Abstract: The invention relates to polyolefin foams consisting of polyolefins of ultrahigh molecular weight, i.e. weight-average molecular weight from about 4.times.10.sup.5 to 6.times.10.sup.6 g/mol and higher, and to a novel process for producing these foams by foaming a solution of a polyolefin of ultrahigh molecular weight in a solvent with the use of a physical or chemical blowing agent or of an inert gas blown into the solution, and cooling of the resulting foam to a temperature below the gelling temperature of the polyolefin. If appropriate, these foams can be provided wholly or partially with a smooth skin on their surface by superficial cooling, if appropriate under the action of pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of high strength polybenzimidazole filaments and molded products made from such filaments. The filaments produced by this process contain from about 10 to about 50 percent by weight residual solvent and can be heated at a temperature of about 350.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. to produce three-dimensional foamed articles.

Abstract: In a process for pre-expanding thermoplastic resin particles which comprises releasing into a low pressure zone a mixture of water and thermoplastic resin particles containing a volatile blowing agent, the mixture being maintained at an elevated temperature under pressure in a pressure vessel, the improvement which comprises releasing the mixture through a plurality of orifice plates in series in the direction of release of the mixture. According to the process of the present invention, the average cell diameter of the obtained pre-expanded particles is larger than that of the pre-expanded particles obtained by means of conventional methods.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin having a Vicat softening point of 115.degree. C. or higher and containing a blowing agent is extruded and foamed into a foamed tubular body. The foamed tubular body is subjected to biaxial orientation and then pressed in antipodal directions, whereby the foamed tubular body is flattened and fusion-bonded at the resultant mutually-opposing inner walls thereof to obtain a foamed base material suitable for use in the fabrication of a car ceiling member. The foamed base material has not only excellent mechanical strength but also superb thermal strength. The foamed base material is not required to laminate films, sheets or the like thereon and is hence provided at a low cost.

Abstract: Method of producing a molded article of a foamed thermoplastic resin. A molten mass of an expandable thermoplastic resin is accumulated in an accumulator while it is prevented from foaming. A predetermined quantity of the accumulated thermoplastic resin is ejected rapidly from the accumulator into the atmosphere so that the thermoplastic resin commences foaming. The ejected thermoplastic resin is placed in a mold cavity before the foaming expansion has been completed and is compressed. The expansion and molding of the ejected thermoplastic resin is completed in the mold while controlling the compression pressure to obtain a foamed molded article.

Abstract: A process for making a polyhexamethylene adipamide fiber with a spherulite rating of 1 in which a molten polymer of polyhexamethylene adipamide is injected with fluorocarbon and subjected to low shear.

Abstract: Described are ways of improving the yields of specification grade polyimide foam on a consistent basis from one run to the next by use of improvements in microwave-based foaming processes. While a body of polyimide precursor is exposed to microwave radiation, the body of polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing therefrom are kept under a substantially vapor-impermeable microwave-compatible shroud that does not substantially restrict or impede development of the foam structure. For this purpose use may be made of a shroud composed of a polymer film. Mechanisms by which the shroud produces the improved results are discussed, and methods based thereon are set forth.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multihardness foamed article, including the steps of, placing a mold for foaming such that its bottom surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, pouring a first liquid formulation which will form a portion having a certain hardness designed to constitute the surface area of the foamed article at or adjacent to a higher point of the inclined bottom surface, and allowing the formulation to flow and spread over the entire bottom surface as a continuous thin layer while sticking at its undersurface to the bottom surface, immediately after pouring of the first formulation, pouring a second liquid formulation which will form another portion of another hardness designed to constitute a portion other than the surface area of the foamed article at or adjacent to the higher point, and allowing the second formulation to flow and spread over the flowing and spreading first formulation as a second continuous thin layer which will not commingle with the first layer, and allowing

Abstract: A method of making a foam pig having a highly textured and tough surface for use in cleaning the interior wall of a pipe line, the pig being formed by heating a metallic mold which defines the exterior configuration of the pig, injecting urethane base foam mixture into the heated mold, and curing the injected urethane foam before removing the cured pig from the mold. The mold should be heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a tough surface texture on the completed pig defined by closely spaced indentations of about one-half to three millimeters in depth, the indentations being formed by bubbles in the urethane foam base mixture on the surface of the mold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of polyurethane moldings by reacting a reaction mixture comprising(a) an organic polyisocyanate(b) a compatible polyol blend comprising(i) at least one polyether polyol having an hydroxyl functionality of from 2 to 8, and a molecular weight of from 350 to below 1800, and(ii) at least one hydroxyl functional organic material containing from 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups and having a molecular weight below 350, components (i) and (ii) being used in a weight ratio of component (b)(i) to (b)(ii) of from about 10:1 to about 1:10, and(iii) no more than 45% by weight based on the weight of component (b) of an active hydrogen containing compound having a molecular weight of 1800 or more,said reaction mixture being processed as a one-shot system by the RIM process at an isocyanate index of from about 70 to about 130.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating molten thermoplastic material foam by separately pressurizing the molten thermoplastic material and a gas and by delivering that material and gas sequentially to a premixing chamber, through a sintered metal insert and a post mixing chamber, to a discharge orifice of a spray nozzle. The apparatus for practicing this method comprises a nozzle assembly, including a nozzle adaptor and a nozzle, the adaptor of which has flow passages for delivering the pressurized gas and molten material to a premixing cavity and subsequently to and through a sintered metal insert contained within the nozzle.

Abstract: A process for preparing permeable adhesive tapes, which comprises dispersing water or water and a water absorptive high-molecular weight compound homogeneously in a solution of a natural or synthethic rubber or acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive agent in an organic solvent, applying the dispersion onto a releasing agent applied sheet, drying the adhesive agent applied sheet, and laminating a porous backing material on the adhesive agent applied surface to obtain a permeable adhesive tape.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vinylidene chloride resin type in-mold foam molding having a broad cross-sectional area and a free shape, which is useful as thermal insulating plate materials or as anti-shock molded vessels, and also to foam particles or expandable particles which are convenient for the preparation thereof. The present invention is also related to a series of advantageous foaming techniques for completion of such a molding.

Abstract: Pellets of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin composition comprising inorganic materials, a solvent and a blowing agent; a pre-expanded particle of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin comprising inorganic materials and a solvent and a process for preparing the pre-expanded particle of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials which comprises kneading a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin, inorganic materials and a solvent, pelletizing the kneaded mixture impregnating a physical blowing agent into the resulting pellets and pre-expanding the pellets. The present invention makes it possible to be contained a large amount of inorganic materials in a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin by forming a uniform gel phase of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and the solvent and wrapping inorganic materials in the gel phase. A foamed article produced by employing pre-expanded particles of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials has an excellent heat resistance, i.e.

Abstract: A process for preparing a foamed article of a vinyl chloride resin containing a large amount of inorganic particles, which comprises the steps of preparing a foamable composition of the resin, the inorganic particles and a blowing agent, filling a closable mold with the composition, heating the mold and the composition under pressure, and opening the mold at a temperature of not less than a softening temperature of the resin in the foamable composition. According to the process, a foamed article which has an excellent mechanical property and a high expansion ratio, and produces little calorie, smoke and poison gas can be prepared with reduced energy consumption and in a shortened production time.

Abstract: A process for producing expandable thermoplastic resin beads which comprises suspending in an aqueous medium interpolymer beads comprising a polyphenylene ether resin and a polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer such as styrene, polymerizing the vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a polymerization catalyst to interpolymerize the vinyl aromatic monomer with the polyphenylene ether and, optionally, adding a cross-linking agent, to form interpolymerized thermoplastic resin beads, and introducing a blowing agent under pressure into the thermoplastic resin beads. The resulting resin beads have excellent foamability and molding fusability, and a foamed shaped article having superior thermal stability can be prepared from these beads.

Abstract: An expansion-molded article of a polypropylene resin is produced by filling pre-foamed particles of the polypropylene resin, which have a crystalline structure featuring an inherent peak inherent to the polypropylene resin and a high-temperature peak on the temperature side higher than the temperature corresponding to the inherent peak on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry of the pre-foamed particles and a bulk density of 0.04 g/cm.sup.3 or higher and require melting energy of 8-12 J/g at the high-temperature peak, in a mold without applying any pretreatment to the pre-foamed particles to build up an internal pressure therein, and then heating the pre-foamed particles, whereby the pre-foamed particles are caused to expand into the expansion-molded article conforming with the mold. The pre-foamed particles may alternatively have a bulk density lower than 0.04 g/cm.sup.3 and require melting energy of at least 8 J/g.

Abstract: A process for producing a microcellular cast resin product, by casting a water-in-oil emulsion of polymerizable components which will gel and partially polymerize by an exothermic reaction, and placing the partially polymerized casting in a fluid medium maintained at a temperature and pressure such that evaporation of water and monomers is inhibited but sufficient to promote complete polymerization while retaining dispersed water within a microcellular structure. The water content of the emulsion can range from about 1% to about 90% by weight, and the microcellular structure may be either the open cell or the closed cell type.

Abstract: Improved reexpandable shrunken foam bodies of styrene-acrylonitrile type resin possessing an ability to reexpand to the original volume of the highly foamed state when left standing at room temperature under atmospheric pressure and a method for the manufacture of such reexpandable shrunken foam bodies.The aforementioned shrunken foam bodies are obtained by causing a styrene-acrylonitrile type resin to contain a prescribed large amount of a specific foaming agent exhibiting a slow gas permeation speed to the base resin and possessing the boiling point exceeding a fixed lower limit, heating the resin with steam thereby setting it to foam highly, and releasing the foamed resin into the atmosphere to be cooled and shrunk therein.The aforementioned shrunken foam bodies are convenient for the purpose of transportation and storage. They are useful as fillers intended to absorb shocks and insulate heat.

Abstract: Pellets of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin composition comprising inorganic materials, a solvent and a blowing agent; a pre-expanded particle of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin comprising inorganic materials and a solvent and a process for preparing the pre-expanded particle of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials which comprises kneading a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin, inorganic materials and a solvent, pelletizing the kneaded mixture, impregnating a physical blowing agent into the resulting pellets and pre-expanding the pellets. The present invention makes it possible to be contained a large amount of inorganic materials in a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin by forming a uniform gel phase of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and the solvent and wrapping inorganic materials in the gel phase. A foamed article produced by employing pre-expanded particles of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials has an excellent heat resistance, i.e.

Abstract: Particulate styrene polymers containing blowing agents are prepared by a process in which an aliphatic hydrocarbon of 7 to 9 carbon atoms is added in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, based on the styrene polymer, before, during or after the polymerization. The particulate styrene polymers can be processed to foam blocks and moldings having a satisfactory smooth surface.

Abstract: The reactive injection molding of a urethane-based resin composition according to the invention is performed by admixing the polyol compound as one of the reactants of the urethane-based resin with a specific organopolysiloxane as an internal mold release agent so that the molding process can be performed without application of an external mold release agent to the metal mold. The organopolysiloxane is characterized by two types of substituent groups bonded to the silicon atoms, of which the first type is --C.sub.x H.sub.2x OR', R' being a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 8 to 30 carbon atoms free from chain end unsaturation and x being 0-4, and the second type is --C.sub.y H.sub.2y (OC.sub.n H.sub.2n).sub.m OH, y being 1-4, n being 2-4 and m being 0-45.

Abstract: Pellets of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin composition comprising inorganic materials, a solvent and a blowing agent; a pre-expanded particle of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin comprising inorganic materials and a solvent and a process for preparing the pre-expanded particle of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials which comprises kneading a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin, inorganic materials and a solvent, pelletizing the kneaded mixture, impregnating a physical blowing agent into the resulting pellets and pre-expanding the pellets. The present invention makes it possible to be contained a large amount of inorganic materials in a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin by forming a uniform gel phase of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and the solvent and wrapping inorganic materials in the gel phase. A foamed article produced by employing pre-expanded particles of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials has an excellent heat resistance, i.e.

Abstract: A foamed and expanded low density polyethylene sheet or tube possesses both superior buoyancy and thermal resistance characteristics. The sheet or tube is made by a process comprising mixing a low density polyethylene with a blowing agent, surface activation agent and, preferably, a separation agent, heating the mixture at different temperatures to first melt the mixture and then gasify the blowing agent to expand the polyethylene cells, cooling the melted mass to partially harden and shrink the expanded cells, further expanding the cells by introducing a second gaseous blowing agent, cutting, extruding and cooling the expanded mass, forming a sheet or tube from the cooling mass, and finally cooling the sheet or tube for at least 24 hours. A buoyant, thermal resistant, water-repellent and moisture resistant sheet or tube results, which can be used, for example, as a liner for garments, including sports, business and military garments and other related equipment.

Abstract: A foamed thermoplastic article having an integral outer unfoamed skin layer is formed from a mixture of thermoplastic resin containing a blowing agent by removing at least a portion of the blowing agent in the die of the extruder. The blowing agent is removed, e.g., by modifying the die so that it incorporates a porous section whcih allows the blowing agent to be removed from the mixture.

Abstract: The invention is a process for making a high surface area, self-supporting catalyst suitable for use as an acid catalyst comprising:(a) at least partially polymerizing a perfluorinated monomer containing ion exchange groups convertible to an acid or salt form in a medium containing a gas-forming ingredient(s) which is present during polymerization and serves a polymerization enhancement purpose during polymerization; wherein the said gas-forming ingredient(s) is a material that will convert into a gaseous state and expand when heated; and(b) heating the polymer to a temperature sufficient to soften the polymer and sufficient to convert at least a portion of the gas-forming ingredient(s) into a gaseous state while the polymer is still in contact with at least a portion of the gas-forming ingredient(s), thereby converting the gas-forming ingredient(s) into a gas which expands the polymer and causes the formation of open and closed pores within the polymer.

Abstract: In a method of extruding a plastic product having a foamed core layer and at least one unfoamed skin layer by forcing contiguous flows of a resin through a coextrusion die, one of the flows containing a blowing agent and a nucleating agent for forming the core layer and the second of the flows containing only the blowing agent, for forming the skin layer, the steps of establishing a fluent stream of resin containing the blowing agent, dividing the stream into separate streams which are separately conducted to the coextrusion die to constitute the core-forming and skin-forming flows, respectively, and selectively adding the nucleating agent only to that one of the separate streams which constitutes the core-forming flow. The nucleating agent used can be one which is effectively completely expended when the core layer foams, so that the foamed product is essentially free of active nucleating agent.

Abstract: A foamed and expanded low density polyethylene sheet or tube possesses both superior buoyancy and thermal resistance characteristics. The sheet or tube is made by a process comprising mixing a low density polyethylene with a blowing agent, surface activation agent and, preferably, a separation agent, heating the mixture at different temperatures to first melt the mixture and then gasify the blowing agent to expand the polyethylene cells, cooling the melted mass to partially harden and shrink the expanded cells, further expanding the cells by introducing a second gaseous blowing agent, cutting, extruding and cooling the expanded mass, forming a sheet or tube from the cooling mass, and finally cooling the sheet or tube for at least 24 hours. A buoyant, thermal resistant, water-repellent and moisture resistant sheet or tube results, which can be used, for example, as a liner for garments, including sports, business and military garments and other related equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of a foamed thermoplastic material. A cavity transfer mixer is provided between a screw extruder which melts, or fuses, the thermoplastic material, and a cooler. The cavity transfer mixer enables the formation of uniform and well mixed admixtures of a foaming agent and a thermoplastic material and, optionally, other desired additives.

Abstract: A propellant is mixed with unsaturated polyester inside a first space (A) at a first pressure, for example at the atmospheric pressure. The polyester is then sprayed on the whole or parts of an open or exposed mould which is applied in a low-pressure chamber having a powerful negative pressure of 60-95% vacuum. In order to spray a first layer, polyester having a first amount of propellant is sprayed on the mould. At the initiation the propellant causes a powerful foaming effect at which bubbles are created and/or expanded in the polyester. In order to spray a second layer, which can be applied before or after the first layer, polyester having a second amount of propellant, or is without propellant, is sprayed on the mould, which causes fewer bubbles or no bubbles at all. The resulting polyester which comprises formed and expanded bubbles is bound (is allowed to tack rigid shape/is polymerized) by the use of a short tack-free time in the low pressure, said short time being preferably 5-10 minutes.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked foam of a composition comprising:(A) 72 to 98% by weight of a 1-butene polymer; and(B) 28 to 2% by weight of a propylene polymer, the percentages being based on the total weight of the 1-butene polymer and the propylene polymer.

Abstract: A micro-porous membrane of ultra-high-molecular-weight alpha-olefin polymer having a weight-average molecular weight greater than 5.times.10.sup.5, the micro-porous membrane having through holes 0.01 to 1 micrometer in average pore size, with a void ratio from 30 to 90% and being oriented such that the linear draw ratio in one axis is greater than two and the areal draw ratio is greater than ten. The micro-porous membrane is obtained by forming a gel-like object from a solution of an alpha-olefin polymer having a weight-average molecular weight greater than 5.times.10.sup.5, removing at least 10 wt % of the solvent contained in the gel-like object so that the gel-like object contains 10 to 90 wt % of alpa-olefin polymer, orientating the gel-like object at a temperature lower than that which is 10.degree. C. above the melting point of the alpa-olefin polymer, and removing the residual solvent from the orientated product.

Abstract: An expandable alkenyl aromatic polymer composition and methods of preparation are provided. The composition is admixed with a volatile blowing agent and an expansion aid which includes a polyphenylene ether. The composition may be extruded and then expanded by exposure to steam or hot air or may be impregnated with blowing agent and then expanded.

Abstract: A plastic foam is made by mixing a plastic material or its origin material with a blowing agent which does not react with the material, said agent having a maximum vapor pressure of 10 Pa at the highest permissible application temperature of the plastic foam and having a minimum vapor pressure of 600 Pa at a pressure at which said material is in plastic condition. A formed body of the mixture is then exposed to a pressure low enough to evaporate the blowing agent and form bubbles in the mixture, whereupon the body is cooled at low pressure to solidify the plastic material and substantially condense said agent, thereby providing said body with closed cells having a reduced internal pressure.

Abstract: A fiber having 1/2-50% substantially gas-filled and essentially all closed cells having a diameter of 0.2-25 microns and a length to diameter ratio of greater than 500 is disclosed. The fiber is made by mixing a fluorocarbon blowing agent into molten polymer, shearing the polymer at a high shear rate, extruding the polymer in a spinneret capillary at a low jet velocity and a low capillary entrance pressure and drawing down the polymer at a total extension greater than 1000.

Abstract: Low density particles or beads of polyphenylene ether or polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blends are provided by incorporation of a suitable blowing agent such as pentane into the resin mixture, flowed by expansion of the resin particles by exposure temperatures near the Tg of the blend.

Abstract: A method for foaming and sintering of foamable plastic employing a control method based on the detection of the softening time point during the sintering steam application in the sintering process step. The softening time point is detected by analysis of a change in the rising speed of the pressure or temperature, and the related pressure and temperature values are used for determining the maximum dismission temperature and pressure of the sintered product. The sintering time is determined in relation to the softening time point and the quality demanded. A feed back control to the prefoaming and drying process step is provided. A feed back control by means of a quality measurement at the sintered part to the sintering is provided. Incremental controls are provided for adaptive process optimization.

Abstract: A closed circuit process for the production of expanded polystyrene foam is described, comprising the steps of: (a) pre-expanding raw polystyrene beads containing a blowing agent in a pre-expansion vessel; (b) storing the beads in one or more closed storage containers to allow the expanded beads to return to substantially atmospheric pressure; (c) molding the expanded beads to a desired configuration in a closed mold with steam; and (d) removing the thus-formed article from the mold and placing such in an aging room, wherein at each stage the blowing agent released from the beads is recovered, separated from any residual steam by means of a condensing system, and introduced into the burner of a steam generator, thereby serving as fuel for the process.

Abstract: An impingement mixing device for preparation of plastic parts or objects including cellular foam from at least two reactive synthetic components and an auxiliary component such as liquid foaming agent and including at least two injection ports and a third port for input of the auxiliary component. Inert gas optionally and a foaming agent and further additives are mixed at a point in the cylindrical wall of the component mixing chamber located in or near the vicinity of the radial plane passing through the component openings. The introduction of the inert gas, foaming agent, coloring agent, or further additives is controlled by a cleaning piston which also simultaneously cleans the mixed plastic material penetrated therein from the opening area of the inert gas feeder line. The cleaning piston is part of a control piston, which with its rear segment is located in a metering chamber for the inert gas and optionally also for the foaming agent and the additives.

Abstract: A process for making molded high resilience polyurethane cellular products which require reduced crushing in preventing the products from substantially shrinking or changing dimensionally upon cooling which comprises: exposing the curing product to atmospheric pressure while in contact with the confines of the mold at a time when the cell walls of the curing polyurethane cellular product have cured sufficiently to develop sufficient strength to partially resist bursting by the pressure of said expansion gases contained within the cell walls upon exposure to atmospheric pressure, but before the cell walls have cured sufficiently to develop sufficient strength so that exposure to atmospheric pressure does not result in a reduction of the crushing force necessary to prevent the products from substantially shrinking or changing dimensionally.

Abstract: Fire retardant polystyrene insulating material is manufactured from expandable polystyrene scrap in admixture with a phenol-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde resin in resole form, the resin containing a blowing agent and a surfactant. The insulating material is formed from the scrap-resin mix by applying dielectric heating to foam the resin, and cure the foamed resin to a closed cell structure.

Abstract: A substantially closed-celled linear polyolefin foam is made by melt processing under pressure a linear polyolefin together with a volatile blowing agent and a crosslinking agent and then expanding the polymer. Suitable crosslinking agents, including azido and vinyl functional silanes, organic peroxides, multifunctional vinyl monomers, and oxygen, increase the melt tension and melt viscosity of the polymer by lightly crosslinking the polymer with itself to enable the production of foams having improved properties in comparison with branched polyolefin foams.

Abstract: An expandable alkenyl aromatic polymer composition and methods of preparation are provided. The composition is admixed with a volatile blowing agent and an expansion aid which includes a polyphenylene ether. The composition may be extruded and then expanded by exposure to steam or hot air or may be impregnated with blowing agent and then expanded.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of expanded particles of polymeric material wherein unexpanded particles of the material are contacted with a nitrogen-containing inorganic gas under a first pressure condition to impregnate the particles with the gas. The gas impregnated particles are heated to a temperature higher than the softening point of the material, and dispersed into a liquid medium. The resulting dispersion is subjected to a lower pressure to expand the particles. The expanded particles may be used as prefoamed particles for the molding of foamed articles.

Abstract: Moldable foam beads comprising a silane-crosslinked polyolefin foam are produced by mixing a composition comprising a silane-modified polyolefin (such as a silane-grafted polyethylene) and a silanol condensation catalyst in an extruder to produce a melt, then injecting a blowing agent into the melt at a rate effective to produce a desired foam density in the extrudate; extruding and cutting the melt to form foam beads; and exposing the foam beads to moisture to produce silane crosslinking of the polyolefin foam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of cellular or non-cellular polyurethane-polyurea molded articles. The new process involves the use of urethane and isocyanurate group modified 2,4- and/or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate mixtures as the polyisocyanate component to improve the flowability of the reaction mixture without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the resulting molded articles.

Abstract: Prefoamed polypropylene-base particles have a crystalline structure featuring a high-temperature peak appeared on the higher temperature side than the peak inherent to polypropylene-base resins on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry upon heating 1-3 mg of the prefoamed polypropylene-base particles at a constant heating rate of 10.degree. C./min. to 220.degree. C. by means of a differential scanning calorimeter and the internal pressure decreasing velocity coefficient k of the particles is either equal to or smaller than 0.70 (k.ltoreq.0.70) at 25.degree. C. and 1 atm. The prefoamed polypropylene-base particles can be formed into an expansion-molded polypropylene-base article by imparting foamability to the particles, filling the resultant particles in a mold and then heating the particles so as to cause their expansion.

Abstract: A method of making an expanded plastics foam block section and uniting it with a prior made, or partly made, section comprising the steps of charging a mould space of which one end is defined by a surface of the prior section with expandable plastics beads, initiating the expansion and fusion of the beads to create a cohesive but largely unexpanded mass of beads, obtruding the prior section into the mould space to compress a zone of the cohesive mass adjacent to the said one end, increasing the temperature and pressure in the mould space to complete the expansion and fusion process and to compress the end zone of the prior section to bring its end substantially to its unobtruded position, lowering said pressure and temperature, and ejecting the newly made block section from the mould space.Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable polyolefin composition and a method of preparation are provided. Isobutane or mixtures of isobutane with other physical blowing agents are utilized to expand polyolefin compositions which have been modified by the addition of a stability control agent. The composition has a high degree of dimensional stability and exhibits minimal shrinkage during curing and/or aging.

Abstract: Expandible synthetic resinous particles are molded by injecting heated air generally centrally into the mold cavity by means of a probe, withdrawing the probe and heating the surface of the mold. Low densities and rapid cycle times are obtained.