Abstract: Hollow resin particles for thermosensitive recording media containing a thermoplastic resin shell and a hollow part surrounded by the shell. The hollow resin particles contain a thermally-vaporizable hydrocarbon in an encapsulation ratio of at least 0.2 wt %. The hollow resin particles preferably have a mean volume particle size ranging from 0.1 to 10 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to foamed acrylic materials using both traditional chemical blowing agents as well as foamable microspheres. The acrylic foams have improved density reduction, optical properties, and insulation properties. The acrylic foams of the invention can be formed by traditional melt processing methods (extrusion, blow molding, etc.) as well as innovative foaming methods, such as foaming during or after polymerization. One novel method of the invention involves the use of expandable microspheres blended with monomers, the monomers then polymerized through bulk polymerization in cell cast, infusion, or compression molding processes. This method can be effectively used to produce composite foam structures, such as in combination with ELIUM® liquid resins from Arkema.

Abstract: An ester-based elastomer expanded molded article comprising a fusion of expanded particles that contain an ester-based elastomer as a base resin.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam product with high flatness, and a preparation method and a use thereof are provided. The TPU foam product is prepared by processing aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane (ATPU) beads with a melting range of 20° C. to 50° C. and a melting point of 90° C. to 160° C. by a physical gas foaming process to obtain foamed ATPU beads and heating the foamed ATPU beads with a heat source to make the foamed ATPU beads fused. The TPU foam product with high flatness has a density of 0.08 g/cm3 to 0.8 g/cm3 and a flatness value of less than 2 mm, and the flatness value is determined by a fixed-length ruler. The TPU foam product not only has high flatness such that diversified designs are allowed for a surface of the product, but also has high resilience.

Abstract: An ester-based elastomer expanded molded article comprising a fusion of expanded particles that contain an ester-based elastomer as a base resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable polymeric composition comprising: a) a polymeric matrix containing vinyl aromatic polymers and/or copolymers; b) from 0.1% to 20% by weight, calculated on the polymeric matrix (a), of an athermanous agent; c) from 0.01% to 10% by weight, calculated on the polymeric matrix (a), of at least one non-polymeric brominated flame retardant additive; d) from 0.01% to 10% by weight, calculated on the polymeric matrix (a), of at least one brominated polymer containing at least 50% bromine; e) from 0.01% to 5% by weight, calculated on the polymeric matrix (a), of a synergistic flame retardant additive; f) from 1% by weight to 10% by weight of at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate comprising mixing first and second additives with first and second polymer components, respectively, in dedicated mixers.

Abstract: Reaction mixtures, foams prepared from the reaction mixtures, articles containing the foams, and methods of making the foams are provided. The polymeric material in the foam is formed from a polymerizable composition that includes a di(meth)acrylate oligomer and a monomer having a single ethylenically unsaturated group. The foams are highly filled (e.g., at least 60 volume percent of the foam is the filler) and can be thermally conductive. Although the foams contain a large amount of filler, the foams can be compressed at least 40 volume percent with an applied pressure of 50 pounds per square inch (345 kiloPascals).

Abstract: Expandable vinyl aromatic polymers which comprise: a matrix obtained by polymerizing 50-100% by weight of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers and 0-50% by weight of at least one copolymer izable monomer; 1-10% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of an expanding agent englobed in the polymeric matrix; 0.05-25% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of a filler comprising coke with a surface area, measured according to ASTM D-3037/89, ranging from 5 to 50 m2/g.

Abstract: Expandable vinyl aromatic polymers comprising: a matrix obtained by polymerizing 50-100% by weight of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers and 0-50% by weight of at least one co-polymerizable monomer; 1-10% by weight, calculated with respect to polymer (a), of an expanding agent embedded in the polymeric matrix; 0-25% by weight, calculated with respect to polymer (a), of a filler comprising carbon coke having an average diameter of between 0.5 and 100 ?m, with a surface area, measured according to ASTM D-3037/89, ranging from 5 to 200 m2/g; 0.05-10% by weight, calculated with respect to polymer (a), of expanded graphite in particle form, with a particle average diameter (size) ranging from 1 to 30 ?m, a surface area, measured according to ASTM D-3037/89, ranging from 5 to 500 m2/g and a density ranging from 1.5 to 5 g/cm3.

Abstract: An ester-based elastomer expanded molded article comprising a fusion of expanded particles that contain an ester-based elastomer as a base resin.

Abstract: A fire resistant syntactic foam material, the material comprising the reaction product of a reaction mixture including a resole cold curing phenolic resin and incorporating a plurality of hollow spheres, the reaction mixture also including a solution of a partial phosphate ester, a low viscosity phosphate plasticiser, a reinforcing filler and a particulate filler.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an expanded beads molded article of expanded beads comprising a crosslinked multi-block copolymer containing a polyethylene block and an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer block, wherein a density is 40 to 150 g/L; a gel fraction by a hot xylene extraction method is 30 to 70% by weight; a tensile elongation is 120% or more; a bead weight of the expanded beads is 0.8 to 8 mg; and the number of expanded beads per unit area on a surface of the expanded beads molded article is 5 to 30 per cm2, and is able to provide an expanded beads molded article which is light in weight and favorable in surface properties, fusion bondability, and durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a thermoplastic resin by reacting reactants comprising a dihydroxy compound.

Abstract: Gray expanded polystyrene achieving target molecular weight, bead size, bead distribution, and cell structure may be reproducibly prepared by suspension polymerization by introducing to the suspension polymerization an additive that is carbon black and/or graphite only after approximately 20 to 60 wt % of the styrene monomer has been converted to polystyrene. Introducing the additive at this point slows the polymerization rate, such as for an optimized period of time to allow for the droplet size to equilibrate to the desired target range. In one nonlimiting embodiment, the styrene polymerization rate has about 35 wt % to about 60 wt % styrene monomer remaining after about 3 hours from the beginning of polymerizing.

Abstract: A propylene copolymer composition which comprises —a random copolymer of propylene (A), —a random copolymer of propylene (B), and —optional additive(s), suitable for pressure pipe applications.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for carrying out a continuous physical or chemical process, in particular crystallization. The method of the invention comprises: comprising—flowing a fluid through a channel comprising an inlet and an outlet for said fluid, wherein said channel is at least in part curved and comprises at least two curvatures,—allowing said process to occur at least in part in said fluid in the presence of Dean vortices in said fluid, while—reversing the direction of the flow of said fluid in said channel multiple times, wherein Dean vortices in the fluid in the channel are maintained while the flow is reversed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blend comprising metallocene polypropylene and an elastomer for automobile parts, characterized in that said blend has low volatile organic compounds emissions. The invention also relates to the use of said blend in parts for automobiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam which maintains high hardness while being lightweight and has excellent peel strength and permanent compression set, and a foamable composition used to obtain the aforementioned foam. A foamable composition comprising (A) an olefin-based copolymer; (B) a copolymer that is (B-I) and/or (B-II) described below, (B-I) a vinyl aromatic-based copolymer comprising a vinyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, and/or a vinyl aromatic-based copolymer comprising a vinyl aromatic compound and alkylene, (B-II) an ethylene-based copolymer having an unsaturated group; (C) an inorganic filler; (D) an organic silane coupling agent; and (E) a foaming agent; wherein a mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (B), (A/B), is from 5/95 to 100/0; an amount of the component (C) is from 0.5 to 35 mass parts, and an amount of the component (E) is from 0.

Abstract: A composition comprising a composition of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer comprising high density polyethylene (HDPE) blended with a modifier component, an optional blowing agent, optionally with carbon black and/or one or more additives, to make foamed articles.

Abstract: Object: To provide thermally expandable microspheres having little sag. Resolution Means: The thermally expandable microspheres have a structure in which a foaming agent is encapsulated in an outer shell formed from a polymer, wherein, the ratio (%) of (R2/R1)×100 is at least 105%, where R1 is the expansion ratio after the thermally expandable microspheres have been heat-treated for 5 minutes at 150° C. and then foamed by heating for 2 minutes at 200° C., and R2 is the expansion ratio after the thermally expandable microspheres have been heat-treated for 5 minutes at 150° C. and then foamed by heating for 4 minutes at 200° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin, a method of preparing the same, and a thermoplastic resin composition including the same. A thermoplastic resin having superior latex stability and thermal stability and generating a small amount of gas during processing, and a method of preparing the thermoplastic resin are provided. In addition, a thermoplastic resin composition having superior mechanical properties, surface gloss, whiteness, gloss after retention, and heat discoloration after retention and a small content of residual total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), due to inclusion of the thermoplastic resin, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermally expandable thermoplastic microspheres comprising a polymer shell made from ethylenically unsaturated monomers encapsulating a propellant, said ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising from 21 to 80 wt % of methacrylamide and from 20 to 70 wt % methacrylonitrile, the total amount of methacrylamide and methacrylonitrile being from 70 to 100 wt % of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Furthermore, the invention relates to production and use of such microspheres.

Abstract: Disclosed are a vinyl chloride based nanocomposite composition and a method of preparing the vinyl chloride based nanocomposite. According to the present invention, a method of preparing a straight vinyl chloride based nanocomposite having a nanomaterial uniformly dispersed therein, by using the vinyl chloride based nanocomposite composition when a vinyl chloride monomer is suspension polymerized in the presence of a protective colloidal agent and a polymerization initiator after preparing a water dispersion suspension using the vinyl chloride based nanocomposite composition based on a hydrophilic composition is provided.

Abstract: An emulsifier-free process for the preparation of water expandable polymer beads, including: a) providing an emulsifier-free starting composition comprising styrene, b) prepolymerizing the starting composition to obtain a prepolymer composition, c) mixing an aqueous blowing agent with the prepolymer composition at an elevated temperature to obtain an inverse emulsion of water droplets in the prepolymer composition, wherein the aqueous blowing agent comprises water and a water soluble initiator dissolved in the water and the water droplets comprise spheres of a styrene polymer, wherein the water soluble initiator partly decomposes due to the elevated temperature leading to the formation of the inverse emulsion of water droplets in the prepolymer composition, d) suspending the inverse emulsion in an aqueous medium to yield an aqueous suspension of suspended droplets and e) polymerizing monomers in the droplets of the suspension obtained by step d) to obtain the water expandable polymer beads.

Abstract: In an injection molded product of the invention, an unevenness forming portion having unevenness formed by thermal expansion of thermally expandable capsules is formed. The injection molded product includes a highly expanded portion that is formed at a surface side of the unevenness forming portion in a thickness direction of the injection molded product and in which the thermally expandable capsules are thermally expanded, and a main body portion that is a portion adjacent to the highly expanded portion in the thickness direction and in which the thermally expandable capsules are substantially not thermally expanded. The thickness of the highly expanded portion is a half or smaller than the thickness of the injection molded product in the unevenness forming portion, and a polymer material of the highly expanded portion and a polymer material of the main body portion are the same polymer material.

Abstract: Disclosed are a vinyl chloride based nanocomposite composition and a method of preparing the vinyl chloride based nanocomposite. According to the present invention, a method of preparing a straight vinyl chloride based nanocomposite having a nanomaterial uniformly dispersed therein, by using the vinyl chloride based nanocomposite composition when a vinyl chloride monomer is suspension polymerized in the presence of a protective colloidal agent and a polymerization initiator after preparing a water dispersion suspension using the vinyl chloride based nanocomposite composition based on a hydrophilic composition is provided.

Abstract: Described are (a) a process for production of polyurethane foam by reacting one or more polyol components with one or more isocyanate components, wherein wax having a congealing point in the range from 40° C. to 90° C. is employed as an additive, (b) a polyurethane foam obtainable by said process, (c) the use of waxes having a congealing point in the range from 40° C. to 90° C. as an additive in the manufacture of polyurethane foams to coarsen the foam structure, and also (d) a polyurethane foam production composition containing a wax having a congealing point in the range from 40° C. to 90° C.

Abstract: Heat-expandable microspheres with high encapsulation efficiency of a blowing agent and good heat-expansion performance, a process for reproducibly producing the heat-expandable microspheres and application thereof are provided. The heat-expandable microspheres comprise essentially a thermoplastic resin shell and a blowing agent encapsulated therein, and contain not more than 500 ppm of silicon, not more than 350 ppm of aluminum and not more than 600 ppm of the total of the silicon and aluminum. The heat-expandable microspheres retain at least 70% of the blowing agent encapsulated therein at the temperature which is the average of their expansion-initiation temperature and maximum expansion temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seeded particle of polyamide (PA) powder composed of a shell made of PA-6, PA-12 or PA-6/12 and of a core made from PA-6, paA-11, PA-12 or PA-6/12, PA 6,12, PA-6,6, PA-8 or PA-4, the core and the shell being either of identical polyamide nature but of different molecular weight, or of different polyamide nature. The particle for which the shell has a melting temperature Tf1 and a crystallization temperature Tc1 and for which the core has a melting temperature Tf2 and a crystallization temperature Tc2, is characterized in that the difference in absolute value between Tf1?Tc1 and/or between Tf2?Tc2 is greater than the difference in absolute values between the melting temperature and the crystallization temperature of a particle of powder seeded by a mineral filler and for which the shell is made of PA6, PA12 or PA6/12.

Abstract: Process for producing a thermoplastic polymer foam article includes preparing an expandable polymeric formulation comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent blend, forming the formulation into an expandable bead, and expanding the expandable bead to form a thermoplastic polymer foam article. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate, hydrocarbon, and either carbon dioxide or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a). The blowing agent blend has a higher effective volatility than that of methyl formate alone. A thermoplastic polymer foam article prepared by a process is also provided.

Abstract: A noncrosslinked polyethylene resin expanded particle is provided having a bulk density BD in a range of 10 g/L to 100 g/L, the particle being obtained by expanding a polyethylene resin particle whose density is in a range of 0.920 g/cm3 to 0.940 g/cm3, the noncrosslinked polyethylene resin expanded particle having a shrinkage factor in a range of 2% to 30%, the shrinkage factor being obtained by the following formula (1): Shrinkage Factor=(BD?VBD)×100/VBD??(1), wherein: the BD of the noncrosslinked polyethylene expanded particle is a bulk density at 23° C. and at 0.1 MPa (at a normal atmospheric pressure); and the VBD of the noncrosslinked polyethylene expanded particle is a bulk density at 23° C. and at a reduced pressure of 0.002 MPa or less.

Abstract: An expandable vinyl aromatic polymer may include a matrix of a vinyl aromatic polymer, 1-10% of an expanding agent, 0.1 to 5% talc, carbon black, and 0 to 20% fillers. The expanding agent may be englobed in the matrix. The talc may have a mean diameter above about 8 ?m as measured by Laser Mastersizer according to standard ISO 13320-1. The BET of the talc may be in the range 0.5-25 m2/g. The carbon black may be present in a proportion sufficient for a foamed material obtained from the expandable vinyl aromatic polymer to have a thermal conductivity ? of about 34 mW/m° K or lower. The fillers may be homogeneously distributed in the matrix.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cured thermoplastic material includes curing a thermoplastic polymer having a thermal decomposition temperature greater than or equal to about 200° C., at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. A method of making a shape memory material also includes curing a thermoplastic polymer to prepare a cured thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of expandable polystyrene (EPS) containing particles of carbon black and/or graphite is disclosed, comprising: (a) forming a masterbatch by adding carbon black and/or graphite to styrene polymer, (b) adding said masterbatch to an organic phase comprising styrene and optional comonomers, and heating the organic phase to a temperature between 30 and 90° C., (c) mixing the organic phase with an aqueous phase comprising water and suspending agents preheated to a temperature between 80 and 120° C. which is higher than the temperature of the organic phase, and (d) polymerizing in a suspension polymerization reaction the styrene and optional comonomers contained in the mixed aqueous and organic phases, with an expanding agent being added before, during or after the polymerization, wherein the styrene polymer in the masterbatch contains at least 1 000 ppm of dimers. The process gives an improved product.

Abstract: A blowing agent is infiltrated into polystyrene resin particles dispersed in an aqueous suspension. Before or during infiltration, a flame retardant solution obtained by dissolving 33-1,000 parts by weight of a powdery flame retardant and 20-200 parts by weight of a flame retardant aid having a 1-hour half-life temperature of 100-250° C. in 100 parts by weight of a plasticizer is supplied to the aqueous suspension to infiltrate the flame retardant and the flame retardant aid into the particles, producing expandable polystyrene resin particles. By dissolving the flame retardant, which doesn't accumulate in the living body and has satisfactory handleability, in a plasticizer, the flame retardant can be evenly infiltrated into resin particles. Consequently, expansion of the expandable particles doesn't result in unevenness of cell density and the particles have excellent heat-fusibility to one another during molding, and molded foam having excellent flame retardancy and heat resistance can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for binding a polycarboxylic acid to a solid phase. Further, the invention refers to a solid phase having a polycarboxylic acid immobilized thereto and methods of using the solid phase, e.g. for purifying His-tagged recombinant polypeptides.

Abstract: A system for applying a melted polymer/hot melt adhesive includes structure for adding one or more components to the polymer/hot melt stream at selected locations of the stream depending on the desired final characteristics of the polymer/hot melt adhesive, the heat histories of the polymer/hot melt adhesive and the modifying component, and the physical or chemical characteristics of the modifying component. The modifying component can be supplied in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A polyethylene resin expanded particle has an expansion ratio of not less than 10 times and not more than 50 times, and in a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the polyethylene resin expanded particle (i) shows two melting peaks, the two melting peaks being a low-temperature side melting peak and a high-temperature side melting peak, and (ii) further has a shoulder in a region not less than 100° C. and not more than the low-temperature side melting peak temperature, the shoulder having a shoulder ratio which is not less than 0.2% and not more than 3%.

Abstract: A process for producing expanded polyolefin resin particles with use as a foaming agent of water contained in an aqueous dispersion medium. The process includes dispersing polyolefin resin particles together with the aqueous dispersion medium into a closed vessel; heating the polyolefin resin particles up to or above a softening temperature of the polyolefin resin particles and pressurizing the polyolefin resin particles; and releasing the polyolefin resin particles into a zone whose pressure is lower than an internal pressure of the closed vessel. The polyolefin resin particles are composed of a polyolefin resin composition including polyolefin resin, polyvalent alcohol and a foam nucleating agent.

Abstract: Provided is expandable starch beads including a starch-monomer copolymer and a foaming agent impregnated in the starch-monomer copolymer, in which the starch-monomer copolymer is prepared by bonding at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, ?-methylstyrene, lactide, lactic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, and caprolactone to starch, and the foaming agent includes at least one selected from the group consisting of C2 to C7 aliphatic hydrocarbon, C2 to C7 halogenated hydrocarbon, and carbon dioxide. Since the expandable starch beads have the similar properties to expandable polystyrene beads, and thereby can be foam-molded by equipment for foaming the expandable polystyrene beads, it is possible to produce foams with various sizes and various shapes.

Abstract: A polyethylene composition comprising a granular polyethylene resin characterized by a resin solid density of from 0.91 to 0.97 g/cm3, a ratio of intraparticle void volume to interparticle void volume of from 0.33 to 0.67, and a total resin porosity, ?total, of equal to or greater than 0.45 is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is expandable modified resin beads (1), comprising a modified resin as a base resin in which a dispersion phase (3) containing a styrene resin as a major component is dispersed in a continuous phase (2) containing an olefin resin as a major component, and a physical blowing agent. Further disclosed are expanded modified resin beads obtained by expanding the expandable modified resin beads (1), and a foamed molded article formed from the expanded modified resin beads obtained by molding the expanded modified resin beads in a mold. A volume average diameter of the dispersion phase (3) dispersed in the continuous phase (2) is 0.55 ?m or more. The expandable modified resin beads (1) have, as a base resin, the modified resin contains 80 to 50 parts by mass of the styrene resin with respect to 20 to 50 parts by mass parts of the olefin resins.

Abstract: Disclosed are a base material composition for a foam tape which has high foam stability and excellent peel strength, a foam tape prepared using the same, and a preparation method thereof. According to the present invention, the base material composition for a foam tape comprises an acrylic monomer, a radical initiator, a cross-linking agent, a porous filler, and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises 60-90 wt % of a siloxane-based polymer and 10-40 wt % of a non-siloxane-based polymer. A foam tape prepared thereby is economical compared with conventional foam tapes, is free from a deteriorating adhesive force, and has excellent foam stability.

Abstract: Nanocomposite compositions based on expandable thermoplastic polymers which comprise: a) a polymeric matrix produced by the polymerization of a base comprising one or more polymerizable monomers; b) 1-10% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of an expanding agent englobed in the polymeric matrix; c) 0.004-15% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of an athermanous filler comprising nano-scaled graphene plates with a thickness (orthogonal to the graphene sheet) not greater than 150 nm, an average dimension (length, width, or diameter) not greater than 10 micrometers and a surface area>50 m2/g.

Abstract: There are provided expandable polystyrene resin particles formed by granulating a polystyrene resin containing an expanding agent, wherein the weight-average molecular weight Mw of the polystyrene resin is in the range of 120,000 to 270,000, and the expanding agent contains, as an essential component, pentane at a proportion of 3 to 8 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the polystyrene resin, while the composition of the pentane is in the range of isopentane:normal pentane=10:90 to 80:20 by mass ratio. These expandable polystyrene resin particles can utilize a recycled raw material, and can produce a molded foam product having sufficient mechanical strength, while the expandable polystyrene resin particles have a long bead life and excellent low pressure moldability.

Abstract: The present invention enables the secondary expansion of lightweight foamed beads. The foamed beads are produced using a compound comprising a compostable or biobased polyester and a physical blowing agent as well as a chemical blowing agent. Secondary expansion can be used either to lower the density of the foamed bead further or to enable expansion of the beads during molding to promote fusion. The foam beads can be produced using conventional melt processing techniques, such as single and twin-screw extrusion processes.

Abstract: A functional TFE copolymer fine powder is described, wherein the TFE copolymer is a polymer of TFE and at least one functional comonomer, and wherein the TFE copolymer has functional groups that are pendant to the polymer chain. The functional TFE copolymer fine powder resin is paste extrudable and expandable. Methods for making the functional TFE copolymer are also described. The expanded functional TFE copolymer material may be post-reacted after expansion.

Abstract: Expandable composite resin particles for frozen storage comprising: composite resin particles of a polyolefin-based resin and a polystyrene-based resin; 7.5 to 11% by weight of volatile blowing agent contained in the composite resin particles and containing pentane; and 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of moisture attached to surfaces of the composite resin particles.

Abstract: An example starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component includes a mixture of a starch and an expansion additive. The starch has an amylose content of less than about 70% by weight. The expansion additive enhances the expansion and physical properties of the starch. A method of preparing a starch-based material is also disclosed and an alternate starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component is also disclosed.