Abstract: Heat-expandable molded synthetic resin seal and baffle components adapted for use in automobile body cavities or the like are provided which are designed to preferentially expand upon heating in desired directions and to a desired degree, in order to properly seal irregular or special cavity shapes. The molded components of the invention have selected body surface portions thereof UV crosslinked to a depth of up to about 0.5 mm, while other portions of the molded body are not crosslinked; upon heating, the crosslinked portions expand at a slower rate and to a lesser extent than non-crosslinked body portions. The preferred synthetic resin includes a grafted anhydride polymer, a terminal epoxide polymer additive, a blowing agent, a UV photoinitiator and a UV crosslinkable resin system.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods for making foams by photopolymerizing emulsions comprising a reactive phase and a phase immiscible with the reactive phase components. Foams made from water-in-oil emulsions, including high internal phase emulsion are disclosed. Articles and uses for the foams are also described.

Abstract: A composition has a polymeric network that includes a porogen and a photoinitiator. The photoinitiator produces a reactive species upon irradiation, which reacts with the porogen in a degradation reaction that degrades at least some of the porogen. A method of forming a nanoporous polymer has one step in which a plurality of polymeric strands, a photoinitiator, and a porogen are provided. In a subsequent step, at least some of the polymeric strands are crosslinked to form a polymeric network that includes the porogen and the photoinitiator, and in a further step the photoinitiator in the polymeric network is irradiated to generate a reactive species that reacts with the porogen in a degradation reaction to degrade at least some of the porogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photopolymerizable foam composition to be used in a prototyping procedure, a procedure for obtaining three-dimensional parts through a rapid prototyping procedure from said composition, a device embodying said procedure, a part obtained from said procedure and a use of such a part.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods for making foams comprising functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles by photopolymerizing or thermally polymerizing emulsions comprising a reactive phase and a phase immiscible with the reactive phase components. Foams made from water-in-oil emulsions, including high internal phase emulsion are also disclosed. Articles and uses for the foams are also described.

Abstract: Ethylene copolymer elastomer compositions, acrylate rubber compositions, nitrile rubber compositions, fluoroelastomer compositions, and chlorinated elastomer compositions are provided which are curable by exposure to UV radiation. The compositions are particularly suited for production of elastomeric seals using hot melt equipment and a gasketing in place technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing superabsorbent foam wherein the method includes forming a reaction mixture comprising a superabsorbent foam forming composition, stirring, and applying mechanical waves to form a superabsorbent foam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support provided with super-absorbent material to be manufactured by causing suitable monomers to polymerize in the presence of a catalyst in order to obtain a polymer solution, adding a cross-linking agent to the polymer solution to obtain a pasty composition, subsequently applying the composition on or in a support and allowing the applied composition to dry and cross-link in order to obtain the support with the super-absorbent material, wherein microspheres are added to the paste.