Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles which have fast cooling rates during molding are produced by dry blending styrene polymer particles in the presence of 0.06 to 0.60 parts of a mixture of alkyl esters of fatty acids per 100 parts of polymer particles. The ester mixture may be added as sole fast cool agent or in addition to the known internal additives which impart fast cool properties.

Abstract: Vinyl aromatic polymer compositions contain a flame-retarding amount of 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexabromobutene-2.

Abstract: Particulate expandable styrene polymers which contain an organic bromine compound as the flameproofing agent and an organic compound possessing a labile C--C, O--O or N.dbd.N bond as the synergistic agent for flameproofing. The flameproofing agent is applied to the surface of the particles while the synergistic agent is homogeneously incorporated into the particles.The polymers can be converted to self-extinguishing foams.

Abstract: Expandable styrene polymer particles are surface-coated with conjugated diene elastomers to prevent the particles from lumping together during expansion. The coating is applied by adding 0.05-0.25 part of conjugated diene elastomer to an aqueous suspension containing 100 parts of polymer particles during the impregnation of the mixture with a blowing agent.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyolefin foam materials from crosslinked polyolefin foam scraps includes the steps of comminuting scraps of crosslinked polyolefin-containing foam; admixing the comminuted scraps with a synthetic resin on a polyolefin basis; compressing the resulting admixture at a temperature lying below the decomposition temperature of the crosslinking agent to form an aggregate product; comminuting this product to form a particulate material; plasticizing the particulate material at a temperature lying below the decomposition temperature of the crosslinking agent to form a shaped article; and crosslinking and expanding, i.e. foaming, the shaped article by heating the article to above the decomposition temperatures of the crosslinking agent and of the blowing agent.

Abstract: Small particulate expandable styrene polymer molding compositions are prevented from acquiring static charges by coating with betaines.

Abstract: A molded mass containing granules of expanded thermoplastic resin mixed with a mineral binder is manufactured by preparing a molding mass in a single operation by mixing expanded thermoplastic resin granules with water, water soluble resin and a mineral binder and then pouring the resultant mixture into a mold until the mixture solidifies into the desired molded mass.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a thermally insulating light stucco or plaster mixture which consists of expanded polystyrene particles coated with an aqueous solution of methyl cellulose in addition to cement, wall binder and dispersion powders.

Abstract: Expandable particles of a styrene polymer which comprise on the surface thereof an ester of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with an aliphatic alcohol, the ester having no hydroxyl group in the molecule and being a solid at room temperature, or a mixture of said ester and a finely divided lubricant, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: Solid materials having a flash point of less than 500.degree. C. are rendered fire alarming by providing for the presence thereon of micro capsules containing a bromofluoroalkane having a critical temperature of at least 100.degree. C., the micro capsules having an external diameter of from 200 to 260 microns, and the wall of the capsules consisting of a polymer, treated to release the bromofluoralkane suddenly at a predetermined temperature to provide a detonation having a maximum sound level of 10-12 kHz.

Abstract: Particulate self-extinguishing thermoplastic molding compositions based on styrene polymers containing volatile blowing agents are surface-coated with an organic bromine compound and, to stabilize the bromine compound against photodegradation, a N-hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole or a hydroxybenzophenone. The molding compositions may be used for the manufacture of foams by expanding the blowing agents at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Pre-expanded styrene polymer particles, which may contain one or more pre-expanded styrene polymer beads, are coated with sufficient water glass so that the particles, when dried to a reversible, tack-free pourable state, comprise from about 30% to 80% styrene polymer solids. The particles may be shaped into a desired article configuration and then dried to a tack-free state, the particles adhering together through the water glass, and the resulting article having a bulk density of from about 1.25 lbs. to 3 lbs. per cubic foot. The water glass or the pourable particles may be treated to decrease alkalinity and to cause irreversible precipitation of water glass solids, rendering the final product essentially waterproof.

Abstract: Expandable particles of a styrene polymer containing therein 3 to 8% by weight of a blowing agent and having a particle size of 0.8 to 0.25 mm. in diameter, or their pre-expanded particles, which comprises an ester of sucrose represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkanoyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms or an alkenoyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms; and all of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are not hydrogen atoms at the same time, or its derivative, said ester of sucrose or its derivative being coated on the surface of said particles.

Abstract: Expandable-polystyrene beads suitable for use in making impervious containers are made from a recipe including styrene, free-radical initiator and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and this practice includes a step of washing the beads in a warm aqueous solution to which an alkoxylated nonionic surfactant having 70-90 percent of its molecular weight accounted for by oxyethylene units is added in an amount effective to cause the washing to remove contaminating grafted polyvinyl pyrrolidone from the surface of the beads and cause them to become expandable into impervious product containers.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrically conductive foam moulding manufactures from electrically conductive polystyrene beads containing blowing agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing expandable beads of vinyl aromatic polymer resin which provide cellular materials having a smaller and more uniform cell size, comprising the steps of suspension polymerizing beads of the vinyl aromatic polymer resin, and impregnating the beads while in suspension with a liquid blowing agent in the presence of an emulsifier comprising a diethanolamide of a fatty acid containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance lower than 15.

Abstract: Expandable ethylenically unsaturated polymer particle compositions containing an expanding agent, said polymer particles having the surfaces thereof coated with a layer of a compound comprising calcium carbonate having a particle size of from 0.02 to 0.2 microns and the surfaces of said calcium carbonate particles having chemically attached thereto organic compounds selected from the group consisting of higher fatty acids, resin acid, lignin sulfonic acid and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Bromine-containing phosphonic acid esters of the formula ##STR1## in which R represents a halogen-containing linear or branched aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R' and R" are hydrogen, halogen or alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be closed to form a ring and/or substituted by halogen, at least one substituent being a bromine atom, are suitable as flame retardants for plastic materials, especially polystyrene and styrene copolymers.