Abstract: Foams with low water absorption are provided, along with thermoplastic elastomeric foam materials and methods of forming the same. In some embodiments, the TPE foams have a low water absorption. Microcellular foams are included. Processing conditions (e.g., blowing agent type and content, die geometry, exit melt temperature, among others) may be controlled to produce foams having desirable characteristics, such as low water absorption.

Abstract: A microcellular injection blow molding system and method, and microcellular blow molded articles produced thereby, are described. The system is equipped to extrude microcellular material that changes in thickness, material density, or both in the machine direction while maintaining a constant pressure drop rate during nucleation just prior to extrusion, providing the ability to produce consistent uniform microcellular material independent of material thickness. The systems and methods are particularly useful in production of strong, thin-walled, non-liquid-permeable, opaque containers that do not contain reinforcing agent, chromophore, or residue of chemical blowing agent or chemical blowing agent by-product.

Abstract: Foams with low water absorption are provided, along with thermoplastic elastomeric foam materials and methods of forming the same. In some embodiments, the TPE foams have a low water absorption. Microcellular foams are included. Processing conditions (e.g., blowing agent type and content, die geometry, exit melt temperature, among others) may be controlled to produce foams having desirable characteristics, such as low water absorption.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for forming microcellular polymeric material, via injection molding, blow molding, continuous extrusion, or the like, at very low blowing agent levels, are described. The invention involves, in one aspect, the discovery of a region of very low blowing agent level where, surprisingly, microcellular material can be formed. Articles with particularly good surface properties are provided.

Abstract: A microcellular injection blow molding system and method, and microcellular blow molded articles produced thereby, are described. The system is equipped to extrude microcellular material that changes in thickness, material density, or both in the machine direction while maintaining a constant pressure drop rate during nucleation just prior to extrusion, providing the ability to produce consistent uniform microcellular material independent of material thickness. The systems and methods are particularly useful in production of strong, thin-walled, non-liquid-permeable, opaque containers that do not contain reinforcing agent, chromophore, or residue of chemical blowing agent or chemical blowing agent by-product.

Abstract: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) foams that are essentially free of residual chemical blowing agents and reaction-by-products of chemical blowing agent are provided. The HDPE foams can be either microcellular foams or conventional foams. The foams can be produced in extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding processes that utilize a physical blowing agent. Specific die designs useful for making high quality foams are described.

Abstract: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) foams that are essentially free of residual chemical blowing agents and reaction-by-products of chemical blowing agent are provided. The HDPE foams can be either microcellular foams or conventional foams. She foams can be produced in extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding processes that utilize a physical blowing agent. Specific die designs useful for making high quality foams are described.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for forming microcellular polymeric material, via injection molding, blow molding, continuous extrusion, or the like, at very low blowing agent levels, are described. The invention involves, in one aspect, the discovery of a region of very low blowing agent level where, surprisingly, microcellular material can be formed. Articles with particularly good surface properties are provided.

Abstract: Semi-crystalline microcellular foams that include a midlevel amount of nucleating agent, and methods of their production, are provided. The microcellular foams can be produced in typical polymer processing techniques such as extrusion, injection molding and blow molding. The foams exhibit excellent mechanical properties and can be formed over a broad range of density into a number of different foam articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides microcellular articles, as well as methods and apparatuses for producing polymeric foams, and, in particular microcellular material. The methods involve forming a gas blanket within a polymer processing die that prevents contact between the polymer melt and surfaces of the die during extrusion. In one set of embodiments, the gas blanket is provided by gas diffusing out of surfaces of the nucleated polymer material. In other embodiments, the gas blanket is formed by introducing a gas from an external source into the polymer flow channel within the die. The dies, according to the invention, are specially configured to generate and to support the gas blanket. The extruded foams are free of surface defects that, typically, arise from contact between the polymer melt and the die surfaces.

Abstract: Semi-crystalline microcellular foams that include a midlevel amount of nucleating agent, and methods of their production, are provided. The microcellular foams can be produced in typical polymer processing techniques such as extrusion, injection molding and blow molding. The foams exhibit excellent mechanical properties and can be formed over a broad range of density into a number of different foam articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides biaxially oriented polystyrene composition film and container made of such biaxially oriented film. The films are useful in that they are clear and have improved room and low temperature impact strength. The films include from about 0.1 to about 1.4 weight percent rubber particles, based upon the total weight of the composition. The average diameters of the rubber particles are from about 0.1 micron to about 10 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides film methods of using and methods of preparing a biaxially oriented polystyrene composition. The compositions are useful in that they are clear and have improved room and low temperature impact strength. The compositions include from about 0.1 to about 1.4 weight percent rubber particles, based upon the total weight of the composition. The average diameters of the rubber particles are from about 0.1 micron to about 10 microns.

Abstract: The tensile strength and flexural strength of glass fiber reinforced aromatic polycarbonate resin/poly(butylene terephthalate) resin blends is improved by employing a glass fiber reinforcing agent treated with a sizing agent selected from epoxy functional cyanurates and isocyanurates. The reinforced blends are useful for making molded articles.

Abstract: Disclosed are resin compositions comprising (a) a polyphenylene ether resin or a polyamide resin or a polyester resin; (b) a glycidyl moiety-styrenic grafted propylene polymer material in combination with a styrenic polymer copolymerized with a glycidyl moiety; optionally (c) (1) one or more monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon-conjugated diene block copolymers, hydrogenated products thereof or mixtures thereof, with or without (2) olefin copolymer rubber; and optionally (d) a propylene polymer material. The compositions exhibit increased resistance to delamination, indicating improved compatibility between the engineering resins and propylene polymer material.

Abstract: A glass filled copolyether-polyester resin composition is provided exhibiting improved tensile and flexural strength as well as high impact strength. The improved properties are obtained by employing a glass fiber reinforcing agent comprising an epoxy functional cyanurate or isocyanurate. The compositions are useful for making molded fiber reinforced thermoplastic articles.

Abstract: Polyesters, especially poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate), having a substantial proportion of free carboxylic acid groups are caused to react with polyepoxy compounds, especially poly(O- or N-epoxyalkyl-substituted) cyclic amides, imides and amidates and preferably triglycidyl isocyanurate, in the presence of various amines or salts as catalysts. The preferred catalysts are fatty acid salts such as sodium sterate. The products have very high melt viscosities and are useful in such operations as blow molding.