Abstract: An element for the absorption of energy which contains reinforcing elements which extend at least partially in the direction of compression to which the element is subjected, wherein the reinforcing elements within the element are encircled by plastic foam particles glued or welded to one another, said reinforcing elements at least partially taking up the compressive force whereby they buckle in on overshoot of a compression of at most 20% with respect to their length in the direction of compression.

Abstract: Polyolefinic particle foams containing additives may be produced by a process, which comprises(a) initially charging a pressure-resistant reactor with a dispersion consisting essentially of polyolefin particles and a liquid dispersion medium, and also a mixture of a volatile organic blowing agent and the additive to be introduced;(b) carrying out a heat treatment in which the polyolefin particles are impregnated with the mixture; and subsequently(c) discharging the dispersion through an orifice into a low-pressure space, thus foaming the polymer particles.The process achieves efficient incorporation of the additives into the polyolefin particles. The particle foams thus-obtained are useful for the production of moldings.

Abstract: Polyolefinic foam beads which can be processed over a wide temperature range to give molded articles where a ratio of the areas of low-temperature peak and high-temperature peak in the DSC curve during the first heating has a value of not more than 3, and where the heat of fusion of the secondary crystals is greater than 10 J/g.

Abstract: Partially expanded polyolefin granules are post-expanded by a process comprising charging a vessel containing foamed polyolefin beads having a bulk density of from 20-450 g/l with an inert gas under a pressure of from 2-25 bar and at a temperature of from T.sub.m -150.degree. C. to T.sub.m -40.degree. C. over a period of from 1-48 h, and then continuously or discontinuously transferring the pressurized foam beads into an apparatus in which a fluidized bed is created, where the beads expand further at a temperature of from T.sub.m -75.degree. C. to T.sub.m +20.degree. C.The resultant foamed beads are suitable for producing foamed moldings.

Abstract: A process for producing a molding from prefoamed polyolefin particles, involving: shrinking the prefoamed polyolefin particles to a volume of from 30 to 95% of the prefoamed polyolefin particles original volume to provide shrunken particles; treating the shrunken particles at a temperature lying at least 20.degree. C. below the softening temperature of the shrunken particles, in an inert gas atmosphere under a gauge pressure of from 0.2 to 10 bar, for a time sufficient to provide expansion of the shrunken particles upon removal of the pressure; charging the particles into a mold with substantial maintenance of internal pressure of the particles; and foaming the particles, to provide moldings of very low density useful in applications such as packaging and soft upholstering in motor vehicle interiors.

Abstract: The production of approximately spherical polyolefin foam particles having a coarse cell structure and a narrow cell size distribution by dispersion foaming is achieved by a process in which the reactor contents, which essentially comprise polyolefin particles, a liquid dispersion medium and, if desired, a volatile blowing agent, are first treated at a first temperature above the crystallite melting point T.sub.m of the polyolefin, and subsequently passed through a cooling device, in which the dispersion is brought to a second, lower temperature, and the polymer particles are then foamed at this temperature. The foamed particles can be converted into moldings by known methods.