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: Thin porous moldings of silicone copolymers, suitable for use as membranes in separation processes, are prepared by forming a solution or suspension of silicone copolymer in two solvents L1 and L2, casting the suspension or solution, and removing solvent L1 to form a silicone copolymer rich phase A, effecting structure formation, and then removing solvent L2 and residues of solvent L2 to form a thin porous molding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement based on melamine-formaldehyde foam comprising hollow microspheres, wherein said hollow microspheres have a median particle diameter (D50, volume averaged, Malvern, Fraunhofer diffraction) in the range from 260 ?m to 490 ?m, and wherein the hollow microsphere are at least partly filled with a benefit agent. Additionally the present invention encompasses a method for cleaning a hard surface with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.

Abstract: A process for production of an abrasive foam based on a melamine-formaldehyde condensate comprising inorganic nanoparticles, comprising the steps of: (1) preparation of a solution or dispersion comprising a precondensate of the foam to be produced, and also comprising inorganic nanoparticles, (2) foaming of the precondensate via heating of the solution or dispersion from step (1), in order to obtain a foam which comprises inorganic nanoparticles, and also, if appropriate, (3) heat-conditioning of the foam obtained in step (2), leads to improved abrasion in the polishing of delicate surfaces.

Abstract: Antifoam particles contain: (A) porous copolymers of urea or melamine or a mixture thereof with an alkanal, and (B) a silicone antifoam composition which is liquid at 0° C. The invention also provides pulverulent antifoam agents which comprise antifoam particles and optionally further carrier materials.

Abstract: Various uses of fluoroalkenes, including tetrafluoropropenes, particularly (HFO-1234) in a variety of applications, including as blowing agents are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to foam comprising hollow microbeads and intended for sound absorption, comprising from 40 to 85% by weight of open-cell polymer foam and from 15 to 60% by weight of hollow microbeads with flexible external layer, where the D50 value of the hollow microbeads is at least 70 ?m and at most 250 ?m, based on the total weight of polymer foam and hollow microbeads, and also to a process for producing the same, comprising the following steps: I) impregnation of an open-cell polymer foam with a liquid dispersion comprising expandable hollow microbeads, II) if appropriate, pressing/compression and/or drying of the polymer foam, and Ill) heat-treatment of the impregnated polymer foam at a temperature above the expansion temperature and below the decomposition temperature of the expandable hollow microbeads, for the expansion of the hollow microbeads.

Abstract: An adhesive composition for use in the manufacture of wood-based boards, wherein the adhesive composition is foamable and comprises a resin, a filler and a foaming agent without any cationic acrylamide copolymer. According to the invention, the adhesive composition contains 40-80 wt % resin, 5-30 wt % filler, 0-40 wt % solvent, and 0.1-10 wt % foaming agent, which has been selected from organic and/or inorganic surface-active sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate or phosphonate compounds or their derivatives or mixtures.

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: Foams and moldings comprising foamed support materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resins, polyester resins, epoxides and also fiber nonwovens, woven materials and open-cell, two- and three-dimensional networks composed of mineral, animal, vegetable and chemical (natural/synthetic) fibers or mixtures thereof comprising melamine/formaldehyde resins as foamable reactive resin.

Abstract: Process for producing molded foams from melamine/formaldehyde condensation products by subjecting melamine/formaldehyde precondensates to foaming under reduced pressure and subsequent irradiation.

Abstract: A process for production of an abrasive foam based on a melamine-formaldehyde condensate comprising inorganic nanoparticles, comprising the steps of: (1) preparation of a solution or dispersion comprising a precondensate of the foam to be produced, and also comprising inorganic nanoparticles, (2) foaming of the precondensate via heating of the solution or dispersion from step (1), in order to obtain a foam which comprises inorganic nanoparticles, and also, if appropriate, (3) heat-conditioning of the foam obtained in step (2), leads to improved abrasion in the polishing of delicate surfaces.

Abstract: It is an open-cell foam based on a melamine-formaldehyde condensation product and hydrophobicized with a compound comprising C6-C20-alkyl groups, in particular stearyl groups, such as aluminum stearate or stearyl isocyanate.

Abstract: Shaped articles of melamine/formaldehyde foam have a formaldehyde emission of less than 0.1 ppm, determined according to DIN 55666, and are obtainable by the following process: a) a foam is prepared from a melamine/formaldehyde precondensate having a molar melamine: formaldehyde ratio greater than 0.5, b) the foam obtained is annealed at below 200° C., and c) the annealed foam is molded in a press at from 160 to 240° C. and an absolute pressure from 5 to 100 bar in the course of from 15 to 120 seconds to give the shaped article.

Abstract: A plant substrate consisting of (a) 25 to 100% by weight of an open-celled melamine/formaldehyde foam, (b) 0 to 75% by weight of other synthetic plant substrates and/or mineral soil and (c) 0 to 25% by weight of one or more systems for releasing active substances and/or of other additives, can be stored and transported in the absence of any water and makes possible a good aeration in the soil.

Abstract: An improved method of cutting open-celled foams based on aminoplastics and of producing flocks or finely divided particles, and also their use as cleaners and polishing media.

Abstract: A nanoporous polymer foam having an average pore diameter in the range of from 10 nm to 1000 nm, obtainable by means of a process comprising the following stages: a) providing a solution of a polycondensation reactive resin in an organic solvent, b) mixing the solution with a curing catalyst for the polycondensation reactive resin and curing the reactive components to form a gel, and c) removing the organic solvent, and the use thereof for thermal insulation purposes.

Abstract: An organic aerogel or xerogel formed by a sol-gel reaction using starting materials that exhibit similar reactivity to the most commonly used resorcinol starting material. The new starting materials, including thio-, amine- and nitro-containing molecules and functionalized macrocyclic molecules will produce organic xerogels and aerogels that have improved performance in the areas of detection and sensor technology, as well as water stream remediation. Also, further functionalization of these new organic aerogels or xerogels will yield material that can be extracted with greater facility than current organic aerogels.

Abstract: Hydrophilic open-celled resilient foams comprising melamine-formaldehyde resins, obtainable by (a) heating and crosslinking an aqueous solution or dispersion each containing at least a melamine-formaldehyde precondensate, an emulsifier, a blowing agent and a curing agent to form a foam, (b) then conditioning the foam at from 120 to 300° C. for from 1 to 180 minutes to remove volatiles, and (c) treating the foam during the conditioning or thereafter with at least one polymer containing primary and/or secondary amino groups and having a molar mass of not less than 300, are useful in hygiene articles to acquire, distribute and immobilize body fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sol-gel polymerization process for synthesizing metal-doped organic gels. The process polymerizes metal salts of hydroxylated benzenes or hydroxylated benzene derivatives with alkyl or aryl aldehydes to form metal-doped, wet, organic gels. The gels can then be dried by supercritical solvent extraction to form metal-doped aerogels or by evaporation to form metal-doped xerogels. The aerogels and xerogels can then be pyrolyzed.

Abstract: A flexible aerogel and process of fabrication. An aerogel solution is mixed with fibers in a mold and allowed to gel. The gel is then processed by supercritical extraction, or by air drying, to produce a flexible aerogel formed to the shape of the mold. The flexible aerogel has excellent thermal and acoustic properties, and can be utilized in numerous applications, such as for energy absorption, insulation (temperature and acoustic), to meet the contours of aircraft shapes, and where space is limited since an inch of aerogel is a 4-5 times better insulator than an inch of fiberglass. The flexible aerogel may be of an inorganic (silica) type or an organic (carbon) type, but containing fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers.

Abstract: A flexible aerogel and process of fabrication. An aerogel solution is mixed with fibers in a mold and allowed to gel. The gel is then processed by supercritical extraction, or by air drying, to produce a flexible aerogel formed to the shape of the mold. The flexible aerogel has excellent thermal and acoustic properties, and can be utilized in numerous applications, such as for energy absorption, insulation (temperature and acoustic), to meet the contours of aircraft shapes, and where space is limited since an inch of aerogel is a 4-5 times better insulator than an inch of fiberglass. The flexible aerogel may be of an inorganic (silica) type or an organic (carbon) type, but containing fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of aerogels by subcritical drying of inorganic and organic hydrogels and lyogels to give aerogels, dielectric drying methods being used.

Abstract: Solid isocyanate-terminated prepolymer powders useful in preparation of films, coatings, and one-component adhesives are prepared by reacting a low molecular weight di- or polyisocyanate with a glycol mixture in a solvent in which the isocyanate is soluble but the reaction product is not.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a highstrength a furan stone with high permeability and filtering effect mainly for protecting deep-drilled wells yielding mineral oil, natural gas and water against getting choked by sand. A mixture comprising an artificial resin as a binding material containing a catalyzer for controlling duration of binding and pumpability and an assorted granular material of high-strength forming the skeleton and salt filling and increasing pore spaces is homogenized and pumped into the corresponding producing section of the well into the area to be protected. After hardening of the mixture salt is dissolved from the obtained artificial stone and a filtering effect is achieved without binding the grains of the reservoir rock. Due to the mechanical characteristics and controlled porosity of the obtained artificial stone rock-parts, mainly sand delivered by the yielded fluidum into the well will be retained.

Abstract: Stable, emission-free, low-shrinkage, fireproof aminoplastic cellular foams are obtained by using an unsaturated, halogenated polyalcohol in the resin precondensate constituent and a dodecylbenzolsulphonic acid partially esterified preferably with a fatty alcohol and a long-chain polyhydric alcohol, preferably a polyethylene glycol, in the foaming agent hardener consituent. The foams are particularly suitable for building construction and for covering, as well as in the agricultural sector and or oil absorption. For certain of these applications, the resin pre-condensate constituent of the invention can be processed with a conventional foamer hardener constituent or the foamer hardener constituent of the invention can be processed with a conventional resin precondensate constituent.

Abstract: A method of producing elastic foam having a base of polyurethane, in particular for use in the field of automobiles for sound damping. Allows production of foam parts directly in a desired shape in as few operations as possible. The foam is formed from a mixture of at least one polyurethane precondensate, at least on melamine precondensate and further additives for the foaming.

Abstract: Porous organic microspheres for use in HPLC are formed by coacervating a colloidal silica sol in a uniform mixture of the sol and a polymerizable organic material. The silica particles which formed the sol are removed from the microspheres with ammonium bifluoride. The remaining organic microspheres are rigid, have uniform pore sizes and distribution, and do not swell or shrink in the presence of the solvents used in HPLC.

Abstract: Condensates of certain amino-substituted s-triazines, formaldehyde and alkanolamines are disclosed. These condensates can be used, with or without alkoxylation, in forming polyurethanes having desirable burn properties.

Abstract: Porous organic microspheres for use in HPLC are formed by coacervating a colloidal silica sol in a uniform mixture of the sol and a polymerizable organic material. The silica particles which formed the sol are removed from the microspheres with ammonium bifluoride. The remaining organic microspheres are rigid, have uniform pore sizes and distribution, and do not swell or shrink in the presence of the solvents used in HPLC.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a detergent and a method of producing the same. The detergent is for textile surfaces and especially for textile floor coverings. The detergent includes a pulverized, porous carrier including a foamed, plastified urea-formaldehyde resin foam. The carrier material is enriched with detergent so that the finished product with respect to the carrier material has a weight per unit volume of 60 kg/m.sup.3 and an apparent density of 50 to 150 grams/liter; the granular size of the carrier material is between 0.01 and 12 mm; the surfactant containing water, which adheres to the carrier material, is stored in the carrier material in a completely homogeneous manner in a share of maximally 80% by weight referred to the weight of the carrier material; and, the detergent is produced from the mixture of the carrier material with a highly concentrated aqueous cleaning solution.

Abstract: Spray dried thermosetting resin powders in an intermediate polymeric stage are produced in the form of hollow, thick-walled, macrospherical particles having a bulk density greater than about 35 lbs/ft.sup.3 and having particle diameters predominantly in the range of about 10 to 74 microns, preferably averaging about 30 microns in diameter with greater than 90% of the particles being in the 10 to 74 micron range. The powder is produced by centrifugal atomization of a concentrated resin solution through a porous sintered metal filter in a spray drying chamber, preferably without diluting or preheating the solution and without heating the resinous material above about 160.degree. F. during spray drying. The particles are advantageously used in the dry process molding of consolidated wood fiber structures, such as waferboard and chipboard, in which wood fiber elements mixed with the resin powder are consolidated under heat and pressure sufficient to cause the powder to melt, flow and cure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a detergent and a method of producing the same. The detergent is for textile surfaces and especially for textile floor coverings. The detergent includes a pulverized, porous carrier including a foamed, plastified urea-formaldehyde resin foam. The carrier material is enriched with detergent so that the finished product with respect to the carrier material has a weight per unit volume of 60 kg/m.sup.3 and an apparent density of 50 to 150 grams/liter; the granular size of the carrier material is between 0.01 and 12 mm; the surfactant containing water, which adheres to the carrier material, is stored in the carrier material in a completely homogeneous manner in a share of maximally 80% by weight referred to the weight of the carrier material; and, the detergent is produced from the mixture of the carrier material with a highly concentrated aqueous cleaning solution.

Abstract: A moulding composition which forms stable, durable mouldings which are color stable, have good water resistance and can be glass clear and fire-resistant, comprises a melamine-formaldehyde resole of mole ratio melamine:formaldehyde in the range 1:1.1 to 1:5.0, and from 20 to 80% by weight, based on the resole, of a glycol or glycol derivative. The composition may also contain one or more of water, polyvinyl alcohol, aluminium hydroxide and reinforcing fillers. The melamine in the resole may be partially replaced with urea. Cure of the resin composition, after shaping, takes place at a pH of at least 6.0, and is accelerated by boron oxide and also by microwave heating. Foamed products are especially useful.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of foam from phenolic resins and to the foam so produced. In order to overcome some of the limitations of the prior art closed cell phenolic foams, we have developed a method of preparing closed cell foams from modified, low cost phenol formaldehyde resoles, which exhibit high closed cell contents, low friability and low thermal conductivity. This specification provides a foam competitive with urethane foams, which have an aged thermal conductivity of about 0.16K. or less, but which will not generate fumes as toxic as those of urethane. There is, provided a method of making a phenolic foam material comprising the steps of(1) preparing a base catalyzed phenol-formaldehyde resole having a mole ratio of phenol to formaldehyde of between 1:3 and 1:4.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of foam from phenolic resins and to the foam so produced. In order to overcome some the the limitations of the prior art closed cell phenolic foams, we have developed a method of preparing closed cell foams from modified, low cost phenol formaldehyde resoles, which exhibit high closed cell contents, low friability and low thermal conductivity. This specification provides a foam competitive with urethane foams, which have an aged thermal conductivity of about 0.16K. or less, but which will not generate fumes as toxic as those of urethane. There is, provided a method of making a phenolic foam material comprising the steps of(1) preparing a base catalyzed phenol-formaldehyde resole having a mole ratio of phenol to formaldehyde of between 1:3 and 1:4.

Abstract: The invention relates to new sound- and heat-insulating compositions, which comprise a finely dispersed leather powder of animal origin, a phenoplast resin or an aminoplast resin and optionally, together with the latter one, urea and/or a modified furane resin and optionally a wetting and/or foaming agent and an acid catalyst and optionally water.The compositions according to the invention have remarkable noise- and heat-insulating properties.

Abstract: A resilient foam, based on a melamine-formaldehyde condensate, which exhibits a number of important performance characteristics, namely:(a) low bulk density(b) low heat conductivity(c) low compressive strength(d) low modulus of elasticity(e) large deflection on break(f) low flammabilityThe foam may be used particularly for heat and sound insulation in the construction industry.

Abstract: A U.F. foam that is diamensionally stable, but low in formaldehyde, was made by adding to a conventional solution of a urea formaldehyde resin precondensate, before foaming, up to 50% urea, relative to the solid resin substance, and one or several connecting agents from the group of sulfurous alkyl compounds, saturated monobasic carbonic acids, saturated and unsaturated dicarbonic acids, purine compounds, inorganic acids of the group of halogens and chalcogens, and their salts, phosphoric acids and their salts, alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts, in such quantity and in such a way that the pH of the resulting solution remains above 7; and subsequently foaming the solution with a hardener/foaming-agent solution in the conventional manner.

Abstract: Stabilized melamine resin foams contain, as a stabilizer, a copper or iron compound in an amount corresponding to from 10 ppm to 3%, based on the weight of the melamine resin, of Cu or Fe, preferably an oxide, hydroxide or carbonate of copper.

Abstract: A material with high mechanical strength and a density close to 1 is obtained by:(a) dispersing on weight basis 10-15% of a melamine-formol resin, 10-50% of hollow microspheres, and optionally up to 60% of light aggregates, in water;(b) mixing the resultant dispersion in the presence of a cross-linking catalyst, e.g., ammonium chloride, for the melamine-formol resin, until a fluid paste is obtained; and(c) allowing said fluid paste to harden into the desired material.

Abstract: A resilient foam, based on a melamine-formaldehyde condensate, which exhibits a number of important performance characteristics, namely:(a) low bulk density(b) low heat conductivity(c) low compressive strength(d) low modulus of elasticity(e) large deflection on break(f) low flammabilityThe foam may be used particularly for heat and sound insulation in the construction industry.

Abstract: Residual formaldehyde contained in urea formaldehyde structures is immobilized by subjecting the structure to a gaseous mixture of a carrier/penetrating gas and a reactive gas chosen from the group consisting of anhydrous ammonia, ozone and mixtures thereof for a period sufficient to react with and immobilize the formaldehyde. In building construction utilizing urea formaldehyde foamed in place insulation the method comprises the steps of injecting the gaseous mixture of the carrier/penetrating gas with anhydrous ammonia, ozone or a mixture of anhydrous ammonia and ozone into the stud space containing the foamed in place urea formaldehyde insulation. For structures in which particle board or similar manufactured sheet material contains residual formaldehyde the formaldehyde may be reacted by exposure of the surface of the panel to anhydrous ammonia, ozone or mixtures thereof contained in the carrier/penetrating gas.

Abstract: To obtain a UF foam which is low in formaldehyde, yet is dimensionally stable, up to 96% urea is dissolved in an approximately 10 to 30% aqueous extract of an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl sulphonic acid, said solution being mixed with a conventional hardener/foaming agent solution containing the sodium salt of an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl sulphonic acid in an aqueous diluent usually employed for foaming, in a ratio sulphonic acid solution to sodium sulphonate solution of 1:1 to 1:4, the pH value being adjusted to 0 up to 3 and said mixture being foamed together with a urea formaldehyde resin precondensate solution in the usual manner.

Abstract: Amino-resin products, which include aminoplast foams, can be modified by reacting an aminoplast precondensate, which contains an excess of formaldehyde or to which supplemental formaldehyde or another lower monoaldehyde or dialdehyde has been added before processing, with a hardening agent or with a solution of hardening agent, surfactant, and foamer in the presence of an additive that consists of one or more mononuclear or binuclear phenols, phenolic ethers, or acenaphthene derivatives with the overall formulas ##STR1## in which X is H, OH, SO.sub.3 H, Cl, CH.sub.3, or C.sub.2 H.sub.5 andR is H or an alkyl radical, with 1 to 9 carbon atoms, at a pH between about 1 and 2, mixed if necessary with aromatic sulphonic acids, at a pH between about 1 and 2. The modified products can be employed wherever free formaldehyde is undesirable.

Abstract: Composition based on a urea-formaldehyde polycondensate, suitable for the preparation of solid foams to be used as thermal insulating materials, characterized in that said composition contains hexamethylenetetramine in quantities comprised between 2% and 15% by weight with respect to the content of dry product of the composition.

Abstract: A membrane cast in the form of either a hollow filament or a flat film formed of a polybenzimidazole polymer is subjected to an annealing process by contacting the membrane with an annealing medium comprised of a solvent for the polymer and water. Such an annealing step can advantageously occur at an annealing temperature below the boiling point of water, thus avoiding the necessity for removing water present in the membrane in a conventional pre-annealing treatment step. These polybenzimidazole membranes find particular utility in reverse osmosis desalination processes. The annealing step of the present invention improves the mechanical and separative properties of the membrane and is simple in comparison to conventional annealing procedures.

Abstract: A glue foamable to high density comprises an aqueous alkaline thermosetting resin and a surfactant comprising (1) a fatty acid amide of the alkanol-amines or (2) a tertiary amine oxide used in amount sufficient to render the glue foamable to a stable foam having a density of at least 0.5 and a viscosity of from 1,000 to 20,000 centipoises upon being beaten with air. The glue is useful particularly in the manufacture of plywood.

Abstract: A process for producing amine formaldehyde resin foam by using a precondensate for the amine formaldehyde resin, a foaming agent, a surfactant and a curing agent is disclosed. Said process is characterized in that the foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons or halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range of from about -30.degree. C. to about 30.degree. C., the foaming agent is used in amount of from about 0.07 mol to about 1.0 mol per 100 gr. of solid content of the precondensate for resin (residue obtained by heating the precondensate in accordance with JIS K 5400 8.2.1.), the process comprising mixing the precondensate, the foaming agent and the surfactant, emulsifying the resulting mixture at a specified pressure at a temperature of at least 0.degree. C. and higher than the boiling point of the foaming agent by 5.degree.-50.degree. C.

Abstract: Formaldehyde suppression is accomplished in urea formaldehyde foamed insulation by adding, prior to the foaming, a small but effective amount of a formaldehyde off-gassing suppressant, which is calcium metasilicate.