Abstract: Open cell foam compositions are provided including a thermoplastic polymeric matrix and at least one filler. In some embodiments of the foam compositions, the filler includes nepheline syenite. Methods of making the foam compositions are described, the methods including (a) obtaining a composite materials containing a first thermoplastic polymer having a filler component and a blowing agent distributed therein; (b) coextruding the composite material with a second thermoplastic polymer and a third thermoplastic polymer to form a three-layer composition, wherein the three-layer composition includes a middle layer comprising an open cell foam formed from the foam composition, and the middle layer is disposed between the first and the second outer layers formed from the second and the third thermoplastic polymers, respectively; and (c) separating the middle layer from each of the first and the second outer layer. The first thermoplastic polymer is different from the second and the third thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: Polymeric multilayer material includes an adhesive layer having first and second opposed major surfaces. A first foam layer is joined to the first major surface and includes a first plurality of expandable microspheres. A first skin layer is attached to the first foam layer and is free of the first plurality expandable microspheres. A second foam layer is joined to the second major surface of the internal adhesive layer and includes a second plurality of expandable microspheres dispersed therein. A second skin layer is attached to the second foam layer and is free of the second plurality of expandable microspheres. A portion of the first expandable microspheres of the first foam layer and of the second foam layer is at least partially embedded within the adhesive layer. Embodiments, of polymeric multilayer materials described herein are useful, for example, as wearable medical or athletic support components. The materials can also be used as protective wrappings.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a film is described comprising a mixture of semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; polyvinyl acetate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) midpoint as measured by differential scanning calorimetry of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer; wherein the film is oriented. In another embodiment, a film is described comprising a mixture comprising semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer, polymer having a midpoint Tg as measured by differential scanning calorimetry of at least 25° C., and plasticizer; wherein the mixture exhibits a single midpoint Tg and the single midpoint Tg ranges from 40° C. to 65° C.; and wherein the film is oriented and the oriented film exhibits a higher midpoint Tg ranging from 40° C. to 65° C. and a lower midpoint Tg ranging from 5 to 25° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing a multicellular structure comprising interconnected cells, wherein the process comprises: a) providing a polymerizable precursor of a polymeric material, wherein the polymerizable precursor comprises a reactive monomer mixture; b) providing a mold comprising precursor structures of the multicellular structure; c) optionally, heating at least one the reactive monomer mixture or the mold; d) incorporating the reactive monomer mixture into the precursor structures of the multicellular structure thereby substantially filling up the precursor structures of the mold, wherein the reactive monomer mixture has a viscosity of no greater than 10,000 mPa-s when incorporated into the precursor structures of the multicellular structure and when measured according to the viscosity test method defined in the experimental section; e) polymerizing the polymerizable precursor of the polymeric material into the precursor structures of the mold; and f) demolding the mul

Abstract: Composite particles are provided including a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are compositions and foam compositions containing the composite particles. Further, articles are provided including the foam compositions, such as a sheet, tape, or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are additionally described herein.

Abstract: Polymeric multilayer material includes an adhesive layer having first and second opposed major surfaces. A first foam layer is joined to the first major surface and includes a first plurality of expandable microspheres. A first skin layer is attached to the first foam layer and is free of the first plurality expandable microspheres. A second foam layer is joined to the second major surface of the internal adhesive layer and includes a second plurality of expandable microspheres dispersed therein. A second skin layer is attached to the second foam layer and is free of the second plurality of expandable microspheres. A portion of the first expandable microspheres of the first foam layer and of the second foam layer is at least partially embedded within the adhesive layer. Embodiments, of polymeric multilayer materials described herein are useful, for example, as wearable medical or athletic support components. The materials can also be used as protective wrappings.

Abstract: Polymeric foam layer having a thickness up to 25,700 micrometers, having first and second opposed major surfaces, and comprising foam features extending from or into the first major surface by at least 100 micrometers, and having a Tg in a range from ?125° C. to 150° C., wherein the first and second opposed major surfaces are free of exposed internal porous cells (i.e., less than 10 percent of the surface area of each of the first and second major surface has any exposed porous cells) and wherein at least 40 percent by area of each major surface has an as-cured surface; and methods of making the same. Exemplary uses of polymeric foam layers described herein including a finishing pad for silicon wafers and vibration damping.

Abstract: Polymeric foam layer comprising a star polymer, wherein the polymeric foam layer has a thickness up to 25,700 micrometers, and methods of making the same. Exemplary uses of polymeric foam layers described herein including a finishing pad for silicon wafers and vibration damping.

Abstract: A composition is described comprising semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; polyvinyl acetate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25° C.; plasticizer; and optionally amorphous polylactic acid polymer. In another embodiment the composition further comprises nucleating agent. Also described are films comprising the composition as well as articles, such as a tape or sheet, comprising the film described herein and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the film.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article is described comprising melt extruding a core film layer comprising a comport comprising at least 50% of a polylactic acid polymer. The method further comprises melt extruding an adhesive layer on a major surface of the core film layer such that regions of interdiffusion are present between the core film layer and adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may comprise C1-C10 (meth)acrylic acid or ester thereof, vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol and combinations thereof. The adhesive layer may also be a pressure sensitive adhesive. The method further comprises melt extruding a release film layer on an opposing major surface of the core film layer. The layers are sequentially extruded or co-extruded and can be uniaxially or biaxially oriented. Articles comprising a core film layer comprising a composition comprising at least 50% of a polylactic acid polymer and an adhesive layer disposed on a major surface of the core layer are also described.

Abstract: A composition is described comprising semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; polyvinyl acetate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25 C; plasticizer; and optionally amorphous polylactic acid polymer. In another embodiment the composition further comprises nucleating agent. Also described are films comprising the composition as well as articles, such as a tape or sheet, comprising the film described herein and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the film.

Abstract: Laterally-coalesced foam slabs and methods and apparatus, including foaming dies, for making and using such foam slabs.

Abstract: A shim stack foaming die for making foam slabs comprises a plurality of shims that are layered together under pressure to form a shim stack, wherein the shims combine to collectively define a plurality of die orifices in a working face, to define a main body of the shim stack foaming die, and also to define a plurality of die cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of die orifices. And articles foamed from the shim stack foaming die have found wide use in various applications, thermal or acoustic insulation, reinforcing layers and/or space-filling layers, and so on.

Abstract: Compositions and films are described comprising a polylactic (PLA) polymer and a copolymer comprising a first moiety comprising a C12-C30 alkyl group and a second moiety that is miscible in the composition. Suitable first moieties include a C12-C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate or a polyvinyl alcohol comprising pendent C12-C30 alkyl groups. Suitable second moieties include C1-C10 (meth)acrylic acid or ester thereof, vinyl acetate and ethylene vinyl acetate. The aforementioned composition may be used to form a release layer of an adhesive article such as a pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The films may be a monolithic film or a film layer of a multilayer film. The release layer may be disposed upon a substrate layer that may also comprise PLA. The films are produced by melt extrusion of the aforementioned composition and may be oriented.

Abstract: Panels comprising first and second layers and a core disposed there between, wherein the core has a plurality of walls providing a series of connected cells, wherein some of the cell walls have openings providing fluid communication between a series of at least 3 cells, and wherein the opening in a cell wall has an area that is at least 50 percent of the area of a side of that cell wall. Exemplary embodiments of panels described herein can be formed articles such as panels, walls, or other parts with curved surfaces. In one exemplary method, panels are shaped via thermoforming. In another exemplary method, panels are shaped via insert molding to provide the article. In another exemplary method, panels are shaped via compression molding to provide the article. The panels are useful for absorbing sound in a designed frequency range.

Abstract: Cushioning articles or structures are provided including a cell layer with an array of cells interconnected with each other. Each of the cells includes at least three cell walls extending between the first and second major surfaces thereof. The cell walls are shared by the adjacent cells, and the cell layer further includes a land region located at the second major surface and connecting the at least three cell walls. A base layer is attached to the second major surface of the cell layer to form a sheet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a film is described comprising a mixture of semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; polyvinyl acetate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) midpoint as measured by differential scanning calorimetry of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer; wherein the film is oriented. In another embodiment, a film is described comprising a mixture comprising semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer, polymer having a midpoint Tg as measured by differential scanning calorimetry of at least 25° C., and plasticizer; wherein the mixture exhibits a single midpoint Tg and the single midpoint Tg ranges from 40° C. to 65° C.; and wherein the film is oriented and the oriented film exhibits a higher midpoint Tg ranging from 40° C. to 65° C. and a lower midpoint Tg ranging from 5 to 25° C.

Abstract: A composition is described comprising semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; polyvinyl acetate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25 C; plasticizer; and optionally amorphous polylactic acid polymer. In another embodiment the composition further comprises nucleating agent. Also described are films comprising the composition as well as articles, such as a tape or sheet, comprising the film described herein and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the film.

Abstract: A shim stack foaming die for making foam slabs comprises a plurality of shims that are layered together under pressure to form a shim stack, wherein the shims combine to collectively define a plurality of die orifices in a working face, to define a main body of the shim stack foaming die, and also to define a plurality of die cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of die orifices. And articles foamed from the shim stack foaming die have found wide use in various applications, thermal or acoustic insulation, reinforcing layers and/or space-filling layers, and so on.

Abstract: Foam slabs and methods and apparatus, including foaming dies, for making and using foam slabs.