Abstract: Alkenyl aromatic polymer foam comprising a polymer matrix containing one or more polymer and defining a plurality of cells having an average cell size wherein: (a) the alkenyl aromatic polymer foam has: —(i) an average cell size that is in a range of 0.02 and 5 millimeters; —(ii) a density of 64 kilograms per cubic meter or less; —(iii) an open cell content less than 30 percent; and—(iv) a cell size variation of 30% or less; and wherein the foam further comprises one or more fluorinated alkene blowing agent at a concentration of 0.03 moles or more and 0.3 moles or less per 100 grams of polymer foam.

Abstract: A pre-expanded beads of olefin-modified polystyrene-based resin comprising a pie-expanded beads of a polystyrene-based resin modified with a polyolefin-based resin, wherein a styrene-based monomer forming a polystyrene-based resin in the beads is used in the range of 100 to 1,000 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin-based resin, a bulk density of each bead is 0.012 to 0.20 g/cm3, and an absorbance ratio at 698 cm?1 and 2850 cm?1 (D698/D2850) obtained from an infrared absorption spectrum of each bead surface measured by ATR method infrared spectroscopy is in the range of 0.1 to 2.5.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete composition containing from 10 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition, from 10 to 90 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and from 0 to 50 volume percent of aggregate; where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent, and where after the lightweight concrete composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39 after seven days. The concrete composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles.

Abstract: Expanded beads including cell walls which define a plurality of cells and which comprise a base resin containing a polypropylene resin, each of the beads having a through hole extending therein from one end to the other end. The expanded beads have a maximum diameter D0 (mm), an average cell diameter LCV in a radial direction, an average cell diameter LCH in a circumferential direction and a maximum through hole diameter HD (mm) satisfying the following conditions: LCV/LCH is at least 1.05, HD/D0 is 0.08 to 0.4 and the ratio HD/LCV is 0.1 to 10, where D0, LCV and LCH are as defined in the specification. The expanded beads may give a foam molding by an in-mold molding method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid material comprising a matrix of polyurethane and foamed particles of thermoplastic polyurethane comprised therein and also a process for producing such hybrid materials and the use of these hybrid materials as bicycle saddles, upholstery and shoe soles.

Abstract: A process for producing coated foam particles, in which an aqueous polymer dispersion is applied to the foam particles and is subsequently dried to form a water-insoluble polymer film, and also foam moldings produced therefrom and their use.

Abstract: A porous polyimide membrane is provided. The volume of pores with a diameter of between about 50 and about 300 nm is more than about 40%, preferably more than 75% of the total pore volume in the membrane. A method for preparing a porous polyimide membrane comprises: preparing a porous polyamide acid membrane; stretching the porous polyamide acid membrane to form a stretched membrane; and imidizing the stretched membrane to form a porous polyimide membrane. The volume of the pores with a diameter of about 50-300 nm is more than about 40%, preferably more than 75% of the total pore volume in the porous polyimide membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active ingredient composition which has a high content in thermosensitive foaming agents and one or more polyolefin resins, the portion which is larger in quantity being a metallocene and optionally the remaining resins being polar or nonpolar nonmetallocene polyolefin resins. All polyolefin resins add up to at least 10% by weight of the formulation and have a melting point between 80 and 170° C. The reduced dust active ingredient composition according to the invention is used for the masterbatch production of foamed plastics.

Abstract: Resin beads having an average particle size of from 0.001 mm to 10 mm and containing a continuous phase and a particulate dispersed phase are described. The continuous phase includes elastomeric polymers; the dispersed phase includes homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting from the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable monomers. The unexpanded polymer resin beads can be prepared by dispersing an organic phase containing elastomeric polymers and one or more monomers, into droplets and polymerizing the monomers in the organic droplets in a low shear flow pattern. The beads can be impregnated with blowing agents, expanded and can be used to make molded articles. Resin beads having a continuous phase comprising a nitrile rubber, and a dispersed phase comprising one or more homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting form the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable show prolonged retention of blowing agents in unexpanded form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet that can prevent the deformation of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer caused by pressurization, further reduce chipping in grinding and cutting processes, be easily peeled off from a processed article after processing, and can be easily applied to an adhered at ordinary temperature. The heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet includes a substrate, and a heat-expandable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer arranged on or above at least one side of the substrate, the heat-expandable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing a foaming agent and having a shear modulus (23° C.) in an unfoamed state of 7×106 Pa or more. The adhesive sheet further includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer being arranged on or above heat-expandable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a shear modulus (23° C.) of less than 7×106 Pa and a thickness of 0.01 to 10 ?m.

Abstract: Expandable sealant and baffle compositions and methods of forming and using such compositions are provided wherein the compositions comprise a first thermoplastic resin, an epoxy resin, preferably a second thermoplastic resin different from the first thermoplastic resin, and optionally a compound selected from the group consisting of pigments, blowing agents, catalysts, curing agents, reinforcers, and mixtures thereof. The resulting compositions are formed as self-sustaining bodies which can be heat-expanded into a lightweight, high strength product for sealing hollow structural members of vehicles, substantially decreasing the noise which travels along the length of those members as well as strengthening those members with minimal increases in their weights. In a preferred embodiment, the first thermoplastic resin is an SBS block co-polymer, the epoxy resin is a bisphenol A-based liquid epoxy resin, the second thermoplastic resin is a polystyrene, and the reinforcer is hydrated amorphous silica.

Abstract: The method for the manufacture of foamed or foamable polymer particles employs a mixture of a polymer melt and a recycled polymer melt produced from recycled, propellant-containing polymer particles. The associated plant for the manufacture of the foamed or foamable polymer particles is provided with an apparatus for the processing of recycled, propellant-containing polymer particles.

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a thermally foamable microsphere which is excellent in heat resistance, has a high expansion ratio, and shows stable foaming behavior; a method of producing the thermally foamable microsphere; and suitable use thereof. This invention provides a thermally foamable microsphere in which an outer shell encapsulating a foaming agent is formed of a copolymer having a polymethacrylimide structure. In particular, this invention provides a thermally foamable microsphere in which monomers capable of forming the polymethacrylimide structure by a copolymerization reaction are methacrylonitrile and methacrylic acid. Moreover, this invention provides a method of producing the thermally foamable microsphere and use of the thermally foamable microsphere as an additive.

Abstract: Expandable vinylaromatic polymers which comprise: a) a matrix obtained by polymerizing 50-100% by weight of one or more vinylaromatic monomers and 0-50% by weight of a copolymerizable monomer; b) 1-10% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a) of an expanding agent englobed in the polymeric matrix; c) 0.01-20% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a) of carbon black distributed in the polymeric matrix having an average diameter ranging from 30 to 2000 nm, a surface area ranging from 5 to 40 m2/g, a sulfur content ranging from 0.1 to 2000 ppm and an ash content ranging from 0.001 to 1%.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a test and data retrieval method that not only provides an illustration of an object paint condition but also provides a linear numerical data point, that gives the user a quantifiable number to determine the extent of body work and over paint for a painted object that is being appraised, up for bid, or sold in a private treaty sale or auction.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a vapor deposited coating for a thermally stressable component, which comprises deliberately introduced pore formers. This distinguishes the coating from the conventional vapor deposited coatings, which, owing to the coating method do not exhibit pores. Moreover, it distinguishes it from sprayed-on coatings, which do not exhibit any pores or only irregularly shaped pores that are formed arbitrarily. In addition, the present technology relates to a method and a device for producing such a coating.

Abstract: A true tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer of the fine powder type is provided, wherein the copolymer contains polymerized comonomer units of at least one comonomer other than TFE in concentrations of at least or exceeding 1.0 weight percent, and which can exceed 5.0 weight percent, wherein the copolymer is expandable, that is, the copolymer may be expanded to produce strong, useful, expanded TFE copolymeric articles having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. Articles made from the expandable copolymer may include tapes, membranes, films, fibers, and are suitable in a variety of end applications, including medical devices.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a formed structure with expandable polymeric shell microspheres. A first plurality of polymeric shell microspheres are heated from an unexpanded state to an expanded state to form a plurality of expanded microspheres. The plurality of expanded microspheres are mixed with an epoxy resin and a second plurality of unexpanded polymeric shell microspheres. The mixture is formed in a shape to create a preform. The preform is wrapped with fiber tape to create a wrapped preform. The wrapped preform is placed in a mold. The mold is heated and the second plurality of unexpanded microspheres expand from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. The mold is cooled and the formed structure is removed from the mold.

Abstract: An expanded molded article having a void percentage of 5 to 50%, the molded article comprising 50 to 800 parts by weight of styrene-based resin relative to 100 parts by weight of non-crosslinked linear low-density polyethylene-based resin which can be obtained by using a metallocene catalyst, wherein the molded article is obtained by impregnating styrene-modified linear low-density polyethylene-based resin beads with a volatile blowing agent to provide expandable beads, pre-expanding the expandable beads and then subjecting the obtained pre-expanded beads to expansion molding, the styrene-modified linear low-density polyethylene-based resin beads each have the styrene-based resin dispersed in the form of particles, and a diameter of particle is 0.8 ?m or smaller in a surface region within at least 5 ?m from the bead surface and in a center region within a 5 ?m radius from the bead center.

Abstract: A substrate, for example, a display glass substrate, can be transported and stored with high efficiency, without breaking and adhering dust. A substrate accommodating tray includes a frame member 12 formed to have a larger rectangular frame shape than a glass substrate and four support members 11, having elasticity, formed in an inside region surrounded by the frame member 12. The frame member 12 is formed with a pair of longitudinal direction frames 12a and a pair of width direction frames 12b, and the four support members 11 are arranged while being engaged with the frame member 12. Each support member 11 includes conductive polyethylene foam, which is molded by coating conductive particles on synthetic resin beads as a raw material and foaming it in this state. Therefore, transferring of the resin onto the glass substrate can be prevented during transportation and storage.

Abstract: An expandable thermoplastic resin and a foamed article thereof excellent in balance between crack resistance and compression strength, which is suitable for light-weighted plastic parts, a heat insulating parts for architecture, and buffer packing materials which is used under the condition where the materials are repeatedly dropped. And expandable thermoplastic resin particles for obtaining a foamed article having crack resistance and compression strength suitable for an automobile interior and having a low combustion rate. And foamed parts for an automobile having both of high crack resistance and high compression strength. Concretely, they relates to expandable thermoplastic resin particles obtained by containing a blowing agent into a thermoplastic resin obtained by polymerizing monomer mixture, in which a macromonomer is contained in the monomer mixture and the gel content of a foamed article obtained from the expandable thermoplastic resin particle is 1 to 40% by weight.

Abstract: Thermo-expansive microcapsule comprising: a polymeric shell produced by polymerizing 15 to 75 weight % of a nitrile monomer, 10 to 65 weight % of a monomer having a carboxyl group, 0.1 to 20 weight % of a monomer having an amide group and 0.1 to 20 weight % of a monomer having a cyclic structure in its side chain; and a blowing agent encapsulated in the polymeric shell.

Abstract: Adhesive, more particularly pressure-sensitive adhesive, which comprises expanded microballoons, the bond strength of the adhesive comprising the expanded microballoons being reduced by not more than 30%, preferably not more than 20%, more preferably 10%, in comparison to the bond strength of an adhesive of identical coatweight and formula which has been defoamed by the destruction of the voids produced by the expanded microballoons.

Abstract: A process of producing a foamed molding, wherein expanded, substantially non-crosslinked polypropylene-based resin beads are heated in a mold to fuse-bond the beads together into a unitary body. Each of the expanded beads has been surface-modified with an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A method that heat-expandable microspheres includes the use of a shell of thermoplastic resin and a non-fluorine blowing agent encapsulated therein having a boiling point not higher than the softening point of the thermoplastic resin. The method includes a step of dispersing an oily mixture containing a polymerizable component, the blowing agent, and a polymerization initiator containing a peroxydicarbonate in an aqueous dispersing medium to polymerize the polymerizable component contained in the oily mixture. The resultant heat-expandable microspheres have a shell which is less apt to become thinner than its theoretical value, contain minimum amount of resin particle inside their shell, and have excellent heat-expanding performance.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an easy-to-use, energy-saving and economical method of producing foamed resin particles having a high environmental compatibility by using an ether, which generates neither sulfur oxide nor sot in the course of disposal and incineration and enables considerable reduction in nitrogen oxide formation, and further using a resin which originates in a plant and contributes to the carbon dioxide fixation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods that include providing a first particle having pores, the first particle having a first compression test value, and partially cross-linking the first particle to form a second particle having pores, the second particle having a second compression test value that is larger than the first compression test value by 25% or more, where a maximum dimension of the first particle is 5,000 microns or less, and a maximum dimension of the second particle is 5,000 microns or less.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermosets such as epoxy resins includes adding expandable hollow microspheres, which expand with temperature as shown in the accompanying graph, to the base thermoset components in the liquid phase and applying heat treatment to the mixture so formed causing the micropsheres to expand during or after curing of the thermoset. This results in a toughening mechanism caused by compressive residual stress around the microspheres which significantly increases the specific fracture energy of the epoxy resin.

Abstract: Expanded polypropylene resin beads having a melting point of not less than 120° C. but less than 140° C., the melting point being determined from a DSC curve obtained by heat flux differential scanning calorimetry in accordance with JIS K7121-1987 in which a sample of 1 to 3 mg of the expanded polypropylene resin beads is heated to 200° C. at a heating rate of 10° C./minute, then cooled to 30° C. at a rate of 10° C./minute, and again heated from 30° C. to 200° C. at a heating rate of 10° C./minute to obtain the DSC curve. The expanded polypropylene resin beads has an apparent density ?1 before heating and an apparent density ?2 after being heated for 10 seconds with steam at a temperature higher by 5° C. than the melting point thereof, wherein a ratio of ?1 to ?2 is not greater than 1.5.

Abstract: Heat-expandable microspheres include a shell of thermoplastic resin and a blowing agent encapsulated therein having a boiling point not higher than the softening point of the thermoplastic resin, have a maximum expanding ratio not lower than 50 times, and are thermally expanded into hollow particulates having a repeated-compression durability not lower than 75 percent. The method of producing the heat-expandable microspheres includes the steps of dispersing an oily mixture containing a polymerizable component and the blowing agent in an aqueous dispersing medium containing a specific water-soluble compound and polymerizing the polymerizable component contained in the oily mixture.

Abstract: Capture particles for harvesting analytes from solution and methods for using them are described. The capture particles are made up of a polymeric matrix having pore size that allows for the analytes to enter the capture particles. The pore size of the capture particles may be changeable upon application of a stimulus to the particles, allowing the pore size of the particles to be changed so that analytes of interest remain sequestered inside the particles. The polymeric matrix of the capture particles may be made of co-polymeric materials having a structural monomer and an affinity monomer, the affinity monomer having properties that attract the analyte to the capture particle. The capture particles may be used to isolate and identify analytes present in a mixture. They may also be used to protect analytes which are typically subject to degradation upon harvesting and to concentrate low an analyte in low abundance in a fluid.

Abstract: A thermally foamable microsphere having a structure that a foaming agent is encapsulated in an outer shell formed from a polymer, wherein supposing an electric conductivity of a water extract obtained by Step 1 of dispersing 5 g of the thermally foamable microsphere in 20 g of ion-exchanged water having a pH of 7 and an electric conductivity of ?1 at a temperature of 25° C. to prepare a liquid dispersion; and Step 2 of shaking the liquid dispersion at the same temperature for 30 minutes to conduct a water extraction treatment, as measured at 25° C. is ?2, a difference ?2??1 between ?2 and ?1 is at most 1 mS/cm, and a production process including measuring an electric conductivity of a filtrate in the washing step to obtain a thermally foamable microsphere exhibiting a desired electric conductivity on the basis of a previously prepared relational expression between the electric conductivity of the filtrate and the electric conductivity of a water extract of the thermally foamable microsphere.

Abstract: A process of producing a foamed molding, wherein expanded, substantially non-crosslinked polypropylene-based resin beads are heated in a mold to fuse-bond the beads together into a unitary body. Each of the expanded beads has been surface-modified with an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A mobile polymer system. The system includes a mobile platform and a heat generating device mounted to the mobile platform. The system also includes a polymer expansion unit mounted to the mobile platform, wherein the polymer expansion unit is adapted to expand a polymer, using heat generated by the heat generating device, at a location of the mobile polymer expansion system to create an expanded polymer that can be used to create an expanded polymeric product that is comprised of the expanded polymer.

Abstract: Components formed with a polymer matrix are subject to problems in relation to shrinkage as that polymer matrix cures. With regard to components incorporating reinforcing fibres, such shrinkage may tension and curl the fibres resulting in stresses within the component and premature failure. By providing voids or expandable beads, which alter in size to compensate for volumetric variation in the polymer matrix during curing, such tension may be avoided. Advantageously, the voids or expandable beads have a shape such that there is a reduction in void surface area as the void or expandable bead increases in volume.

Abstract: Cement compositions containing an expandable material are disclosed. The compositions are suitable for use in oil and gas wells. An example of such an expandable material is a polymer encapsulated chemical that expands upon heating. Examples of cement compositions containing polymer encapsulated isobutane or isopentane are disclosed. The use of cement compositions containing an expandable material can reduce the formation of micro-annulus or other deleterious physical properties in the set cement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing thermo-expansive microspheres comprising a thermoplastic resinous shell and a blowing agent being encapsulated in the shell, the blowing agent which is a fluorine-containing C2-10 compound having ether linkage, being free of chlorine and bromine atoms and gasifying at a temperature not higher than the softening point of the thermoplastic resin. The thermo-expansive microspheres have preferably an average particle size ranging from 1 to 100 ?m and a CV, or coefficient of variation, of particle size distribution being 30% or less, and a retaining ratio of blowing agent encapsulated being 90% or more.

Abstract: Process for preparing polymer, e.g. polystyrene, particles that may not or may contain a water-retaining agent and that require only a one-step process for incorporating the water-retaining agent. The polymer particles may be prepared via an extrusion process, or a bulk polymerization process wherein a water-retaining agent is blended into the polymer melt. Water is incorporated into the particles by soaking them in hot or cold water or treating the particles with steam for a predetermined time depending on the desired water content in the particles. The water-retaining agent may be starch, zeolite, silica dioxide or poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) ranging from 0.1% to 10.0% by weight. The particles can be expanded via appropriate means to form pre-expanded or expanded particles in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A thermally stable brominated butadiene copolymer, such as brominated styrene/butadiene block copolymer, brominated random styrene/butadiene copolymer or brominated styrene/butadiene graft copolymer, preparation of the brominated butadiene copolymers, use of the brominated butadiene copolymers as a flame retardant additive and polymeric compositions, both foamed and non-foamed, that incorporate a flame-retarding amount of brominated butadiene copolymer.

Abstract: The method for the manufacture of foamed or foamable polymer particles employs a mixture of a polymer melt and a recycled polymer melt produced from recycled, propellant-containing polymer particles. The associated plant for the manufacture of the foamed or foamable polymer particles is provided with an apparatus for the processing of recycled, propellant-containing polymer particles.

Abstract: To provide a water absorbing agent which is excellent in balance between absorbency and liquid permeability against pressure and is excellent in flowability at the time of moisture absorption. The water absorbing agent comprises water absorbent resin particles and an organic surface additive, wherein: the organic surface additive having (i) a reactive group for a functional group of a surface of each water absorbent resin particle and (ii) a hydrophobic group exists on the surface of the water absorbent resin particle, and the hydrophobic group has a hydrocarbon group whose carbon number is 8 or more, and a ratio of an oxyalkylene group in a molecular mass of the organic surface additive is 0 or more and 25 mass % or less.

Abstract: Hydrogel microparticles with entrapped liquid are used as the porogen to reproducibly form interconnected pore networks in a porous scaffold. In one embodiment, a biodegradable unsaturated polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a porogen comprising biodegradable hydrogel microparticles are mixed together and allowed to form a porous scaffold in an mold or in a body cavity. Example biodegradable unsaturated polymers include poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(e-caprolactone-fumarate). The cosslinking agent may be a free radical initiator, or may include a free radical initiator and a monomer capable of addition polymerization. Example hydrogel microparticles include uncrosslinked or crosslinked collagen , an uncrosslinked or crosslinked collagen derivative, and an uncrosslinked or crosslinked synthetic biodegradable polymer such as oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of copolymers obtainable by copolymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride derived from at least one dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 8 carbon atoms and at least one oligomer of branched or unbranched C3-C10-alkene, where at least one oligomer has an average molecular weight Mn in the range from 300 to 5000 g/mol, preferably up to 1200 g/mol or is obtainable by oligomerization of at least 3 equivalents of C3-C10-alkene, in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: A lightweight structural concrete with screw-ability and nail-ability similar to wood is composed of a non-structural and ultra lightweight aggregate such as expanded perlite or a combination of expanded perlite and polystyrene beads of a particular size distribution and volume amount, entrained air cells of another specific size distribution and volume amount, and dense cementitious composition of a cement binder, a fine grade structural filler no larger than concrete sand grade, a pozzolan, and optional micro-fibers for reinforcement. This structural concrete matrix is optimized to hold 13 gauge T-nails and bugle head wood screws with thread ranging from 8 to 11 threads per inch and diameter of 0.10? to 0.137?. The resulting concrete will have consistent screw-ability and nail-ability similar to that of wood.

Abstract: A composition comprises a polyvinylchloride homopolymer, a biodegradable plasticizer and either a swelling agent or a carbohydrate coupled to the polyvinylchloride homopolymer or a combination thereof. The composition may further comprise a blowing agent. A coated fabric comprises a textile substrate and a biodegradable coating at least partially coating the textile substrate, wherein the biodegradable coating degrades at least 60% after 28 days under the ASTM D584 standard. A method of making a biodegradable coating comprises providing a polymer and blending a biodegradable plasticizer with the polymer to form a blend. A method of making a coated textile comprises providing a textile and a composition comprising a polymer, a biodegradable plasticizer, and at least one other component; applying the composition to the textile; and curing the composition, thereby making a coated textile.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an in-mold foamed article having good surface appearances and high rigidity produced by using a common molding machine that withstands a pressure of up to 0.4 MPa. The present invention provides polypropylene resin pre-expanded particles containing a base resin which is a resin having a melt flow rate of 5 g/10 min or more and 20 g/10 min or less and a melting point of 140° C. or higher and 155° C. or lower and satisfying the conditional formula below, and an in-mold foamed article produced from molding the pre-expanded particles: [Heat of crystal fusion (J/g)]?1.2×[Melting point (° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a starting material from which a foamed moulded product can be formed, which starting material is based on particulate expandable polystyrene (EPS). The present invention further relates to a foamed moulded product based on particulate expandable polystyrene (EPS), which foamed mould product has a fine cell structure and a low density.

Abstract: A surface crosslinking treatment method of a water-absorbing resin powder is disclosed that can overcome various problems in production encountered in the production of surface crosslinked water-absorbing resin powders on an industrial scale and can produce a water-absorbing resin powder having excellent physical properties without causing deterioration in physical properties of resin.

Abstract: An expanded polypropylene bead for forming a dielectric material, including a polypropylene resin containing a ceramic in an amount of from 10 to 80 wt %, having an apparent density of from 0.03 to 1.7 g/cm3, having an intrinsic endothermic peak specific to the polypropylene resin on a DSC curve obtained by a differential scanning calorimetry, and also an endothermic peak at a higher temperature side of the intrinsic endothermic peak, and in that a caloritic value of the endothermic peak at the higher temperature side represents from 2 to 35% of a caloritic value of the peaks of the entire endothermic curve.

Abstract: Process for processing expandable polymer particles e.g. polystyrene (EPS) that eliminates the maturing step between the pre-expander and molding steps. The expandable particles are first over pressurized with gas, e.g. air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof, at a pressure between 500 and 8000 kPa and a temperature between ?20° C. and 130° C. for 15 to 7200 minutes to create a gas pressure in the particles. Using the gas pressure in the particles, pre-expanding the particles with a heating medium, e.g. steam at a temperature between 100° C. and 120° C. and at a pressure ranging above atmospheric pressure and below the gas pressure in said particles, i.e. 50 to 200 kPa for 5 to 120 seconds. The pre-expanded particles are air dried in the pre-expander while holding a positive pressure in the particles; are optionally transferred to a pressure silo; and then are transferred to a molding machine where the gas pressure in the particles is used to form a foam article.