Abstract: The heating system for a sauna comprises an oven and an accumulator. The heating system is electrically connectable to a mains which provides a first electrical power. The accumulator is provided to provide a second electrical power. The oven is operable with the first and second electrical powers to increase the thermal power.

Abstract: Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of one or more water-soluble polysaccharides, such as gelling polysaccharides and gelling-compatible polysaccharides, and one or more insoluble fibers. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have a porous network structure and highly stable gelling properties as well as high absorption ratio and volume expansion capacity upon hydration or rehydration. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials and uses thereof.

Abstract: To provide a propylene-based copolymer and a propylene-based copolymer composition, each of which has a high melt tension because it has a long-chain branched structure, exhibits excellent molding processability during molding, such as inflation molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, injection molding or vacuum forming, and is capable of favorably providing a foamed product having an excellent expansion ratio and excellent cell uniformity in the foaming stage. The propylene-based copolymer (A) of the present invention comprises 50 to 95% by mol of constituent units [i] derived from propylene, 4.9 to 49.9% by mol of constituent units [ii] derived from an ?-olefin of 2 to 10 carbon atoms other than propylene and 0.1 to 10% by mol of constituent units [iii] derived from a non-conjugated polyene (with the proviso that the total amount of the constituent units [i], [ii] and [iii] is 100% by mol), and is characterized by satisfying specific requirements (a) and (c).

Abstract: Provided are a rubber foam composition from which a rubber foam having low metal corrosive properties, low fogging properties and reduced odor and causing no poor foaming or tackiness of the rubber foam surface can be obtained, and a rubber foam using the same. The rubber foam composition comprises: a rubber component including a copolymer rubber of ethylene, an ?-olefin having three or more carbon atoms and a non-conjugated diene, a vulcanizing agent, and a foaming agent, the composition being characterized in that the vulcanizing agent comprises ?,??-di(t-butylperoxy)diisopropylbenzene and a quinoid-based vulcanizing agent, and characterized by being substantially free of urea-based foaming auxiliary, and the rubber foam uses the same.

Abstract: A heat-expandable rubber layer is provided to an inner all of a pneumatic tire when the tire is in an uncured state. The rubber layer is expanded when the tire is in a vulcanized state. Once expanded, the rubber layer is capable of reducing rolling noises of the tire. The rubber layer includes an elastomer composition based on at least an elastomer, e.g., natural rubber or butyl rubber; a reinforcing filler, e.g., silica and/or carbon black; between 10 and 80 phr of a blowing agent, e.g., an azodicarbonamide compound; and between 10 and 50 phr of a hot-melt compound with a melting point between 70° C. and 150° C., e.g., urea. The combination of the blowing agent and the hot-melt compound, at recommended high contents, makes it possible to very greatly reduce an expansion ratio and therefore a thickness of the rubber layer once the pneumatic tire is vulcanized, without affecting noise absorption properties provided by the blowing agent.

Abstract: Provided is a porous body, which is formed of a resin obtained by crosslinking a copolymer of ethylene, an ?-olefin, and a non-conjugated diene, wherein porosity of the porous body is in the range of 50 to 95% by volume, strength of the porous body at 50% compression is 300 kPa or less, and compression set (A) under atmosphere at a temperature of 80° C. and a relative humidity of 90% is 20% or less.

Abstract: Microporous polyolefin and microporous polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD) based aerogels and methods for preparing and using the same are provided. The aerogels are produced by forming a polymer gel structure within a solvent from a olefin or dicyclopentadiene monomer 5 via Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) reactions, followed by supercritical drying to remove the solvent from the aerogel. Other aerogels are prepared by sequentially (1) mixing at least one dicyclopentadiene monomer, at least one solvent at least one catalyst and at least one inorganic and/or organic reinforcing material, (2) gelling the mixture, (3) aging, and (4) supercritical drying. Aerogels provided herein are inexpensive to prepare, possess desirable 10 thermal, mechanical, acoustic, chemical, and physical properties and are hydrophobic.

Abstract: In one aspect, catalytic membranes are described herein. In some embodiments, a catalytic membrane comprises a surface functionalized with a polymer, the polymer comprising cellulose solubilization functionalities and acid functionalities for the catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose and/or hemicellulose.

Abstract: A buffer material is obtained by foaming a rubber composition containing an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. In the buffer material, the content ratio of a sulfur atom calculated based on the measurement result of a fluorescent X-ray measurement, based on mass, is 1000 ppm or less, the buffer material has a 50% compressive load value of 0.1 N/cm2 or more and 2.0 N/cm2 or less, and the buffer material has a stress relaxation rate in a compressed state of 50% after 10 seconds of compression of 60% or more.

Abstract: An ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material is obtained by foaming a rubber composition containing an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. In the ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material, the content ratio of a sulfur atom calculated based on the measurement result of a fluorescent X-ray measurement, based on mass, is 1000 ppm or less, a rate of change of a 50% compressive load value after being heated at 140° C. for 7 days to a 50% compressive load value before being heated is 50% or more and 150% or less, and the 50% compressive load value before being heated is 0.1 N/cm2 or more and 2.0 N/cm2 or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber-based resin closed-cell foam sheet with its sealing capability being unlikely to be lowered even for a prolonged period of use, and with its excellent waterproofing capability. The inventive rubber-based resin closed-cell foam sheet is characterized in that the foam sheet includes a rubber-based resin containing a nitrile group, and exhibits an excellent adhesion. When used as a waterproof sealing material, the foam sheet can adhere, in a tightly close contact, to the interface of a portion to be sealed. Therefore, the inventive rubber-based resin closed-cell foam sheet can be advantageously used as a waterproof sealing material having high sealing capability and excellent waterproofing capability.

Abstract: A sound insulating material is obtained by foaming a rubber composition containing an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. The content ratio of a sulfur atom calculated by a fluorescent X-ray measurement, based on mass, is 1000 ppm or less. The sound insulating material has a 50% compressive load value of 0.1 N/cm2 or more and 10 N/cm2 or less. The sound insulating material has an air permeability of 10 cm3/min/cm2 or less.

Abstract: An ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material is obtained by foaming a rubber composition containing an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. The ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material has a 50% compressive load value of 0.1 to 2.0 N/cm2 and the content ratio of a sulfur atom calculated based on the measurement result of a fluorescent X-ray measurement, based on mass, is 1000 ppm or less.

Abstract: An ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material is obtained by foaming a rubber composition containing an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. The ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material has a permanent compression set obtained by being compressed by 50% at 80° C. for 22 hours to be then released at 23° C. after the elapse of 24 hours of 30% or less. The content ratio of a sulfur atom calculated based on the measurement result of a fluorescent X-ray measurement, based on mass, is 1000 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanoporous membrane includes preparing a solution of a gemini Imidazolium Lyotropic Liquid Crystal (LLC) monomer, a polar low-volatility organic solvent, and a radical photo-initiator in a volatile organic solvent; solvent-casting the solution onto a porous material, evaporating the volatile organic solvent; heating such that the gemini imidazolium monomer forms a Q-phase material and photopolymerizing the imidazolium monomer by exposing the radical photo-initiator to UV light; and exchanging the polar low-volatility organic solvent. Also disclosed is a membrane composed of polymerized gemini imidazolium LLC monomers, and a thin-film composite membrane having the Q-phase material supported on a porous supporting membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to elastic expanded polymer foams and also a process for producing expanded polymer foams by sintering a mixture comprising foam particles P1 and P2 composed of different thermoplastic polymers or polymer blends, wherein the foam particles P1 are obtained by prefoaming expandable, thermoplastic polymer particles comprising A) from 45 to 97.9 percent by weight of a styrene polymer, B1) from 1 to 45 percent by weight of a polyolefin having a melting point in the range from 105 to 140° C., B2) from 0 to 25 percent by weight of a polyolefin having a melting point below 105° C., C1) from 0.1 to 25 percent by weight of a styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene block copolymer, C2) from 0.0 to 10 percent by weight of a styrene-ethylene-butylene block copolymer, D) from 1 to 15 percent by weight of a blowing agent, E) from 0 to 5 percent by weight of a nucleating agent, where the sum of A) to E) is 100% by weight.

Abstract: A method for forming a filter in a fluid flow path in a microfluidic device is provided. The method includes introducing a photopolymerization reaction solution into the microfluidic device; and performing polymerization of photopolymerization reaction solution to form a filter in the fluid flow path in a microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vulcanizable rubber composition containing (A) an ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber, (B) a polyolefin resin and (C) a blowing agent, wherein the polyolefin resin (B) is microdispersed in a melted state in the ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), the polyolefin resin (B) having an average dispersed particle diameter of 2 ?m or less, the polyolefin resin (B) is present in an amount of from 5 to 15 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), the blowing agent (C) is present in an amount of from 2 to 6 parts by mass per 10 parts by mass of the ethylene/?-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), and the vulcanizable rubber composition has a specific gravity of from 1.05 to 1.15 and a Mooney viscosity (Vm) at 125° C. of from 25 to 55.

Abstract: Expandable, thermoplastic polymer bead material composed of a multiphase polymer mixture which comprises blowing agent and has at least one continuous phase of a thermoplastic polymer, where at least two different disperse phases P1 and P2 are present, disperse in the continuous phase, and also to processes for its production, and to use for the production of elastic molded foams.

Abstract: A heat-expandable rubber layer is provided to an inner all of a pneumatic tire when the tire is in an uncured state. The rubber layer is expanded when the tire is in a vulcanized state. Once expanded, the rubber layer is capable of reducing rolling noises of the tire. The rubber layer includes an elastomer composition based on at least an elastomer, e.g., natural rubber or butyl rubber; a reinforcing filler, e.g., silica and/or carbon black; between 10 and 80 phr of a blowing agent, e.g., an azodicarbonamide compound; and between 10 and 50 phr of a hot-melt compound with a melting point between 70° C. and 150° C., e.g., urea. The combination of the blowing agent and the hot-melt compound, at recommended high contents, makes it possible to very greatly reduce an expansion ratio and therefore a thickness of the rubber layer once the pneumatic tire is vulcanized, without affecting noise absorption properties provided by the blowing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for producing polymethacrylimide foams having reduced pore size. The inventive method allows production of a microporous foam with an especially homogeneous pore size distribution without having to use insoluble nucleation agents.

Abstract: To provide a propylene-based copolymer and a propylene-based copolymer composition, each of which has a high melt tension because it has a long-chain branched structure, exhibits excellent molding processability during molding, such as inflation molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, injection molding or vacuum forming, and is capable of favorably providing a foamed product having an excellent expansion ratio and excellent cell uniformity in the foaming stage. The propylene-based copolymer (A) of the present invention comprises 50 to 95% by mol of constituent units [i] derived from propylene, 4.9 to 49.9% by mol of constituent units [ii] derived from an ?-olefin of 2 to 10 carbon atoms other than propylene and 0.1 to 10% by mol of constituent units [iii] derived from a non-conjugated polyene (with the proviso that the total amount of the constituent units [i], [ii] and [iii] is 100% by mol), and is characterized by satisfying specific requirements (a) and (c).

Abstract: Microporous polyolefin and microporous polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD) based aerogels and methods for preparing and using the same are provided. The aerogels are produced by forming a polymer gel structure within a solvent from a olefin or dicyclopentadiene monomer 5 via Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) reactions, followed by supercritical drying to remove the solvent from the aerogel. Other aerogels are prepared by sequentially (1) mixing at least one dicyclopentadiene monomer, at least one solvent at least one catalyst and at least one inorganic and/or organic reinforcing material, (2) gelling the mixture, (3) aging, and (4) supercritical drying. Aerogels provided herein are inexpensive to prepare, possess desirable 10 thermal, mechanical, acoustic, chemical, and physical properties and are hydrophobic.

Abstract: An ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material is obtained by foaming a rubber composition containing an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and a cross-linking agent. The cross-linking agent does not contain sulfur and contains a thiuram compound and the mixing ratio of the thiuram compound with respect to 100 parts by mass of the ethylene-propylene-diene rubber is 0.05 parts by mass or more and less than 20 parts by mass.

Abstract: Formulations based on anionically stabilized aqueous polymer dispersions, containing polychloroprene, to which carbon dioxide (CO2) has been added, to a process for their preparation, to a device for increasing the carbon dioxide content of formulations based on anionically stabilized aqueous polymer dispersions, and to the use thereof in the production of adhesives, sealants, large-volume parts or coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising antioxidants and stabilizers, such as, acid scavengers or organic phosphorus stabilizers, and optionally further comprising co-stabilizers. The disclosed compositions are useful as stabilizers for polyolefins and other polymeric materials. The disclosed compositions and methods generally provide longer shelf lifes and better oxidative resistance to materials than currently available antioxidants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic organic copolymer prepared by copolymerization of at least one monomer of the group consisting of styrene, (C1-C3)alkylstyrene, (meth)acrylic acid and esters thereof with a crosslinker in the presence of a macroporogen and a microporogen, wherein a) the sum of said at least one monomer of the group and the crosslinker is 10-20%, preferably 10-15%, by volume of the reaction mixture, with the rest being essentially macroporogen and microporogen, and the degree of said copolymerization is at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 99%, or b) the sum of said at least one monomer of the group and the crosslinker is 30-50%, preferably 35-45%, by volume of the reaction mixture, with the rest being essentially macroporogen and microporogen, and the degree of said copolymerization is in the range of 25-60%, preferably 35-50%.

Abstract: A method for producing an adhesive layer, an aqueous adhesive dispersion containing chlorinated polyolefins and further additives, having a pH from 10 to 13, being provided; said adhesive being adjusted, by the introduction of CO2, to a pH below 9.0; and an adhesive layer then being applied, wherein the quantity of CO2 to be introduced is determined and regulated by measuring the pH of the dispersion.

Abstract: [Object] To provide an excellent foaming agent which does not have problems in handling and operation (example: risk of explosion or fire) and inhibition of cross-linking resulting from a foaming agent and problems, such as, mold pollution and environmental pollution, caused by a foaming agent residue, which has excellent uniform dispersibility in a subject of foaming, and which can be used as an alternative to the chemical decomposition type foaming agent. [Solution] A foaming agent formed from at least (A) a high molecular compound having a saturated water absorption of 10 to 1,000 g/g in ion-exchanged water (25° C.) and (B) water, wherein a storage modulus (G?) of the agent, determined on the basis of a viscoelasticity measurement at a temperature of 20° C., is 8.0×101 to 1.0×106 Pa at a frequency of 5 rad/s.

Abstract: A paste-like thermally foaming filler contains 2 to 20 parts by weight of an uncrosslinked synthetic rubber. 5 to 30 parts by weight of a partially crosslinked rubber, 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a quinone-based vulcanizing agent, 0.2 to 1 parts by weight of thermally expandable balloons, 1 to 10 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, 20 to 50 parts by weight of a plasticizer, 15 to 50 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, and 2 to 15 parts by weight of a chemical foaming agent. The paste-like thermally foaming filler exhibits high foaming capability even at low temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides: an electric double-layer capacitor, a lithium ion secondary battery, and a lithium ion capacitor, each having high electrostatic capacitance and excellent cycle characteristics; an electrode material capable of providing the electric double-layer capacitor, the lithium ion secondary battery, and the lithium ion capacitor; and a composite used in the electrode material. The composite of a conductive polymer has a nitrogen atom and a porous carbon material. The conductive polymer is bound to a surface of the porous carbon material. A total pore volume of all of the pores having a diameter of 0.5 to 100.0 nm measured by a BJH method is from 0.3 to 3.0 cm3/g, and a proportion, measured by the BJH method, of the pore volume of the pores having a diameter of 2.0 nm or more and less than 20.0 nm is not less than 10% of the total pore volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a porous resin particle containing an aromatic vinyl compound-aromatic divinyl compound copolymer having a hydroxyl group, the method including: dissolving a monomer mixture containing an aromatic vinyl compound, an aromatic divinyl compound and a (meth)acrylic acid ester having one hydroxyl group within the molecule thereof, and a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent to obtain a solution containing the monomer mixture and the polymerization initiator; suspending the solution in water in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer; and performing a suspension copolymerization. The method of the invention is capable of easily producing a porous resin particle containing an aromatic vinyl compound-aromatic divinyl compound copolymer having a hydroxyl group, that is used as a support for solid phase synthesis and enables efficient nucleic acid synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crosslinkable and expandable elastomeric material based on and/or containing siloxane polymer, the process for manufacturing of such material and the use of such material and its blends and composites.

Abstract: Compositions containing polymers and one or more heat labile and/or incompatible components adsorbed on carrier materials are provided. The heat labile components include materials that are inactivated, that volatilize, decompose, or undergo a chemical reaction or transformation at the polymer's processing temperatures (heat labile biocides). Incompatible components are materials that generally react or form gels or precipitates upon mixing. The carrier materials generally include inorganic or organic porous materials capable of remaining solid during processing temperatures. Methods for preparing the polymer compositions are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a shoe sole component that has properties such as strength and cushioning property that are suppressed from being changed even under a wide temperature range from severe cold at ?10° C. or lower to high temperature conditions exceeding 30° C. A shoe sole component includes a cross-linked foam of a resin composition, the resin composition containing a thermoplastic polyolefin resin, in which tan ? (?20° C. to 40° C.) at a frequency of 10 Hz measured according to JIS K 7244-4 is 0.01 to 0.5, and tan ? (?20° C.)/tan ? (40° C.) at a frequency of 10 Hz is 0.7 to 1.3.

Abstract: Microporous polyolefin and microporous polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD) based aerogels and methods for preparing and using the same are provided. The aerogels are produced by forming a polymer gel structure within a solvent from a olefin or dicyclopentadiene monomer via Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) reactions, followed by supercritical drying to remove the solvent from the aerogel. Other aerogels are prepared by sequentially (1) mixing at least one dicyclopentadiene monomer, at least one solvent at least one catalyst and at least one inorganic and/or organic reinforcing material, (2) gelling the mixture, (3) aging, and (4) supercritical drying. Aerogels provided herein are inexpensive to prepare, possess desirable thermal, mechanical, acoustic, chemical, and physical properties and are hydrophobic. The aerogels provided herein are suitable for use in various applications, including but not limited to thermal and acoustic insulation, radiation shielding, and vibrational damping applications.

Abstract: Methods for making foamed adhesive compositions suitable for use in adhesive dressings for topical application to the body, the method including providing a molten adhesive composition, combining an inert gas with the molten adhesive composition in a first mixer, mixing the molten adhesive composition comprising the inert gas in the first mixer under conditions effective to form a first foamed adhesive composition; and mixing the first foamed adhesive composition in a second mixer that includes a rotating mixing blade under conditions effective to provide a second foamed adhesive composition having a substantially homogenous distribution of closed cells containing the inert gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to automotive weatherstrip material. More specifically, the invention utilizes thermo-expandable microspheres in the sponge bulb member of the weatherstrip to produce a microcellular structure which provides a lower weight weatherstrip material with improved surface appearance and comparable stiffness to known materials for use in the automotive industry, and exhibiting a blown specific gravity of less than about 0.60 g/cc.

Abstract: Provided is a dendritic ethylene polymer. The polymer is a dendritic polymer of an ethylene/alpha-olefin-diene copolymer and a vinyl-terminated polyethylene. There is also provided a process for making a dendritic ethylene polymer. The process includes the steps of preparing a dendritic ethylene polymer by reacting ethylene/alpha-olefin-diene copolymer with vinyl-terminated polyethylene in the presence of a radical source. There is also provided a blend and a blown film that include the dendritic ethylene polymer.

Abstract: Methods and materials are described for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid gel compositions where a sulfur-containing cross-linking agent covalently links the organic and inorganic components. The gel compositions are further dried to provide porous gel compositions and aerogels. The mechanical and thermal properties of the dried gel compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The thermoplastic resin composition (X1) of the present invention comprises (A1), (B1), (C1), and optionally (D1) below: 1 to 90 wt % of an isotactic polypropylene (A1); 9 to 98 wt % of a propylene/ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (B1) containing 45 to 89 mol % of propylene-derived structural units, 10 to 25 mol % of ethylene-derived structural units, and optionally, 0 to 30 mol % of C4-C20 ?-olefin-derived structural units (a1); 1 to 80 wt % of a styrene-based elastomer (C1); and 0 to 70 wt % of an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (D1) whose density is in the range of 0.850 to 0.910 g/cm3, wherein (A1)+(B1)+(C1)+(D1)=100 wt %.

Abstract: A composition for forming a molded article comprises a first formable material capable of flowing when heated to a first molding temperature, a second formable material capable of flowing when heated to a second molding temperature, and an additive mixed with the second formable material. The additive is provided in an amount determined by: (a) calculating a molding time for the first formable material to reach the first molding temperature; (b) calculating a required power factor for the second formable material that will allow the second formable material to reach the second molding temperature in the molding time of the first formable material; and (c) calculating the amount of the additive to be mixed with the second formable material to obtain the required power factor. A method of forming the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a thermosetting resin with a hardness of at least 55 Shore D, wherein the resin essentially consists of an ethylene ?-olefin copolymer with a density of less than 880 kg/m3, which resin is crosslinked to a degree such that the volume swelling measured in decaline after 64 hours at 23° C. is less than 50% by volume on the composite and the composite contains at least 40% by volume of a reinforcing filler, wherein the vol % of the filler is related to the volume of the resin. The composite according to the invention is an excellent isolator when at least 100 phr cork are present in the composite. A composite according to the invention can be made by crosslinking of the copolymer in the presence of a high amount of peroxide in the presence of at least 40% by volume on the resin of a filler.

Abstract: An EPDM foam contains an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, in which the EPDM foam has water stopping performance lasting for 1 hour or more according to 50% waterstop test and metal corrosion is not observed according to metal corrosion test.

Abstract: A tyre is formed of a tread that includes, in the unvulcanized state, a heat-expandable rubber composition. The rubber composition includes at least a diene elastomer, 70 to 120 phr of a reinforcing filler, between 5 and 25 phr of a blowing agent, and between 5 and 25 phr of a thermofusible compound. The melting point of the thermofusible compound is between 70° C. and 150° C. and the total amount of the blowing agent and the thermofusible compound is greater than 15 phr. The rubber composition provides improved grip for the tread on melting ice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber-based resin closed-cell foam sheet with its sealing capability being unlikely to be lowered even for a prolonged period of use, and with its excellent waterproofing capability. The inventive rubber-based resin closed-cell foam sheet is characterized in that the foam sheet includes a rubber-based resin containing a nitrile group, and exhibits an excellent adhesion. When used as a waterproof sealing material, the foam sheet can adhere, in a tightly close contact, to the interface of a portion to be sealed. Therefore, the inventive rubber-based resin closed-cell foam sheet can be advantageously used as a waterproof sealing material having high sealing capability and excellent waterproofing capability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a closed-cell foamed rubber sheet whose sealability is less likely to decrease even after long-time use and which has excellent water resistance. The closed-cell foamed rubber sheet of the present invention comprises a rubber-based resin, and is provided by the steps of: providing a foamable resin composition containing the rubber-based resin and a foaming agent; irradiating the foamable resin composition with ionizing radiation to cross-link the foamable resin composition; and foaming the cross-linked foamable resin composition. In the case where the foamable resin composition further contains 0.5 parts by weight or more of a powdery additive other than the foaming agent per 100 parts by weight of the rubber-based resin, the rubber-based resin preferably contains a rubber-based resin ingredient which is in a liquid state at normal temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a two-step batch dispersion polymerization process for the preparation of substantially uniformed-sized functional (co)polymer particles. The first step of the process includes polymerizing at least one first radically (co)polymerizable monomer by a free radical polymerization process to form a (co)polymer in a stable colloidal dispersion and the second step includes polymerizing the at first radically (co)polymerizable monomer or an additional radically (co)polymerizable monomer in the stable colloidal dispersion by a living/controlled radical (co)polymerization process.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions-of-matter composed of a continuous elastomeric matrix and a liquid; the matrix entrapping the liquid therein in the form of closed-cell droplets dispersed throughout the matrix. The disclosed compositions-of-matter are characterized by a low tensile/compressive modulus and are capable of retaining the liquid for exceedingly long periods of time. Further disclosed are processes for forming the compositions-of-matter and uses thereof.

Abstract: Resin plasticizers are produced by esterification of keto acids derived from acylation of aromatic compounds with cyclic anhydrides, and are particularly useful in making phthalate-free articles using PVC.