Abstract: Cups have been molded from expandable styrene polymer particles having a portion or all of the blowing agent replaced by isopentane. Cups molded from these beads were coffee leak tested and generally exhibited enhanced retention of coffee.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating molten thermoplastic material foam by separately pressurizing the molten thermoplastic material and a gas and by delivering that material and gas sequentially to a premixing chamber, through a sintered metal insert and a post mixing chamber, to a discharge orifice of a spray nozzle. The apparatus for practicing this method comprises a nozzle assembly, including a nozzle adaptor and a nozzle, the adaptor of which has flow passages for delivering the pressurized gas and molten material to a premixing cavity and subsequently to and through a sintered metal insert contained within the nozzle.

Abstract: Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units are disclosed. These materials when expanded have a volume expansion of at least 60 and maintain that volume expansion for a period of at least 30 minutes under expansion conditions after reaching the volume expansion of 60. Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units and an inhibitor for the monomer(s) and a crosslinker incorporated into the plastic material upon monomer polymerization are also disclosed. Also disclosed are expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units with blowing agents of 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane or mixtures of one or both with 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane or mixtures of at least 30 percent of one or both with other volatile blowing agents.

Abstract: Pellets of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin composition comprising inorganic materials, a solvent and a blowing agent; a pre-expanded particle of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin comprising inorganic materials and a solvent and a process for preparing the pre-expanded particle of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials which comprises kneading a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin, inorganic materials and a solvent, pelletizing the kneaded mixture impregnating a physical blowing agent into the resulting pellets and pre-expanding the pellets. The present invention makes it possible to be contained a large amount of inorganic materials in a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin by forming a uniform gel phase of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and the solvent and wrapping inorganic materials in the gel phase. A foamed article produced by employing pre-expanded particles of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials has an excellent heat resistance, i.e.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium salts which act as antistatic agents for styrene polymers are coated on the expandable polymer particles in the form of an organosol. The hydrocarbon medium from the organosol is removed under vacuum and the coated polymer particles are molded.

Abstract: A process for producing expandable thermoplastic resin beads which comprises suspending in an aqueous medium interpolymer beads comprising a polyphenylene ether resin and a polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer such as styrene, polymerizing the vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a polymerization catalyst to interpolymerize the vinyl aromatic monomer with the polyphenylene ether and, optionally, adding a cross-linking agent, to form interpolymerized thermoplastic resin beads, and introducing a blowing agent under pressure into the thermoplastic resin beads. The resulting resin beads have excellent foamability and molding fusability, and a foamed shaped article having superior thermal stability can be prepared from these beads.

Abstract: A process for forming hollow microspheres containing carbon or a polymer which is a carbon precursor. The process comprises forming a solution in a liquid solvent of a polymer having the following properties (a) a molecular weight of at least 10,000 and a long chain structure; (b) an ability to be coagulated by or precipitated from the solution by a non-solvent for the polymer; (c) an ability to form a continuous stretchable film when coagulated or precipitated from solution; (d) a chemical structure which is infusible or capable of being rendered infusible, and (e) a high carbon yield of at least 30% by weight upon being carbonized in a non-reactive atmosphere. An insoluble particulate blowing agent is incorporated into the solution and the solution is then divided into droplets and the droplets are introduced into a liquid bath containing a suitable non-solvent for the polymer.

Abstract: A process for preparing pre-expanded particles of a thermoplastic resin, which comprises heating an aqueous dispersion of thermoplastic resin particles containing a volatile blowing agent to a high temperature under pressure in a pressure vessel, and releasing the dispersion into an atmosphere maintained at a lower pressure than the pressure in the pressure vessel and at a temperature of not lower than 40.degree. C. According to the process of the present invention, there can be obtained pre-expanded thermoplastic resin particles with a large average diameter of cells. By molding the pre-expanded particles obtained by the present invention, molded articles which are small in dimensional shrinkage and excellent in surface appearance can be obtained without imparting expandability to the particles or aging the particles under pressure prior to molding.

Abstract: An expansion-molded article of a polypropylene resin is produced by filling pre-foamed particles of the polypropylene resin, which have a crystalline structure featuring an inherent peak inherent to the polypropylene resin and a high-temperature peak on the temperature side higher than the temperature corresponding to the inherent peak on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry of the pre-foamed particles and a bulk density of 0.04 g/cm.sup.3 or higher and require melting energy of 8-12 J/g at the high-temperature peak, in a mold without applying any pretreatment to the pre-foamed particles to build up an internal pressure therein, and then heating the pre-foamed particles, whereby the pre-foamed particles are caused to expand into the expansion-molded article conforming with the mold. The pre-foamed particles may alternatively have a bulk density lower than 0.04 g/cm.sup.3 and require melting energy of at least 8 J/g.

Abstract: Hollow microspheres are made by a process which comprises forming a film of a dispersed particle film-forming composition (containing dispersed particles, a binder, a film stabilizing agent and a continuous liquid phase) across a coaxial blowing nozzle, applying a blowing gas at a positive pressure on the inner surface of the dispersed particle composition film to blow the film and form, in the region of the coaxial blowing nozzle orifice, hollow dispersed particle microspheres having stable film walls, removing the hollow microspheres, treating them to bring dispersed particles into point to point contact and harden them to obtain hollow green microspheres, and subsequently subjecting them to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient period of time to remove the continuous liquid phase and to sinter the dispersed particles at their points of contact to form within the walls of said hollow microspheres interconnecting voids that are continuous from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface of th

Abstract: Porous particles of crosslinked PVC are disclosed. The particles are skinless and have a fast powder mix time. Processes to produce the novel particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Porous particles of crosslinked PVC are disclosed. The particles are skinless and have a fast powder mix time. Processes to produce the novel particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Porous particles of crosslinked PVC are disclosed. The particles are skinless and have a fast powder mix time. Processes to produce the novel particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Porous particles of crosslinked PVC are disclosed. The particles are skinless and have a fast powder mix time. Processes to produce the novel particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Porous particles of crosslinked PVC are disclosed. The particles are skinless and have a fast powder mix time. Processes to produce the novel particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Pellets of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin composition comprising inorganic materials, a solvent and a blowing agent; a pre-expanded particle of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin comprising inorganic materials and a solvent and a process for preparing the pre-expanded particle of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials which comprises kneading a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin, inorganic materials and a solvent, pelletizing the kneaded mixture, impregnating a physical blowing agent into the resulting pellets and pre-expanding the pellets. The present invention makes it possible to be contained a large amount of inorganic materials in a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin by forming a uniform gel phase of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and the solvent and wrapping inorganic materials in the gel phase. A foamed article produced by employing pre-expanded particles of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials has an excellent heat resistance, i.e.

Abstract: There is disclosed expandable vinylidene chloride-based resin particles comprising 100 parts by weight of a non-crystalline vinylidene chloride-based resin composition and 1 to 40 parts by weight of a volatile organic blowing agent or a composition thereof, said resin composition consisting ofa tetrahydrofuran-soluble component [A] which is a random copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 10,000 to 600,000 and constituted of different units represented severally by the following general formulae ##STR1## wherein; R.sub.1 denotes alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, phenyl, or each of R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 being --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, --Cl, --Br, --OCH.sub.3, or --H; each of R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 denotes --H or --CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.3 denotes halogen, --CN, ##STR2## n being an integer 1 to 8 and R.sub.

Abstract: The polymerization of compositions containing styrene by an aqueous suspension process in which is used a suspending agents system constituted by a mineral agent and, an extending agent which is at least a rosin acid derivative (abietic acid, neoabietic acid, dextropimaric acid) or their salts of a metal belonging to Group IIa of the Periodic Classification of elements. The use of this extending agent has the advantage to ameliorate the surface aspect of moulded articles obtained from expanded polymer pearls prepared with the above polymerization process.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymers and styrene polymer foams having a particularly uniform and fine-cell foam structure contain, as a cell regulator, small amounts of a mixture of resin acids, lower alkyl esters of resin acids or (hydro)abietyl phthalate and a polyoxyethylene monoester or monoether.

Abstract: Foamed particles of propylene-type polymer of substantially non-crosslinked type, wherein the propylene-type polymer particles have a Melt Index of from 0.1 to 20, said polymer is at least one member selected from the group consisting of:(a) a soft polypropylene homopolymer having an <mmmm> partial rate of a stereoregular pentad partial rate by .sup.13 C-NMR Spectrum of from 45 to 85% and a fusion heat quantity of from 5 to 22 cal/g; and(b) a random copolymer of propylene and an .alpha.-olefin having a carbon number of 4 or more, or a random copolymer of propylene, an .alpha.-olefin having a carbon number of 4 or more, and ethylene, in which the content of the .alpha.-olefin having a carbon number of 4 or more is from 7 to 30 mol %, the content of ethylene is 5 mol % or less, and the cold xylene-soluble matter of said copolymer is from 15 to 60 wt %, said polymer particles being foamed with the use of an evaporation type blowing agent.

Abstract: Pellets of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin composition comprising inorganic materials, a solvent and a blowing agent; a pre-expanded particle of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin comprising inorganic materials and a solvent and a process for preparing the pre-expanded particle of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials which comprises kneading a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin, inorganic materials and a solvent, pelletizing the kneaded mixture, impregnating a physical blowing agent into the resulting pellets and pre-expanding the pellets. The present invention makes it possible to be contained a large amount of inorganic materials in a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin by forming a uniform gel phase of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and the solvent and wrapping inorganic materials in the gel phase. A foamed article produced by employing pre-expanded particles of the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin containing inorganic materials has an excellent heat resistance, i.e.

Abstract: A pre-expanded particle of a propylene resin having two melting temperatures as determined by DSC, the heat of fusion for the peak based on the higher melting temperature being 0.5 to 2.3 cal/g. By using the pre-expanded particles of the propylene resin of the invention, foamed articles having excellent surface appearance, small dimentional shrinkage can be easily obtained without the procedure for giving the internal pressure.

Abstract: Various flame retardant agents have been added as a coating to seed beads of vinyl aromatic polymers. The resulting products have high resistance to burning and permit the use of lower concentrations of the retardant.

Abstract: Porous particles of vinyl resin are disclosed where said particles are non-spherical in shape, highly porous, skinless and friable. Processes are also disclosed for producing these novel particles. The particles are preferably PVC and exhibit an ability to absorb large amounts of plasticizer in a short time.

Abstract: Porous particles of vinyl resin are disclosed where said particles are non-spherical in shape, highly porous, skinless and friable. Processes are also disclosed for producing these novel particles. The particles are preferably PVC and exhibit an ability to absorb large amounts of plasticizer in a short time.

Abstract: Porous particles of vinyl resin are disclosed where said particles are non-spherical in shape, highly porous, skinless and friable. Processes are also disclosed for producing these novel particles. The particles are preferably PVC and exhibit an ability to absorb large amounts of plasticizer in a short time.

Abstract: Porous particles of vinyl resin are disclosed where said particles are non-spherical in shape, highly porous, skinless and friable. Processes are also disclosed for producing these novel particles. The particles are preferably PVC and exhibit an ability to absorb large amounts of plasticizer in a short time.

Abstract: A method for forming a molded thermoplastic foam structure comprising partially filling a mold with solvent imbibed particles of a thermoplastic resin, pressurizing said mold under conditions such as to prevent vaporization of said blowing agent during subsequent polymer melting, heating said polymer to a flowable state, releasing the mold pressure to permit foaming of the melt and expansion of the foamed polymer within the mold.

Abstract: Pre-foamed particles are produced by dispersing resin particles, which contain nucleocells, in a dispersing medium in a closed vessel, heating the contents to a temperature of the softening point of the particles or higher and holding the contents at the temperature for a predetermined period of time while pressurizing the contents with an inorganic gas, and then opening the vessel at one end thereof so as to release the particles and medium into an atmosphere of a pressure lower than the internal pressure of the vessel, thereby causing the resin particles to foam. The above production process provides good pre-foamed particles with ease and without failure. It is also possible to avoid deleterious effects due to the swelling action of foaming agents.

Abstract: Porous particles of crosslinked PVC are disclosed. the particles are skinless and have a fast powder mix time. Processes to produce the novel particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing expandable styrene-based polymer beads is disclosed, which comprises adding a low temperature polymerization initiator that is decomposable to the half at a temperature of from 50.degree. to 80.degree. C. for a period of 10 hours to an aqueous medium having suspended therein blowing agent-containing expandable styrene-based polymer small particles whose particle sizes have been adjusted so as to have a particle size distribution falling within a mean particle size .+-.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for producing porous PVC resin particles by a thickened aqueous suspension polymerization process comprising polymerizing vinyl chloride monomer in an aqueous suspension wherein said aqueous medium contains at least one dispersant capable of thickening water, and optionally at least one secondary surfactant, at least one oil-soluble free radical generating catalyst, the improvement comprising charging said free radical catalyst as a solution wherein the solvent for said catalyst solution has a density equal to or less than that of the monomer being polymerized and the catalyst solution has a density less than water.

Abstract: Microsphere wet cake is mixed with a processing aid effective to prevent agglomeration and surface bonding of the microspheres, and thereafter removing water by drying with continuous mixing, optionally also under reduced pressure, i.e. vacuum drying. By the control of the application of heat and balancing temperature and the mixing, and optionally also the reduced pressure, it is possible to also control expansion of the microspheres from substantially none to substantially theoretical limits of expansion.The processing aid in the present invention is any one of a wide diversity of materials which meet the requirements of the intended function, i.e., to prevent the agglomeration of the microspheres during the process. Suitable materials include, by way of example, dry inorganic pigments or filler materials, and the like, and related organic materials.

Abstract: An expandable particle of a vinyl chloride resin composition for beads-foaming which comprises (A) a vinyl chloride resin composition comprising (1) a vinyl chloride resin having a difference between T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 of not higher than 45.degree. C. and (2) 1 to 30 parts by weight of an acrylic resin per 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin, (B) 2 to 40 parts by weight of an easily volatile organic blowing agent, and (C) 0 to 30 parts by weight of an organic compound capable of dissolving or swelling said vinyl chloride resin, said parts of (B) and (C) being by weight per 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin composition (A); and said T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 being measured by a Koka Shiki Flow A-method under conditions of 1 mm in nozzle diameter, 1 mm in nozzle length, 6.degree. C./minute in temperature rise rate and 100 kg/cm.sup.2 in load.

Abstract: A pre-expanded particle of a propylene resin having two melting temperatures as determined by DSC, the heat of fusion for the peak based on the higher melting temperature being 0.5 to 2.3 cal/g. By using the pre-expanded particles of the propylene resin of the invention, foamed articles having excellent surface appearance, small dimentional shrinkage can be easily obtained without the procedure for giving the internal pressure.

Abstract: A urea adsorbent and a method for its production are disclosed, the adsorbent comprising hollow microspheres each having an outer layer formed of a urea-permeable polymer and an inner layer formed of a polymer containing a polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative expressed by the following formula:--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -O--.sub.m Rwherein R stands for hydrogen or a methyl group and n is an integer of 2-5 and m is an integer of at least 3. The adsorbent can selectively adsorb urea with a high adsorbing activity and does not interact with other substances than urea and, therefore, is useful as a artificial kidney. The adsorbent may be prepared by subjecting a w/o/w type emulsion to polymerization wherein a radical polymerizable polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative is dissolved in the inner aqueous phase of the emulsion and an oil-soluble radical polymerizable monomer is used as the outer oil phase.

Abstract: Porous particles of vinyl resin are disclosed where said particles are non-spherical in shape, highly porous, skinless and friable. Processes are also disclosed for producing these novel particles. The particles are preferably PVC and exhibit an ability to absorb large amounts of plasticizer in a short time.

Abstract: Copolymer beads made by suspension copolymerization of styrenic monomer with divinylbenzene under conditions such that the products had defined solubility, gel content, molecular weight and bead size characteristics which enabled their use (after impregnation with a blowing agent and pre-expansion) in molding into foamed cups over a much broader range of time and temperature and the resultant cups are stiffer per given weight than cups made from conventional polystyrenes utilized for making foamed cups. These advantages are realized without any sacrifice in cup appearance.

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: Polyolefin particles having a halogenated surface region, which are prepared by irradiating ultraviolet rays to an aqueous dispersion of polyolefin particles in the presence of a halogen gas. The polyolefin particles having a halogenated surface region have an improved property of retaining volatile blowing agents and can provide expandable particles having an improved storability in the open state.

Abstract: Prefoamed polypropylene-base particles have a crystalline structure featuring a high-temperature peak appeared on the higher temperature side than the peak inherent to polypropylene-base resins on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry upon heating 1-3 mg of the prefoamed polypropylene-base particles at a constant heating rate of 10.degree. C./min. to 220.degree. C. by means of a differential scanning calorimeter and the internal pressure decreasing velocity coefficient k of the particles is either equal to or smaller than 0.70 (k.ltoreq.0.70) at 25.degree. C. and 1 atm. The prefoamed polypropylene-base particles can be formed into an expansion-molded polypropylene-base article by imparting foamability to the particles, filling the resultant particles in a mold and then heating the particles so as to cause their expansion.

Abstract: Blends of polypropylene-poly(vinyl aromatic monomer) interpolymer with certain polymers and/or rubbers can be impregnated with blowing agents to give products which can be expanded under atmospheric steam conditions to give low density, fine cell structure foam particles.

Abstract: Copolymer beads made by suspension copolymerization of styrenic monomer with divinylbenzene under conditions such that the products had defined solubility, gel content, molecular weight and bead size characteristics which enabled their use (after impregnation with a blowing agent and pre-expansion) in molding into foamed cups over a much broader range of time and temperature and the resultant cups are stiffer per given weight than cups made from conventional polystyrenes utilized for making foamed cups. These advantages are realized without any sacrifice in cup appearance.

Abstract: Propylene-base random copolymer particles suitable for use in the production of pre-foamed particles are obtained by heating starting copolymer particles of ethylene-propylene random copolymer to the crystallization temperature thereof and then quenching them in a medium at a temperature of (the crystallization temperature-30.degree. C.) or lower. Pre-foamed particles produced using the copolymer particles contain large cells are columnar in shape with an average diameter D of 1.7 mm or less and an L/D.gtoreq.1. They can thus provide foamed moldings which are substantially free of shrinkage and have good flexibility.

Abstract: A process for producing propylene random copolymer resin foamed particles is disclosed. The process comprises dispersing propylene-ethylene random copolymer resin particles having an ethylene content of from 1 to 12% by weight in water in a closed vessel, feeding an inorganic gas into the closed vessel to raise the pressure within the closed vessel to at least 5 Kg/cm.sup.2 G, heating the dispersion to a temperature above the melting point of said copolymer resin particles but not higher than that by 25.degree. C. or more, opening a discharge port provided in the closed vessel below the water surface, and releasing the copolymer resin particles together with water as a dispersing medium into an atmosphere having a lower pressure than in the closed vessel. A foamed product produced by molding the foamed particles has firm bondage among the particles and excellent mechanical strength.

Abstract: A porous, bead-like copolymer which can be employed to excellent effect for the fixation of enzymes is obtained by suspension polymerization of monomeric oxiranylalkyl compounds and/or 2-aziridinylalkyl compounds, n-valent crosslinking agents, N-vinylamides, heterocyclic 5-membered ring compounds or 6-membered ring compounds, having a polymerizable olefinic group in each case, and polymerizable quaternary ammonium salts.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for producing porous PVC resin particles by a thickened aqueous suspension polymerization process comprising polymerizing vinyl chloride monomer in an aqueous suspension wherein said aqueous medium contains at least one dispersant capable of thickening water, and optionally at least one secondary surfactant, at least one oil-soluble free radical generating catalyst, the improvement comprising charging said free radical catalyst as a solution wherein the solvent for said catalyst solution has a density equal to or less than that of the monomer being polymerized and the catalyst solution has a density less than water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering volatile foaming agent contained in prefoamed beads of polyolefin resin characterized in that the volatile foaming agent contained in the prefoamed beads is recovered by bringing into contact with heated air prefoamed beads obtained by heating polyolefin resin beads containing the volatile foaming agent. According to the invented method it is possible to avoid not only aggravation of the working environments and atmospheric pollution but also risk of explosion etc. and, furthermore, material cost can be saved through reutilization of the recovered volatile foaming agent.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles which have anti-static and anti-lumping properties during expansion are produced by adding 0.1 to 0.4 parts of alkyl and alkylaryl ethers of polyethoxyethanol mono- and diesters of phosphoric acid per 100 parts of polymer particles during impregnation of the polymer particles with blowing agents. The esters may be added as sole antistatic agent or in addition to the known internal additives which impart fast-cool and antilump properties.

Abstract: A urea adsorbent and a method for its production are disclosed, the adsorbent comprising hollow microspheres each having an outer layer formed of a urea-permeable polymer and an inner layer formed of a polymer containing a polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative expressed by the following formula:--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--.sub.m Rwherein R stands for hydrogen or a methyl group and n is an integer of 2-5 and m is an integer of at least 3. The adsorbent can selectively adsorb urea with a high adsorbing activity and does not interact with other substances than urea and, therefore, is useful as an artificial kidney.The adsorbent may be prepared by subjecting a w/o/w type emulsion to polymerization wherein a radical polymerizable polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative is dissolved in the inner aqueous phase of the emulsion and an oil-soluble radical polymerizable monomer is used as the outer oil phase.