Abstract: A foam-expanded material of the invention has biodegradability, and is suitable for use as a shock absorber that prevents environmental pollution. When the foam-expanded material is formed, a granular material is prepared by mixing starch, rubber latex and water. The granular material is packed in a mold and heated to thereby form the foam-expanded material.

Abstract: A knit or woven fabric that can be produced from raw silk on a commercial scale and found that this object can be attained by a knit or woven fabric that employs a tubular braid made from raw silk which is optionally blended with other fibers. The present invention has been accomplished on the basis of this finding.

Abstract: Fiber materials having improved properties such as hand, lubricity, flexibility and creaseproofness, are provided by applying to the fiber material an aqueous composition which contains an epoxy group-containing organopolysiloxane and a water-soluble polyacrylamide resin and thereafter removing the water from the applied composition. Preferably the water is removed with sufficient heating to accelerate a crosslinking of the organopolysiloxane and the polyacrylamide resin. The resulting improved properties are durable to laundering and/or dry cleaning.