Abstract: The invention is directed to an unfoamed foil of at least one thermoplastic resin, said foil being capable of serving as an adhesive when softened and having included therein at least one blowing agent, and to the use thereof in preparing laminates.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bubble-containing ehtylene/.alpha.-olefin rubber excellent in kneadability, characterized in that the ethylene/.alpha.-olefin rubber prepared by copolymerization of 50-95 mol% of ethylene, 5-50 mol% of .alpha.-olefin having at least 3 carbon atoms and 0-10 mol% of non-conjugated polyene contains 5-1000 parts by volume, based on 100 parts by volume of said rubber, of bubbles and has a water absorption volume as measured in accordance with ASTM D 1506 of less than 20% by volume of the total bubble volume.

Abstract: A method of forming pre-foamed beads of a polyethylene-base resin are disclosed. The polyethylene-base resin has been obtained by crosslinking a starting polyethylene-base resin having a density greater than 0.940 g/cm.sup.3 and the pre-foamed beads have a crosslinking degree of 10-45% gel content. The pre-foamed beads can provide a molded articles having excellent rigidity and dimensional accuracy and showing superb dimensional stability under heat.

Abstract: A substantially closed-celled linear polyolefin foam is made by melt processing under pressure a linear polyolefin together with a volatile blowing agent and a crosslinking agent and then expanding the polymer. Suitable crosslinking agents, including azido and vinyl functional silanes, organic peroxides, multifunctional vinyl monomers, and oxygen, increase the melt tension and melt viscosity of the polymer by lightly crosslinking the polymer with itself to enable the production of foams having improved properties in comparison with branched polyolefin foams.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of matte, non-blocking, thin-walled molded articles, films or tubes from polyurethane elastomers prepared from high molecular weight polyols which contain dispersed polyadducts based on polyisocyanate polyaddition products. The use of these high molecular weight polyols contained dispersed polyadducts allows for the preparation of thin-walled, molded articles which have reduced surface tackiness. The present invention is additionally directed to the molded articles produced by this process and to their use for forming polyurethane foam composites.

Abstract: Excellently properties, thermoplastic compositions well adapted for conversion by conventional melt-processing extrusion and other ordinary fabrication techniques into very good quality, lightly cross-linked, thermocollapse-resistant, closed-cell plastic foam(s) and the like expanded cellular product(s) are comprised of an intimate mixture of:(A) a sparsely hydroxylated, normally-solid olefin polymer, particularly a linear alkenyl aromatic or polyolefin polymer which is frequently at least substantially a styrene polymer which is generally in copolymeric form with appropriate moieties of comonomers adapted to provide the requisite attached hydroxyl units therein and thereon; and(B) a minor proportion of an inter-reactive, cross-linking polyisocyanate constituent.

Abstract: A process for preparing copolymer beads suitable for conversion to ion exchange resins, comprising forming a polymeric matrix containing a plurality of free radicals, and continuously adding to said matrix, under conditions suitable for polymerizing a monomer feed which is imbibed by and polymerized within the matrices. Ion exchange resins prepared from beads made by such process exhibit improved osmotic and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A spray method for making cured polyester resin foam is provided using a liquid unsaturated polyester resin, a sulfonyl hydrazide, an effective amount of a promoter, an effective amountof a catalyst and 0.005-3 parts quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: The invention provides a flame retardant thermally insulating material which comprises cellular polymer particles and fly ash bound into a coherent mass by a dried synthetic polymer latex binder, and a process for providing between at least two spaced-apart surfaces a flame retardant thermal insulation in the form of such a material. The process has particularly useful application in the field of roof insulation in sloping roofs having spaced-apart outer and inner layers.

Abstract: Pressure vessels are disclosed for containing a foamable mixture of liquid and a blowing agent for incrementally or continuously dispensing a foam of constant foam-volume ratio. Liquid compositions having coating or polymeric solids are capable of being foamed and dispensed with the apparatus. The method and apparatus are especially advantageous in dispensing foamed coatings, paints or adhesives with superior control.

Abstract: A process of producing a fibre-reinforced shaped article comprising extruding a composition comprising a settable fluid as a carrier for fibres at least 5 mm in length through a die so that relaxation of the fibres causes the extrudate to expand to form an open fibrous structure with randomly dispersed fibres as the extrudate leaves the die characterized in that the porous extrudate is compressed while the carrier is in a fluid condition into a shaped article. The process enables moulded articles to be formed having a random distribution of fibres the majority of which are at least 5 mm long.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of utilizing polyurethane foam for insulation purposes in existing walls and other areas without expanding the existing structure. Conventional polyurethane foam post-expands, causing pressures as high as 6 p.s.i., which results in swelling and expanding of existing wall structures. The process of the present invention places the polyurethane foam into its final position in a totally pre-expanded form, making it possible to insulate homes, office buildings, and any other existing structure with foam having a density as low as 0.5 lb. per cu. ft. with no distortion of even the weakest type of structure.

Abstract: A normally amorphous condensation polymer is crystallized by foaming it with a chemical blowing agent at a temperature above the softening point of the polymer, extruding the molten polymer to form a solid foam and maintaining the foam at a temperature above the glass transition temperature until crystallization occurs. The crystallized polymer foam may be used as a structural foam. It can be used in solid state polymerization to obtain polymers of enhanced degree of polymerization.

Abstract: In a process for producing an olefinic resin foam which comprises the steps of forming a composition comprising an olefinic resin, a chemical blowing agent and a crosslinking agent into an unfoamed sheet-like or rod-like shaped article and foaming it by heating, the improvement wherein the heat-forming step is carried out in an oxygen-free atmosphere or in an atmosphere containing not more than 10% of oxygen.

Abstract: Covers compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R and R.sub.1, when taken individually are lower alkyl or when taken together represent ##STR2## z is an integer of 2-6 and X is O or N--R.sub.2 where R.sub.2 is lower alkyl. Also covers a method of producing a polyurethane by utilizing said above compound as a catalyst in reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an organic polyester polyol or polyether in the presence of said catalyst.

Abstract: A very low density material is produced by extruding a composition comprising a settable fluid containing long resilient fibres through a narrow die under conditions which cause the extrudate to expand to form an open fibrous structure as it leaves the die, and then causing the fluid to set. This is applicable to both thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. Various coating layers may be applied to provide rigid light-weight panels and shaped articles for various uses including furniture and building applications.

Abstract: Flake- or sliver-like porous structures of a polymeric material heavily loaded with a finely divided inorganic substance are prepared by spurting a mixture of the polymeric and finely divided inorganic components in a solvent. The products have many fine, irregular voids. The thickness of walls forming such voids is 5.mu. or less. The products are especially useful for producing sheet-like structures therefrom by beating and/or refining them followed by general paper making procedures. The sheets, when calendered, have a high initial modulus and improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of urea-formaldehyde prepolymer has improved storage life, and cellular urea-formaldehyde foam prepared by discharging the solution, a curing catalyst, and compressed air into the atmosphere develops fewer shrinkage cracks and is stronger when the solution contains at least 5% glucose, fructose, and/or sucrose.