Abstract: Compositions are provided including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic nitrogen-containing matrix material and composite particles distributed in the matrix material. The composite particles each include a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are foam compositions and articles including the foam compositions, such as a sheet or multilayer construction. Composite particles are further provided. Methods of making the foam compositions are additionally described herein. Also, polishing pads, polishing systems, and methods of polishing a substrate are provided.

Abstract: Compositions are provided including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic nitrogen-containing matrix material and composite particles distributed in the matrix material. The composite particles each include a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are foam compositions and particles including the foam compositions, such as a sheet or multilayer construction. Composite particles are further provided. Methods of making the foam compositions are additionally described herein. Also, polishing pads, polishing systems, and methods of polishing a substrate are provided.

Abstract: A method for determining personal protective equipment (PPE) comfort for an individual wearer includes defining a first anatomical shape data representative of an anatomical area of the individual wearer prior to donning a PPE, a second anatomical shape data representative of the anatomical area of the individual wearer after donning the PPE, and comparing the first anatomical shape data with the second anatomical shape data. The method further includes determining a soft skin tissue deformation at a plurality of predetermined anatomical positions based on the comparison between the first anatomical shape data and the second anatomical shape data, and determining a displacement comfort threshold (CTd) value based on the soft skin tissue deformation. The method also includes determining a pressure pain threshold (PPT) value, and determining a comfort metric based on the PPT values and the CTd values. The method also includes generating a notification corresponding to the comfort metric.

Abstract: A ring-shaped cushion for a hearing protector or audio headset. The cushion has a circumferential contact pad for sealing on a wearer's head and an attachment for sealing with an earmuff. The cushion further has a sound insulation tube that inwardly defines an inner space. The sound insulation tube extends between the contact pad and the attachment. The cushion has a ventilation passage that extends entirely through the cushion between an inlet opening in the contact pad and an area outside of the inner space. The cushion may further include one or more physiological sensors to monitor the health of a wearer.

Abstract: A PTSM-coated expandable microsphere comprises a polymer shell enclosing an interior volume containing at least one blowing agent. The polymer shell has an outer surface with photothermal susceptor material disposed on at least a portion thereof. If heated to at least one temperature greater than 25° C., each of the expandable microspheres expands, but does not rupture, the polymer shell by a sufficient amount to at least double the interior volume. A markable comprises a substrate and a viewable layer secured thereto. The viewable layer comprises a binder material retaining the PTSM-coated expandable microspheres. A method of marking a markable article comprises imagewise exposing the PTSM-coated expandable microspheres of the markable article to at least sufficient electromagnetic radiation to cause the PTSM-coated expandable microspheres to expand thereby creating a predetermined image. A marked article preparable according to the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Foam compositions are provided including a polylactic acid polymer; second (e.g., polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer. Also described are articles comprising the foam compositions, such as a sheet or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are further described herein.

Abstract: Coextruded polymeric layer having first and second opposed major surfaces, the coextruded polymeric layer comprising foam and the coextruded polymeric layer comprising features extending from or into the first major surface by at least 100 micrometers, the first major surface comprising a first material having a first percent elongation at break, the second major surface comprising a second material having a second percent elongation at break, wherein the first percent elongation at break is greater than 100 percent of the second percent elongation at break. Coextended polymeric layers described herein are useful, for example, in vibration damping applications (e.g., a vibration damping laminate comprising a kinetic spacer comprising the coextruded polymeric layers).

Abstract: Compositions are provided including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic nitrogen-containing matrix material and composite particles distributed in the matrix material. The composite particles each include a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are foam compositions and particles including the foam compositions, such as a sheet or multilayer construction. Composite particles are further provided. Methods of making the foam compositions are additionally described herein. Also, polishing pads, polishing systems, and methods of polishing a substrate are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first thermoplastic elastomer layer. The thermoplastic elastomer is a styrenic thermoplastic. The polymeric membrane can further include an optional second thermoplastic elastomer layer in contact with the first polyolefin layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first thermoplastic elastomer layer that comprises a styrenic thermoplastic. The thermoplastic elastomer layer has a foam structure. The polymeric membrane can further include an optional second thermoplastic elastomer layer in contact with the first polyolefin layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first thermoplastic elastomer layer. The thermoplastic elastomer layer includes a filler component that is at least about 30 wt % of the thermoplastic elastomer layer. The polymeric membrane can further include an optional second thermoplastic elastomer layer in contact with the first polyolefin layer.

Abstract: Composite particles are provided including a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are compositions and foam compositions containing the composite particles. Further, articles are provided including the foam compositions, such as a sheet, tape, or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are additionally described herein.

Abstract: A hearing-protective earplug (1) with a resilient polymeric foam body (10) and with a grippable stem (110) that includes a forward portion (111) with an annular sleeve (112) that at least partially defines an open-ended, front-facing cavity (114) within which a rearward portion (21) of the resilient polymeric foam body resides.

Abstract: Reaction mixtures, foams prepared from the reaction mixtures, articles containing the foams, and methods of making the foams are provided. The polymeric material in the foam is formed from a polymerizable composition that includes a di(meth)acrylate oligomer and a monomer having a single ethylenically unsaturated group. The foams are highly filled (e.g., at least 60 volume percent of the foam is the filler) and can be thermally conductive. Although the foams contain a large amount of filler, the foams can be compressed at least 40 volume percent with an applied pressure of 50 pounds per square inch (345 kiloPascals).

Abstract: Open cell foam compositions are provided including a thermoplastic polymeric matrix and at least one filler. In some embodiments of the foam compositions, the filler includes nepheline syenite. Methods of making the foam compositions are described, the methods including (a) obtaining a composite materials containing a first thermoplastic polymer having a filler component and a blowing agent distributed therein; (b) coextruding the composite material with a second thermoplastic polymer and a third thermoplastic polymer to form a three-layer composition, wherein the three-layer composition includes a middle layer comprising an open cell foam formed from the foam composition, and the middle layer is disposed between the first and the second outer layers formed from the second and the third thermoplastic polymers, respectively; and (c) separating the middle layer from each of the first and the second outer layer. The first thermoplastic polymer is different from the second and the third thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: Reaction mixtures, foams prepared from the reaction mixtures, articles containing the foams, and methods of making the foams are provided. The polymeric material in the foam is formed from a polymerizable composition that includes a di(meth)acrylate oligomer and a monomer having a single ethylenically unsaturated group. The foams are highly filled (e.g., at least 60 volume percent of the foam is the filler) and can be thermally conductive. Although the foams contain a large amount of filler, the foams can be compressed at least 40 volume percent with an applied pressure of 50 pounds per square inch (345 kiloPascals).

Abstract: A ring-shaped cushion for a hearing protector or audio headset. The cushion has a circumferential contact pad for sealing on a wearer's head and an attachment for sealing with an earmuff. The cushion further has a sound insulation tube that inwardly defines an inner space. The sound insulation tube extends between the contact pad and the attachment. The cushion has a ventilation passage that extends entirely through the cushion between an inlet opening in the contact pad and an area outside of the inner space. The cushion may further include one or more physiological sensors to monitor the health of a wearer.

Abstract: Composite particles are provided including a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are compositions and foam compositions containing the composite particles. Further, articles are provided including the foam compositions, such as a sheet, tape, or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are additionally described herein.

Abstract: Polymeric foam layer having a thickness up to 25,700 micrometers, having first and second opposed major surfaces, and comprising foam features extending from or into the first major surface by at least 100 micrometers, and having a Tg in a range from ?125° C. to 150° C., wherein the first and second opposed major surfaces are free of exposed internal porous cells (i.e., less than 10 percent of the surface area of each of the first and second major surface has any exposed porous cells) and wherein at least 40 percent by area of each major surface has an as-cured surface; and methods of making the same. Exemplary uses of polymeric foam layers described herein including a finishing pad for silicon wafers and vibration damping.

Abstract: Polymeric foam layer comprising a star polymer, wherein the polymeric foam layer has a thickness up to 25,700 micrometers, and methods of making the same. Exemplary uses of polymeric foam layers described herein including a finishing pad for silicon wafers and vibration damping.