Abstract: Foam particles that have a bulk density below 300 kg/m3 and are based on polyamides, including 85% to 100% by weight of at least one copolyamide obtainable by polymerizing the following components: (A) 15% to 84% by weight of at least one lactam, (B) 16% to 85% by weight of a monomer mixture (M) including the following components: (B1) at least one C32-C40 dimer acid and (B2) at least one C4-C12 diamine, wherein the monomer mixture (M) includes in the range from 45 to 55 mol % of component (B1) and in the range from 45 to 55 mol % of component (B2), based on the total molar amount of the monomer mixture (M), and the sum total of the components of (A) and (B) is 100% by weight, and processes for production thereof.

Abstract: A process for welding porous membranes, the process containing i) providing first and second porous membranes; ii) at least partially superimposing the first and second porous membranes to obtain an at least partial superimposition region; iii) welding the first and second porous membranes at least in a portion of the at least one superimposition region at a temperature in the range from 100 to 300° C. to obtain an at least partially welded composite of the first and second porous membranes, wherein the first and second porous membranes are made of at least one thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyetherester elastomer, a polyesterester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyetheramide elastomer, a polystyrene elastomer, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer, and wherein the first and second porous membranes have pores having an average pore diameter of less than 2000 nm.

Abstract: A composite material contains a nonwoven layer (i) which contains fibers formed from a first thermoplastic elastomer having meshes with a mesh size in the range from 10 to 100 ?m, and a membrane layer (ii) which contains a second thermoplastic elastomer and having a layer thickness of less than 30 ?m. The membrane is either pore-free (ii.1) or is porous and has pores with an average pore diameter of less than 2000 nm (ii.2). The membrane (ii) is at least partially in direct contact with the fibers of the nonwoven layer (i) and covers the mesh openings in the nonwoven layer (i) at least partially. The fibers of the first nonwoven layer (i) and the membrane (ii) in the contact area are at least partly joined to one another in an interlocking manner.

Abstract: A method is described for debonding a bonded article. The bonded article comprises at least two components which are bonded to one another by means of a polyurethane adhesive selected from aqueous polyurethane dispersion adhesives and polyurethane hotmelt adhesives. At least one of the components is a thermoplastic polyurethane. The components are debonded by treatment with an aqueous surfactant composition at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A process for producing a molded article involves providing a thin-walled, gas-permeable shell; filling the shell with a foamed pelletized material composed of a polymer; and welding the foamed pelletized material to obtain the molded article. Molded articles are obtainable or obtained by such a process, and can be used as a footwear sole, part of a footwear sole, a mattress, a seat cushion, an underlay, a grip, a protective film, a component in automobile interiors and exteriors, a gymnastics mat, a body protector, a trim element in automobile construction, a sound insulator, a vibration damper, a cushion, a bicycle saddle, a toy, a tire or part of a tire, a covering for a track and field surface, a covering for a sports hall or a pathway, a damping layer or a damping core in a sandwich element, or a packaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic membrane comprising an elastomer having an elongation at break of greater than 150% measured according to DIN 53504, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer (P1) comprises a polyurethane elastomer based on the following components: 11 % to 79% by weight of a mixture of at least one diol (D1) and at least one isocyanate (I1), 21% to 89% by weight of at least one compound (C1) having at least two isocyanate-reactive groups.

Abstract: A composite material contains a nonwoven layer (i) which contains fibers formed from a first thermoplastic elastomer having meshes with a mesh size in the range from 10 to 100 ?m, and a membrane layer (ii) which contains a second thermoplastic elastomer and having a layer thickness of less than 30 ?m. The membrane is either pore-free (ii.1) or is porous and has pores with an average pore diameter of less than 2000 nm (ii.2). The membrane (ii) is at least partially in direct contact with the fibers of the nonwoven layer (i) and covers the mesh openings in the nonwoven layer (i) at least partially. The fibers of the first nonwoven layer (i) and the membrane (ii) in the contact area are at least partly joined to one another in an interlocking manner.

Abstract: A foamed pellet material contains a composition (Z1) that contains a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU-1) and at least one plasticizer (W). The composition (Z1) has a Shore hardness within a range from 15 A to 43 A. A process can produce a foamed pellet material of this kind. The foamed pellet material can be used for the production of a molded article.

Abstract: Granulate based on high-temperature thermoplastics with a bulk density in the range of 100 to 650 kg/m3 in accordance with DIN ISO 697:1984 and less than 1% by weight content of volatile organic compounds, and also method for their production and use for the production of membranes or coatings, or for the toughness-modification of reactive resins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for production of expanded thermoplastic elastomer, said process comprising the steps of: (e) adding monomers and/or oligomers used for producing the thermoplastic elastomer with or without further starting materials into a first stage of a polymer-processing machine, (f) mixing the monomers and/or oligomers and also the optionally added further starting materials and reacting the monomers and/or oligomers to give a polymer melt in the first stage of the polymer-processing machine, (g) passing the polymer melt into a second stage of a polymer-processing machine and adding a physical blowing agent with or without further starting materials to obtain a polymer melt comprising a blowing agent, (h) molding the polymer melt comprising a blowing agent into an expanded thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: Foam particles that have a bulk density below 300 kg/m3 and are based on polyamides, including 85% to 100% by weight of at least one copolyamide obtainable by polymerizing the following components: (A) 15% to 84% by weight of at least one lactam, (B) 16% to 85% by weight of a monomer mixture (M) including the following components: (B1) at least one C32-C40 dimer acid and (B2) at least one C4-C12 diamine, wherein the monomer mixture (M) includes in the range from 45 to 55 mol % of component (B1) and in the range from 45 to 55 mol % of component (B2), based on the total molar amount of the monomer mixture (M), and the sum total of the components of (A) and (B) is 100% by weight, and processes for production thereof.

Abstract: Hollow beads having a skin of thermoplastic elastomer and a gas-filled cell are useful in the manufacture of shaped porous articles by thermally bonding or adhering the hollow beads together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shaped bodies comprising a composition (Z1), wherein said composition comprises at least one polymer having an elongation at break of >30% and at least one porous metal-organic framework material, to processes for producing shaped bodies of this kind and to the use of a composition (Z1) comprising at least one polymer having an elongation at break of >30% and at least one porous metal-organic framework material for production of a film, membrane or laminate having a water vapor permeability according to DIN 53122 at 38° C./90% rel. humidity of greater than 1000 g/(m2*d), based on a film thickness of 10 ?m.

Abstract: A process for welding porous membranes, the process containing i) providing first and second porous membranes; ii) at least partially superimposing the first and second porous membranes to obtain an at least partial superimposition region; iii) welding the first and second porous membranes at least in a portion of the at least one superimposition region at a temperature in the range from 100 to 300° C. to obtain an at least partially welded composite of the first and second porous membranes, wherein the first and second porous membranes are made of at least one thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyetherester elastomer, a polyesterester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyetheramide elastomer, a polystyrene elastomer, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer, and wherein the first and second porous membranes have pores having an average pore diameter of less than 2000 nm.

Abstract: Hollow beads having a skin of thermoplastic elastomer and a gas-filled cell are useful in the manufacture of shaped porous articles by thermally bonding or adhering the hollow beads together.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic membrane comprising an elastomer having an elongation at break of greater than 150% measured according to DIN 53504, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer (P1) comprises a polyurethane elastomer based on the following components: 11 % to 79% by weight of a mixture of at least one diol (D1) and at least one isocyanate (I1), 21% to 89% by weight of at least one compound (C1) having at least two isocyanate-reactive groups. The invention further relates to a process for producing such an elastic membrane comprising an elastomer having an elongation at break of greater than 150% measured according to DIN 53504.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous membrane containing a thermoplastic polymer, the process containing: (i) forming a film shaped compound containing the thermoplastic polymer and a water soluble polymer; and (ii) extracting the film shaped compound with a solvent mixture, thereby obtaining the porous membrane; wherein the thermoplastic polymer has pores with an average pore diameter <2000 nm, determined using Hg porosimetry according to DIN 66133, the thermoplastic polymer contains a polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane contains: ?11 to 79% by weight of a mixture of a diol and a diisocyanate; and 21 to 89% by weight of the compound with two functional groups which are reactive towards isocyanate groups.

Abstract: A process for production of expanded thermoplastic elastomer beads in the presence of a gaseous medium that surrounds thermoplastic elastomer beads. The process comprises a) an impregnating step, in which the gaseous medium has an impregnating temperature Ta, and the absolute pressure of the gaseous medium is greater than ambient pressure, the thermoplastic elastomer beads impregnated with a blowing agent, b) an expanding step, in which the thermoplastic elastomer beads expand as they are exposed to a pressure reduction at a first expanding temperature Tb, and c) optionally a fusing step, in which the expanded thermoplastic elastomer beads are fused together at a fusing temperature Tc to form at least one shaped part.

Abstract: A process for producing foam particles composed of thermoplastic elastomers having polyamide segments, comprising the steps: (a) production of a suspension of pellets of the thermoplastic elastomer in a suspension medium, (b) addition of a blowing agent, (c) impregnation of the pellets with the blowing agent by heating of the suspension in a pressure vessel to an impregnation temperature IMT at an impregnation pressure IMP, depressurization of the suspension by emptying of the pressure vessel via a depressurization device and work-up of the foam particles obtained, and also foam particles obtainable by the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for production of expanded foam beads of one or more polyesters based on aliphatic or aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic diols, comprising the steps of: (a) melting the polyester and admixing the polyester with 1 to 3.5 wt %, based on the polyester, of a carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen blowing agent and also 0.1 to 2 wt % of a nucleating agent, and pressing the nucleated polyester melt, containing blowing agent, through a perforated disk controlled to a temperature between 150° C. and 185° C. and into a pelletizing chamber, (b) using a cutting device to comminute the polymer melt pressed through the perforated disk into individual expanding pellets, (c) discharging the pellets from the pelletizing chamber into a stream of water which is at a temperature of 5 to 90° C. and a pressure of 0.1 bar to 20 bar above ambient pressure.