Abstract: The present invention provides thermo-expansive microspheres comprising 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; and also provides the production and application processes thereof. 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. The thermo-expansive microspheres have low environmental loading and superior flame-retardant or flame-resistant performance, and have particle sizes distributing in narrow ranges.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming polymer microrods, the method including the steps of providing a polymer solution comprising a polymer dissolved in a first solvent; providing a dispersion medium comprising a second solvent, wherein the first solvent and the second solvent are miscible or partially soluble in each other, and wherein the polymer is insoluble in the second solvent; adding the polymer solution to the dispersion medium to form a dispersed phase of polymer solution droplets within the dispersion medium; and introducing a shear stress to the dispersion medium and dispersed polymer solution droplets for a time and at a shear rate sufficient to elongate the polymer solution droplets to form microrods and solidify the microrods by attrition of the polymer solvent into the dispersion medium.

Abstract: A specific relationship must be met in case of: (a) a structural unit derived from propylene is present in 100 to 85 mole %, and a structural unit derived from ethylene and/or alpha-olefin with 4 to 20 carbons is present in 0 to 15 mole %; (b) a content of a position irregularity unit based on 2, 1-insertion of a propylene monomer unit in all propylene insertions, which is measured by 13C-NMR, is 0.5% to 2.0% and a content of a position irregularity unit based on 1,3-insertion of propylene monomer unit in all propylene insertions, which is measured by 13C-NMR, is 0.005% to 0.4%; and (c) a water vapor transmission rate is Y [g/m2/24 hr] as film and a melting point Tm[° C.] shows specific relationship.

Abstract: Expandable or pre-expanded thermoplastic particles, e.g. polystyrene particles, used to form foam containers e.g. cups, bowls, are coated with a coating composition comprising a liquid part consisting of a) liquid polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 200 to 800; and a solid part comprising components selected from the group consisting of b) polyolefin wax, e.g. polyethylene wax, c) a metal salt of higher fatty acids, e.g. zinc stearate or calcium stearate; d) polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 900 to 10,000; and e) a fatty bisamide or fatty amide, e.g. ethylene bis-stearamide; and combinations of b) through e). The coating composition prevents or resists leakage of liquids and foods with oil and/or fatty components and improves the rim strength and ATF properties of foam containers.

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) 0.05-25% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of an inorganic filler homogeneously distributed in the polymeric matrix with a substantially spherical granulometry, an average diameter ranging from 0.01 to 100 ?m, a refraction index higher than 1.6 and a white index, as defined in “Colour Index” (third edition published by the Society of Dyers and Colourists, 1982), equal to or lower than 22.

Abstract: The invention is a reactive hot melt composition which has excellent adhesion and curing properties, and can be formulated into free-flowing pellets or beads, by using an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, and athylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, and/or an ethylene-acrylic acid methacrylic acid terpolymer as a component of the composition along with free radical crosslinking initiators. The incorporation of a foaming agent enables the production of compositions which are useful in space-filling applications, (i.e., as so-called “anti-flutter” compositions).

Abstract: A process for the production of expanded beads, including kneading a base resin containing a polypropylene resin and having a tensile modulus of at least 1,200 MPa together with a mixture of a coloring agent and a thermoplastic polymer having a tensile modulus lower than that of the base resin to form a kneaded mixture including a matrix of the base resin and a multiplicity of domains dispersed in the matrix and each containing the thermoplastic polymer and the coloring agent. The kneaded mixture is formed into resin particles, then treated with an organic peroxide to modify surfaces of the resin particles therewith. Foaming and expanding of the surface-modified resin particles gives expanded beads having an inside region surrounded by a surface region. The heat of fusion of a high temperature peak of the surface region is lower than that of the inside region.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermally foamable microsphere whose shell is formed of a polymer that is obtained by the polymerization of a polymerizable monomer and a crosslinkable monomer at a proportion of greater than 1% by weight up to 5% by weight based on the polymerizable monomer and which has a maximum expansion ratio of at least 5. The invention also provides a process for the production of a thermally foamable microsphere having a maximum expansion ratio of at least 5 by the suspension polymerization of a polymerizable mixture containing a crosslinkable monomer at a proportion of greater than 1% by weight up to 5% by weight based on the polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: A process of producing expandable styrene resin particles, wherein in suspension polymerization of styrene monomers, the concentration of oxygen in a reaction vessel is kept low at least in a late stage of the polymerization, and the resulting styrene resin particles are impregnated with an expanding agent before or after completion of the polymerization. Preferably, at a polymerization rate of 60% or higher, the concentration of oxygen in the reaction vessel is kept at 7 volt % or lower. When additional styrene monomers are added during the polymerization, they are added and adsorbed to styrene resin particles in the course of polymerization while the concentration of oxygen is kept low. By this method, the particles whose internal portion has a low molecular weight and surface portion has a high molecular weight are obtained. A foamed article produced from the particles has high strength and a good appearance.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermally foamable micro-sphere whose shell is formed of a polymer that is obtained by the polymerization of a polymerizable monomer and a crosslinkable monomer at a proportion of greater than 1% by weight up to 5% by weight based on the polymerizable monomer and which has a maximum expansion ratio of at least 5. The invention also provides a process for the production of a thermally foamable microsphere having a maximum expansion ratio of at least 5 by the suspension polymerization of a polymerizable mixture containing a crosslinkable monomer at a proportion of greater than 1% by weight up to 5% by weight based on the polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of foamed thermoplastic polyurethanes characterized in that the foaming of the thermoplastic polyurethane is carried out in the presence of thermally expandable microspheres.

Abstract: Microporous particles for stabilizing thermoplastic compositions comprising comprising a stabilizer are provided. Each of the porous microparticles has a plurality of preformed pores into which the stabilizing agent is loaded and from which the stabilizing is subsequently released to the processing environment of use.

Abstract: A heat-peelable adhesive sheet which comprises a substrate and, formed on at least one side thereof, a heat-expandable layer containing heat-expandable microspheres and an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive substance and in which the substrate has heat resistance and stretchability can be used to cut an adherend so as to form and secure a sufficient space between the resultant cut pieces and can withstand a heat treatment for expanding the heat-expandable layer. Consequently, the adhesive sheet can heighten the operating efficiency and working efficiency in the step of separating and recovering the cut pieces.

Abstract: The present invention provides, as a resin bead which can be developed for use completely different from the use of conventional polystyrene resin beads, a porous resin bead made from a styrene-hydroxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, which contain a hydroxyl group in an amount of 10–1000 ?mol/g, and further, a production method of a porous resin bead made from a styrene-hydroxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, which contains suspension copolymerization of a styrene monomer, an acyloxystyrene monomer and a divinylbenzene monomer using an organic solvent (containing at least hydrocarbon and alcohol) and water, followed by hydrolysis reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension polymerization process for the preparation of styrene-containing (co)polymers, wherein the process comprises the steps of continuously or semi-continuously dosing an initiator to the reaction mixture, said initiator having a specified half-life at the temperature of the reaction mixture to which it is dosed. The invention further relates to styrene based (co)polymer obtainable by said process, and to the use of said styrene (co)polymer in a shaping process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process by which a water-absorbent resin of excellent quality can be obtained at a low cost by reasonable steps in aqueous solution polymerization. The process for producing a water-absorbent resin comprises the step of polymerizing an aqueous solution of water-absorbent resin-forming monomers including acrylic acid and/or its sodium salt as major components, wherein: (1) the aqueous solution has a monomer component concentration of not less than 45 weight %; (2) the polymerization is carried out while water is evaporated so that the ratio (concentration ratio) between a solid component concentration in a hydropolymer as formed by the polymerization and a solid component concentration in the aqueous monomer solution will not be less than 1.10; and (3) the solid component concentration in the hydropolymer as formed by the polymerization is not more than 80 weight %.

Abstract: A heat-peelable adhesive sheet which comprises a substrate and, formed on at least one side thereof, a heat-expandable layer containing heat-expandable microspheres and an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive substance and in which the substrate has heat resistance and stretchability can be used to cut an adherend so as to form and secure a sufficient space between the resultant cut pieces and can withstand a heat treatment for expanding the heat-expandable layer. Consequently, the adhesive sheet can heighten the operating efficiency and working efficiency in the step of separating and recovering the cut pieces.

Abstract: In forming pressure sensitive adhesive microspheres by copolymerizing a non-ionic monomer of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol and an acid monomer copolymerizable with said non-ionic monomer, an electrolyte is present during the polymerization to promote formation of solid rather than hollow microspheres.

Abstract: Thermo-expansive microcapsules comprising a shell of a polymer produced by polymerizing a mixture of monomers, which comprises (I) a nitrile monomer, (II) a monomer having an unsaturated double bond and carboxyl groups in a molecule, (III) a monomer having two or more of polymerizable double bonds in a molecule, and optionally, (IV) a monomer different from and copolymerizable with the monomers (I), (II) and (III) and a blowing agent encapsulated in the shell. The volume retention of the expanded microcapsules of the thermo-expansive microcapsules is 50% or more after loaded with 15 MPa.

Abstract: Expanded, substantially non-crosslinked polypropylene resin beads capable of producing a high rigidity foamed molding at a relatively low temperature. The beads are produced by a process including a step of dispersing substantially non-crosslinked polypropylene resin particles in a dispersing medium containing an organic peroxide to obtain a dispersion, a step of heating the dispersion to decompose the organic peroxide and to modify the surface of the surface-modified polypropylene resin particles, and a step of expanding the non-crosslinked, surface-modified polypropylene resin particles using a blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to create without mechanical agitation a zone of low shear, low turbulence flow pattern within a continuous liquid phase contained in a vessel and comprising a dispersed phase consisting of particles or immiscible liquid droplets which have a density different from and should be distributed within the continuous phase without excessive agglomeration or breakups in order to largely preserve the initial particle size distribution, by a continuous or periodic re-circulation of at least a part of the continuous phase which is preferably free of dispersed particles or droplets.

Abstract: A process for producing thermo-expansive microcapsules wherein a polymerizing mixture containing ethylenic unsaturated monomer and a blowing agent is suspend-polymerized to microencapsulate the blowing agent with the resultant polymer. The above-mentioned suspension-polymerization is performed with the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polypeptides and derivatives thereof as a suspension stabilizer. The process can control the particle size of microcapsules easily, attain stable reaction system and produce thermo-expansive microcapsules that disperse well in medium such as paint or inks.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a foamed article comprising the steps of: heating a mixture comprising (a) 100 parts by weight of linear saturated polyester, (b) 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a mixture as a coupling agent of 0 to 100% by weight of a compound having two epoxy groups in the molecule, and 100 to 0% by weight of a compound having two or more epoxy groups, and (c) 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a metal salt of a carboxylic acid as a coupling reaction catalyst, at a temperature of a melting point of the polyester or more to provide a melt flow rate of 50 g/10 minutes or less and swell of 10 to 200%, whereby a polyester resin is formed; and heating and foaming the polyester resin using a foaming agent .

Abstract: A method for producing expanded polypropylene resin particles wherein polypropylene resin particles impregnated with a physical blowing agent are heated along with an aqueous medium and a dispersant and are released and expanded at reduced pressure from the interior of a pressure-tight vessel, wherein the aforementioned aqueous medium has an electrical conductivity of from not less than 0.00 ms/m to not more than 20.00 mS/m. The resulting particles obtained are without inconsistencies caused by differences in the amount of dispersant adhering to the particles or the amount of dispersant added to prevent the particles from fusing together during the heat treatment step of the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of bead-form, expanded polystyrene by suspension polymerization of styrene in the presence of from 1 to 5% by weight of a hydrocarbon having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms and from 0.5 to 3.5% by weight of a saturated, aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point above 70° C., but in the absence of a chain-transfer agent which causes a reduction in the molecular weight of the polystyrene.

Abstract: Use of a polypropylene based composition (C) comprising (a) from 5 to 95% by weight of a random copolymer of propylene (A) containing from 0.5 to 12 mole % of at least one comonomer chosen from ethylene and/or an alpha-olefin containing from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, and having an MFIA in the range from 0.01 to 5 g/10 min, (b) from 95 to 5% by weight of a random copolymer of propylene (B) containing from 0.5 to 12 mole % of at least one comonomer chosen from ethylene and/or an alpha-olefin containing from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, and having an MFIB in the range from 15 to 1000 g/10 min, said composition (C) being such that random copolymers (A) and (B) contain the same comonomer(s) and have, for each comonomer, substantially the same comonomer content, for the manufacturing of expanded beads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of expandable thermoplastic microspheres comprising a step of contacting microspheres comprising a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a propellant and further comprising residual monomers, with an agent reacting directly or indirectly with at least part of said residual monomers, wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of oxo acids of sulfur, salts and derivatives thereof, comprising at least one sulfur atom having at least one free electron pair and binding three oxygen atoms. The invention further relates to novel expandable thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging element comprising at least one image receiving layer and a support, wherein said image receiving layer comprises an open celled microcellular foam. The present invention also relates to an imaging element comprising at least one image receiving layer, an absorbing layer and a support, wherein the absorbing layer comprises an open celled microcellular foam.

Abstract: Styrenic polymer foams, especially XPS and EPS, are flame retarded by use of one or more flame retardant bis(bromoalkyl)bromophthalate additives, most preferably bis(2,3-dibromopropyl)tetrabromophthalate. Surprisingly, the distribution of EPS beads in the desired commercial size range was increased by the use of bis(2,3-dibromopropyl)tetrabromophthalate.

Abstract: An open-celled polyurethane foam formed from a composition comprising an active hydrogen-containing component, an organic polyisocyanate component having an average isocyanate functionality of 2.00 to 2.25, a surfactant component, and a catalyst. The foam has a thickness of about 6 to about 20 mils; a density of about 10 to about 50 pcf; an average cell diameter of about 25 to about 80 microns; and cell openings having an average diameter of about 1 to about 25 microns, wherein the ratio of average cell diameter to average cell opening diameter is about 3 to about 10; a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 1000 grams per square meter per day, and which do not leak water or similar fluids. Such foams find particular utility as backings for bandages.

Abstract: A foam comprising a propylene copolymer material comprising at least 50 weight percent of units derived from propylene, based on the total propylene copolymer material, and units derived from ethylenically unsaturated comonomers and having a melt flow rate in the range of from 0.5 to 8 g/10 min, a melt strength of at least 5 cN, and a melt drawability of at least 20 mm/s, process for making a foam using such a propylene copolymer material, process for making a foam in the form of thermoplastic foam beads using such a propylene copolymer material, and an expandable composition comprising such a propylene copolymer material.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypropylene resin pre-expanded particles having small fluctuation in cell diameter and expansion ratio compared to in the past. The pre-expanded particles are obtained by having as a base resin, a polypropylene resin composition comprising polypropylene resin (A), a compound having a triazine skeleton and molecular weight of at most 300 per triazine skeleton unit (B) and as a random component, hydrophilic polymer (C) and inorganic filler (D) and water as the foaming agent. By using the pre-expanded particles, a polypropylene resin in-mold expanded article having decreased unevenness in color and fluctuation in weight can be obtained.

Abstract: A process of producing expandable styrene resin particles, wherein in suspension polymerization of styrene monomers, the concentration of oxygen in a reaction vessel is kept low at least in a late stage of the polymerization, and the resulting styrene resin particles are impregnated with an expanding agent before or after completion of the polymerization. Preferably, at a polymerization rate of 60% or higher, the concentration of oxygen in the reaction vessel is kept at 7 vol % or lower. When additional styrene monomers are added during the polymerization, they are added and adsorbed to styrene resin particles in the course of polymerization while the concentration of oxygen is kept low. By this method, the particles whose internal portion has a low molecular weight and surface portion has a high molecular weight are obtained. A foamed article produced from the particles has high strength and a good appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres, comprising charging thermally expandable microspheres into an expansion device comprising rotating feeding means enveloped by a hollow body, and one or more scrapers. The invention further relates to an expansion device for expanding thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: A polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate foam is made using expandable microspheres which encapsulate a primary blowing agent. By expanding during the foam making process, the microspheres function as a blowing agent. The foam preferably has at least 10% by weight expandable micro spheres which encapsulate a non-halogenated hydrocarbon chemical or a non-halogenated hydrocarbon chemical blend and less than 2% by weight of any non-encapsulated blowing agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyolefin resin expanded particles capable of demonstrating excellent flame retarding effects with a small amount of flame retardant content, despite the fact that carbon black is used as a colorant, and polyolefin resin in-mold foamed article obtained by the in-mold foaming of the expanded particles. More specifically, the present invention relates to polyolefin resin expanded particles and to a polyolefin resin in-mold foamed article obtained by the in-mold foaming of the expanded particles, which contain 0.5 to 20 wt % of carbon black, and which also contain 0.01 to 10 wt % of a hindered amine flame retardant shown by the general formula (I) below.

Abstract: Non-flying plastic microballoons are produced by bringing unexpanded, expandable plastic microballoons, which have been heated to a temperature lower than an expansion starting temperature thereof, and a mixture of a wetting agent and gas, the mixture having been heated to a temperature at least equal to the expansion starting temperature of the expandable plastic microballoons, into contact with each other to cause expansion of the expandable plastic balloons, and then cooling the resulting expanded plastic balloons.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the production of expandable plastics granulate (C). A plastics melt (A′) is impregnated by a fluid blowing agent (B), which is, at an elevated pressure within a predetermined pressure range, only partly soluble in the melt. The method comprises the following steps: 1. dispersion of the blowing agent in the melt, 2. retaining of the mixture within a predetermined pressure range for a predetermined retention time, 3. cooling of the melt impregnated by the blowing agent to a temperature which is several degrees Celsius above the solidification temperature of the melt, and 4. granulating the cooled mixture.

Abstract: Interpolymer resin particles comprised of 20% to 80% by weight polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene and 80% to 20% by weight of an in situ polymerized vinyl aromatic resin, e.g. polystyrene or poly(styrene-butyl acrylate) and forming an interpenetrating network of polyolefin and vinyl aromatic resin particles. The interpolymer particles are impregnated with a volatile hydrocarbon blowing agent, and limonene, e.g. d-limonene, ranging from about 0.1 to about 5 parts, preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the interpolymer particles, for improved expandability and a pleasant fragrance.

Abstract: The application relates to a foamable copolymer resin and a process for preparing the same, which comprises firstly adding an organic peroxide initiator, a modifying aid and a foaming agent to a mixed monomers of methyl methacrylate and styrene so as to constitute a homogenous mixture; at the same tine charging a deionized water into a polymerization reactor and adding a dispersant hydroxy ethyl cellulose or hydroxylpropyl cellulose ether with stirring to produce a homogenous mixture, then sealing the reactor and introducing N2 gas to purge the reactor before the above homogenous monomer mixture is added; after the completion of the reaction the residue is washed with water and dewatered and dried, obtaining foamable pellets.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of foamed thermoplastic polyurethanes characterized in that the foaming of the thermoplastic polyurethane is carried out in the presence of thermally expandable microspheres and a flow aid.

Abstract: A composite material with high resistance to impact energy, comprising expanded polypropylene, dispersed in a resin chosen among melaminic resin, phenolic resin and polyurethane resin and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a porous article. The process involves molding a shape from a molding powder comprising polyethylene polymer particles. The polyethylene polymer has a single modal molecular weight distribution. The molecular weight of the polyethylene polymer is within the range of about 800,000 g/mol to about 3,500,000 g/mol as determined by ASTM-D 4020. The particle size distribution of the particles of the polyethylene polymer are within the range of about 10 microns to about 1000 microns. Advantageously, the process provide a desirable processing window for producing articles with excellent porosity and strength. Porous articles made from the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-halogenated, fire retardant, expandable poly (arylene ether)/polystyrene blends is produced by the method comprising, in a first step, forming a fire retardant mixture comprising a non-halogenated fire retardant, poly(arylene ether) resin and polystyrene resin by intimately mixing in melt; and in a second step, forming the non-halogenated, fire retardant, expandable poly (arylene ether)/polystyrene blend by intimately mixing in melt the fire retardant mixture with a blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pre-mix for a syntactic phenolic foam composition; a syntactic phenolic foam composition; and a process for preparing the syntactic phenolic foam composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable polyurethane capsules for molded product of polyurethane foam and to methods for manufacturing the same, the inventive biodegradable polyurethane capsule comprises a powder made from a biodegradable material, first coating layer of calcium alginate gel formed on the surface of said power and second coating layer of foamable polyurethane resin formed on the surface of said first coating layer. Products manufactured from the biodegradable polyurethane capsule according to the present invention can be widely used as heat isolating materials and heat isolating structural materials because the basic physical properties such as heat insulation are good.

Abstract: An expanded cellular ethylenic polymer product is provided from an irradiated, noncross-linked linear ethylenic polymer. Linear ethylenic polymers can be irradiated at ambient conditions sufficient to introduce branching in the polymer in the absence of detectable cross-linking as indicated by the absence of gels. The irradiated linear ethylenic polymer is compatible with highly branched low density polyethylene and, when mixed therewith, produces a resin having a single broad based melting temperature range as determined by direct scanning calorimetry, which indicates that the polymers in the mixture have similar crystallization behavior suitable for producing low density foams by extrusion foaming. The linear polymers can be obtained from recycled shrink wrap film. Low densities of from 0.7 to less than 4 pcf can be achieved. The foams typically have improved tear resistance as compared to previous products prepared from low density polyethylene, at comparable low densities.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a water-absorbent resin powder, which includes no fine metallic foreign substance, and in which the deterioration is suppressed; its production process; and uses. The present invention production process for a water-absorbent resin powder comprises the steps of: polymerizing an unsaturated monomer; and drying the resultant crosslinked hydrogel polymer, wherein the water-absorbent resin powder has a crosslinked structure and a mass-average particle diameter of 300 to 600 &mgr;m wherein the ratio of fine particles having particle diameters of not larger than 150 &mgr;m is less than 10 mass % of the water-absorbent resin powder, with the production process being characterized by further comprising a magnetic-flux irradiation step of passing a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of not less than 0.05 Wb/m2 through the water-absorbent resin powder after the drying step in the production process.

Abstract: Composite foam based on expandable microspheres reinforced with fibers is described. Also disclosed are methods of making microsphere foam reinforced with fibers and methods of use thereof. The disclosure provides foam that performs equally and better than the performance of most thermoplastic foams commercially available.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for forming styrenic polymers, and their related end uses. In particular, the present invention is directed to processes for preparing patterns for use in metal castings.