Abstract: Resin beads having an average particle size of from 0.001 mm to 10 mm and containing a continuous phase and a particulate dispersed phase are described. The continuous phase includes elastomeric polymers; the dispersed phase includes homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting from the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable monomers. The unexpanded polymer resin beads can be prepared by dispersing an organic phase containing elastomeric polymers and one or more monomers, into droplets and polymerizing the monomers in the organic droplets in a low shear flow pattern. The beads can be impregnated with blowing agents, expanded and can be used to make molded articles. Resin beads having a continuous phase comprising a nitrile rubber, and a dispersed phase comprising one or more homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting form the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable show prolonged retention of blowing agents in unexpanded form.

Abstract: Resin beads having an average particle size of from 0.001 mm to 10 mm and containing a continuous phase and a particulate dispersed phase are described. The continuous phase includes elastomeric polymers; the dispersed phase includes homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting from the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable monomers. The unexpanded polymer resin beads can be prepared by dispersing an organic phase containing elastomeric polymers and one or more monomers, into droplets and polymerizing the monomers in the organic droplets in a low shear flow pattern. The beads can be impregnated with blowing agents, expanded and can be used to make molded articles. Resin beads having a continuous phase comprising a nitrile rubber, and a dispersed phase comprising one or more homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting form the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable show prolonged retention of blowing agents in unexpanded form.

Abstract: Process for processing expandable polymer particles e.g. polystyrene (EPS) that eliminates the maturing step between the pre-expander and molding steps. The expandable particles are first over pressurized with gas, e.g. air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof, at a pressure between 500 and 8000 kPa and a temperature between ?20° C. and 130° C. for 15 to 7200 minutes to create a gas pressure in the particles. Using the gas pressure in the particles, pre-expanding the particles with a heating medium, e.g. steam at a temperature between 100° C. and 120° C. and at a pressure ranging above atmospheric pressure and below the gas pressure in said particles, i.e. 50 to 200 kPa for 5 to 120 seconds. The pre-expanded particles are air dried in the pre-expander while holding a positive pressure in the particles; are optionally transferred to a pressure silo; and then are transferred to a molding machine where the gas pressure in the particles is used to form a foam article.

Abstract: A load-bearing platform that includes a base and a lity of legs extending from one side of the base, the load bearing platform is at least partly made expandable polymer matrix that includes an polymer of a polyolefin and in situ polymerized aromatic monomers.

Abstract: A load-bearing platform that includes an expandable polymer matrix core and a skin disposed over a bottom side of the core. The core includes a base and a plurality of legs extending from one side of the base, the legs having one or more core insert openings in a bottom surface of the legs. The skin includes a plurality of legs, each adapted to accept a leg of the core and one or more skin insert openings corresponding to a core insert opening, where at least one leg insert per leg is inserted into an insert opening. The load bearing platform can be used for shipping articles.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of expandable polyvinylarene particles in which compact polyvinylarene particles are impregnated by an inorganic N2- and/or O2-containing gas at a temperature below 95° C. and at a pressure of 100 to 2,000 kPa gauge.

Abstract: Porous polyvinylarene particles having a apparent density do of 600 to 200 kg/m3, which particles contain a nucleating agent and 2.0% by weight or less, based on the amount of polyvinylarene, of a volatile organic blowing agent. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these particles as well as to the use of these particles in the preparation of expanded particles and foamed articles.

Abstract: Polymer particles containing a polymer of a vinylarene monomer, a porous silicate compound and at least 1.5% by weight of water, based on the weight of vinylarene, water and porous silicate compound, wherein the porous silicate compound is selected from alumino silicates and amorphous silica particles, and a process for the preparation of such polymer particles.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of expanded polyvinylarene particles in which polyvinylarene particles pre-expanded to an apparent density do ranging between 600 and 200 kg/m3 are impregnated by an inorganic gas, and the impregnated particles thus obtained are expanded to an apparent density of at least three times lower than do.

Abstract: Foamed cellular particles made from an expandable polymer composition are formed at the plant of the polymer producer and shipped to the foam molder for making foam articles. The foamed cellular particles have a bulk density between 34.3 pounds per cubic foot (550 kilograms per cubic meter) and 12.5 pounds per cubic foot (200 kilograms per cubic meter) and a blowing agent e.g. pentane less than 6.0 wt %, i.e. ranging in an amount of 2.0 and 5.0 wt %, i.e between 2.5 and 3.5 wt %. These particles have an established cell structure and a fixed number of cells. The average cell size ranges between 5 and 100 microns. The foamed cellular particles are shipped to the foam molder a) in packages with a material strength that is less than the packages used for shipping expandable polymer particles and b) at a total shipment weight that is equal to the total shipment weight of the expandable particles.