Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

Abstract: A method of and system for adhesive bonding. The method and system a) treat a surface of an element to be bonded to provide an adherent structure including one or more rubber compounds on the surface; b) place a polymerizable adhesive composition, including at least one photoinitiator and at least one energy converting material, in contact with the adherent structure and two or more components to be bonded to form an assembly, c) irradiated the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion by the at least one energy converting material, to a second wavelength capable of activating the at least one photoinitiator to produce from the polymerizable adhesive composition a cured adhesive composition; and d) adhesively join the two or more components by way of the adherent structure and the cured adhesive composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement based on melamine formaldehyde foams comprising, abrasive particles and to a method of cleaning a hard surface with said cleaning implement.

Abstract: An embodiment of a closed-cell polymeric rigid foam may be made using a one-shot method and a reaction system that includes a hydrofluoroalkene physical blowing agent and a polyol mixture having an aminic polyol. The hydrofluoroalkene blowing agent has 3 to 5 carbon atoms and a boiling point between 10° C. and 40° C. at 1 atmosphere pressure. Embodiments of rigid foams may have high closed cell content and are particularly well suited for thermal insulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a composition and articles containing the composition. The composition comprises a foam and a plurality of gel particles dispersed in the foam. The gel particles comprise an olefin block copolymer and an oil.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams are described, as well as the production of such polyurethane foams by the reaction between a natural polyol, such as sucrose or a blend of mono- or disaccharides in place of the standard hydrocarbon-based polyol component, an ionic liquid or a deep eutectic solvent, a polyisocyanate and water in the presence of a suitable polyurethane forming catalyst and optionally a flame retardant, and optionally one or more components such as surfactants and/or emulsifiers. The resultant polyurethane foam can exhibit a bio-based solid content ranging from about 17% to 30%, may be formulated in a variety of foam densities for a variety of applications, and in the instance where a flame retardant has been added in an appropriate amount, exhibits a high degree of fire and burn resistance, as exhibited by the flame spread index and/or the smoke spread values.

Abstract: Low density silicone-containing polyurethane foams with excellent surface characteristics are prepared by reacting a foamable composition containing a siloxane of the formula and an isocyanate, in the presence of at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: Combinations of gelatinous elastomer containing one or more phase change materials, known as “phase change gel”, and polyurethane foam may be made by introducing at least partially cured phase change gel particles comprising plasticized triblock copolymer resin and/or diblock copolymer resin and one or more phase change materials, into a mixture of polyurethane foam-forming components including a polyol and an isocyanate. The phase change gel can be crosslinked to form a cured gelatinous gel, which is then reduced in size before introduction. After the foam-forming components polymerize to make polyurethane foam, the phase change gel particles are discrete visible particles dispersed throughout the foam. The polyurethane reaction is exothermic and can generate sufficient temperature to at least partially melt the styrene-portion of the triblock copolymer resin thereby extending the crosslinking.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam composition comprising at least: at least one polyether polyol having an average molecular weight from 100-20,000; an aromatic polyisocyanate; a tackifying resin; a surfactant; a blowing agent, and a catalyst. A method for preparation of a polyurethane foam composition useful in shock absorption, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam produced from a formulation comprising a polyol, an isocyanate, a strut reinforcing agent and a VOC reducing agent. The isocyanate reacts with the polyol to produce the polyurethane foam. By including the strut reinforcing and VOC adsorption agents in the formulation during the reaction between the isocyanate and the polyol, the air permeability and firmness of the polyurethane foam are enhanced while the amount of VOCs within and the level of VOCs emitted by the polyurethane foam are reduced relative to a polyurethane foam produced by reacting the isocyanate and the polyol in the absence of the strut reinforcing or VOC reducing agents.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a rigid polyurethane foam, whereby it is possible to obtain a rigid polyurethane foam which has a low density and good dimensional stability, and when a mixture of a polymer-dispersed polyol and a polyol for a rigid polyurethane foam to be used, is stored, the mixture is excellent in storage stability, so that a rigid polyurethane foam can be produced constantly.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a viscoelastic polyurethane foam being flame retardant and having a density of greater than two and a half pounds per cubic foot that comprises a reaction product of an isocyanate component, an isocyanate-reactive blend, and a chain extender. The isocyanate-reactive blend includes a first isocyanate-reactive component and a second isocyanate-reactive component. The first isocyanate-reactive component includes at least 60 parts by weight of ethylene oxide (EO) based on 100 parts by weight of the first isocyanate-reactive component and the second isocyanate-reactive component includes at most 30 parts by weight of EO based on 100 parts by weight of the second isocyanate-reactive component. The chain extender is reactive with the isocyanate component and has a backbone chain with from two to eight carbon atoms and is present in an amount of from 5 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the foam.

Abstract: The polyisocyanate polyaddition products comprise hydrophobic compounds plus at least one further compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) organic, cyclic compounds having a molecular weight of from 200 to 3000 g/mol, (ii) salts of metals of transition groups I, II and/or VIII, (iii) organic and/or inorganic acid anhydrides, (iv) cyclic sulfonic esters and/or sulfones, (v) lactones, lactams and/or cyclic esters and/or (vi) &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acids, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketones and/or &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated aldehydes.

Abstract: A prepolymer composition for producing polyurethane insulating foams with fire-retardant properties from pressure tanks which consists of a prepolymer component with at least one PU prepolymer with a content of NCO groups of 4 to 20 wt % and usual additives, as well as a propellant component, wherein the prepolymer component is substantially halogenfree and has 5 to 40 wt %, based on the prepolymer component, of softening phosphates and/or phosphonates with the formulae O═P(OR3 and O═P(OR)2R.

Abstract: The invention and formulation relates to methods, materials, and products for foam-in-place materials comprising a two-component foam-in-place structural material for producing a foamed product. A first component of the system includes an epoxy-based resin preferably formulated with a coated particles, such as a metal salt, a metal carbonate encapsulated within a wax, or a polymer, (e.g., Thermoset, thermoplastic, or mixture). The metal carbonate particle may be encapsulated within a wax, shell or skin that will change state to expose the core to chemically react for initiating the production of gas for blowing. The second component is an acid that is capable of initiating polymerization of the resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to EPS particles that contain graphite particles or carbon black particles and, as expanding agents, 2.2 to 6 wt. % pentane and 1 to 10 wt. % water.

Abstract: A prepolymer composition for producing polyurethane insulating foams from pressure tanks which consists of a prepolymer component with at least one PU prepolymer with a content of NCO groups of 4 to 20 wt % and usual additives, as well as a propellant component, wherein a polyisocyanate with a content of less than 2 wt %, based on the prepolymer component, of monomeric isocyanate is used.

Abstract: A fill for cushions that includes a quantity of resilient beads and a quantity of gelatinous particles. The resilient beads are deformable and have shape memory. The gelatinous particles are elongatable and deformable. The gelatinous particles are tacky and tend to hold the resilient beads together in a maintainable yet deformable shape of the user's choosing.

Abstract: The polyisocyanate polyaddition products comprise hydrophobic compounds plus at least one further compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) organic, cyclic compounds having a molecular weight of from 200 to 3000 g/mol, (ii) salts of metals of transition groups I, II and/or VIII, (iii) organic and/or inorganic acid anhydrides, (iv) cyclic sulfonic esters and/or sulfones, (v) lactones, lactams and/or cyclic esters and/or (vi) &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acids, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketones and/or &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated aldehydes.

Abstract: A sponge including an elastic material having a lipid, such as an oil, a fat, or a combination thereof, integrally formed therewith. The elastic material includes an amount from between 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of the lipid, and the lipid is selected from the group consisting of esters of fatty acids, alkanes, squalane and derivatives thereof squalene, bisabolol, animal hair oils and fats, wax, lanolin and combinations thereof to provide the sponge with a gentle feel. The sponge may also be made by first foam molding the sponge from an elastic material, impregnating the sponge with a water-dispersed lipid and allowing the sponge to dry for a predetermined amount of time so that the lipid is substantially inseparable from the elastic material.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the preparation of siloxane-oxyalkylene and siloxane-alkyl copolymer compositions via a hydrosilation reaction in the presence of high boiling point natural vegetable oils as the reaction solvent. The reaction solvent need not be removed from the block copolymer product, and indeed is beneficial to remain with the copolymer particularly when the copolymer is used as a surfactant for polyurethane foam formulations. Soybean oil and linseed oil are the preferred high boiling natural oil solvents when the copolymer product is to be used in the preparation of the surfactants for polyurethane foams. High resiliency polyurethane foam prepared with these natural oils present in the surfactant preparation afforded improved compression sets, wet compression sets and humid aged compression sets.

Abstract: A method for preparing a flexible or semi-flexible polyurethane foam by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol in the presence of urethane catalyst, water as a blowing agent, optionally a silicone surfactant, and a cell opening additive characterized in that the cell opening additive comprises an aqueous dispersion of particles comprising a wax substance and optionally an emulsifier, at least 35% of the particles having a size of 0.2 to 5 microns and a melting point which ranges from 0 to 55.degree. C. below the maximum foam exotherm temperature.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the preparation of siloxane-oxyalkylene and siloxane-alkyl copolymer compositions via a hydrosilation reaction in the presence of high boiling point natural vegetable oils as the reaction solvent. The reaction solvent need not be removed from the block copolymer product, and indeed is beneficial to remain with the copolymer particularly when the copolymer is used as a surfactant for polyurethane foam formulations. Soybean oil and linseed oil are the preferred high boiling natural oil solvents when the copolymer product is to be used in the preparation of the surfactants for polyurethane foams. High resiliency polyurethane foam prepared with these natural oils present in the surfactant preparation afforded improved compression sets, wet compression sets and humid aged compression sets.

Abstract: A prepolymer composition for producing polyurethane insulating foams from pressure tanks which consists of a prepolymer component with at least one PU prepolymer with a content of NCO groups of 4 to 20 wt % and usual additives, as well as a propellant component, with a content of 0.01 to 2 wt %, based on the prepolymer component, of polybutadiene.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to improved alkenyl aromatic polymer foams (and processes for their preparation) having increased heat distortion temperature and improved dimensional stability while maintaining good tensile/tear, creep and environmental dimensional change properties.The closed cell low density alkenyl aromatic polymer foams exhibit increased heat distortion temperature, when substantially random interpolymers of about 21 to about 65 mol % styrene are blended in. When these same alkenyl aromatic polymer foams are made without these interpolymers, the heat distortion temperature is not improved.

Abstract: There is provided a high resilience polyurethane foam produced from a polydiene diol having a number average molecular weight from 1,000 to 20,000 and a functionality of from 1.6 to 2, an aromatic polyisocyanate, and oil. The polydiene diol foams have excellent processability, producing high resilience foams having small cell size and uniform cell size distributions.

Abstract: A process for preparing rigid expanded materials containing urethane and optionally urea and isocyanurate groups, characterised in that a polyurethane rigid foam is prepared by reactinga) an aromatic polyisocyanate withb) a polyol component with on average at least 3 hydrogen atoms which can react with isocyanates, containing1) 30 to 80 wt. % of an aromatic amine started polyether with a molecular weight of 300 to 800 based on 70 to 100 wt. % of 1,2-propylene oxide and 0 to 30 wt. % of ethylene oxide2) 10 to 40 wt. % of a substantially sucrose started polyether with a molecular weight of 400 to 1,000 based on 70 to 100 wt. % of 1,2-propylene oxide and 0 to 30 wt. % of ethylene oxide3) 5 to 30 wt. % of a propylene glycol started polyether with a molecular weight of 500 to 1,500 based on 70 to 100 wt. % of 1,2-propylene oxide and 0 to 30 wt. % of ethylene oxide4) n-pentane and/or i-pentane as blowing agent5) water6) optional auxiliary agents and additives,wherein the sum of the wt.

Abstract: A polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam is derived from a mixture comprising a crude isocyanate component and a polyol component which contains all or some of the following products in a homogeneous mixture: polyols, catalysts, surfactants, water, flame-retardants, expanding agents, fillers, dyes and pigments, in which the expanding agents comprise a pentane component associated with a dialkanolamide derived from fatty or oily substances of vegetable origin.

Abstract: The present invention aims to improve soundproof and heat insulating properties of a foamed plastic by reducing internal cells pressure inside foamed resins. A base polymer such as a polyester-based polyol and a volatile foaming agent having an conjugate unsaturated group (i.e., conjugate double carbon bonds and/or triple carbon bonds) such as chloroprene (bp. 51.degree. C.) and calcium stearate were blended and then mixed with a hardening agent such as hexamethylene diisocyanate. The volatile foaming agent existing in open cells of the foamed plastic sealed in the Al laminated film and between the film and the foamed plastic, i.e., gap, possesses an unsaturated group, such as isoprene. Thus polymerization may occur by irradiating with electron rays, and the inside of the foams and the gap region may be reduced in pressure while the bag of the laminated film retains its shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an open-celled rigid polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol in the presence of a blowing agent, usually water, and a cell opening agent. The cell opening agent comprises a combination of a polyoxyalkylene polysiloxane having a cloud point of 65.degree. C. or less, and a second substance that has a critical surface free energy of less than about 23 mJ/m.sup.2. Highly preferred as second substance is fine particulate poly(tetrafluoroethylene) polymer.

Abstract: There is provided a high resilience polyurethane foam adhesive produced from a polydiene diol having a number average molecular weight from 1,000 to 20,000 and a functionality of from 1.6 to 2, an aromatic polyisocyanate, a tackifying resin and oil. In another embodiment, there is provided a polyurethane foam adhesive produced from a blend of a polydiene diol and a polydiene mono-ol, an aromatic polyisocyanate, and a tackifying resin.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of polyurethane microspheres, which comprises of preparing a solution of diol or polyol having a molecular weight in the range of 200-2000, crosslinker and a catalyst selected from amino or organometallic compounds, dispersing this solution in dilute solution of stabilizer which consists of a block copolymer having the general formula ?A!.sub.n-- ?B!.sub.m where A and B are chemically and compositionally dissimilar segments and n and m segments are in between 30-115 and 10-60 units respectively, such that the sum of n and m does not exceed 175 units, in an aliphatic hydrocarbon, adding an isocyanate dropwise to this dispersion, agitating the mixture at high speed of 100-1200 revolutions per minute, a temperature between 30.degree. to 55.degree. C. to permit the formation of polyurethane microspheres, separating these microspheres by filtration, washing with lower aliphatic hydrocarbon and drying the microspheres under vacuum.

Abstract: This invention relates to insulating foams and to a process for producing the foams. Preferably, the foams are made from phenol formaldehyde resins. The blowing agents for making the foams include film forming coating material which coats the interior surfaces of the foam cells. The coated foams have better thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method the preparation of rigid foams by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive material in the presence of a blowing promoter characterised in that the isocyanate-reactive material comprises at least one isocyanate-reactive cyclic carbonate or isocyanate-reactive cyclic urea, the reaction being performed in the presence of an inert insoluble organic liquid which is present as the dispersed phase of an emulsion or a microemulsion, and in the presence of a metal salt catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an open-celled rigid polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol in the presence of a blowing agent, usually water, and a cell opening agent. The cell opening agent comprises a combination of a polyoxyalkylene polysiloxane having a cloud point of 65.degree. C. or less, and a second substance that has a critical surface free energy of less than about 23 mJ/m.sup.2. Highly preferred as second substance is fine particulate poly(tetrafluoroethylene) polymer.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of rigid foams by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive material in the presence of a blowing promoter characterized in that the isocyanate-reactive material comprises at least one isocyanate-reactive cyclic carbonate or isocyanate-reactive cyclic urea, the reaction being performed in the presence of an inert insoluble organic liquid which is present as the disperse phase of an emulsion or a microemulsion, and in the presence of a metal salt catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a fine celled, closed celled rigid polyurethane or urethane-modified polyisocyanate foam is disclosed which comprises reacting a polyfunctional isocyanate-reactive composition with a polyisocyanate composition, characterized in that the foam-forming composition comprises carbon black.

Abstract: A polyol blend is disclosed for making cellular polyurethane foam products in the absence of halogenated hydrocarbon blowing agents. The products have good insulating performance, good compressive strength, and excellent dimensional stability. The blend comprises first and second polyols and is suitable for one-shot and two component reaction systems. The first polyol is the reaction product of one or more alkylene oxides and a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic diols, triols, pentaerythritol, water in an amount sufficient to form a diol upon reaction with alkylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evacuated and unevacuated microcellular foam containing an infrared attenuating agent (IAA). The evacuated foam has an average cell size of about 70 micrometers or less. The unevacuated foam has an average cell size of 1.0 micrometers or less. The IAA provide a greater proportional reduction in foam thermal conductivity in these foams than in foams of larger cell size. Further disclosed is a method of using the foams.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented films from high molecular weight polyethylene are characterized by a gas permeable structure formed from random-arranged microfibrils. The films have coefficients of static friction and kinetic friction of not more than 1.0. The biaxially oriented films are further characterized by service smoothness as well as tensile (tangent) modulus and tensile strength. The films may be used for lamination, filter, or for packaging for moisture absorbers. The biaxially oriented films may be obtained by extracting a hydrocarbon plasticizer from a sheet formed from the high molecular weight polyethylene and a hydrocarbon plasticizer, stretching the resulting sheet to obtain an oriented film having a specific surface area of at least 70 m.sup.2 /g and a fibril structure, and heating the oriented film under a standard length constraint to reduce the oriented film in specific area by at least 20 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A method is described for the preparation of rigid foams, having urethane and/or isocyanurate groups and being extensively open celled, by reacting polyisocyanates with compounds having at least two groups capable of reacting with isocyanates and the equivalent weight per reactive group of which is about 9 to 800, in the presence of catalysts, surface active substances, as well as, optionally, physical blowing agents, flame retardants and other known auxiliary materials and finishing agents, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of liquid, higher molecular weight, unsaturated hydrocarbons, which are free of groups capable of reacting with isocyanates, in amounts of 0.01 to 3.0% by weight, based on the reaction formulation. Particularly preferred hydrocarbons are polybutadiene and polyoctenylene with an average molecular weight of 800 to 10,000 g/mole. The rigid foams, because of their open cell nature, exhibit high dimensional stability.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a fine celled, closed celled rigid polyurethane or urethane-modified polyisocyanate foam is disclosed which comprises reacting a polyfunctional isocyanate-reactive composition with a polyisocyanate composition, characterized in that the foam-forming composition comprises carbon black.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a closed cell, rigid, polymer foam from polymer foam-forming ingredients containing a filler which comprises:(a) dispersing the filler in at least a portion of the foam-forming ingredients to form a filled dispersion, a fluorochemical surfactant being incorporated in the foam-forming ingredients either before, during or after the dispersing operation to form a dispersion containing a filler and a fluorochemical surfactant,(b) mixing the dispersion formed in step (a) with any remaining foam-forming ingredient or ingredients, and(c) foaming and curing the resultant foam-forming composition.The fluorochemical surfactant improves the stability, flowability and mixing of the dispersion during the foam production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyurethane elastomer having a density of from about 100 to about 1100 kg/m.sup.3, and an abrasion loss of less than about 300 mg, as determined in accordance with Test Method A of ISO 4649. Such elastomer can be prepared by reacting a urethane-modified polyisocyanate with at least one polyol in the presence of from about 0.1 to about 10 parts per 100 parts by weight of polyol' of a liquid polybutadiene comprising 1,2-butene, 2,3-(trans)butene and 2,3-(cis)butene moieties, wherein the 1,2-butene content is less than about 50 percent, based on total butene content, and the 2,3 (cis)-butene content is greater than the 2,3-(trans)butene content.

Abstract: Polyisocyanate based organic aerogels having pore sizes less than 100 nm, densities in the range 10 to 800 kg/m.sup.3 and surface areas in the range 10 to 1500 m.sup.2 /g are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a rigid, hydrocarbon blown, polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol composition comprising a fatty oil. The fatty oil has a fatty acid content, especially a hydroxyl-substituted fatty acid, which enhances the miscibility of the hydrocarbon blowing agent. A preferred fatty oil is castor oil comprising as principle constituent the hydroxyl-substituted fatty acid, ricinoleic acid. Enhanced storage stability of a polyol composition containing hydrocarbon blowing agent in amounts required for production of low density foam is observed.

Abstract: A water-permeable and fire-resistant product and the preparing method thereof is disclosed. The water-permeable and fire-resistant product is made of a fabric layer and a purous film adhered thereon. The porous film of this invention comprises polyurethane resin; a first fire-resistant agent; a second fire-resistant agent, an inorganic fire-resistant agent and an additive agent. The first fire-resistant agent used is selected from the group consisting of paraffine chlorinated, decabromodiphenyl oxide, hexachloro benzene, hexabromo benzene, pentabromo ethyl benzene, pentabromo diphenyl oxide and octabromo diphenyl ether. The second fire-resistant agent used is selected from the group consisting of Sb2O3 and Sb2O5. The surface of the product produced is smooth.

Abstract: The invention is a rigid polyurethane foam to which a base stock lubricating oil made of at least 55 weight percent paraffinic carbons and less than 10 weight percent aromatic carbons has been added as a hydrophobic agent protecting the polyurethane foam from reacting with environmental moisture. The foam is useful for deposit in railroad spike holes or any structural member having a cavity and where moisture within or on the cavity would otherwise react with the isocyanate to produce an uncontrollable foaming mass.

Abstract: It has been discovered that particular flexible polyurethane foam formulations having a chlorinated alkane incorporated therein have the advantage of improved combustion resistance, but also unexpectedly the additional advantages of improved durability (dynamic fatigue), and better processing in terms of a delayed onset of gel. These results were surprisingly achieved with the use of a chlorinated alkane as the sole component to improve combustion resistance. Incorporation of as much as 34 parts of chlorinated alkane per hundred parts of polyol have been accomplished.

Abstract: The use of a liquid for the preparation of a rigid polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and a polyol in the presence of a blowing agent characterised in that the liquid is an inert, insoluble, non-blowing liquid. CFC-free foams may be obtained showing good insulating properties.