Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane shoe sole having an article density of 100 to 350 g/L and being made from an organic polyisocyanate, a polyol, a blowing agent consisting of water, and optionally a crosslinking and/or chain-extending agent, a catalyst, and other auxiliaries and/or additives. First, polyisocyanate, polyol and any crosslinking and/or chain-extending agent are mixed and reacted at a temperature of 110° C. to 180° C. to give a prepolymer having polyisocyanate groups. Second, the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer obtained and any remaining polyisocyanate are mixed with any remaining polyol, blowing agent comprising water, and any remaining crosslinking and/or chain-extending agent and also any catalyst and other auxiliaries and/or additives are introduced into a mold and allowed to fully react to give a polyurethane shoe sole.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane shoe sole having an article density of 100 to 350 g/L and being made from an organic polyisocyanate, a polyol, a blowing agent consisting of water, and optionally a crosslinking and/or chain-extending agent, a catalyst, and other auxiliaries and/or additives. First, polyisocyanate, polyol and any crosslinking and/or chain-extending agent are mixed and reacted at a temperature of 110° C. to 180° C. to give a prepolymer having polyisocyanate groups. Second, the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer obtained and any remaining polyisocyanate are mixed with any remaining polyol, blowing agent comprising water, and any remaining crosslinking and/or chain-extending agent and also any catalyst and other auxiliaries and/or additives are introduced into a mold and allowed to fully react to give a polyurethane shoe sole.

Abstract: A prepolymer having an NCO content of less than 10%, based on the reaction of (a) diisocyanate with (b) polyether alcohol, the (b) polyether alcohol comprising (b1) and (b2) and/or (b3) with the following meanings for (b1), (b2) and (b3): (b1) polytetrahydrofuran having a molecular weight of from 1800 to 2100 g/mol and (b2) polyether alcohol having a molecular weight of from 500 to 7000 g/mol, based on ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, and/or (b3) polytetrahydrofuran having a molecular weight of from 800 to 1200 g/mol.

Abstract: A side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle includes a cage, a cap coupled to and moveable relative to the cage, and an insulator disposed between the cage and the cap. The railway vehicle includes a bolster extending laterally and a car body disposed on the bolster. The cage is attached to the bolster and the cap supports a portion of the car body such that the side bearing assembly is disposed between the bolster and the car body to dampen lateral pivoting of the car body relative to the bolster. The insulator is formed of microcellular polyurethane for resiliently deforming and storing energy during compressive movement between the car body and the bolster through a range of temperatures between ?40° C. and 80 ° C. Microcellular polyurethane maintains flexibility at this temperature range such that the side bearing assembly maintains its ability to dampen lateral pivoting through this temperature range.

Abstract: A prepolymer having an NCO content of less than 10%, based on the reaction of (a) diisocyanate with (b) polyether alcohol, the (b) polyether alcohol comprising (b1) and (b2) and/or (b3) with the following meanings for (b1), (b2) and (b3): (b1) polytetrahydrofuran having a molecular weight of from 1800 to 2100 g/mol and (b2) polyether alcohol having a molecular weight of from 500 to 7000 g/mol, based on ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, and/or (b3) polytetrahydrofuran having a molecular weight of from 800 to 1200 g/mol.

Abstract: A method of producing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compound including a polyurethane powder comprising microcellular polyurethane (MCU). The method minimizes discarding scrap MCU, reduces the cost of TPU articles by introducing a partial replacement for the TPU resin, and reduces injection-molding times to produce TPU articles. The TPU compound including polyurethane powder has superior melt temperature and compression set properties as compared to TPU compounds of similar Shore hardness that are free of the polyurethane powder. The invention also provides a TPU article including the TPU compound and a method of recycling a MCU foam.

Abstract: A side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle includes a cage, a cap coupled to and moveable relative to the cage, and an insulator disposed between the cage and the cap. The railway vehicle includes a bolster extending laterally and a car body disposed on the bolster. The cage is attached to the bolster and the cap supports a portion of the car body such that the side bearing assembly is disposed between the bolster and the car body to dampen lateral pivoting of the car body relative to the bolster. The insulator is formed of microcellular polyurethane for resiliently deforming and storing energy during compressive movement between the car body and the bolster through a range of temperatures between ?40° C. and 80 ° C. Microcellular polyurethane maintains flexibility at this temperature range such that the side bearing assembly maintains its ability to dampen lateral pivoting through this temperature range.