Abstract: A composition comprising: A) 50-99.9% by weight of at least a copolymer (1) of ethylene (E) with chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) wherein CTFE is comprised between 53 and 70% by moles, having a crystallinity in the range 5-45%; B) 0.1-50% by weight of a fine powder of a nucleating agent, having an average particle size lower than 50 micron and a melting temperature higher than 300° C.

Abstract: Insulating foam composition for insulation on communication cables, contains 20-95 wt % of an unmodified propylene polymer, having a melt index of 0.1 to 10 g/10 min at 230° C./2.16 kg; and 5-80 wt % of a modified propylene polymer, with a propylene content of up to 100 wt %, and a melt index of 0.05 to 10 g/10 min at 230° C./2.16 kg. The unmodified propylene polymer is a propylene homopolymer; a propylene copolymer of propylene and ethylene or an ?-olefin; a polyolefin mixture containing a crystalline copolymer of propylene and ethylene or an ?-olefin, and an elastic copolymer containing ethylene and propylene or an ?-olefin; or an amorphous, non-isotactic propylene polymer such as a propylene homopolymer, a propylene copolymer containing propylene and an ?-olefin. The modified propylene polymer is a polypropylene modified by reaction with a bismaleimido compound, ionizing radiation, or a peroxide.

Abstract: A material and an associated method of formation. A self-assembling block copolymer that includes a first block species and a second block species respectively characterized by a volume fraction of F1 and F2 with respect to the self-assembling block copolymer is provided. At least one crosslinkable polymer that is miscible with the second block species is provided. The self-assembling block copolymer and the at least one crosslinkable polymer are combined to form a mixture. The mixture having a volume fraction, F3, of the crosslinkable polymer, a volume fraction, F1A, of the first block species, and a volume fraction, F2A, of the second block species is formed. A material having a predefined morphology where the sum of F2A and F3 were preselected is formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides sintered polymeric materials and methods of making the same which are useful in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sintered polymeric material comprising at least one plastic and at least one elastomer.

Abstract: A hydrogenated copolymer obtained by hydrogenating an unhydrogenated copolymer comprising conjugated diene monomer units and vinyl aromatic monomer units, the hydrogenated copolymer containing at least one hydrogenated copolymer block (B) which is obtained by hydrogenating an unhydrogenated random copolymer block comprised of conjugated diene monomer units and vinyl aromatic monomer units, wherein the hydrogenated copolymer has the following characteristics: the hydrogenated copolymer has a content of the vinyl aromatic monomer units of from more than 40% by weight to less than 95% by weight; at least one peak of loss tangent (tan ?) is observed at ?10 to 80° C. in a dynamic viscoelastic spectrum obtained with respect to the hydrogenated copolymer; and substantially no crystallization peak ascribed to the copolymer block (B) is observed at ?20 to 80° C. in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) chart obtained with respect to the hydrogenated copolymer.

Abstract: Hydrophobic, asymmetric membranes are formed integrally from elastomeric polymers. The membranes have a dense, discriminating layer and a thick, porous support layer and require not other support. The membranes of the invention provide an economic advantage over prior art composite membranes used for separating target organics from a mixture.

Abstract: A low-k organic dielectric material having stable nano-sized porous is provided as well as a method of fabricating the same. The porous low-k organic dielectric material is made from a composition of matter having a vitrification temperature (Tv-comp) which includes a b-staged thermosetting resin having a vitrification temperate (Tv-resin), a pore generating material, and a reactive additive. The reactive additive lowers Tv-comp below Tv-resin.

Abstract: Olefin polymer-based, durable, open-cell foam compositions, structures and articles derived from same; methods for preparation of such foams; and use of the dry durable foams in various applications are disclosed. Further described is use of the foams and structures and articles made of same in absorption, filtration, insulation, cushioning and backing applications, and in particular for odor removal, hygiene and medical applications due to, among other properties, good absorption capabilities, softness and/or flexibility of the foams and their recyclable nature.

Abstract: A soft, flexible, low-density, open-cell, thermoplastic, absorbent foam formed from a foam polymer formula including a balanced amount of a plasticizing agent and a surfactant in combination with a base resin. Thermoplastic elastomers can be added to the foam polymer formula to improve softness, flexibility, elasticity, and resiliency of the resulting foam. The surfactant may be either a single surfactant or a multi-surfactant system. The foam possesses a number of qualities, such as softness and strength, which render the foam particularly suitable for use in a variety of personal care products, medical products, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are hollow polymer particles composed of a crosslinked polymer having a comparatively small particle diameter and a narrow particle diameter distribution, an aqueous dispersion of the particles, and an ink having good flying property. The hollow polymer particles are obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a crosslinkable polymerizable monomer composition absorbed in seed particles and containing a crosslinkable monomer component and a hydrophilic monomer component, wherein the seed particles are particles of a polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 15,000, and obtained by emulsion-polymerizing 100 parts by mass of a non-crosslinkable polymerizable monomer in the presence of 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of a chain transfer agent composed of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ?-methylstyrene dimer, thiuram disulfides and terpene hydrocarbons. The ink contains the hollow polymer particles.

Abstract: A low density, flexible, resilient, absorbent open-cell thermoplastic foam includes a combination of thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene ionomer, stiff polymer, and surfactant selected to provide various advantageous properties. The foam is useful in personal care absorbent articles, medical absorbent articles, absorbent wiping articles, and a variety of other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions for the preparation of void-containing articles comprising a polymer matrix and a voiding agent The voiding agent comprises at least one first polymer and at least one second polymer, which are selected on the basis of physical properties such as glass transition temperature, tensile modulus, melting point, surface tension, and melt viscosity. Shaped articles such as sheet, film, bottles, tubes, labels, and sleeves may prepared from these compositions. Also disclosed are polyester shrink films prepared using a voiding agent comprising a novel blend of cellulosic and olefinic polymers. The resulting shrink films have better opacity, lower density, reduced shrink force, and improved printability as compared with most standard voiding agents. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations.

Abstract: A process for an extruded resin foam, comprising extruding a foamable composition comprising a melted polystyrene resin and a physical blowing agent through a die to obtain a polystyrene resin foam having a thickness of at least 10 mm and a transverse cross-sectional area of at least 50 cm2, wherein said extrusion is performed so that the ratio Mz/Mn of a Z average molecular weight Mz of the polystyrene resin foam to a number average molecular weight Mn of the polystyrene resin foam, each measured by gel permeation chromatography, is 8.0 or more.

Abstract: A polymeric composition to be used in producing low density foam in which the polymeric composition comprises high density polyethylene, alkenyl aromatic polymer and a linear low density polyethylene. The polymeric resins may be prime virgin resin, offgrade virgin resin, recycled resin from a post industrial source, recycled resin from a post consumer source, or blends thereof Inventive compositions for producing polymeric foam are characterized by Dynamic Mechanical Spectroscopy to have a complex viscosity (?*) in the range of 6.0×104 to 2.5×105 poise and a loss tangent (tan ?) in the range of 0.7 to 2.1 at 190° C. and a power-law relation between tan ? and ?* where the exponent is within the range between ?0.70 and ?0.30 for the temperature range of 190° to 230° C.

Abstract: SEEPS gel and gel foam molded shape articles for use in medical and sport health care, such use include therapeutic hand exercising grips, dental floss, crutch cushions, cervical pillows, bed wedge pillows, leg rest, cushions, mattress, bed pads, elbow padding, dermal pads, wheelchair cushions, helmet liner, cold and hot packs, exercise weight belts, traction pads and belts, cushions for splints, slings, and braces, cushions for the hand, wrist, finger, fore, knee, leg, clavicle, shoulder, foot, ankle, back, rib, soles for orthopedic shoes, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a stable flexible latex foam. The latex foam will contain at least one polymer having a plurality of hard domains and a plurality of soft domains, a micelle forming agent, a hydrocarbon propellant substantially free of dimethyl ether, and an agent which is a solvent for said micelle forming agent and an emulsifier for said hydrocarbon propellant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam cushion, a method of making the foam cushion, and a method of using the foam cushion. The foam cushion is formed from: (a) at least one of rubber and a resin; (b) a blowing agent; (c) a polymeric adhesion modifier; (d) a decomposition accelerating agent, and (e) a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A macrocellular foam is described having improved cell size and Fire-test-response Characteristics, among other features, which is obtained by selecting a particle size less than 1 micron for the flame retardant adjuvant. The inventors found that the amount of fire retardant adjuvant can be increased for a given foam cell size or the foam cell size can be increased for a given amount of fire retardant adjuvant, allowing the production of foams having exceptionally large, well-formed, cells that have excellent Fire-test-response Characteristics. The benefits are especially noteworthy in relation to thermoplastic foams and inorganic flame retardation adjuvants, due to the unexpected reduction in the nucleation effect of the adjuvant. The foams are useful for improving the acoustic performance of products that are required to meet certain Fire-test-response Characteristics.

Abstract: The present photosensitive resin composition 2 comprises a polyamic acid resin 4, a photosensitive agent, a dispersible compound 3 dispersible in the polyamic acid resin 4, and a solvent. The porous resin is obtained by removing the solvent from the photosensitive resin composition 2 to form a composition in which the dispersible compound 3 is dispersed in the polyamic acid resin 4, removing the dispersible compound to make the composition porous, and curing the porous photosensitive resin composition. The porous resin enables forming a fine circuit pattern and has a low dielectric constant and, when used as an insulating layer of a circuit board, brings about improved high frequency characteristics.

Abstract: A suitable cross-linkable matrix precursor and a poragen can be treated to form a porous cross-linked matrix having a Tg of greater than 300° C. The porous matrix material has a lower dielectric constant than the corresponding non-porous matrix material, making the porous matrix material particularly attractive for a variety of electronic applications including integrated circuits, multichip modules, and flat panel display devices.

Abstract: Crosslinked particles are provided that are useful in the manufacture of dielectric materials for use in electronic devices such as integrated circuits. The crosslinked particles are prepared by activating crosslinkable groups on synthetic polymer molecules, where the crosslinkable groups are inert until activated and, when activated, undergo an irreversible intramolecular crosslinking reaction to form crosslinked particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel foamed polymer material for use as a dielectric in electric transmission lines. The foam dielectric of the present invention is obtained from extrusion of a polymer alloy and a supercritical fluid, especially carbon dioxide. Specifically, the foam polymer dielectric is made by: (1) feeding a polymer alloy into an extruder and heating the polymer alloy, (2) feeding a supercritical fluid into the extruder, (3) mixing the polymer alloy and the supercritical fluid, (4) exiting the polymer alloy and the supercritical fluid from the extruder, and (5) passing the polymer alloy and the supercritical fluid through a crosshead. The foam dielectric of the present invention may be used in coaxial transmission lines. In this embodiment, an inner conductor is surrounded by the foam dielectric, which is further surrounded by a second conductor. Stripline and microstripline transmission lines may also be manufactured using the disclosed foam dielectric.

Abstract: A polymeric composition to be used in producing foam in which the polymeric composition comprises conventional linear polypropylene, high melt strength polypropylene and a rheology modifier resin. The conventional linear polypropylene is in an amount of from about 1 to 25 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The high melt strength polypropylene is in the amount of from about 51 to 85 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The rheology modifier resin is in the amount of from 5 to about 30 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The conventional linear polypropylene may be offgrade virgin polypropylene or recycled polypropylene from post-industrial or post-consumer sources. The rheology modifier resin is a member of the group of styrene-olefin copolymers.

Abstract: Interpolymer resin particles comprised of 20% to 80% by weight polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene and 80% to 20% by weight of an in situ polymerized vinyl aromatic resin, e.g. polystyrene or poly(styrene-butyl acrylate) and forming an interpenetrating network of polyolefin and vinyl aromatic resin particles. The interpolymer particles are impregnated with a volatile hydrocarbon blowing agent, and limonene, e.g. d-limonene, ranging from about 0.1 to about 5 parts, preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the interpolymer particles, for improved expandability and a pleasant fragrance.

Abstract: A process for producing thermo-expansive microcapsules wherein a polymerizing mixture containing ethylenic unsaturated monomer and a blowing agent is suspend-polymerized to microencapsulate the blowing agent with the resultant polymer. The above-mentioned suspension-polymerization is performed with the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polypeptides and derivatives thereof as a suspension stabilizer. The process can control the particle size of microcapsules easily, attain stable reaction system and produce thermo-expansive microcapsules that disperse well in medium such as paint or inks.

Abstract: Foamable compositions are provided including a polymeric component, an encapsulated foaming component in an amount effective in foaming the foamable composition and a wood component in an amount effective as a filler in a foamed composition obtained from the foamable composition. Foamed compositions and methods of producing foamed positions are also provided.

Abstract: Crosslinked particles are provided that are useful in the manufacture of dielectric materials for use in electronic devices such as integrated circuits. The crosslinked particles are prepared by activating crosslinkable groups on synthetic polymer molecules, where the crosslinkable groups are inert until activated and, when activated, undergo an irreversible intramolecular crosslinking reaction to form crosslinked particles.

Abstract: A suitable cross-linkable matrix precursor and a poragen can be treated to form a porous cross-linked matrix having a Tg of greater than 300° C. The porous matrix material has a lower dielectric constant than the corresponding non-porous matrix material, making the porous matrix material particularly attractive for a variety of electronic applications including integrated circuits, multichip modules, and flat panel display devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition having a three-dimensional network structure which is not formed by a chemical crosslinking and having an excellent elasticity recovery and flexibility, a foam having a highly closed cell, an uniform cell shape, an excellent elasticity recovery, flexibility and appearance, and a process for producing the same. A thermoplastic elastomer of the invention is obtained by mixing in a predetermined ratio an EPDM (1), a crystalline polyethylenic resin (2) and a block copolymer (3) having a crystalline ethylenic polymeric block and a block which is more compatible with said EPDM than with said crystalline polyethylenic resin together with an anti-aging agent followed by kneading in a pressurized kneader. A foam of the invention is obtained by adding 1 part by mass of a wetting agent to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic elastomer composition described above together with a foaming agent, agitating and then performing an extrusion foaming.

Abstract: A foamable polyester resin composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a polyester resin, (B) from 0.5 to 30 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylic ester polymer or a polymer mixture obtained by polymerizing from 0 to 50 parts by weight of a monomer mixture (b) in the presence of a polymer latex which is obtained by emulsion-polymerizing from 50 to 100 parts by weight of a monomer mixture (a) wherein, when 0.1 g of the polymer is dissolved in 100 mL of chloroform, the resulting solution has a specific viscosity of from 0.7 to 1.9 as measured at 30° C. (wherein the sum of the monomer mixtures (a) and (b) being 100 parts by weight), wherein, when 0.1 g of the (meth)acrylic ester polymer or the polymer mixture is dissolved in 100 mL of chloroform, the resulting solution has a specific viscosity of from 0.65 to 1.7 as measured at 30° C., (C) from 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of a filler, (D) a blowing agent.

Abstract: A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a mixture comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer with a blowing agent, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer has a higher percent crystallinity that the second thermoplastic polymer; and subjecting the mixture to conditions sufficient to create a thermodynamic instability in the blend foam the mixture, wherein the mixture comprising the first and second thermoplastic polymers has a percent crystallinity lower than the first thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Prepare a multimodal thermoplastic polymer foam having a distribution of large and small cells in a substantial absence of water by using a blowing agent stabilizer. Multimodal foams of the present invention have blowing agent stabilizer predominantly located proximate to large cells. The resulting multimodal foams have particular utility as thermal insulating materials.

Abstract: The present invention is an ABS foam composition. The composition is comprised of ABS, a foam modifier, and a blowing agent. The composition may be formed into a variety of shapes and products using many different processing techniques, e.g., extrusion and molding.

Abstract: Foamable modified polystyrene resin particles which are foamable modified polystyrene resin particles (d) comprising modified polystyrene resin particles (c) containing a blowing agent (e); the modified polystyrene resin particles (c) comprising a polystyrene resin and rubber polymer particles (b) being dispersed in the resin, wherein the rubber polymer particles (b) are dispersed uniformly throughout a continuous phase of the polystyrene resin or in a state of a density of the particles (b) being higher in a center portion of the resin particle than in a surface layer portion thereof, and the modified polystyrene resin particles (c) are modified polystyrene resin particles prepared by impregnating a monomer mixture consisting essentially of a styrene monomer and a conjugated diene monomer and comprising the styrene monomer in a larger amount than the conjugated diene monomer, into polystyrene resin particles (a) and carrying out copolymerization.

Abstract: A foam, comprising a blend of (a) from 0.1 to 4.9 weight percent ethylene/styrene interpolymer; and (b) from 95.1 to 99.9 weight percent polyethylene homopolymer or copolymer.

Abstract: A foamable polymer composition is described which comprises: a1) a substantially random interpolymer produced from: i) one or more &agr;-olefin monomers; and ii) one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphiatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers; and optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s); or a2) an interpolymer comprising polymerized units of ethylene and vinyl acetate; or a3) a combination of the polymers a1) and a2); and b) a polydiorganosiloxane having a viscosity of at least one million centistoke at 25° C.; and c) a foaming agent. The polydiorganosiloxane is useful for improving the abrasion resistance of foams comprising the substantially random interpolymer a1) and/or the ethylene/vinyl acetate interpolymer a2).

Abstract: A non-halogenated, fire retardant, expandable poly (arylene ether)/polystyrene blends is produced by the method comprising, in a first step, forming a fire retardant mixture comprising a non-halogenated fire retardant, poly(arylene ether) resin and polystyrene resin by intimately mixing in melt; and in a second step, forming the non-halogenated, fire retardant, expandable poly (arylene ether)/polystyrene blend by intimately mixing in melt the fire retardant mixture with a blowing agent.

Abstract: A propylene polymer composition of high melt tension, which is especially favorable for foam moldings of uniform thickness, and foam moldings thereof having a uniform thickness, are obtained by melt-kneading a polymer mixture of a specific ethylene polymer (A) and a specific olefin multi-stage polymer (B) to satisfy the following formula: Log(MS)>0.91−0.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing of a chromatography material comprising the steps of (i) reacting a polymerizable at least bifunctional monomer A with a ligand also having a functional group which binds covalently with one of the functional groups of said polymerizable bifunctional monomer A, (ii) to form a compound B comprising at least one polymerizable functional moiety (iii) polymerizing the compound B essentially alone or with the polymerizable monomers in presence of porogenes to obtain a block of porous polymerizate which is self-supporting or (iv) reacting the ligand and a spacer via a covalent bond which is cleavable to form a ligand-spacer conjugate and binding the ligand-spacer conjugate to the surface of a chromatographic support or reacting the ligand-spacer conjugate via a covalent bond to the at least bi-functional monomer A and polymerizing it essentially alone or with the polymerizable monomers in presence of porogenes to obtain a block of porous polymerizate which is self-supporting.

Abstract: A flexible thermoplastic article is formed from a blend comprising from about 2 to about 15 weight percent of a styrene-elastomer block copolymer; from about 60 to about 90 weight percent polyolefin; from about 4 to about 15 weight percent plasticizer oil, and optionally from about 0 to about 3 weight percent of at least one additive. The additives are typically present in a concentration of from 0.05 to about 3 weigh percent and can include those additives conventionally used in polyolefin foam compositions, including antioxidants and stabilizers, processing aids, etc. The styrene-elastomer block copolymer is preferably a tri-block copolymer structure which includes styrene end-blocks and a mid-block of a saturated olefin elastomer. A particularly suitable styrene elastomer block copolymer is a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer.

Abstract: A suitable cross-linkable matrix precursor and a poragen can be treated to form a porous cross-linked matrix having a Tg of greater than 300° C. The porous matrix material has a lower dielectric constant than the corresponding non-porous matrix material, making the porous matrix material particularly attractive for a variety of electronic applications including integrated circuits, multichip modules, and flat panel display devices.

Abstract: A foamable polymer composition is described which comprises: a1) a substantially random interpolymer produced from: i) one or more &agr;-olefin monomers; and ii) one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphiatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers; and optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s); or a2) an interpolymer comprising polymerized units of ethylene and vinyl acetate; or a3) a combination of the polymers a1) and a2); and b) a polydiorgainosiloxanic having a viscosity of at least one million centistoke at 25° C.; and c) a foaming agent. The polydiorganosiloxane is useful for improving the abrasion resistance of foams comprising the substantially random interpolymer a1) and/or the ethylene/vinyl acetate interpolymer a2).

Abstract: A suitable cross-linkable matrix precursor and a poragen can be treated to form a porous cross-linked matrix having a Tg of greater than 300° C. The porous matrix material has a lower dielectric constant than the corresponding non-porous matrix material, making the porous matrix material particularly attractive for a variety of electronic applications including integrated circuits, multichip modules, and flat panel display devices.

Abstract: Microcellular thermoplastic elastomeric polymeric structures are provided. The articles have an average cell size of less than 100 &mgr;m and a compression set ranging from less than about 30% to less than about 5%, and a rebound value of at least 50%. The articles may be formed from a thermoplastic elastomeric olefin, preferably metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene. The density of the articles ranges from less than 0.5 gm/cm3 to less than 0.3 gm/cm3.

Abstract: An expandable vinyl chloride resin composition that the expansion ratio of a vinyl chloride resin can be greatly increased by the use of thermally decomposable inorganic blowing agents without the use of organic solvent blowing agents, and which comprises 100 parts by weight of a vinyl chloride resin, 0.5 to 30 parts by weight of, as a processing aid, a (meth)acrylic acid ester polymer having a specific viscosity of not less than 0.73 measured at 30° C. with respect to a solution of 0.1 g of the polymer dissolved in 100 ml of chloroform, and not less than 0.3 to less than 2 parts by weight of a thermally decomposable inorganic blowing agent such as sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: In a process generating a polyurethane foam by forming a mixture including isocyanate and polyol reactants, catalyst, and blowing agent, which mixture reacts exothermically to yield a rigid polyurethane foam, there is included expandable polystyrene beads made of a polystyrene that has a softening point at or below the maximum temperature reached during the exothermic reaction.

Abstract: Processes for producing alkenyl aromatic foams utilizing a cycloaliphatic gas as blowing agent, are described. Also disclosed are alkenyl aromatic foams produced by the process which exhibit increased thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A thermoplastic window covering article, and the method for making the same. The window covering article is formed of a closed cell foam of a thermoplastic strengthened with diatomaceous earth having less than about two percent moisture.

Abstract: This invention describes grafted blend compositions, processes for their preparation and fabricated articles, especially foams therefrom. The blends exhibit enhanced melt strength, melt elongation greater than or equal to about 20 mm/s, increased upper service temperature, increased modulus, and increased hardness. The grafted blend compositions have little or no high shear viscosity increase over a corresponding polymer of the same chemical composition absent the coupling agent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing alkenyl aromatic foams utilizing a combination of atmospheric and organic gases as blowing agent, preferably using greater than 30% by weight of atmospheric gas, and preferably also using a predetermined about of a masterbatch mix comprising a styrenic polymer, a rubbery block copolymer, and a solid blowing agent. Also disclosed are alkenyl aromatic foams produced by the process which exhibit increased densities, increased thermoforming capabilities, increased post-expansion properties, and increased retainment of the atmospheric and organic gases.