Abstract: This invention relates to foam insulating products, particularly extruded polystyrene foam, containing asphalt as an infrared attuation and process additives for improving the insulating properties and for reducing the manufacturing cost of the foam products.

Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride resin compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof for increasing the degree of whiteness in finished polyvinyl chloride foam. The resin compositions contain sulfur compounds selected from sulfonic acid derivatives, sulfinic acid derivatives, and mercapto acetic acid sodium salt, and optionally contain water soluble salts and/or t-butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: An NCO-terminated prepolymer is produced by reacting a solid halogenated diol and a polyisocyanate. This prepolymer is useful in the production of flame-retardant polyurethanes.

Abstract: New cross-linked polymeric foam compositions, and methods for making the same, are provided. The new compositions utilize novel cross-linked polyolefin copolymers and show improvements in strength, toughness, flexibility, heat resistance and heat-sealing temperature ranges as compared to conventional low density polyethylene compositions. The new compositions also show processing improvements over linear low density polyethylene. The novel polyolefins, which are essentially linear, comprise ethylene polymerized with at least one alpha-unsaturated C3 to C20 olefinic comonomer, and optionally at least one C3 to C20 polyene, and exhibit, in an uncross-linked sense, a resin density in the range of about 0.86 g/cm3 to about 0.96 g/cm3, a melt index in the range of about 0.5 dg/min to about 100 dg/min, a molecular weight distribution in the range of from about 1.5 to about 3.5, and a composition distribution breadth index greater than about 45 percent.

Abstract: Porous polymers having a plurality of openings or chambers that are highly convoluted, with each chamber being defined by multiple, thin, flat partitions are produced by a new gel enhanced phase separation technique. In a preferred embodiment, a second solvent is added to a polymer solution, the second solvent causing the solution to gel. The gel can then be shaped as needed. Subsequent solvent extraction leaves the porous polymeric body of defined shape. The porous polymers have utility as medical prostheses, the porosity permitting ingrowth of neighboring tissue. The present technique also enhances shape-making capability, for example, of bifurcated vascular grafts, which feature a common entrance region but two or more exit regions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of styrene polymers containing water as the sole expanding agent by polymerization of styrene in aqueous suspension in the presence of an amphiphilic organic emulsifier which carries both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, or a polar group-containing, water-miscible polymer.

Abstract: Foamed thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer is formed by heating a foamable thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer-containing polymeric composition containing each of a first water-releasing blowing agent which is at least one of metal hydroxide and water hydrate of a salt of a metal of Group 1 or Group 2 of the Periodic Table and a second blowing agent which is neither a metal hydroxide nor a water hydrate of a salt of a metal of Group 1 or Group 2 of the Periodic Table, to a temperature above the melting point of the polyolefin elastomer. The second blowing agent may be a chemical blowing agent and may release, water, a mixture of water and carbon dioxide or another gas, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of styrene polymers containing water as expanding agent by suspension polymerization of styrene in the presence of an emulsifying auxiliary, the suspending agent being a mixture of water and an organic liquid which is water-miscible and which is virtually a non-solvent for polystyrene and has a boiling point below 100° C.

Abstract: A flexible thermoplastic article is formed from a blend comprising from about 2 to about 15 weight percent of a styrene-elastomer block copolymer; from about 60 to about 90 weight percent polyolefin; from about 4 to about 15 weight percent plasticizer oil, and optionally from about 0 to about 3 weight percent of at least one additive. The additives are typically present in a concentration of from 0.05 to about 3 weigh percent and can include those additives conventionally used in polyolefin foam compositions, including antioxidants and stabilizers, processing aids, etc. The styrene-elastomer block copolymer is preferably a tri-block copolymer structure which includes styrene end-blocks and a mid-block of a saturated olefin elastomer. A particularly suitable styrene elastomer block copolymer is a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam or elastomer comprises an organic polyisocyanate component, an active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, wherein the viscosity of this component is less than about 500 cP at room temperature, a catalyst component, a surfactant, and a flame retardant composition. The components may be low VOC. A preferred flame retardant composition comprises an antimony-based compound, a halogenated, active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, and a halogenated flame-retarding agent. Such polyurethanes are useful as gaskets, seals, padding, in automotive applications, and the like.

Abstract: A process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam satisfying low resilience, high vibration absorption and high durability, is presented. A mixture comprising from 95 to 50 mass % of a polyoxyalkylene polyol produced by means of an alkali metal catalyst and from 5 to 50 mass % of a polyoxyalkylene polyol produced by means of a double metal cyanide complex catalyst, is reacted with a polyisocyanate compound in the presence of a catalyst and a blowing agent, to produce a flexible polyurethane foam having a resonance frequency of at most 3.7 Hz, a resonance ratio of at most 3.5 and an impact resilience of at most 70%.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam or elastomer comprises an organic polyisocyanate component, an active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, wherein the viscosity of this component is less than about 500 cP at room temperature, a catalyst component, a surfactant, and a flame retarding composition. The components may be low VOC. A preferred flame retarding composition comprises an antimony-based compound, a halogenated, active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, and a halogenated flame-retarding agent. Such polyurethanes are useful as gaskets, seals, padding, in automotive applications, and the like.

Abstract: Microporous materials and articles are disclosed. The microporous materials contain a crystallizable propylene-containing polymer, a beta-nucleating agent, and a diluent that is miscible with the polymer at a temperature above the melting temperature of the polymer and that phase separates from the polymer at a temperature below the polymer crystallization temperature. The invention is also directed to methods of forming the microporous material using thermal induced phase separation and subsequent processing.

Abstract: Hypercrosslinked polymeric adsorbents exhibiting improved porosity, namely, a combination of micropores, mesopores and macropores, with an enhanced portion of mesopores, are produced by radical suspension polymerization of divinylbenzene or copolymerization of styrene with more than 40 mol % of the aromatic divinyl compound in the monomer mixture, in the presence of diluents or mixtures thereof, which properties are close to those of &thgr;-solvents, so that the divinyl compounds form bridges in sufficient numbers to produce a stable porous polymer network without additional subsequent bridging.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a foamable thermoplastic elastomer composition which produces a stable foam.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: and compounds of the formulas: wherein R1 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R1 may form with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-20 ring structure or a C4-20 ring structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N or O; R2 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl, C120 hydrocarbyloxy, C1-20 thioether, C1-20 hydrocarbylcarbonyloxy or cyano; R3 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl substituted with di(C1-20 alkyl)amino, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy or C1-20 hydrocarbyl or tri(C1-10 alkyl)siloxy; a is independently in each occurrence 0 or 1; X is independently in each occurrence a halogen moiety; and Z is independently in each occurrence —B(OH)2, —B(OR4)2 or  wherein R4 is independently in each occurrence a C1-10

Abstract: A compound of the formula: and compounds of the formulas: wherein R1 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R1 may form with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-20 ring structure or a C4-20 ring structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N or O; R2 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy, C1-20 thioether, C1-20 hydrocarbylcarbonyloxy or cyano; R3 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl substituted with di(C1-20 alkyl)amino, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy or C1-20 hydrocarbyl or tri(C1-10 alkyl)siloxy; a is independently in each occurrence 0 or 1; X is independently in each occurrence a halogen moiety; and Z is independently in each occurrence —B(OH)2, —B(OR4)2 or  wherein R4 is independently in each occurrence a C1-

Abstract: An object is to provide a synthetic thermoplastic resin extruded foams having excellent thermal insulating properties and a method for producing the same, in which environment friendly water is used au a blowing agent in the most effective way while reducing the amount of blowing agents that affect the environment, and it is feasible to improve the production ratio of small cells in foams made up of large cells and small cells.

Abstract: A microporous membrane comprising a highly electropositive hydrophilic material capable of irreversibly binding one or more nucleic acids, the membrane being useful for isolating, amplifying and detecting nucleic acids is disclosed. Methods of making the membrane and using the membrane for amplifying nucleic acids are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing a discretely striped, multi-property foam and the products and articles produced thereby. The invention provides a pre-foam stream at a first pressure and intermittently injects at least one additive into the pre-foam stream at a pressure higher than the first pressure, providing a laminar flow pre-foam stream with alternating segments having different properties. The pre-foam stream is poured onto a surface and cures into a discretely striped foam product which may be used for many purposes such as but not limited to padding, clothing, toys, or bedding.

Abstract: A process for producing plastic/wood fiber composite foamed structures includes the steps of pre-drying wood fiber filler; mixing it with plastic to form a mixture; feeding the mixture into an extruder; introducing and mixing a blowing agent; subject the mixture to high shear forces and extruding the mixture to produce a plastic/wood fiber composite foamed structure. The filler has a degradation temperature and an active volatization temperature. During the pre-drying step the temperature is maintained below the degradation temperature. During the mixing step the mixing temperature is maintained below the active volatilizing temperature. During the introducing and mixing step a blowing agent is introduced into the plastic/wood fiber mixture and is mixed therewith to produce a plastic/wood fiber/gas mixture. During the subjecting step the plastic/wood fiber/gas mixture is subjected to high shear forces in the presence of high pressures and the temperature is maintained below an active volatilizing temperature.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology for controlled gas transmission rate. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the percolation through the composition. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spongy rubber body or, in particular, spongy silicone rubber body useful for forming the semiconductive rubber layer of a rubber roller in photocopying machines and the like as well as for use as a spongy rubber puff in cosmetic makeup. Characteristically, the inventive spongy rubber is compounded with, besides ordinary ingredients in spongy silicone rubbers, a specified amount of globular particles of, preferably, a silicone rubber having a specified average particle diameter. Compounding of globular particles in a spongy rubber has an effect to give a uniformized and decreased average cell diameter of the spongy rubber and also to greatly decrease the permanent compression set of the spongy rubber as required in the rubber layer of a spongy rubber roller. Cosmetic puffs can be imparted with improved touch feeling to the human skin and improved evenness in spreading of a cosmetic composition over the skin.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous matrix-type drug delivery system is provided. It comprises the steps of: dispersing, stirring, and emulsifying an aqueous solution of a drug in an organic solvent having a polymer compound and a surface active agent solved therein; thereafter forming it into a desirable matrix shape; lyophilizing or drying it at a low temperature or room temperature until the matrix surface is hardened; and drying it again in order to remove the water and the organic solvent.

Abstract: A process for preparing expandable particulate styrene polymers wherein from 5 to 50% by weight of expanded graphite and also, if desired, from 2 to 20% by weight of a phosphorus compound, are present as flame retardants, by suspension polymerization of styrene in the presence of the flame retardants.

Abstract: Flame-retardant foam slabs are based on styrene polymers wherein from 1 to 12% by weight of expanded graphite and also, if desired, from 1 to 12% by weight of a phosphorus compound are present as flame retardants.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to water resistant peelable protective and decorative clear or pigmented foam coating compositions and, more specifically, to aqueous and solvent based, polymeric coating compositions which form a protective and/or decorative coating and is removably adheres to a variety of substrates, including automotive paints, metals, glass, vinyl, plastics, concrete, natural and synthetic elastomers, and ceramics. The coatings present a three-dimensional expandable foamy coating, and can be readily peeled off from the substrate as a whole piece. The coatings may be formulated for temporary or long-term protection depending upon the application.

Abstract: Prepare a multimodal thermoplastic polymer foam having a distribution of large and small cells in a substantial absence of water by using a blowing agent stabilizer. Multimodal foams of the present invention have blowing agent stabilizer predominantly located proximate to large cells. The resulting multimodal foams have particular utility as thermal insulating materials.

Abstract: Waxes, particularly paraffin and microcrystalline waxes, can act as corrosion inhibitors when added at low levels to compositions based on thermosettable resins such as epoxy resins. When such wax-modified thermosettable compositions are used to coat a metallic surface, enhanced protection of the metallic surface against corrosion due to environmental exposure such as salt spray is obtained. The thermosettable compositions are particularly useful in expandable or foamable form for imparting structural reinforcement to hollow metal parts such as automotive components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymeric reference electrode membrane comprising (a) one selected from a porous polymer or a hydrophilic plasticizer; (b) a lipophilic polymer; and optionally an adhesion-enhancing material. A reference electrode equipped with the polymeric reference electrode membrane can be shortened the preconditioning time, and extended lifetime for storage and use owing to excellent adhesion, and showed reproducibility and good yield. So, a miniaturized multi-potentiometric sensor can be fabricated comprising a solid-state reference electrode of the present invention and a set of ion-selective electrodes, thus being useful in the potentiometric fields, including clinical, environmental, food and industrial analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing styrene polymers which comprise water as sole blowing agent, by polymerizing styrene in aqueous suspension in the presence of from 0.1 to 15% by weight of a solid substance insoluble in water and in styrene, for example carbon black or graphite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of expandable able styrene polymers containing particles of graphite by polymerization merization of styrene in aqueous suspension in the presence of particles of graphite having a mass density of less than 1.8 g/cm3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low impact resilience polyurethane form that has excellent deodorization property, hygroscopicity and contained carbon powder does not fall because the carbon powder of wide scope grading is dispersed and maintained in low impact resilience polyurethane form, and suitable producing of this low impact resilience polyurethane form; producing of low impact resilience polyurethane form that low impact resilience polyurethane form that carbon powder is dispersed and maintained, isocyanate ingredient and polyol ingredient that carbon powder which has over 1 &mgr;m particle diameter is dispersed previously are molded after blended, heated and foamed, and producing of low impact resilience polyurethane form that isocyanate ingredient, polyol ingredient and carbon powder which has 0.01˜1 &mgr;m particle diameter are molded after blended simultaneously, heated and foamed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lyophilization process for forming biocompatible foam structures. The process allows the foam structures to be tailored for specific end uses. The foams formed by this process are well suited to be used in medical applications such as tissue engineering.

Abstract: A sponge including an elastic material having a lipid, such as an oil, a fat, or a combination thereof, integrally formed therewith. The elastic material includes an amount from between 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of the lipid, and the lipid is selected from the group consisting of esters of fatty acids, alkanes, squalane and derivatives thereof squalene, bisabolol, animal hair oils and fats, wax, lanolin and combinations thereof to provide the sponge with a gentle feel. The sponge may also be made by first foam molding the sponge from an elastic material, impregnating the sponge with a water-dispersed lipid and allowing the sponge to dry for a predetermined amount of time so that the lipid is substantially inseparable from the elastic material.

Abstract: A process for injection-foaming a thermoplastic resin by using an injection molding machine with a two-stage-compression screw, injecting a physical foaming agent into the cylinder of the machine at a pressure lower than the storage pressure of the physical foaming agent, mixing it with a melted resin and expanding the volume of the cavity of the mold at the time of injection, and an injection molding machine and resin composition suitable therefore.

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: The present invention relates to a method of producing crosslinked polyester formed-goods characterized by adding 0.005˜10 weight part of organic peroxides against 100 weight part of polyester or polyester mixture.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow of a heat activated expandable sealant is provided in which a heat activated sealant is coated with a flow control agent having a melt flow rate which is lower than that of the sealant. The combination sealant/flow control agent is preferably used to seal gaps or cavities in parts such as components in automotive vehicles with minimal sagging.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a coating, which can be applied to one or both sides of a flexible resin film, including flexible printed circuits made therefrom, in order to impart acceptable flammability characteristics to the material. The coating has the properties of being: (1) acceptable from the standpoint of improving the flammability rating to the product, (2) amenable to high speed production, in that it has a relatively fast curing rate, (3) directly applicable to the surface of the product and, in order to simplify the manufacturing process, it does not require pretreatment of the surface, and (4) acceptable from an aesthetics / appearance standpoint.

Abstract: New cross-linked polymeric foam compositions, and methods for making the same, are provided. The new compositions utilize novel cross-linked polyolefin copolymers and show improvements in strength, toughness, flexibility, heat resistance and heat-sealing temperature ranges as compared to conventional low density polyethylene compositions. The new compositions also show processing improvements over linear low density polyethylene. The novel polyolefins, which are essentially linear, comprise ethylene polymerized with at least one alpha-unsaturated C3 to C20 olefinic comonomer, and optionally at least one C3 to C20 polyene, and exhibit, in an uncross-linked sense, a resin density in the range of about 0.86 g/cm3 to about 0.96 g/cm3, a melt index in the range of about 0.5 dg/min to about 100 dg/min, a molecular weight distribution in the range of from about 1.5 to about 3.5, and a composition distribution breadth index greater than about 45 percent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing styrene polymers comprising water as sole blowing agent, by polymerizing styrene in aqueous suspension. The polymerization is carried out in the presence of from 5 to 30% by weight of recycled EPS material dissolved in styrene and comprising customary coating agents deriving from production of the EPS.

Abstract: A process additive for polyolefin films and foams produces products having reduced aging time and reduced greasiness and reduced grease-like transfer as compared to glycerol monostearate (GMS). Carbon dioxide based blowing agents are suitable. The process additive comprises a fatty acid N-aliphatic alcohol amide of the general formula R—CON(R′)R″. R is a fatty hydrocarbon radical having from about 8 to 30 carbons. R′ typically is hydrogen. R′ can also be an alkyl radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons or an alkyl alcohol radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons. R″ is an alkyl alcohol fragment of from about 1 to 6 carbons. The alkyl alcohol fragments can be monohydric or polyhydric. Secondary fatty monoalkanolamides in which R′ is hydrogen are particularly useful, especially stearamide monoethanolamine (MEA).

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic porous material having equivalent thermal insulating properties to those of a porous material of a silica material and improved brittleness. The organic porous material of the present invention is an aggregate of organogel fine particles having a particle diameter of 10 to 300 nm, wherein inter-particle crosslinking is formed between adjoining organogel fine particles.

Abstract: Method and composition for making an expanded polyethylene material by forming a foamable melt of polyethylene, a nucleating agent, a material which retards migration of alkanes, and a blowing agent which comprises 10 to 100 mole percent ethane. In one disclosed embodiment, the melt is passed through an annular extrusion die to form an elongated tube of extruded material which is then expanded, slit lengthwise and laid flat to form a sheet of the expanded material.

Abstract: A coating formulation for making a porous coating on a laboratory apparatus is provided. The formulation comprises 100 parts by weight hardenable resinous material, and from about 0.1 to about 50 parts by weight blowing agent based on the 100 parts by weight resinous material. The resinous material has a hardening time which is sufficiently short such that gas generated by the blowing agent is entrapped within the resinous material. The coating formulation is hardenable upon application to a surface of a laboratory apparatus to form a porous coating which is used for marking purposes or for the retention of biological samples. Methods of retaining a biological sample on a coated laboratory apparatus having a surface made of the coating formulation are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing an urea preparation of reduced particle-size and narrow particle-size distribution by using an air milling process is provided. Also provided is an urea preparation of reduced particle-size, narrow particle-size distribution, and high purity.

Abstract: A process for preparing multi-stage emulsion polymers is provided. The process is capable of producing multi-stage emulsion polymers having low dry-bulk density. These polymers are useful in coating compositions such as paints and paper coatings.

Abstract: Polymer foam compositions comprise polymer foam and chemically modified carbonaceous filler, specifically, carbonaceous filler having polymer moieties chemically bonded to the carbonaceous particulates. Exemplary carbonaceous fillers include carbon black, activated carbon, graphite, carbon fibers, fibrils and the like. The polymer moieties have a valence orbital bond to the carbonaceous particulate, such as an ionic or covalent bond. The chemical bond survives shear forces and the like, such as would be encountered by filler material in a reaction injection molding process for the manufacture of filled polyurethane foam insulation panels.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: and compound of the formulas: wherein R1 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R1 may form with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-20 ring structure or a C4-20 ring structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N or O; R2 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy, C1-20 thioether, C1-20 hydrocarbylcarbonyloxy or cyano; R3 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl substituted with di(C1-20 alkyl)amino, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy or C1-20 hydrocarbyl or tri(C1-10 alkyl)siloxy; a is independently in each occurrence 0 or 1; X is independently in each occurrence a halogen moiety; and Z is independently in each occurrence —B(OH)2, —B(OR4)2 or wherein R4 is independently in each occurrence a C1-10 alkyl