Abstract: A metal transfer film of thermoplastic polymer includes a polymeric carrier film, a layer of metal to be transferred onto an article, and a layer of retention adhesive suitable for bonding the transferred metal layer to a surface of the article. The transferable metal layer is adjacent between the carrier film and the retention adhesive layer. Optionally, the carrier film has a releasably adhesive layer on the side in contact with the metal. The retention adhesive is a polyvinyl amine crosslinked with citric acid. The retention adhesive is deposited on the metal layer from a liquid solution and dried to a non-tacky, solid coating enabling handling of the metal transfer film in conventional film processing unit operations. The dry retention adhesive can be activated by the metal transfer operator remotely from the adhesive application process and provides significant oxygen, moisture and aroma barrier properties to the metal covered article.

Abstract: A metal transfer film of thermoplastic polymer includes a polymeric carrier film, a layer of metal to be transferred onto an article, and a layer of retention adhesive suitable for bonding the transferred metal layer to a surface of the article. The transferable metal layer is adjacent between the carrier film and the retention adhesive layer. Optionally, the carrier film has a releasably adhesive layer on the side in contact with the metal. The retention adhesive is a polyvinyl amine crosslinked with citric acid. The retention adhesive is deposited on the metal layer from a liquid solution and dried to a non-tacky, solid coating enabling handling of the metal transfer film in conventional film processing unit operations. The dry retention adhesive can be activated by the metal transfer operator remotely from the adhesive application process and provides significant oxygen, moisture and aroma barrier properties to the metal covered article.

Abstract: Thermoplastic foams of polystyrene, for example, are prepared with a blowing agent which is a mixture of an organic plasticizing blowing agent, such as pentane, and an atmospheric gas, such as carbon dioxide. Typically, such foams prepared with organic blowing agent alone were aged prior to thermoforming the foam into articles. Foams prepared with the mixed blowing agent of this invention exhibit the advantage of reduced atmospheric emissions on aging.

Abstract: Polymer foam is extruded as a tube or sheet into a cooling liquid which is maintained at a temperature up to about 85.degree. C. Either one or both surfaces of the polymer are cooled as the extrudate emerging from the die orifice passes through the liquid. Styrenic polymer foam extrudate produced by such a method exhibits excellent puncture resistance and tensile properties.

Abstract: A continuous foam production system is disclosed wherein a molten thermoplastic resin is mixed with volatile blowing agent at elevated pressure to form an extrusion mass. A helical screw extruder means is adapted to extrude the molten resin with volatile blowing agent into a low pressure foaming zone to form a foam sheet, tube or other shape. An improved fluid handling system includes storage means for holding at least one of a plurality of disparate volatile liquids under pressure sufficient to maintain a normally gaseous blowing agent in liquified state and cooling means for receiving a pressurized first stream of liquified thermally-gaseous blowing agent and cooling below its autogenous temperature. A pump operatively connected between the cooling means and extruder means increases pressure of the first stream higher than the elevated pressure of the extruder, where it may be combined with a pressurized stream of second liquid blowing agent.