Abstract: A method of making foamed articles that includes providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers mixture to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamed article by placing the foamable mixture in a molding or extruding operation. The copolymer composition includes a copolymer of 51% to 99.9% of primary monomers, 0.1% to 49% of anhydride containing monomers, and 0% to 25% of other monomers and 0% to 30% of elastomeric polymers. This is combined at 30% to 99.99% copolymer composition with 0.01% to 70% by cellulosic fibers such that the copolymer anhydride groups react with the cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups to produce a blowing agent byproduct to form a foamable mixture. The foamed article has a density of not more than 1.3 g/cm3.

Abstract: A particulate interpenetrating network polymer that is composed of a polyolefin polymer and a vinyl aromatic polymer that includes residues of (meth)acrylic acid, is described. The particulate interpenetrating network polymer is formed by polymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer composition substantially within the polyolefin polymer. The vinyl aromatic monomer composition includes vinyl aromatic monomer (e.g., styrene) and a comonomer that is composed at least in part of (meth)acrylic acid (e.g., (meth)acrylic acid and optionally butyl(meth)acrylate). The amount of (meth)acrylic acid present within the comonomer (and accordingly the vinyl aromatic polymer) is selected such that a molded article prepared from expanded particulate interpenetrating network polymer, has a volume shrinkage value of less than or equal to 5 percent, when subjected to a temperature of 100° C. for 24 hours.

Abstract: A method of making foamed articles that includes providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers mixture to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamed article by placing the foamable mixture in a molding or extruding operation. The copolymer composition includes a copolymer of 51% to 99.9% of primary monomers, 0.1% to 49% of anhydride containing monomers, and 0% to 25% of other monomers and 0% to 30% of elastomeric polymers. This is combined at 30% to 99.99% copolymer composition with 0.01% to 70% by cellulosic fibers such that the copolymer anhydride groups react with the cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups to produce a blowing agent byproduct to form a foamable mixture. The foamed article has a density of not more than 1.3 g/cm3.

Abstract: Articles containing a cellulosic fiber filled thermoplastic that includes about 10% to about 99.9% by weight of a copolymer; optionally 0.1% to 30% by weight of one or more elastomeric polymers; and 0.1% to 70% by weight of one or more cellulosic fibers. The copolymer contains residues formed by polymerizing a mixture that contains i) 51% to 99.9% by weight of one or more primary monomers, ii) 0.1% to 49% by weight of one or more maleate-type monomers, and iii) optionally 1% to 25% by weight of one or more other polymerizable monomers. The article has a thickness of from 0.1 cm to 12 cm. The tensile modulus, determined according to ISO 527-2, of the cellulosic fiber filled thermoplastic is at least 2,000 MPa and the DTUL at 1.82 MPa determined according to ISO-75-2, of the cellulosic fiber filled thermoplastic can be at least 85° C.

Abstract: A method of reducing the odor of a resin that includes the step of adding about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an absorbent clay to the resin. A resin composition with low odor is provided that includes 60% to 99.9% of a styrenic polymer; optionally 0.1% to 30% of one or more elastomeric polymers; and 0.1% to 10% of an absorbent clay. The styrenic polymer is formed by polymerizing a mixture containing 35% to 100% by weight of one or more styrenic monomers, optionally 1% to 49% by weight of one or more maleate-type monomers, and optionally 1% to 65% by weight of one or more other polymerizable monomers. The resin composition and/or method can be used to make molded articles or a resin foam.