Abstract: A foamable polymeric mixture is provided that includes a polymer composition and at least one blowing agent. The blowing agent may comprise any blowing agents known not to deplete the ozone or increase the prevalence of global warming, such as CO2, HFO, HFC and mixtures thereof. The foamable polymeric mixture may further includes at least one processing aid comprising an organic phase changing material. The inventive foamable mixture is capable of processing at a pressure range of 800 to 1200 psi (5.5 to 8.3 MPa).

Abstract: A composition and method for making extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam is provided. The composition includes an infrared attenuation agent composition comprising conductive polymers to achieve an XPS foam having an improved thermal insulation performance. In some exemplary embodiments, the conductive polymers comprise doped polypyrrole and doped polyaniline. In some exemplary embodiments, the XPS foam includes a carbon dioxide-based blowing agent.

Abstract: A foamable polymeric mixture is provided that includes a polymer composition and at least one blowing agent. The blowing agent may comprise any blowing agents known not to deplete the ozone or increase the prevalence of global warming, such as CO2, HFO, HFC and mixtures thereof. The foamable polymeric mixture may further includes at least one processing aid comprising an organic phase changing material. The inventive foamable mixture is capable of processing at a pressure range of 800 to 1200 psi (5.5 to 8.3 MPa).

Abstract: A foamable polymeric mixture is provided that includes a polymer composition and at least one blowing agent. The blowing agent may comprise any blowing agents known not to deplete the ozone or increase the prevalence of global warming, such as CO2, HFO, HFC and mixtures thereof. The foamable polymeric mixture may further includes at least one processing aid comprising an organic phase changing material. The inventive foamable mixture is capable of processing at a pressure range of 800 to 1200 psi (5.5 to 8.3 MPa).

Abstract: Organic infrared attenuation agents have been developed to improve the thermal insulation properties of polymeric foams such as polystyrene low density foams. The organic infrared attenuation agents can include polyols such as sorbitol, maltitol, and poly(ethylene glycol), polysaccharides such as starch or cellulose, and infrared attenuation polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate. The organic attenuation agents include aromatic compounds or carbon oxygen bonds that are effective in absorbing infrared radiation at the desired wavelengths.

Abstract: Organic infrared attenuation agents have been developed to improve the thermal insulation properties of polymeric foams such as polystyrene low density foams. The organic infrared attenuation agents can include polyols such as sorbitol, maltitol, and poly(ethylene glycol), polysaccharides such as starch or cellulose, and infrared attenuation polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate. The organic attenuation agents include aromatic compounds or carbon oxygen bonds that are effective in absorbing infrared radiation at the desired wavelengths.

Abstract: Organic infrared attenuation agents have been developed to improve the thermal insulation properties of polymeric foams such as polystyrene low density foams. The organic infrared attenuation agents can include polyols such as sorbitol, maltitol, and poly(ethylene glycol), polysaccharides such as starch or cellulose, and infrared attenuation polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate. The organic attenuation agents include aromatic compounds or carbon oxygen bonds that are effective in absorbing infrared radiation at the desired wavelengths.

Abstract: A composition and method for making extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam is provided. The composition includes an infrared attenuation agent composition comprising conductive polymers to achieve an XPS foam having an improved thermal insulation performance. In some exemplary embodiments, the conductive polymers comprise doped polypyrrole and doped polyanniline. In some exemplary embodiments, the XPS foam includes a carbon dioxide-based blowing agent.

Abstract: A foamable polymeric mixture is provided that includes a polymer composition and at least one blowing agent. The blowing agent may comprise any blowing agents known not to deplete the ozone or increase the prevalence of global warming, such as CO2, HFO, HFC and mixtures thereof. The foamable polymeric mixture may further includes at least one processing aid comprising an organic phase changing material. The inventive foamable mixture is capable of processing at a pressure range of 800 to 1200 psi (5.5 to 8.3 MPa).

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, activated carbon, and water are provided. The activated carbon acts as both a water absorbent and carrier for the water. The activated carbon is able to control and increase cell size even in the presence of carbon dioxide, HFCs, and/or infrared attenuating agents. Additionally, the activated carbon permits a desired amount of water to be introduced into the polymer melt. By controlling the amount of activated carbon and its water content during an extrusion process, a broad range of cell sizes can be obtained in the extruded product. In exemplary embodiments, the activated carbon is added to a primary extruder and water is directly injected into a secondary extruder. Alternatively, the activated carbon is compounded with a polymer resin, pre-hydrated by conditioning or steam impregnation, and added to a primary or secondary extruder.

Abstract: A foamable polymeric mixture is provided that includes a polymer composition and at least one blowing agent. The blowing agent may comprise any blowing agents known not to deplete the ozone or increase the prevalence of global warming, such as CO2, HFO, HFC and mixtures thereof. The foamable polymeric mixture may further includes at least one processing aid comprising an organic phase changing material. The inventive foamable mixture is capable of processing at a pressure range of 800 to 1200 psi (5.5 to 8.3 MPa).

Abstract: Polymer foams incorporating fibrous ingredients are disclosed. The fibrous ingredients act as service temperature enhancing agents, increasing the maximum service temperature of the polymer foams as compared to comparable polymer foams that do not incorporate fibrous ingredients. Particularly useful fibrous ingredients include glass fibers and polyaramides having a branched fibrous structure, an example of which is poly para-phenyleneterephthalamide pulp.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, activated carbon, and water are provided. The activated carbon acts as both a water absorbent and carrier for the water. The activated carbon is able to control and increase cell size even in the presence of carbon dioxide, HFCs, and/or infrared attenuating agents. Additionally, the activated carbon permits a desired amount of water to be introduced into the polymer melt. By controlling the amount of activated carbon and its water content during an extrusion process, a broad range of cell sizes can be obtained in the extruded product. In exemplary embodiments, the activated carbon is added to a primacy extruder and water is directly injected into a secondary extruder. Alternatively, the activated carbon is compounded with a polymer resin, pre-hydrated by conditioning or steam impregnation, and added to a primary or secondary extruder.

Abstract: Thermally laminated foam boards, methods for making thermally laminated foam boards, apparatus for making thermally laminated foam boards, smaller foam pieces made from thermally laminated foam boards, methods for making smaller foam pieces from thermally laminated foam boards, parts made from thermally laminated foam boards, methods for making parts from thermally laminated foam boards, and tools for making parts from thermally laminated foam boards are disclosed. The thermally laminated foam boards are made by thermally bonding at least two polystyrene boards together.

Abstract: Organic infrared attenuation agents have been developed to improve the thermal insulation properties of polymeric foams such as polystyrene low density foams. The organic infrared attenuation agents can include polyols such as sorbitol, maltitol, and poly(ethylene glycol), polysaccharides such as starch or cellulose, and infrared attenuation polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate. The organic attenuation agents include aromatic compounds or carbon oxygen bonds that are effective in absorbing infrared radiation at the desired wavelengths.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, activated carbon, and water are provided. The activated carbon acts as both a water absorbent and carrier for the water. The activated carbon is able to control and increase cell size even in the presence of carbon dioxide, HFCs, and/or infrared attenuating agents. Additionally, the activated carbon permits a desired amount of water to be introduced into the polymer melt. By controlling the amount of activated carbon and its water content during an extrusion process, a broad range of cell sizes can be obtained in the extruded product. In exemplary embodiments, the activated carbon is added to a primary extruder and water is directly injected into a secondary extruder. Alternatively, the activated carbon is compounded with a polymer resin, pre-hydrated by conditioning or steam impregnation, and added to a primary or secondary extruder.

Abstract: Porous thermoset dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are provided along with methods of preparing the porous thermoset dielectric materials. Also provided are methods of forming integrated circuits containing such porous thermoset dielectric material.

Abstract: Porous thermoset dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are provided along with methods of preparing the porous thermoset dielectric materials. Also provided are methods of forming integrated circuits containing such porous thermoset dielectric material.

Abstract: An inventive powder composition comprises one or more than one finely divided resin chosen from a thermoplastic degradable copolyester resin containing both aliphatic and aromatic groups, a degradable UV curable polyester, a mixture of a cyclic oligomeric polyester resin, a ring opening polymerization catalyst and a degradable polyester, a degradable thermosetting polyester resin and mixtures thereof, the powder having an average particle size or diameter, as determined by laser light scattering, of from 30 to 125 &mgr;m. The composition provides thin, degradable coatings for foamed and biodegradable substrates, e.g. starch disposal articles. An apparatus for holding foam or light weight substrates comprises one or more than one perforated female pattern or jig molded in the shape of a substrate and a stand for holding said jig(s) having within it at least one enclosed chamber attached to one or more than one vacuum line, wherein the perforations in each of said jig(s) lead into said enclosed chamber.

Abstract: Porous dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are disclosed along with methods of preparing the porous dielectric materials. Also disclosed are methods of forming integrated circuits containing such porous dielectric materials.