Abstract: There is provided a non-flammable expanded fiber comprising carbonaceous polymeric substantially irreversibly heat set fiber having an LOI value of greater than 40, and the fibrous structures thereof. Also, provided are stabilized expanded polymeric fibers.

Abstract: A foamable composition comprising an alkenyl aromatic polymer, blowing agent and a transient foam control agent that is effective to reduce polymer melt viscosity in the melt phase but nonmiscible and nondetrimental to the solid polymer.

Abstract: A fibrous thermal insulation comprising an intimate blend of A) an effective amount of non-graphitic carbonaceous fibers having an LOI value greater than 40, a percent char value greater than 65, and a thermal conductivity less than 1 BTU hr ft.sup.2 /.degree.F. for providing a synergistic improvement in fire resistance, and B) hollow thermoplastic fibers.

Abstract: Flame retardant vinylaromatic thermoplastic resin compositions are provided comprising 100 parts vinylaromatic polymer, 0.1 to 2.0 parts of at least one brominated aliphatic compound, 0.5 to 3.0 parts of at least one other and different brominated organic compound having a higher volatilization temperature and greater heat stability than said brominated aliphatic compound and from 0.05 to 5 parts of at least one melt flow promoter.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable alkenyl aromatic thermoplastic synthetic resinous elongate foam bodies having closed noninterconnecting gas-containing cells having an average cell size of 0.05 to 2.0 millimeters, a minimum cross-sectional dimension of at least 0.25 inch, a cross-sectional area of at least 8 square inches, a water vapor permeability not greater than 1.8 perm inch, a density of from 1.0 to 5.0 pounds per cubic foot (16 to 80 g/l), and an absolute dimensional stability of less than 4 percent in any direction when measured by the test designated ASTM D2126/C578 are prepared using 1,1-difluoro-1-chloroethane as a blowing agent and extruding at controlled temperatures.

Abstract: Alkenyl aromatic thermoplastic synthetic resinous elongate foam bodies having a machine direction, a traverse direction and closed noninterconnecting gas-containing cells are prepared using at least 70 percent by weight of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane and or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane as a blowing agent or part of a blowing agent mixture. These foam bodies have an average cell size of 0.01 to 0.3 millimeters, a density of from about 0.75 to about 6.0 pounds per cubic foot, an absolute dimensional stability of less than 4 percent in any direction when measured by the test designated ASTM D2126/C578, and preferably a minimum cross-sectional dimension of at least 0.25 inch, a cross-sectional area of at least 8 square inches, a water vapor permeability not greater than 1.8 per inch.A cell size enlarger agent may be necessary for cell sizes in the 0.2-0.3 range.

Abstract: A flame-retardant polymeric foam which comprises a carbonaceous irreversibly heat set, cellular polymer derived from a stabilized polyacrylonitrile based foam.

Abstract: Alkenyl aromatic thermoplastic synthetic resinous elongate foam bodies having a machine direction, a traverse direction and closed noninterconnecting gas-containing cells are prepared using 1,1-difluoro-1-chloroethane as a blowing agent. These foam bodies have an average cell size of 0.05 to 2.0 millimeters, a minimum cross-sectional dimension of at least 0.25 inch, a cross-sectional area of at least 8 square inches, a water vapor permeability not greater than 1.8 perm inch, a density not exceeding 2.4 pounds per cubic foot, and an absolute dimensional stability of less than 4 percent in any direction when measured by the test designated ASTM D2126/C578. Also disclosed is a method for preparing such foam bodies, other alkenyl aromatic thermoplastic synthetic resinous elongate foam bodies having the same criteria, except a density from 2.4 to 5.0 pounds per cubic foot and a method for preparing such greater density foam bodies.

Abstract: Styrene polymer foam is prepared using a mixed blowing agent of carbon dioxide plus ethyl chloride and optionally a fluorocarbon to provide a foam having primary cells and secondary cells formed in the struts and walls.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an alkenyl aromatic polymeric foam body. The process comprising using water-containing organic vegetable matter as a blowing agent in combination with a volatile fluid foaming agent.

Abstract: Highly desirable alkenylaromatic monomer olefinically unsaturated acid foams are prepared by extrusion using as a blowing agent inorganic compounds such as sodium bicarbonate, either alone or in combination with volatile fluid foaming agents.

Abstract: Highly desirable alkenylaromatic monomer olefinically unsaturated acid foams are prepared by extrusion using as a blowing agent inorganic compounds such as sodium bicarbonate, either alone or in combination with volatile fluid foaming agents.

Abstract: Mechanically stable styrene polymer foams having highly desirable physical properties are prepared employing as a blowing agent a mixture of lower alcohols with chlorofluoromethanes.

Abstract: Mechanically stable styrene polymer foams having highly desirable physical properties are prepared employing as a blowing agent a mixture of lower alcohols with chlorofluoromethanes.

Abstract: Extruded styrenic polymer foams having improved flammability characteristics are obtained when using volatile fluid blowing agents by incorporating therein a small amount (e.g., from about 0.03 to about 2 weight percent based on polymer) of a waxy material in conjunction with at least one conventional non-waxy halogenated flame retarding agent.

Abstract: Machinable foams having improved solvent resistance are prepared from a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer.

Abstract: Extruded synthetic resinous thermoplastic foams of increased cell size are obtained when using volatile fluid blowing agents by incorporating a cell-size enlarging agent into the extruded composition, the cell-size enlarging agent being liquid at the foaming temperature and generally soluble in the heat-plastified foamable mixture.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the preparation of a thermoplastic foam having an enlarged cross-sectional area of a given geometric configuration. A heat-plastified foamable gel of a thermoplastic resin containing a blowing agent is extruded through an orifice of a die into a shaping channel. As the gel expands into a foam generally filling the channel and advances in the longitudinal direction, the foam is supported on a cushion of gas in the area of the channel, relatively near the die orifice, where the surface of the foam is sticky. A sufficient restraining force is applied to the foam in the area, where the foam surface is generally non-sticky, to exert a force in the direction opposite to the normal longitudinal advancement of the foam thereby forcing the foam to expand to a cross-sectional area greater than that of a foam allowed to expand freely. The expanded foam is then cooled to a generally self-supporting condition.

Abstract: Stable medium density large cell size styrene polymer foam is extruded in large sections employing as blowing agents: chlorofluoromethane, bromochlorodifluoromethane alone or in admixture with minor quantities of other halogen containing carbon compounds to provide machinable foams of good dimensional stability.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for forming stable, low density, fine celled extruded foam from normally crystalline vinylidene chloride polymers such process comprising (1) forming an admixture of a normally crystalline vinylidene chloride polymer in powder form with a blowing agent composed of a compound or mixture of compounds having a boiling point of less than about 40.degree.C, a vapor pressure at the foaming temperature used of greater than atmospheric pressure and less than about 1000 p.s.i. and a solubility parameter of greater than about 6.6 and less than about 8.7, then (2) extrusion foaming the admixture using an extrusion temperature of from about 120.degree.C to about 150.degree.C.