Abstract: Expanded poly(lactide) (PLA) beads are made by pressurizing PLA beads with carbon dioxide at approximately room temperature, heating the beads under pressure to 90 to 160 C to saturate and partially crystallize the beads, and then depressurizing and cooling the beads. The PLA beads contain a blend of PLLA and PDLA in certain ratios. The beads are useful for making expanded bead foam.

Abstract: Polylactide resins are branched by reaction with a mixture of a polyene compound and a cyclic peroxide. This branching method produces a product that has a very high polydispersity, a high branching number (Bn) and excellent melt strength, without forming large amounts of gelled material. The branched polylactide resins are useful in many melt processing operations, in particular sheet and film extrusion, extrusion foaming, extrusion coating and fiber processing. They are characterized by easy processing and allow for broadened processing windows.

Abstract: Expanded poly(lactide) (PLA) beads are made by pressurizing PLA beads with carbon dioxide at approximately room temperature, heating the beads under pressure to 90 to 160 C to saturate and partially crystallize the beads, and then depressurizing and cooling the beads. The PLA beads contain a blend of PLLA and PDLA in certain ratios. The beads are useful for making expanded bead foam.

Abstract: Polylactide resins are branched by reaction with a mixture of a polyene compound and a cyclic peroxide. This branching method produces a product that has a very high polydispersity, a high branching number (Bn) and excellent melt strength, without forming large amounts of gelled material. The branched polylactide resins are useful in many melt processing operations, in particular sheet and film extrusion, extrusion foaming, extrusion coating and fiber processing. They are characterized by easy processing and allow for broadened processing windows.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a multi-layer sheet having a non-cellular layer of a heat-resistant thermoplastic and a second non-cellular layer of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into the foam layer and of blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases. The multi-layer sheet exhibits excellent thermal stability, even when the polylactide in the polylactide layer is highly amorphous.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a multi-layer sheet having a non-cellular layer of a heat-resistant thermoplastic and a second non-cellular layer of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into the foam layer and of blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases. The multi- layer sheet exhibits excellent thermal stability, even when the polylactide in the polylactide layer is highly amorphous.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a non-cellular sheet of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into and blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and the blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases.