Abstract: The invention comprises a method of insulating a structure. The method comprises providing a quantity of a foam-forming composition between structural elements and permitting the foam-forming composition to expand to form a foam. The foam-forming composition comprises an aqueous emulsion or solution of a natural or synthetic film-forming polymer, a surfactant, hydrogen peroxide and an activating agent which causes the hydrogen peroxide to release oxygen gas sufficient to produce a foam. An insulated structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a latex formulation. The latex formulation comprises an aqueous emulsion of a natural or synthetic film-forming polymer, hydrogen peroxide, a surfactant and an activating agent for hydrogen peroxide decomposition. A method of making a latex foam, a method of making a latex-coated textile material, a latex foam and latex foam coated articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heat-gellable latex composition. The composition comprises a curable natural or synthetic elastomeric latex, an amount of a curing agent sufficient to cure the latex, an amount of ammonia sufficient to prevent gellation of the latex, an amount of a gelling agent sufficient to gell the latex, the gelling agent comprising the reaction product of zinc chloride and an ammonium-containing compound, and an amount of an accelerator sufficient to accelerate vulcanization of the latex, the accelerator comprising a zinc dithiocarbamate. A method for heat-gelling a latex composition is also disclosed.