments, dyes, polymeric cement binder, plasticizers, superplasticizers, mineral wool, scrim, and freeze-prevent additives. Objects made from the composition include boards, interior walls, ceiling tiles, acoustical tiles, acoustical panels, roof decking, and flooring.

Abstract: Porous dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are disclosed along with methods of preparing the porous dielectric materials. Also disclosed are methods of forming integrated circuits containing such porous dielectric materials.

Abstract: Processes for producing alkenyl aromatic foams utilizing a cycloaliphatic gas as blowing agent, are described. Also disclosed are alkenyl aromatic foams produced by the process which exhibit increased thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are organo polysilica dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are disclosed along with methods of preparing the porous organo polysilica dielectric materials. Also disclosed are methods of forming electronic devices containing such porous organo polysilica dielectric materials without the use of antireflective coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blowing agent compositions for polymeric foams that contain carbon dioxide and a hydrofluorocarbon having a boiling point of 14° C. or higher and lower than about 120° C. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing polymeric foam using such blowing agent compositions, foamable polymer compositions containing such blowing agents, and polymeric foams containing such blowing agent compositions. Suitable blowing agent combinations include: (a) a composition containing carbon dioxide and at least one hydrofluorocarbon having a boiling point of 30° C. to about 120° C. that is essentially free of other low boiling ethers and hydrocarbons; (b) a composition containing greater than 50 weight-percent carbon dioxide and at least one hydrofluorocarbon having a boiling point of 14° C. or higher to about 120° C.; and (c) carbon dioxide and one hydrofluorocarbon having a boiling point of 14° C. or higher and lower than about 120° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are organo polysilica dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are disclosed along with methods of preparing the porous organo polysilica dielectric materials. Also disclosed are methods of forming electronic devices containing such porous organo polysilica dielectric materials without the use of antiretlective coatings.

Abstract: A method of forming a cellular material or “core” by immersing the core in water until it is sufficiently flexible to be molded around a tool into the required shape and then drying the formed core such that the core then retains that shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a foamed resin article, the process comprising: a step (the first step) of impregnating any one crystalline thermoplastic resin or resin composition containing, as an elementary ingredient, a crystalline thermoplastic resin selected from a certain group, under an elevated pressure which is not lower than the critical pressure of a substance with which the selected crystalline thermoplastic resin or resin composition is to be impregnated, with a fluid of the substance, and a step (the second step) of releasing the resin or resin composition impregnated with the substance from the foregoing pressurized condition in a period of less than 10 seconds.

Abstract: A thermoplastic window covering article, and the method for making the same. The window covering article is formed of a closed cell foam of a thermoplastic strengthened with diatomaceous earth having less than about two percent moisture.

Abstract: To provide a process for preparing polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles which enables to prepare pre-expanded particles having lower fluctuation in expansion ratios. Polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles are prepared by a process comprising steps of dispersing polyolefin resin particles into an aqueous dispersion medium in an autoclave; heating the resin particles to temperature of at least the softening point of the polyolefin resin and pressuring the same; releasing said resin particles from the autoclave through a release port into an atmosphere of lower pressure than the inner pressure of the autoclave; thereby pre-expanding the resin particles, wherein at the releasing step, the resulting pre-expanded particles are contacted with gas of at least 60° C. and collided with a collision board or a container wall disposed at a distance of 5 mm<D, D representing the distance from the release port to the collision board or the container wall.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for forming microcellular polymeric material, via injection molding, blow molding, continuous extrusion, or the like, at very low blowing agent levels, are described. The invention involves, in one aspect, the discovery of a region of very low blowing agent level where, surprisingly, microcellular material can be formed. Articles with particularly good surface properties are provided.

Abstract: Polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles having two fusion peaks on DSC curve wherein the proportion of the heat of fusion Qh of the peak appearing on the high temperature side based on the total heat of fusion of the two peaks represented by the equation: [Qh/(Ql+Qh)]×100 falls within the range of 10 to 60% in which Ql is the heat of fusion of the peak appearing on the low temperature side, and the standard deviation of said proportion is not more than 1.2. The pre-expanded particles are prepared by releasing an aqueous dispersion of resin particles impregnated with a blowing agent from a vessel into an atmosphere of lower pressure than the inner pressure of the vessel to expand the particles, while stepwise or continuously raising the inner temperature or the inner pressure of the vessel at a specific rate, and can be molded with stable molding cycle to give cellular molded articles having stable dimensions.

Abstract: A method for providing a uniformly dense polymer foam body having a density between about 0.013 g/cm3 to about 0.5 g/cm3 is disclosed. The method utilizes a thermally expandable polymer microsphere material wherein some of the microspheres are unexpanded and some are only partially expanded. It is shown that by mixing the two types of materials in appropriate ratios to achieve the desired bulk final density, filling a mold with this mixture so as to displace all or essentially all of the internal volume of the mold, heating the mold for a predetermined interval at a temperature above about 130° C., and then cooling the mold to a temperature below 80° C. the molded part achieves a bulk density which varies by less then about ±6% everywhere throughout the part volume.

Abstract: Macrocellular polyolefin foams that can withstand temperatures above 110° C. are described for use in sound absorption and insulation applications, especially in elevated temperature and/or moist environments. These foams have a large cell size (≧1.5 mm), are open or closed-cell foams, and preferably have at least one perforation per square centimeter and/or a density less than 25 kg/m3. They are obtainable by extruding a high melt strength (HMS) polypropylene resin (PP), or preferably a blend of a HMS PP resin and a free radical polymerized ethylene polymer present in the blend in a weight ratio of at least 35:65, optionally another polymer such as a substantially random interpolymer, a cell size enlarging agent such a glycerol monostearate, an antioxidant, carbon black and/or flame retardant additives, using a volatile organic compound, e.g. isobutane, as blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention is a foam composite wood replacement material and a method for its manufacture. One embodiment of the present invention is a cellulosic/polymer foamable composite material. The composite material may include at least one cellulosic filler in the amount of about 20% to about 60% by weight and a plastic material in the amount of about 40% to about 80% by weight. The plastic material may include stabilizer(s) in an amount of about 1 to about 10 parts per 100 parts of a polymer resin, lubricant(s) in an amount of about 1 to about 12 parts per 100 parts of the polymer resin, process aid(s) in an amount of about 2 to about 15 parts per 100 parts of the polymer resin, and blowing agent(s) in amount of about 0.25 to about 5 parts per 100 parts of the polymer resin. Examples of the polymer resin are polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene. The foamable composite may be used to make structural components such as siding units.

Abstract: An aggregate having attached at least one type of polymer is described, wherein the aggregate comprises at least one carbon phase and at least one silicon-containing species phase. Other aggregates which can have a polymer attached include, but are not limited to, an aggregate comprising at least one carbon phase and at least one metal-containing species phase and carbon black at least partially coated with silica. Methods of making the aggregate are further described which involve combining the starting aggregate with a reactive polymer and mixing in order to attach the polymer onto the aggregate. Uses of the aggregate are further described such as incorporating the aggregate into polymer foams and other polymeric products as well as elastomeric products. Polymer foam compositions are also described and contain polymer foam and chemically modified carbonaceous filler, specifically, carbonaceous filler having polymer moieties chemically bonded to the carbonaceous particulates.

Abstract: A foam composition that includes a vehicle and surface-modified nanoparticles disposed in the vehicle. The individual nanoparticles having a particle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers.