Abstract: An extruded polymeric foam comprising a styrenic polymer and an olefinic polymer, the olefinic polymer in an amount less than the amount of the styrenic polymer. The styrenic polymer and the olefinic polymer are present as a blend, preferably free of an interpolymer or compatiblizer. The foam has a density below about 36 kg/m3 (as measured by ASTM D1622-03), a vertical compressive strength greater than about 100 kPa (as measured by ASTM D1621-04) and a compressive strength ratio greater than about 0.35.

Abstract: Prepare a multimodal polymeric foam from a foamable composition containing a polymer, an absorbent clay, and a blowing agent composition containing water and carbon dioxide and that contains less than 0.2 parts by weight of bentonite based on 100 parts by weight of polymer.

Abstract: Prepare a multimodal polymeric foam from a foamable composition containing a polymer, an absorbent clay, and a blowing agent composition containing water and carbon dioxide and that contains less than 0.2 parts by weight of bentonite based on 100 parts by weight of polymer.

Abstract: Extruded, substantially closed-polystyrene foams that exhibit improved fire resistance yet contain lower levels of brominated fire retardant are disclosed. Methods of preparing the foams, comprising extruding the polystyrene with a novel fire retardant formulation comprising a mixture of a) a phosphate compound, preferably TPP; b) less than about 2.5 percent HBCD based on 100 percent polystyrene; and optionally c) a flow promoter such as dimethyldiphenylbutane, the extrusion process using a blowing agent which is preferably selected from carbon dioxide, mixtures of two or more of carbon dioxide, water, alcohol, ether and hydrocarbons, or a mixture of hydrofluorocarbons, alcohols, and hydrocarbons, are also disclosed. Use of the phosphate compound in the fire retardant formulation allows a reduction in the amount of brominated compound required and a reduction in the foaming temperature, resulting in lower density foams.

Abstract: The present invention concerns foamed products having a plurality of coalesced extruded layers or layers of coalesced strands of a foamed thermoplastic composition having a low density.

Abstract: The present invention concerns foamed products having a plurality of coalesced extruded layers or layers of coalesced strands of a foamed thermoplastic composition having a low density.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermoplastic polymer foam having a density of up to 800 kg/m3. The foam is made from a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer that contains pendant cycloaliphatic groups. This polymer is conveniently made by hydrogenating a poly(vinyl aromatic) polymer such as polystyrene or a polystyrene-butadiene block copolymer. A suitable blowing agent is a mixture comprising (a) one or more fluorine-containing carbon compounds and (b) carbon dioxide, nitrogen, an alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a linear or cyclic hydrocarbon having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a ketone, an alkyl ether, an alkyl halide, water or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to foamed products. More particularly, the present invention relates to foamed products comprising a plurality of coalesced extruded strands or profiles or layers of a foamed thermoplastic composition having a low density.

Abstract: Low density styrene polymer foams having highly desirable physical properties are prepared employing as a blowing agent a mixture of carbon dioxide, lower alcohol and water. The cell size can be effectively controlled by controlling the amount of water in the blowing agent mixture, i.e., small cell or large cell foams can be prepared. A process for preparing such foams is also disclosed.