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: Foamed polymeric materials exhibiting improved heat resistant properties and improved mechanical properties, as compared with known foamed styrene polymer materials, are obtained by expanding a polymer blend including a syndiotactic styrene polymer and an amount of an amorphous polymeric material which will impart enhanced heat resistant properties to the blend.

Abstract: Foamed polymeric materials exhibiting improved heat resistant properties and improved mechanical properties, as compared with known foamed styrene polymer materials, are obtained by expanding a polymer blend including a syndiotactic styrene polymer and an amount of an amorphous polymeric material which will impart enhanced heat resistant properties to the blend.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, open-cell microcellular alkenyl aromatic polymer foam useful in insulating applications. The foam has an open cell content of about 70 percent or more. The foam has an average cell size of about 70 micrometers or less. The foam is particularly useful in evacuated or vacuum insulation panels. Further disclosed is a process for making the open-cell foam. Further disclosed is a fabricated foam article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, open-cell microcellular alkenyl aromatic polymer foam useful in insulating applications. The foam has an open cell content of about 70 percent or more. The foam has an average cell size of about 70 micrometers or less. The foam is particularly useful in evacuated or vacuum insulation panels. Further disclosed is a process for making the open-cell foam. Further disclosed is a fabricated foam article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evacuated and unevacuated microcellular foam containing an infrared attenuating agent (IAA). The evacuated foam has an average cell size of about 70 micrometers or less. The unevacuated foam has an average cell size of 1.0 micrometers or less. The IAA provide a greater proportional reduction in foam thermal conductivity in these foams than in foams of larger cell size. Further disclosed is a method of using the foams.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, open-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam useful in insulating applications. The foam has an open cell content of 30 percent or more. The foam further has in minor dimension and cross section of greater than 6.5 millimeters. The foams has a high heat distortion temperature, and is particularly useful in roofing applications. Further disclosed is a process for making the open-cell foam.

Abstract: A roofing system (20) for a structure such as a building. The system (20) includes a roof deck (10), a plurality of panels (12) of an extruded alkenyl aromatic polymer foam above and adjacent the deck (10); and a substantially waterproof membrane (14), above and adjacent to the foam. The foam has an open cell content of 30 percent or more. The foam provides excellent mechanical support for the membrane (14), and is water resistant. The foam further has a high heat distortion temperature, and is substantially free of distortion at high service temperatures encountered in roofing systems. Further disclosed is a recovery roofing system employing the above foam. Further disclosed are processes for constructing a new roofing system and a recovery roofing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, open-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam useful in insulating applications. The foam has an open cell content of about 30 to about 80 percent. The foam further has in minor dimension and cross-section of greater than 0.25 inches. The foam has a high heat distortion temperature, and is particularly useful in roofing applications. Further disclosed is a process for making the open-cell foam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evacuated and unevacuated microcellular foam containing an infrared attenuating agent (IAA). The evacuated foam has an average cell size of about 70 micrometers or less. The unevacuated foam has an average cell size of 1.0 micrometers or less. The IAA provide a greater proportional reduction in foam thermal conductivity in these foams than in foams of larger cell size. Further disclosed is a method of using the foams.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, open-cell microcellular alkenyl aromatic polymer foam useful in insulating applications. The foam has an open cell content of about 70 percent or more. The foam has an average cell size of about 70 micrometers or less. The foam is particularly useful in evacuated or vacuum insulation panels. Further disclosed is a process for making the open-cell foam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roofing system for a structure such as a building. The system comprises a roof deck; a plurality of panels of an extruded alkenyl aromatic polymer foam above and adjacent the deck; and a substantially waterproof membrane above and adjacent to the foam. The foam has from about 30 to about 80 percent open cell content. The foam provides excellent mechanical support for the membrane, and is water resistant. The foam further has a high heat distortion temperature, and is substantially free of distortion at high service temperatures encountered in roofing systems. Further disclosed is a recovery roofing system employing the above foam. Further disclosed are processes for constructing a new roofing system and a recovery roofing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, open-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam useful in insulating applications. The foam has an open cell content of about 30 to about 80 percent. The foam further has in minor dimension and cross-section of greater than 0.25 inches. The foam has a high heat distortion temperature, and is particularly useful in roofing applications. Further disclosed is a process for making the open-cell foam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, open-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam useful in insulating applications. The foam has an open cell content of about 30 to about 80 percent. The foam further has in minor dimension and cross-section of greater than 0.25 inches. The foam has a high heat distortion temperature, and is particularly useful in roofing applications. Further disclosed is a process for making the open-cell foam.