Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing thermo-expansive microcapsules that disperse better than conventional products. In this process, thermo-expansive microcapsules are produced through suspension-polymerization in which a polymer is produced from polymerizing unsaturated ethylene monomers under the existence of one or more of metal compounds selected among zirconium compounds and titanium compounds and the resultant polymer microencapsulates a volatile blowing agent gasifying below the softening point of the polymer.

Abstract: Copolymers are formed by suspension polymerization of monomers, including one or more styrenic monomers, and one or more acrylic monomers. The monomers can be polymerized in the presence of polymeric seeds. The polymerization can be carried out in the presence of one or more blowing agents, producing polymers that can be expanded. The methods are useful, for example, in forming expandable polymeric particles. The expandable polymer particles are useful in processes such as forming patterns for lost foam molding techniques.

Abstract: A porous copolymer particle having a particle size of from 0.1 to 2,000 &mgr;m and a permanent pore size of from 2 to 800 nm comprising (i) a monomer containing from 5 to 60 wt % of a monomer (A) selected from N-vinylcarboxylic acid amides represented by formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8 alkyl group, a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with a methyl group or an ethyl group and (ii) from 40 to 95 wt % of a copolymerizable monomer (B) which contains a crosslinking monomer.

Abstract: Polypropylene resin pre-expanded particles having a weight of 0.3 to 1.8 mg per particle and a mean cell diameter of at most 250 &mgr;m and exhibiting two fusion peaks on a DSC curve thereof one of which appearing on a higher temperature side has a specific heat of fusion QH, which can be molded in a mold in a shortened molding time to give cellular molded articles having a low density of 25 g/liter or less after being provided with an inorganic gas pressure of at least 1.5 atms when the heat of fusion QH is 2.8 to 6.0 cal/g, or after being provided with an inorganic gas pressure of 1.18 to 1.5 atms when the heat of fusion QH is from 0.3 to less than 2.8 cal/g.

Abstract: Polymers are formed by suspension polymerization of monomers, including one or more styrenic monomers, in the presence of polymeric, emulsion based seeds. The polymerization can be carried out in the presence of one or more blowing agents, producing polymers that can be expanded. The methods are useful, for example, in forming polystyrene which can then be expanded to form expanded polystyrene. The methods utilize suspending agents, and surfactant can be used in an amount insufficient to form an emulsion.

Abstract: A process prepares styrene polymers comprising water as sole blowing agent by mixing a polystyrene melt with water and with an emulsifying agent in an extruder, extruding the melt into a waterbath and pelletizing the cooled extrudate.

Abstract: Particulate expandable styrene polymers contain homogeneously distributed graphite particles and can be processed to give self-extinguishing foams having a density of ≦35 g/l.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a porous polymer particle comprising a polymer substrate having ester bonds connected to a group containing a quaternary ammonium structure through a spacer molecule, (2) an alkali-resistant, high-strength porous polymer particle having ester bonds connected to a group containing a quaternary ammonium structure through a spacer molecule, a part of the ester bonds being saponified and converted to a hydroxyl group(s), (3) a porous polymer particle comprising a polymer substrate having ester bonds connected to a group containing a quaternary ammonium structure through a spacer molecule, the porous polymer particles being treated with an alkaline solution to generate a hydroxyl and/or a carboxyl group on a surface of the substrate, (4) an anion exchanger comprising any one of the particles (1) to (3) above, (5) a packing material for anion chromatography comprising the anion exchanger (4) above, (6) a column for anion chromatography using the anion exchanger (4) above, and (7) a method for meas

Abstract: The invention relates to thermally expandable microspheres comprising a thermoplastic polymer shell and a propellant entrapped therein, wherein said polymer shell is made of a homo- or co-polymer from ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising more than 85 wt % of nitrile containing monomers and said propellant comprises at least 50 wt % of isooctane. The invention further relates to preparation and use of expandable microspheres, a composition comprising expandable microspheres and articles comprising foamed material containing expanded microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermo-expandable microspheres and to the expanded microballoons, microcellular foam or foamed composite material that results upon heating the microspheres. The thermo-expandable microsphere of the present invention is characterized by having a polymeric wall surrounding one or more pockets or particles of blowing agent or propellant within the microsphere. The polymeric wall may have reactive functional groups on its surface to give a fusible microsphere. When the microspheres are heated, they expand to form microballoons comprising polymeric shells surrounding one or more internal gaseous voids, and when the microspheres are expanded while in contact with each other, a microcellular foam may be formed. The foam consists of a plurality of microballoons fused together, optionally aided by functional groups present on the surface of the heated microspheres that act to crosslink the material.

Abstract: Propylene resin beads for molding expansion molded articles having improved high temperature resistance include as base resin metallocene-catalyzed copolymers of propylene with at least one or more of ethylene and ∝-olefins of 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The metallocene-catalyzed propylene copolymers are isotactic random copolymers characterized by a melting point higher than 140° C. to 160° C. and a melt flow rate (MFR) of not higher than 12 g/10 minutes, especially, 0.5 to 12 g/10 minutes. Expansion molded articles produced by expansion molding the expanded beads have a high temperature degree of deflection which is lower than that of metallocene-catalyzed propylene homopolymers and lower than that of Ziegler-Natta-catalyzed random propylene copolymers having the same comonomers and melting point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of expanded polystyrene particles in which polystyrene beads containing water as the sole expanding agent are expanded. The process involves the following stages: A) the polystyrene beads are pre-expanded at temperatures above 100° C., B) the pre-expanded particles are dried in dry air at temperatures between 20° and 95° C. over a period of from 1 to 10 hours, C) the dried expanded particles are further expanded with steam at temperatures ranging from 100° to 140° C., and D) the stages b and c are repeated as often as is necessary to achieve the desired bulk density.

Abstract: An adhesive coated article comprises a layer of microsphere adhesive onto a portion of at least one major surface of a substrate. The microspheres in the adhesive are obtained as the reaction product of (a) at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate ester wherein the alkyl group contains four to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably four to about 10 carbon atoms and (b) a comonomer(s). The comonomer may be a nonpolar, ionic, polar comonomer or mixtures of such monomers. This microsphere adhesive either contains a (meth)acrylamide comonomer or a polyacrylamide material is post-added to the microsphere adhesive. The adhesive exhibits a lower than expected adhesion to coated papers without sacrificing the adhesion to standard uncoated (bond) papers and preferably, the 90° peel adhesion, as measured on Kromkote® paper (used as an industry standard) is in the range of 20 to 250 grams/inch.

Abstract: Copolymers are formed by suspension polymerization of monomers, including one or more styrenic monomers, and one or more acrylic monomers. The monomers can be polymerized in the presence of polymeric seeds. The polymerization can be carried out in the presence of one or more blowing agents, producing polymers that can be expanded. The methods are useful, for example, in forming expandable polymeric particles. The expandable polymer particles are useful in processes such as forming patterns for lost foam molding techniques.

Abstract: There is provided pre-expanded particles of a propylene resin having a high expansion ratio and excellent molding adhesion without using a volatile blowing agent or increasing an expansion pressure. The pre-expanded particles of a propylene resin are prepared by the process comprising dispersing resin particles comprising a propylene resin composition, which contains 100 parts by weight of (A) a random copolymer of ethylene and propylene having an ethylene content of 1.5 to 4.5% by weight and 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a homogeneous composition of an expandable styrene polymer in the form of beads comprising (a) 100 parts b.w. of a styrene polymer having a weight-average molecular mass of 150,000 to 300,000 and a residual monomer content of less than 2,000 ppm, (b) from 2 to 9 parts by weight of at least one blowing agent comprising n-pentane, (c) from 0.1 to less than 1.0 part by weight of a petroleum wax comprising a mixture of C18 to C80 alkanes, and (d) from 0 to 1.0 part by weight of a nucleating agent chosen from synthetic Fisher-Tropsch or polyolefin waxes. The composition allows the step of pre-expanding the beads to be improved by increasing the rate of expansion of the beads and by improving the productivity of the pre-expansion step, without substantially affecting the final molding step.

Abstract: From an environmental viewpoint, it is desireable to cause degradation of expanded EPS beads and foam cups and other products formed from expanded EPS beads, which are composed of polystyrene and a blowing agent such as pentane. For this purpose, the present invention utlizes the pre-expansion step as an opportunity to initiate foam product degradation by treating the expandable polymer beads during their pre-expansion. The objective of this degradation treatment is to initiate degradation of at least the surfaces of individual beads during their pre-expansion and before they are molded into the final foam articles. For this purpose, a number of degradation treatment options are disclosed for application during bead pre-expansion, including heating the beads by circulation with heated air, admixture of the beads with ozone, aromatic ketones such as acetophenone and benzophenone, and metallic salts, as well as irradiation of the expanding beads with uv radiation (e.g of a wavelength of about 260 nanometers).

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polyvinylarene polymer particles by suspension polymerization, wherein (a) vinylarene monomers are suspended in an aqueous medium to yield a suspension; (b) the temperature of the suspension is adjusted to a temperature above 50° C., at which temperature an initiator is added; (c) subsequently, the reaction temperature is increased by 5 to 30° C. per hour until a temperature of at least 120° C. has been reached; and (d) the temperature is retained at a temperature of at least 120° C. until the polymerization is complete.

Abstract: A process comprises producing expanded polyolefin particles by impregnating polyolefin granules with a volatile blowing agent in suspension under pressure, and then releasing the pressure. The suspension medium has a lower density than the polyolefin granules and the suspension is practically free from suspension agents.

Abstract: A shaped article composed of an aromatic polyimide has a hollow, essentially spherical structure and a particle size of about 100 to about 1500 &mgr;m, a density of about 1 to about 6 pounds/ft3 and a volume change of 1 to about 20% by a pressure treatment of 30 psi for 10 minutes at room temperature. A syntactic foam, made of a multiplicity of the shaped articles which are bonded together by a matrix resin to form an integral composite structure, has a density of about 3 to about 30 pounds/ft3 and a compression strength of about 100 to about 1400 pounds/in2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-expandable microcapsule produced from acrylonitrile and N-substituted maleimide as the main polymerizable monomers, or further a monomer giving a hompolymer having a Tg of 50 to 200° C. and polymerizable unsaturated carboxylic acid (including anhydrides), resin foam using this, and a process for producing a foamed resin composite. The present invention can provide a heat-expandable microcapsule that is less apt to color even upon thermal expansion at 200° C. or higher, and a resin foam and a foamed resin composite capable of forming a processed surface, e.g., a matte surface giving a bulky feeling, by using this microcapsule.

Abstract: A method of producing a substantially open-cell, expanded polystyrene sheet, comprising the steps of: forming a mixture comprising from 30 to 95% of polystyrene incorporating an aliphatic hydrocarbon with 4-6 carbon atoms, from 0 to 65% of polystyrene, and from 0.2 to 10% of a nucleating agent, mixing the mixture obtained and melting it by heating inside an extruder, bringing the mixture to a temperature of 130-150° C. in the final portion of the extruder, extruding the mixture in a lower-pressure atmosphere to produce an expanded sheet, which has a low density and a high capacity to absorb aqueous liquids, particularly if a surfactant is added to the starting mixture, and which, when coupled with two films of plastics material gives rise to a laminate suitable for the production, by thermoforming, of trays for foods which may release aqueous liquids.

Abstract: A soft foam having an Asker C hardness of less than about 65, comprising; (A) from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more alkenyl aromatic polymers and wherein at least one of said alkenyl aromatic polymers has a molecular weight (Mw) of from about 100,000 to about 500,000; and (B) from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more substantially random interpolymers having an I2 of about 0.1 to about 50 g/10 min, an Mw/Mn of about 1.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly, commercially practicable process for the production of microcellular polymer foams from amorphous, semi-crystalline and crystalline polymers that comprises consolidating the polymer into a polymer shape, saturating the polymer shape with an inert gas at elevated temperature, above the Tg of the polymer, and under elevated pressure, releasing the pressure and cooling, i.e. quenching, the saturated polymer polymer shape under controlled temperature and pressure conditions to produce either a closed or open celled, low to medium density microcellular foam or a closed cell, high density microcellular foam.

Abstract: Polyolefin foam materials of high dimensional stability at elevated temperatures are produced from modified polypropylenes and unmodified polypropylenes. The modified polypropylenes used are produced by mixing polypropylene particles with thermally decomposing free radical-forming agents, absorbing readily volatile bifunctional monomers and heating and melting the mixture. Areas of application for the polyolefin foam materials of high dimensional stability at elevated temperatures are the packaging sector, motor vehicle parts, sports and leisure equipment, industrial applications, as well as applications in the building sector.

Abstract: Foamable modified polystyrene resin particles (E) comprising a particle of a modified polystyrene resin (C) containing a blowing agent (D), wherein the modified polystyrene resin (C) comprises conjugated diene polymer rubber particles (B) dispersed uniformly throughout a polystyrene resin (A) and when the foamable modified polystyrene resin particle (E) is expanded, there is substantially no deformation of the rubber particles (B) before and after the expansion. A foamed article of a modified polystyrene resin which has a cell membrane of the modified polystyrene resin comprising a polystyrene resin and conjugated diene polymer rubber particles dispersed uniformly throughout the polystyrene resin and has a fusion rate of not less than 50%, wherein the rubber particles maintain substantially spherical form in the cell membrane.

Abstract: An open-cell polystyrene foam is provided which is formed from a blend of polystyrene and an ethylene-styrene interpolymer. The ethylene-styrene interpolymer functions as a cell opening agent, and is used to control the open cell content of the resulting foam, which may contain greater than 80 percent open cells. The foam is produced by an extrusion process in which carbon dioxide is used as the preferred blowing agent. The resulting foams may be formed into beads, plank, round, sheets, etc.

Abstract: Provided are a foaming propylene-ethylene random copolymer which is characterized in that (1) its ethylene unit content [x (wt. %)] falls between 0.2 and 10% by weight, (2) its MI falls between 1 and 16 g/10 min, (3) its boiling diethyl ether extraction [E (wt. %)] and x satisfy the relation of a formula (I):E.ltoreq.0.25x+1.1 (I),(4) its melting point [Tm (.degree. C.)] and x satisfy the relation of a formula (II):Tm.ltoreq.165-5x (II),(5) its isotactic triad fraction in the PPP chain moiety as measured through .sup.13 C.ltoreq.NMR is not smaller than 98 mol %, and preferably, (6) the relation between the time of relaxation .tau. (sec) of the copolymer and MI of the copolymer satisfies a formula (III):.tau..ltoreq.0.80-0.42.times.log MI (III),and also its foaming beads and cellular articles. The copolymer and its foaming beads have improved primary and secondary foamability, and the cellular articles of the copolymer have excellent mechanical properties including rigidity.

Abstract: A hollow sphere organic pigment in which a core containing a void is encapsulated by a first shell polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than 50.degree. C., the first shell having polymerized thereon a second shell polymer having a glass transition temperature of -15.degree. C. to -50.degree. C. is provided. Also provided is a paper or paperboard coating composition containing the hollow sphere organic pigment, a method for improving the strength and opacity of a paper or paperboard coating by using the coating composition dried, a coated paper or paperboard bearing the dried coating composition, and a method for improving the strength and opacity of paper or paperboard by incorporating a particular hollow sphere organic pigment into the formed wet sheet.

Abstract: Polyolefinic particle foams containing additives may be produced by a process, which comprises(a) initially charging a pressure-resistant reactor with a dispersion consisting essentially of polyolefin particles and a liquid dispersion medium, and also a mixture of a volatile organic blowing agent and the additive to be introduced;(b) carrying out a heat treatment in which the polyolefin particles are impregnated with the mixture; and subsequently(c) discharging the dispersion through an orifice into a low-pressure space, thus foaming the polymer particles.The process achieves efficient incorporation of the additives into the polyolefin particles. The particle foams thus-obtained are useful for the production of moldings.

Abstract: A soft foam having an Asker C hardness of less than about 65, comprising;(A) from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more alkenyl aromatic polymers and wherein at least one of said alkenyl aromatic polymers has a molecular weight (M.sub.w) of from about 100,000 to about 500,000; and(B) from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more substantially random interpolymers; and(C) optionally, one or more nucleating agents; and(D) optionally, one or more other additives; and(E) one or more blowing agents present in a total amount of from about 0.4 to about 5.0 gram-moles per kilogram (based on the combined weight of Components A and B).

Abstract: When it is intended to obtain foamed particles having a high expansion ratio upon the production of foamed particles of a polyolefin resin, there has been a problem that foamed particles uneven in cell diameter are produced. Any molded article produced with such foamed particles has involved a drawback that it is poor in dimensional stability, and its surface profile becomes uneven.The invention relates to foamed particles comprising a polyolefin resin as a base resin, wherein the base resin contains a metal salt (excluding alkali metal salts) of boric acid in such a manner that the content of the metal salt of boric acid in the raw resin amounts to 50-50,000 ppm. Zinc borate, magnesium borate or the like is used as the metal salt of boric acid.

Abstract: A method of producing a substantially open-cell, expanded polystyrene sheet, comprising the steps of:forming a mixture comprising from 30 to 95% of polystyrene incorporating an aliphatic hydrocarbon with 4-6 carbon atoms, from 0 to 65% of polystyrene, and from 0.2 to 10% of a nucleating agent,mixing the mixture obtained and melting it by heating inside an extruder,bringing the mixture to a temperature of 130-150.degree. C. in the final portion of the extruder,extruding the mixture in a lower-pressure atmosphere to produce an expanded sheet, which has a low density and a high capacity to absorb aqueous liquids, particularly if a surfactant is added to the starting mixture, and which, when coupled with two films of plastics material gives rise to a laminate suitable for the production, by thermoforming, of trays for foods which may release aqueous liquids.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacture of expandable polymer particles is provided. The continuous process disclosed produces expandable polymer pellets in a single step while eliminating many of the dangers inherent in processes of prior art employed for the same. The polymers produced herein are of uniform size, and may be molded into various articles of manufacture using existing equipment and techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foamed article comprising a modified polypropylene resin which is a graft copolymer of a polypropylene resin and an aromatic vinyl monomer and has an average number of the grafted aromatic vinyl chains of not less than 1 in one molecule of the graft copolymer and a weight average molecular weight of the grafted aromatic vinyl chains of not less than 200, and relates to a process for preparation thereof. According to the present invention, the foamed article comprising the polypropylene resin and having a high closed cell content, a high expansion ratio and good external appearance can be provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are foamed and expanded beads of a polypropylene resin for molding, which comprise an uncrosslinked propylene random copolymer having a melting point of at least 140.degree. C. as a base resin, wherein the time required to attenuate an air pressure within the foamed beads applied by a pressurizing treatment with air from 1.2 kgf/cm.sup.2 (G) to 0.8 kgf/cm.sup.2 (G) under atmospheric pressure at 23.degree. C. is at least 80 minutes, and the CNI value of the foamed beads, which is defined by the following equation (1):CNI=log.sub.10 [Pw.times.Er.div.(2.24.times.D.sup.3 .times.B)](1)wherein Pw is an average weight (mg) per foamed bead, Er is a bulk expansion ratio (time) of the foamed beads, D is a cell diameter (mm) of the foamed beads, and B is a density of the base resin, is smaller than 3.80.

Abstract: The invention relates to sound-absorbent foam moldings which have a sound-absorption level according to DIN 52215 of from 30 to 95% in the frequency range from 0.5 to 4 kHz. The foam is an incompletely fused molded polyolefin or polystyrene foam with from 10 to 40% interstitial volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of porous polyolefin particles, which process comprises the following steps:1) dissolution of at least one crystallizable polyolefin in a solvent, which results in a solution being formed which comprises 0.1-50 wt. % polyolefin, and the initial polyolefin solution formed containing between 5 ppm and 20 wt. % of nucleating agent,2) dispersion of the resulting polyolefin solution in a non-solvent, at a temperature that is higher than the crystallization temperature of the polyolefin in the polyolefin solution, upon which a multiphase system is formed,3) cooling of the multiphase system, with simultaneous stirring, the cooling rate being between 0.05 and 10.degree. C.

Abstract: A foamed, non-crosslinked resin particle having a bulk density of not greater than 0.045 g/cm.sup.3 and an average cell diameter of at least 200 .mu.m. The non-crosslinked resin includes a polypropylene resin to which a vinyl comonomer is graft-polymerized in such an amount that the weight ratio of the polypropylene resin to the grafted polymer of the vinyl comonomer is in the range of 97:3 to 65:35. The foamed resin particles are produced by grafting a vinyl comonomer to polypropylene resin particles at a temperature of less than 90.degree. C. in the presence of a specific radical polymerization initiator to obtain modified polypropylene resin particles and, then, expanding the modified polypropylene resin particles. The initiator used requires a temperature of not higher than 70.degree. C. for obtaining a half life of 10 hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer dispersion foam L, where:a) a mixture M which comprises at least one conjugated diene monomer A and at least one ethylenically unsaturated comonomer B is polymerized by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of at least one emulsifier to give a fine polymer dispersion P,b) the fine polymer dispersion P is pressure-agglomerated to give a coarse polymer dispersion G,c) the polymer dispersion G is concentrated, if desired, and is mixed, if desired, with a reinforcer dispersion H, andd) the dispersion from c) is foamed to give a polymer dispersion foam L,which comprises adjusting the average particle size and the particle size distribution of G by varying a parameter selected from:I) the solids content of P,II) the agglomeration temperature in step b),III) the agglomeration pressure in step b),IV) the content of comonomer B in the mixture M,V) the concentration of the emulsifier in P,VI) the agglomeration throughput,to polyme

Abstract: A foamed styrene resin material has a density .rho. of 0.02 to 0.008 and a melt tension of the styrene resin of 5 to 40 gf. The relation between an average cell diameter d (.mu.m) and the density .rho. is given by the expression: ##EQU1## and a relation between a thermal conductivity .lambda. (kcal/m.multidot.h.multidot..degree. C.) and the density .rho. given by the expression: ##EQU2## Accordingly, the foamed styrene resin material has a low thermal conductivity and excellent insulating property in spite of a low density (high expansion ratio foam) thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an molded article of foamed and expanded beads of a propylene resin, which is obtained by heating and molding the foamed beads of the propylene resin, wherein the apparent density of the molded article is 0.11 to 0.45 g/cm.sup.3, a value obtained by dividing its maximum bending strength (kgf/cm.sup.2) determined in accordance with JIS K 7221 by the apparent density (g/cm.sup.3) is at least 160 (kgf/cm.sup.2)/(g/cm.sup.3), and the average number of cells at its section is within a range of 5 to 100 cells/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: Methods for impregnating polymer beads comprise providing polymer beads in an impregnation chamber at a temperature from about 150.degree. F. to about 200.degree. F. and a pressure of from about 25 psig to about 100 psig, and simultaneously fluidising the polymer beads in the impregnation chamber with an impregnating gas. The gas is delivered to the chamber at a rate sufficient to cause individual polymer beads to be fluidised and for a time sufficient to impregnate the gas in the polymer beads. The apparatus adapted for such methods includes a heater, a compressor and a plurality of vents for supplying a gas to the impregnating chamber to fluidise polymer beads contained therein simultaneously with the heating and pressurising of the beads.

Abstract: Unsupported pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) films of tacky, polymeric microspheres are provided. The opposite major surfaces of the film provide different levels of peel adhesion, allowing for removability without substrate damage. In addition, the PSA films provide high shear strength and good tensile properties.

Abstract: Polyolefinic foam beads which can be processed over a wide temperature range to give molded articles where a ratio of the areas of low-temperature peak and high-temperature peak in the DSC curve during the first heating has a value of not more than 3, and where the heat of fusion of the secondary crystals is greater than 10 J/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foamable composition comprising a low viscosity thermoplastic composition comprising at least one ethylene/.alpha.-olefin. The foamable composition may comprise a single ethylene/.alpha.-olefin or a blend of such. Optionally, the foamable composition may further comprise at least one diluent including waxes, plasticizers such as oil, tackifying resin, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of foaming such compositions and articles constructed therefrom. More specifically, the present invention relates to foamable thermoplastic compositions having particular utility as cabinet sealant and as foam layers in disposable articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent devices, medical devices such as bandages and dressings, as well as a variety of other uses.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous body of tourmaline includes the step of sintering a mixture of fine powder of tourmaline and fine powder of polyethylene or fine powder of polypropylene.

Abstract: Resin particles made from a resin mixture of 30 to 70 wt % of a linear low-density polyethylene I having a resin density of 0.930 to 0.935 g/cm.sup.3 and an MI of 1 g/10 minutes or higher and 70 to 30 wt % of a linear low-density polyethylene II having a resin density of 0.915 to 0.925 g/cm.sup.3 and an MI of 2 g/10 minutes or higher are impregnated under pressurization with a volatile expansion agent, and released into a low-pressure atmosphere to yield non-crosslinked linear low density polyethylene preexpanded particles, which, when subjected to expansion molding inside a mold, exhibit good moldability, and yield molded articles that have an attractive external appearance and exhibit outstanding cushioning properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous polyfluoroethylene (PTFE), shaped articles prepared therefrom, and to methods of preparing said articles.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf shoe which incorporates a spike socket spine frame system that extends throughout the shoe sole for receiving all of the spike receptacles and is embedded in the outsole. The spine frame provides improved shoe performance and spike location and is made of a material that is stiffer than the outsole material. More particularly, the shoe sole is comprised of a spike socket spine having seventeen spike socket locations: three spike sockets in the toe section, six spike sockets in the metatarsal section, four spike sockets in the shank section and four spike sockets in the heel section, for receiving the posts of the golf spikes.