Abstract: The present teachings provide a system and method for producing a cylindrical foam article. The method can include coupling a first end of an outlet adaptor to a die, and coupling the die to a die housing of an extruder. The method can also include coupling a substantially cylindrical die outlet to a second end of the outlet adaptor, and substantially continuously extruding a polymer through the outlet adaptor into the die outlet to create the cylindrical foam article with a natural skin formed about a perimeter of the cylindrical foam article.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for utilizing reclaimed synthetic turf materials in the manufacture of various second generation floor coverings and floor covering components. Also disclosed are products manufactured by the methods.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, an additive blend of polyethylene oxide and a copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the polyethylene oxide is ethoxylated polyethylene oxide. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The blend of ethoxylated polyethylene oxide and copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product and increases the average cell size of the foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the additive acts as a cell enlarger, a water vapor permeability enhancer, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.

Abstract: Making foamed polyeolefin tapes include combining a polyolefin resin and a chemical blowing agent to form a mixture. This mixture can then be heated in an extruder to create a supersaturated solution of gas within the polyolefin resin. A cooling device can be positioned adjacent to a die at a set distance for receiving extruded resin and for allowing exposure of the extruded resin to ambient air. This space between the cooling device and die outlet allows bubbles to grow in the extruded resin and to be shaped such that voids or empty spaces can be generated within the extruded polyolefin resin. The voids allow the formation of tapes which use less material but have adequate strength for various applications, such as carpet backings, geotextiles, packaging, housewrap, bags, wire insulation, and reinforcement elements in concrete.

Abstract: A gas exchange membrane is for use in an artificial lung. The membrane consists of a foamed, closed-cell material, in particular of silicone rubber. The membrane is produced by extruding a basic material which contains a foaming agent. The extrudate is then foamed. The result is a gas exchange membrane which has an increased gas exchange performance compared to known material due to the high permeability of the surface.

Abstract: Making foamed polyolefin tapes can include combining a polyolefin resin and a chemical blowing agent to form a mixture. This mixture can then be heated in an extruder to create a supersaturated solution of gas within the polyolefin resin. A cooling device can be positioned adjacent to a die at a set distance for receiving extruded resin and for allowing exposure of the extruded resin to ambient air between a die outlet and the cooling device. This predetermined distance or space between the cooling device and die outlet allows bubbles to grow in the extruded resin and to be shaped such that voids or empty spaces can be generated within the extruded polyolefin resin. The voids or empty spaces allow the formation of tapes which use less material but have adequate strength for various applications, such as for carpet backings, geotextiles, packaging, housewrap, bags, wire insulation, and reinforcement elements in concrete.

Abstract: A method of forming a hardened skin on one or more surfaces of a molded article. In an exemplary method, a formable material is mixed with a blowing agent to form a foam material. The foam material is placed in a flow molding apparatus such that a first surface of the foam material is in contact with a first mold section and a second surface of the foam material is in contact with a second mold section. In operation, an alternating dielectric field is applied across the foam material to form the molded article. At the end of the molding cycle, the first and/or second surfaces of the foam material remain under the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent and are not blown so as to form one or more thicknesses of hardened skin on the molded article.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for creating a foamed part. An example method includes providing a polymer processing system, providing a mold having at least one expandable mold cavity in fluid communication with the polymer processing system, mixing polymeric material and blowing agent within the polymer processing system to produce a unfoamed mixture, injecting a volume of the mixture of polymeric material and blowing agent from the polymer processing system and into the expandable mold cavity, and expanding the mold cavity to expand the unfoamed mixture within the mold cavity and form the foamed part.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed an apparatus and method for reaction injection molding of polyurethane foam. In the method, a recirculation loop containing polyols along with an effective amount of water, and a recirculation loop containing isocyanates, are each partially evacuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flame retardant comprising a) at least one sulfur compound of the formula (I) b) at least one halogen-free organophosphorus compound with phosphorus content in the range from 0.5 to 40% by weight, based on the phosphorus compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing more uniformly distributed polyurethane form using blowing agents. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of producing more uniformly distributed polyurethane foam for an application in which flow of liquid polyurethane foam prior to solidification is important to its performance using a hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO), such as 1233zd.

Abstract: A process of making a foamed conformable material by reaction injection molding comprises providing a first component from a first feed tank at a first flow rate, via a first conduit, to a mixing device; providing a second component from a second feed tank at a second flow rate, via a second conduit, to the mixing device, the second component reactive with the first component in the presence of a foaming agent; mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing device to form a reaction mixture; introducing the reaction mixture into an injection molding device; molding the reaction mixture to form a foamed conformable material; wherein the mixing of the reaction mixture is adjusted to achieve a desired average cell size of the foamed conformable material. The process can produce wellbore-conforming materials that can function to filter out sand or other undesirable fines from a formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing polyurethane foam moldings of density from 100 to 300 g/L, by mixing (a) organic polyisocyanates with (b) polyols, (c) with blowing agents comprising water, and optionally (d) with chain extenders and/or with crosslinking agents, (e) with catalysts, and (f) with other auxiliaries and/or additives, to give a reaction mix-ture, charging the material to a mold, and permitting it to react completely to give a polyurethane foam molding, where the free density of the polyurethane foam is from 90 to 200 g/L, and the mold has at least one device for controlling gauge pressure. The present invention further relates to a polyurethane foam molding obtainable by this type of process, and to the use of this type of polyurethane molding as shoe sole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible, resorbable polyurethane foam wound cover with open pores and an adjustable resorption rate having improved properties when used on skin or connective tissue wounds as well as a method of production of such a polyurethane foam wound cover.

Abstract: A method for producing thin films, particularly for coating surfaces, includes a) adding surface-active substances to flowable compositions comprising nanoscale inorganic particulate solids having polymerizable and/or polycondensable organic surface groups; b) forming one or more thin films stabilized by the accumulation of the surface-active substances at the interface(s), the forming of one or more thin films taking place through the generation of bubbles, foam, through the formation of minimal surfaces and/or through the wetting of surfaces; and c) solidifying the films by polymerization and/or polycondensation.

Abstract: A process for producing polystyrene foam particles having a bulk density in the range from 40 to 400 g/l by extrusion of a polystyrene melt comprising carbon dioxide and/or water as blowing agent through a nozzle and underwater pelletization, wherein the underwater pelletization is carried out at a pressure in the range 1-30 bar.

Abstract: A resilient foam material having an active antimicrobial bound to, incorporated within, and projecting from its surface is provided for incapacitating or destroying microbes. The antimicrobial has an atomic structure that is capable of mechanically piercing or lysing a microbe thereby incapacitating or destroying the microbe. The resilient antimicrobial foam material may be manufactured into a resilient antimicrobial foam product for drawing across a surface and mechanically incapacitating or destroying microbes on the surface. The resilient antimicrobial foam material may be manufactured into a membrane for providing a sterile barrier for a surface. The resilient antimicrobial foam material is manufactured by combining the antimicrobial with a foam polymer material, heating the foam polymer material under pressure to a temperate that does not deactivate the antimicrobial, incorporating a blowing agent, cooling the material, and extruding the material.

Abstract: A sealing material is provided, which has excellent sealing property, with cracks, fracture, and deformation being minimized. The sealing material of the invention is prepared by vulcanizing and foaming a mixture containing a rubber component containing a copolymer rubber of ethylene, an ?-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms, and a conjugated diene, a vulcanizing agent, and a blowing agent, and then subjecting the mixture to a cell breakage treatment, characterized in that the mixture further includes a fatty acid calcium salt and a fatty acid zinc salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for producing a melamine-formaldehyde foam comprising the consecutive steps a) and b): a) heating a mixture comprising a melamine-formaldehyde precondensate, a curative and a blowing agent to foam up and crosslink said mixture, and b) tempering the foam obtained in step a), wherein it is essential to the present invention that step a) utilizes a precondensate which has a melamine:formaldehyde molar ratio in the range from 1:2,1 to 1:3.9, and which has a sulfite group content, based on the total weight of the melamine-formaldehyde precondensate, in the range from 0% to 1% by weight, and said tempering in step b) is effected at a temperature in the range from 230 to 290° C., and also to melamine-formaldehyde foams obtainable according to the processes of the invention, and to uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods of making a foam article comprise the steps of compressing a foam at an elevated temperature in a mold for shaping the foam; and cooling the mold to a temperature greater than room temperature, wherein the foam comprises at least one ethylene/?-olefin block interpolymer. The foam may further comprise an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and an additive such as a filler or a crosslinking agent. The ethylene/?-olefin block interpolymers are a multi-block copolymer comprising at least one soft block and at least one hard block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foamed fluoropolymer, preferably a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) structure, such as from Kynar® resins. The foamed structure is continuous self-supporting, sized, and has a dense skin. The foamed structure is manufactured in a process using foaming agents and nucleating agents. The structure is sized into a specific shape during the manufacturing process—requiring a good melt viscosity of the PVDF foam. In one process, a master batch containing the nucleating agent is used. The foamed article could be a sheet, film, profile, tube, pipe, article, rod foam-core structure, or other self-supporting shape. Foamed tubes, pipes, rods, sheets and conduit are especially useful. The foamed structure of the invention provides added value by being lighter weight, more flexible, and more impact resistant than a comparable non-foamed PVDF structure. It also has increased hysteresis, increased insulation properties, reduced dielectric constant, and increased compressibility.

Abstract: A process for preparing a filter plug for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes: (a) freeze-drying a solution of a biopolymer to form a structure; and (b) cutting the structure to a predetermined dimension, to thereby prepare a filter plug for a smoking article. Another process for preparing a filter plug for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes: (a) extruding a mixture of a foaming agent and a biopolymer comprising a protein to form a structure; and (b) cutting the structure to a predetermined dimension, to thereby form a filter plug for a smoking article.

Abstract: A rotatable base for a porous pad has openings that provide for improved flow distribution of a liquid in the base across a substrate. The rotatable base can be molded from a two piece mold and the openings can have draft angles to facilitate the molding process.

Abstract: This disclosure provides (meth)acryloyl pressure-sensitive adhesive foams and foam articles having one or more of the following properties: small cells, uniform cell sizes, pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, compliance to irregular substrates and vibration damping, and shock absorbing properties.

Abstract: The object is to provide a molded product of foamed particles obtained by charging biodegradable resin foamed particles which are of vegetable origin and excellent in environmental compatibility into a mold, followed by heat molding, which molded product is not accompanied by post shrinkage after the molding with a wide range of variation of processing in the molding. Further, P3HA resin foamed particles being composed of a resin composition that comprises an isocyanate compound, and a polymer, poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate), having a recurring unit represented by the general formula (1): [—O—CHR—CH2—CO—]??(1) (wherein R represents an alkyl group represented by CnH2n+1, wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 15) produced by a microorganism are provided.

Abstract: Expandable, thermoplastic polymer bead material, comprising A) from 45 to 97.8 percent by weight of a styrene polymer, B1) from 1 to 45 percent by weight of a polyolefin with a melting point in the range from 105 to 140° C., B2) from 0 to 25 percent by weight of a polyolefin with a melting point below 105° C., C1) from 0.1 to 25 percent by weight of a block or graft copolymer with weight-average molar mass Mw of at least 100,000 g/mol, comprising a) at least one block S composed of from 95 to 100% by weight of vinylaromatic monomers and from 0 to 5% by weight of dienes, and b) at least one copolymer block (S/B)A composed of from 63 to 80% by weight of vinylaromatic monomers and from 20 to 37% by weight of dienes, with glass transition temperature TgA in the range from 5 to 30° C.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sandwich panel which is capable of securing its flexural or its shear rigidity as a whole and securing a compression rigidity of a core material itself, while at the same time of readily reducing the weight of the sandwich panel.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide molded urethane foam pads and vehicle seats that can contribute to the reduction of environmental load and have appropriate impact resilience and hardness and excellent durability with good balance, and also have high comfort.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to manufacture shaped foam article. Specifically, the present invention is a method of extruding a styrenic polymer with a blowing agent to form a foam polymer plank having a density gradient and shaping the surface of the foam plank having the lowest density by passing the foam plank through one or more sets of rolls. Preferably, the foam has a vertical compressive balance (Rv) equal to or greater than 0.4 and more preferably, the foam has a cell gas pressure less than 1 atmosphere and/or an open cell content of equal to or less than 20 percent.

Abstract: A polyurethane composite is disclosed comprising rigid polyurethane and foamed thereupon a flexible integral skin (surface pore closed) polyurethane foam, wherein the rigid polyurethane having a density range of 600 kg/m3 to 1200 kg/m3, a Shore A hardness range of 90 to 99, a Shore D hardness range of 40 to 80, a tensile strength range of 10MPa to 60 MPa, a flexural strength range of 20 MPa to 60 Mpa, a elastic flexural modulus range of 800 MPa to 2500 Mpa, an elongation rate at break of 10-100% and an elongation at break of 25-150%; wherein the flexible integral skin (surface pore closed) polyurethane foam having a density range of 60 kg/m3 to 200 kg/m3, a tensile strength of 60 kPa to 250 kPa, an elongation at break of 70-180%, a tearing strength of 130-220 N/m, a resilience of falling ball of 40-70%, IFD25% of 200-600 N and IFD65% of 600-1800 N.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide foaming polypropylene resin compositions that are suited for injection foam molding, have excellent balance between flowability and melt tension, are foamable at high expansion ratio, and can give lightweight molded foams having excellent appearance and mechanical strength. Another object is to provide injection-molded foams using the compositions. A foaming polypropylene resin composition of the invention includes: 50 to 90 parts by weight of a high-molecular weight component-containing impact polypropylene (AB); 10 to 30 parts by weight of a rubber component (C); and 0 to 20 parts by weight of an inorganic filler (D) (wherein the total of (AB), (C) and (D) is 100 parts by weight); and the high-molecular weight component-containing impact polypropylene (AB) contains 4.5 to 31.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous molded part includes a mixing process for mixing a granular porous organizer composed of a water-soluble compound, a porous forming assistant agent composed of a polyhydric alcohol, and a cross-linking agent composed of an organic peroxide with a thermoplastic resin composition as a base material to obtain a molding material; a cross-linking and forming process for placing the molding material in a molding die and performing a heat press molding at 140° C. to 170° C. for 4 to 10 minutes thereby progressing coincidentally a cross-linking reaction and a shape forming of a seal face to obtain a molded material; an extracting process for extracting the granular porous organizer from the molded material obtained in the cross-linking and forming process to obtain a porous molded part; and a drying process for drying the porous molded part obtained in the extracting process.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect a polysiloxane mixture for simulating human biological tissue, especially human breast tissue, is disclosed. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a biological tissue phantom is disclosed. In another aspect, a human breast tissue models are disclosed. In one instances, the human breast tissue model comprises a simulated breast tissue comprising a mixture of a silicone foam and a silicone oil and a simulated skin layer covering the simulated breast tissue, where the simulated breast tissue and the simulated skin layer are sized and shaped to mimic a natural human breast. In some instances, the human breast tissue model includes at least one simulated pathological structure that simulates such pathologies as a cyst, a medullary carcinoma, a ductal carcinoma, an infiltrating scirrhus carcinoma, a lobular carcinoma, and a fibroadenoma.

Abstract: Process for the production of insecticide-modified extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) preforms, comprising the steps (a) heating polystyrene (PS) until a polymer melt is formed, (b) introducing a blowing agent into the polymer melt to form a foamable melt, and (c) foaming the foamable melt to give an XPS preform, where at least one insecticide from the group of the phenylpyrazoles, chlorfenapyr and hydramethylnone is introduced into the polymer melt in at least one of steps (a) and/or (b).

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, an additive blend of polyethylene oxide and a copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the polyethylene oxide is ethoxylated polyethylene oxide. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The blend of ethoxylated polyethylene oxide and copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product and increases the average cell size of the foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the additive acts as a cell enlarger, a water vapor permeability enhancer, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, a plasticizer, and a processing aid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulation material for thermal and sound insulation with high mechanical strength, thus providing structural integrity from its own, and its composites with other building materials, such as concrete, for providing pre-insulated building elements, the manufacturing of such material and its composites and the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous or discontinuous method for the production of highly condensed polyesters in the solid state, comprising a crystallization of a polyester material, wherein the crystallization is carried out in the presence of a gas with a dew point of (less than or equal to) ?approximately ?10° C. The invention also relates to a method for the production of polyester formed bodies using the polyester material obtained for the production of bottles, films and high strength threads.

Abstract: A resin composition for cross-linking foam molding having a polymer composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of the following component (A) and 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of the following component (B); a foaming agent; and a cross-linking agent, wherein the component (A) is an ethylene-based polymer satisfying the following conditions (a1) to (a2): (a1) the density is 860 to 935 kg/m3, and (a2) the melt flow rate (MFR) is 0.1 to 10 g/10 minutes, and the component (B) is an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer satisfying the following conditions (b1) to (b3): (b1) the density is 890 to 925 kg/m3, (b2) the intrinsic viscosity [?] determined in a tetralin solution is 4 to 15 dL/g, and (b3) the activation energy of flow (Ea) is less than 50 kJ/mol.

Abstract: A PVA sponge with vegetal starch and bamboo charcoal includes at least one Polyester fiber substrate having through pores inside thereof, and a PVA foaming material having vegetal starch and bamboo charcoal therein. The substrate is covered by the PVA foaming material and will have acetalization by formaldehyde. The substrate is placed into a container with a predetermined shape and the PVA foaming material mixed with formaldehyde and hydrochloric is poured into the container. The colloid PVA and formaldehyde will have acetalization so that the PVA foaming material will cover among the structure of the substrate. A heating-up forming process is carried out when the PVA foaming material is full of the container. The added hydrochloric is an accelerator to accelerate the reaction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing molded foam which uses cheap materials, is light in weight and which is excellent in impact resistance. In the method for manufacturing molded foam, propylene homopolymer with a long chain branch, propylene ethylene block copolymer and low density polyethylene are mixed in the base resin at a prescribed mixing ratio. A blowing agent is added to carry outfoaming. A prescribed mixing ratio is determined based on the value arrived at by a multiplying melt tension of each material mixed with the melt flow rate and the Tensile Rupture Elongation.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a thermoplastic elastomer composition for foaming, which has sufficient foamability and provides a molded article having good appearance. [Solution to Problem] A thermoplastic elastomer composition for foaming, which comprises 10 to 40% by weight of a partially or completely crosslinked ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A) comprising ethylene, an ?-olefin of 3 to 20 carbon atoms and a non-conjugated polyene, 3 to 33% by weight of an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (B) comprising ethylene and an ?-olefin of 3 to 20 carbon atoms, 10 to 40% by weight of polypropylene (C) having a melting point, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), of 40 to 170° C.

Abstract: A plant substrate comprising primary polyurethane foam, manufactured by a method for manufacturing a plant substrate, wherein in a primary polyurethane forming process polyol and isocyanate are reacted with each other so that primary polyurethane foam is formed, wherein the primary formed polyurethane foam is deployed as plant substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of cold forming a shaped foam article wherein the improvement is using a near net-shaped foam blank cut from a foam plank having a vertical compressive balance equal to or greater than 0.4 to produce the shaped foam article.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of a cellular ceramic plate having asymmetric cells comprising thermally treating ceramic particles and a blowing agent in a foaming furnace while conveying said ceramic particles and said blowing agent at a first speed thereby forming a cellular ceramic plate, and annealing said cellular ceramic plate in an annealing lehr by cooling it down while conveying it at a second speed, larger than said first speed, thereby stretching and cooling said cellular ceramic plate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a foamed polymer sheet comprises: a polymeric material and cells located in the polymeric material. The cells have a size distribution, D90 of greater than or equal to 300 ?m and the sheet has a light transmission of greater than or equal to about 5%. In another embodiment, the cells have an average diameter, as measured along a major axis, of about 1 mm to about 4 mm, and the sheet has a light transmission of greater than or equal to about 5%. In another embodiment, a method of making a foamed polymeric sheet comprises: combining a blowing agent with a polymeric material to form a mixture, nucleating bubbles in the mixture, and cooling the mixture. The mixture is at a sufficient temperature and the cells have a sufficient cell size such that the sheet has a light transmission of greater than or equal to 10%.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle wheel which can reduce a rolling resistance by rising a tire temperature with a simple structure. A heat-insulation rubber is pasted on all circumference surface of a portion of an outer circumference surface of a rim other than a bead seating portion where a bead portion of a tire closely contacts and a rim flange portion. The heat-insulation rubber suppresses any heat transfer from air in a tire air chamber and from the internal surface of the tire to the rim at the outer circumference surface of the rim which contacts the air in the tire air chamber.

Abstract: A panel is provided that includes stucco, water and a dispersant component having dispersing properties and comprising a comb-branched polymer with polyether side chains, naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate or melamine sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate. A polycondensation component is also included in the slurry that includes three repeating units. A method of making the gypsum panel includes combining stucco, water and a first dosage of a first dispersant to form a slurry, the first. A second dosage of a second dispersant is added to the slurry. Properties of the gypsum slurry are tested and it is formed into a product. The product sets and properties of the product are identified. The first dosage or the second dosage is changed based on the properties of the slurry or product.

Abstract: A process for making epoxy resin foam blocks of varying density comprising mixing together (i) a foam resin comprising: a first epoxy resin, a foaming agent to the extent of 2% to 10% of the mass of the epoxy resin, a surfactant to the extent of 2% to 6% of the mass of the epoxy resin, a filler, a toughening agent and (ii) a curing agent comprising: a hardener and a second epoxy resin, the ratio of the foam resin to curing agent being in the range of about 100:20 to 100:25 by mass to form a reaction mixture; pouring the reaction mixture inside a mold maintained at a temperature in the range of 70° to 80° C. and allowing the mixture to cure in the mold for 60 to 100 min.; allowing the mold to cool at a temperature in the range of 15° C. to 30° C. and demolding to obtain a green block; and post-curing the green block in an air circulatory oven for 10 to 15 hrs to obtain a final hard foam block.

Abstract: Provided are an aliphatic polyester resin foam which has a compressive stress equal to or below that of 50-fold expanded polystyrol foam and which exhibits excellent degradability and excellent shock absorption performance, a biodegradable flower arrangement holder which has not only such low compression strength as to permit arbitrary insertion of flowers but also supporting power and which is excellent in water permeability and water-holding capacity, and processes for production of both. Aliphatic polyester resin expansion moldings which are produced from expanded aliphatic polyester resin particles and which have weight-average molecular weights of 5000 to 140000 and expansion ratios of 10 or above.