Abstract: Olefin polymer foams prepared utilizing "soft" blowing agents have improved properties when a small amount of a stability control agent comprising a glycerol monoester of a C.sub.20-24 fatty acid is employed.

Abstract: The use in otherwise conventional polyolefin extrusion foaming process of a stability control agent, in conjunction with certain binary or tertnary mixed blowing agent systems containing 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane provides closed-cell olefin polymer foam articles having increased maximum cross-sections, smooth skins and good dimensional stability.

Abstract: A single assembly of a water heating system for heating the water and air in a room, and an electrochemical reactor which activates a gas alarm for human safety upon detection of a predetermined dosage of gas, such as, for example, a fatal dose of a gas such as carbon monoxide, and which detoxifies the gas.

Abstract: A method of releasing mercury into an arc discharge lamp is disclosed. The method includes the step of disposing an insulating coating (e.g., zirconium dioxide) at the end of the lamp containing a mercury releasing target. The insulating coating is disposed over the lead-in wires, portions of one of the coil electrodes, and a portion of the mercury dispensing target. The main body portion of the target containing the mercury is devoid of the insulating coating. Thereafter, the mercury dispensing target is bombarded with a directed stream of electrons produced by the other coil electrode of sufficient energy to rupture the target causing the mercury to be released. The insulating coating focuses the directed stream of electrons directly on the target, thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to rupture the target.

Abstract: A single assembly of an air processing structure member for air cleaning and humidifying, and an electrochemical reactor which activates a gas alarm for human safety upon detection of a predetermined dosage of gas, such as for example a fatal dose of a gas such as carbon monoxide, and which detoxifies the gas.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a polystyrene foam substrate bonded on at least one major surface to an oriented polypropylene film employing an acrylic adhesive composition. In addition to its other advantageous characteristics, the bond strength between the polystyrene foam and the oriented polypropylene film components of the composite structure is unusually high. The composite can be readily thermoformed into a variety of useful articles such as disposable cups, plates, cartons, containers, and the like.

Abstract: A mercury capsule for dispensing mercury into an arc discharge lamp comprises an annealed metal member having a predetermined wall thickness and including a generally tubular main body portion containing a predetermined amount of mercury and a sealed end portion adjacent the main body portion. Means for sealing the end portion includes a flattened, generally planar configuration having at least one sealing constriction formed in the end portion. The sealing constriction has a defined cross-sectional thickness relative to the wall thickness and enables containment of the mercury within the capsule below a predetermined elevated temperature. Preferably, the predetermined cross-sectional thickness of the constriction is less than or equal to about two-thirds of the wall thickness of the metal member.

Abstract: An expandable ethylenic or styrenic polymer composition for production of lightly crosslinked foamed polymers and a process for controlling the degree of crosslinking of the polymer prior to extrusion foaming. The control is obtained by use of (a) a reversible gas-yielding crosslinking reaction which is delayed in the foam extrusion line in the presence of gaseous products (alcohols) and (b) added amounts of an alcohol such as an aliphatic alcohol. Suitable crosslinking agents include silanes, azido functional silanes, titanates, and amino compounds.

Abstract: An expandable alkenyl aromatic polymer composition and methods of preparation are provided. The composition is admixed with a volatile blowing agent and an expansion aid which includes a polyphenylene ether. The composition may be extruded and then expanded by exposure to steam or hot air or may be impregnated with blowing agent and then expanded.

Abstract: Novel foamed thermoplastic resins are disclosed. The foam includes an ionically associated blend containing at least about 60 weight % of a metal salt of a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer and at least 1 weight % of a metal salt of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. The foams typically are prepared by extruding a ternary mixture of a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, an ethylene-acrylic copolymer and an alkali metal bicarbonate which functions as the foaming agent. The ionically associated blends included in the foam are believed to be novel compositions of matter.

Abstract: A substantially closed-celled linear polyolefin foam is made by melt processing under pressure a linear polyolefin together with a volatile blowing agent and a crosslinking agent and then expanding the polymer. Suitable crosslinking agents, including azido and vinyl functional silanes, organic peroxides, multifunctional vinyl monomers, and oxygen, increase the melt tension and melt viscosity of the polymer by lightly crosslinking the polymer with itself to enable the production of foams having improved properties in comparison with branched polyolefin foams.

Abstract: An expandable alkenyl aromatic polymer composition and methods of preparation are provided. The composition is admixed with a volatile blowing agent and an expansion aid which includes a polyphenylene ether. The composition may be extruded and then expanded by exposure to steam or hot air or may be impregnated with blowing agent and then expanded.

Abstract: There is disclosed a foamed, opaque, oriented polymeric film laminate which comprises:(a) a thermoplastic polymer film containing a quantity of voids sufficient to render said film opaque, a substantial number of the voids containing at least one void-initiating particle which is phase distinct and incompatible with the polymer constituting the film, the void space occupied by the particle being substantially less than the volume of the void, with one generally cross-sectional dimension of the particle approximating a corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the void; and,(b) an optional void-free thermoplastic polymer skin layer adherently applied to at least one surface of polymer film (a), there being present in polymer film (a) and/or in optional skin layer (b) a quantity of vacant cells, the total volume of voids and cells being sufficient to substantially reduce the density of the entire polymeric film structure.

Abstract: An expandable polyolefin composition and a method of preparation are provided. Isobutane or mixtures of isobutane with other physical blowing agents are utilized to expand polyolefin compositions which have been modified by the addition of a stability control agent. The composition has a high degree of dimensional stability and exhibits minimal shrinkage during curing and/or aging.

Abstract: A process for dimensionally stabilizing low density foamed polyolefins utilizing a dimensionally stabilizing control additive comprising a nitrogen-containing compound (having an unsaturated leg) said compound represented by formulas (I) and (II): ##STR1##

Abstract: An expandable ethylenic or styrenic polymer composition for production of lightly crosslinked foamed polymers and a process for controlling the degree of crosslinking of the polymer prior to extrusion foaming. The control is obtained by use of (a) a reversible gas-yielding crosslinking reaction which is delayed in the foam extrusion line in the presence of gaseous products (alcohols) and (b) added amounts of an alcohol such as an aliphatic alcohol. Suitable crosslinking agents include silanes, azido functional silanes, titanates, and amino compounds.

Abstract: A polymeric composition is provided which includes the reaction product of vinylidene chloride, an optional copolymerizable monomer, and an .alpha.,.beta. ethylenically unsaturated silane crosslinking agent. The polymeric reaction product may also be used to form films and coating. The composition further may include a volatile blowing agent which, when activated, expands the polymeric reaction product into a low density cellular structure.

Abstract: A steam expandable alkenyl aromatic polymer composition and methods of preparation are provided. The composition is mixed with a volatile blowing agent containing, as a primary blowing agent, dichlorodifluoromethane and as a secondary blowing agent, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon, or an aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the secondary blowing agent having a normal atmospherpic boiling point of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. The composition may be expanded by steam immediately after extrusion foaming or may be expanded after aging of the composition which has been impregnated with volatile blowing agent.

Abstract: An expandable polyolefin composition and a method of preparation are provided. Isobutane or mixtures of isobutane with other physical blowing agents are utilized to expand polyolefin compositions which have been modified by the addition of a stability control agent. The composition has a high degree of dimensional stability and exhibits minimal shrinkage during curing and/or aging.

Abstract: A steam expandable alkenyl aromatic polymer composition and methods of preparation are provided. The composition is mixed with a volatile blowing agent containing, as a primary blowing agent, dichlorodifluoromethane and as a secondary blowing agent, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon, or an aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the secondary blowing agent having a normal atmospherpic boiling point of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. The composition may be expanded by steam immediately after extrusion foaming or may be expanded after aging of the composition which has been impregnated with volatile blowing agent.