Abstract: A process is provided for the production of a porous crosslinked polymeric foam comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first water-in-oil emulsion comprising (i) a first mixture of polymerizable monomers comprising at least one oil-soluble vinyl monomer and from about 2 to about 70 weight percent, based on the mixture, of a multifunctional unsaturated crosslinking monomer, (ii) at least 70 weight percent, based on the emulsion, of water as the internal phase (iii) an effective amount to produce the water-in-oil emulsion of a first surfactant, and (iv) a first polymerization initiator; (b) providing a second water-in-oil emulsion comprising (i) a mixture of polymerizable monomers comprising at least one oil-soluble vinyl monomer and from about 2 to about 70 weight percent, based on the mixture, of a second multifunctional unsaturated crosslinking monomer, (ii) at least 70 weight percent, based on the emulsion, of water as the internal phase (iii) an effective amount to produce the water-in-oil emulsion of a

Abstract: Stable high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions containing polymerizable vinyl monomers, crosslinking monomers and polymerization initiators are obtained by using saccharide fatty acid esters as surfactants. The amount of surfactants necessary to form stable high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions is decreased by using saccharide fatty acid esters as surfactants. Further, hydrophobic foams can be obtained by using saccharide fatty acid esters.

Abstract: Stable high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions containing polymerizable vinyl monomers, crosslinking monomers and polymerization initiators are obtained by using saccharide fatty acid esters as surfactants. The amount of surfactants necessary to form stable high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions is decreased by using saccharide fatty acid esters as surfactants. Further, hydrophobic foams can be obtained by using saccharide fatty acid esters.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a low density porous crosslinked polymeric material by polymerizing a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion, curing time of the monomers in the emulsion can be reduced without adversely affecting polymer properties or substantially affecting the emulsion by carrying out the curing in multiple-stages. The emulsion is first pre-cured at a temperature less than about 65.degree. C. until the emulsion reaches a Rheometrics dymanic shear modulus of at least about 500 and subsequently curing at a temperature above about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copoly(imidineamide) consisting of a copolymer of polyamidines and polyimides having, in the basic chain structure of the polymer, imidine structures represented by formula [I] and the amide structures represented by formula [II]: ##STR1## The copoly(imidine-amide) of the present invention is a polymeric material of excellent heat resistance and processability useful for a wide range of industrial applications.