Abstract: The present invention relates generally to agents and devices for promoting hemostasis and, more particularly, to bioresorbable hemostatic pads or patches releasably supported on non-resorbable scaffolds for ease of delivery in the field. A sealant and/or hemostat delivery device comprises a resorbable hemostatic pad having a wound facing side and an opposite back side, with a hemostatic and/or wound sealing agent disposed on the wound facing side; a non-resorbable scaffold having an attachment zone on said scaffold; wherein said hemostatic pad is releasably attached with the back side to the attachment zone. The bond between the scaffold and the resorbable hemostatic pad or wound dressing is either (i) severed prior to removal of the scaffold or (ii) is weakened due to the adhesive bonding them together being moisture-deactivated, or (iii) is released by mechanical disentanglement.

Abstract: A method of treating a polycarbonate glass surface, such as a bisphenol A polycarbonate, whereby the glass surface is immersed in a liquid phase polar aprotic solvent, such as dichloromethane, and exposed to a vapor phase polar aprotic solvent, such as acetone thus obtaining a textured glass surface with a hierarchical patterned nanoporous structure wherein the textured glass surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity and a marginally reduced optical light transmittance relative to the polycarbonate glass surface prior to the immersion, the exposure, or both.

Abstract: A method of treating a polycarbonate glass surface, such as a bisphenol A polycarbonate, whereby the glass surface is immersed in a liquid phase polar aprotic solvent, such as dichloromethane, and exposed to a vapor phase polar aprotic solvent, such as acetone thus obtaining a textured glass surface with a hierarchical patterned nanoporous structure wherein the textured glass surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity and a marginally reduced optical light transmittance relative to the polycarbonate glass surface prior to the immersion, the exposure, or both.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a composition and a method for improving the shelf life of a gaseous hydrofluoroolefin propellant, the improvement comprising at least the increased aromatic polyester polyol(s) in combination with a tertiary amine catalyst comprising at least two cyclohexyl rings and an aliphatic metal salt catalyst, the amine catalyst having less than 10% nitrogen on a weight basis.

Abstract: A coated method for the preparation of a separator comprising multiple layers of glass or glass and ceramic particles for use in an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell comprising such a separator and the use of such an electrochemical cell. The method comprises the steps of providing a mixture of an organic polymeric material, glass or glass and ceramic particles and at least one solvent, and preparing a multilayer by phase inversion.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composition for a foam tape base material having high bubble stability and superior peel strength. The composition for the foam tape according to the present invention comprises an acrylic monomer, a radical initiator, a cross-linking agent, a porous filler, and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises 60 to 90 wt % of a siloxane polymer and 10 to 40 wt % of a non-siloxane polymer, thereby providing the advantage of manufacturing the foam tape manufactured using the composition that is economical, does not lose adhesive force, and has superior bubble stability compared to existing foam tapes.

Abstract: An ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material is obtained by foaming a rubber composition containing an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. In the ethylene-propylene-diene rubber foamed material, the content ratio of a sulfur atom calculated based on the measurement result of a fluorescent X-ray measurement, based on mass, is 1000 ppm or less, a rate of change of a 50% compressive load value after being heated at 140° C. for 7 days to a 50% compressive load value before being heated is 50% or more and 150% or less, and the 50% compressive load value before being heated is 0.1 N/cm2 or more and 2.0 N/cm2 or less.

Abstract: Various uses of fluoroalkenes, including tetrafluoropropenes, and monchlorotrifluoropropenes in a variety of applications, including as blowing agents are disclosed.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, a plasticizer, and a processing aid.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, an infrared attenuating agent, and a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent contains an HFC. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide increases the cell size of the polymer foam and offsets or even negates the decreased cell size caused by an HFC blowing agent and/or infrared attenuating agents. In addition, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.

Abstract: A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Abstract: Porous carbon is provided which is a carbonization and optionally an activation product of a precursor resin, which has a pore structure that, as estimated by nitrogen adsorption porosimetry, comprises micropores and mesopores/macropores, said micropores and mesopores/macropores being in a bimodal distribution with few pores of size 2-10 nm, and the mesopores/macropores providing escape routes for volatile products during carbonization of the precursor resin. The porous carbon can be made by a method which comprises (a) forming a precursor resin by reacting a nucleophilic component which comprises a phenolic compound or a phenol condensation prepolymer optionally with one or more modifying reagents with an electrophilic cross-linking agent selected from formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, furfural and hexamethylene tetramine in solution in a pore former e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to azeotrope and azeotrope-like mixtures consisting essentially of consisting essentially of cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and a second component selected from the group water, hexane, HFC-365mfc, and perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone).

Abstract: Disclosed are bowing agent compositions, foamable compositions, foams, foaming methods and/or foamed articles comprising one or more C2 to C6 fluoroalkenes, more preferably one or more C3 to C5 fluoroalkenes, and even more preferably one or more compounds having Formula I as follows: XCFzR3-z??(I) where X is a C1, C2, C3, C4, or C5 unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted radical, each R is independently Cl, F, Br, I or H, and z is 1 to 3, it generally being preferred that the fluoroalkene of the present invention has at least four (4) halogen substituents, at least three of which are F and even more preferably none of which are Br.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous body containing polyacrylonitrile as a main component, and the method includes the steps of obtaining a polyacrylonitrile solution by heating and dissolving the polyacrylonitrile in a solvent, obtaining a product precipitated by cooling the polyacrylonitrile solution, and obtaining the porous body containing the polyacrylonitrile as a main component by separating and drying the product. The solvent contains a poor solvent for the polyacrylonitrile and a good solvent for the polyacrylonitrile.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, a plasticizer, and a processing aid.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, an infrared attenuating agent, and a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent contains an HFC. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide increases the cell size of the polymer foam and offsets or even negates the decreased cell size caused by an HFC blowing agent and/or infrared attenuating agents. In addition, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a porous PEEK-type polymer article comprising a porous PEEK-type polymer structure and presenting at least a trimodal pore distribution. The invention describes a process for the production of said porous PEEK-type polymer article comprising: a) contacting a PEEK-type polymer with a composition comprising at least a organic solvent, b) heating at a temperature at which the PEEK-type polymer is dissolved, c) adding at least a porogen agent, d) cooling the mixture obtained in c) at a temperature at least equal or lower than the temperature at which the PEEK-type polymer precipitates, e) forming said cooled mixture into a shaped article, f) removing the organic solvent and the porogen agent, and g) recovering the PEEK-type polymer article.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, an additive blend of polyethylene oxide and a copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the polyethylene oxide is ethoxylated polyethylene oxide. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The blend of ethoxylated polyethylene oxide and copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product and increases the average cell size of the foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the additive acts as a cell enlarger, a water vapor permeability enhancer, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.

Abstract: Method for treating thermoplastic to make a surface thereof superhydrophobic. The method includes exposing the thermoplastic to a specific solvent for a selected time period. It is preferred that the treatment time be in the range of one minute to approximately five hours and more preferably in the range of one minute to 15 minutes. Thermoplastics and solvents having a similar solubility parameter interact with one another to form hydrophobic hierarchical surfaces.

Abstract: Provided herein are skin substitutes suitable for use in a living subject for purpose of repairing damaged tissues, methods of producing the skin substitutes and their uses. A biocomposite membrane comprising poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) and at least one material selected from collagen and gelatin is provided. In one embodiment, the biocomposite is a 2-component membrane of PCL and gelatin. In another embodiment, the biocomposite is a 3-component membrane of PCL, collagen and gelatin. The bio-composite membrane may be used directly in vivo as a wound dressing, or as a support for cell growth on each side of the membrane to produce an in vitro cultivated artificial skin for future in vivo and/or in vitro applications.

Abstract: Cellular and multi-cellular polystyrene and polystyrenic foams and methods of forming such foams are disclosed. The foams include an expanded polystyrene formed from expansion of an expandable polystyrene including an adsorbent comprising alumina, wherein the multi-cellular polystyrene exhibits a multi-cellular size distribution. The process for forming a foamed article includes providing a formed styrenic polymer and contacting the formed styrenic polymer with a first blowing agent and an adsorbent comprising alumina to form extrusion polystyrene. The process further includes forming the extrusion styrenic polymer into an expanded styrenic polymer and forming the expanded styrenic polymer into a foamed article.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, an additive blend of polyethylene oxide and a copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the polyethylene oxide is ethoxylated polyethylene oxide. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The blend of ethoxylated polyethylene oxide and copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product and increases the average cell size of the foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the additive acts as a cell enlarger, a water vapor permeability enhancer, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, a plasticizer, and a processing aid.

Abstract: The invention provides polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams and methods for the preparation thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to closed-celled, polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams and methods for their preparation. The foams are characterized by a fine uniform cell structure and little or no foam collapse. The foams are produced with a polyol premix composition which comprises a combination of a hydrohaloolefin blowing agent, a polyol, a silicone surfactant, and a non-amine catalyst used alone or in combination with an amine catalyst.

Abstract: A light wood-containing material having an average density in the range from 200 to 600 kg/m3, comprising, based in each case on the wood-containing material: A) from 30 to 95% by weight of wood particles; B) from 1 to 15% by weight of a filler having a bulk density in the range from 10 to 100 kg/m3, selected from the group consisting of foamable plastic particles and already foamed plastic particles; C) from 3 to 50% by weight of a binder comprising an aminoplast resin and an organic isocyanate having at least two isocyanate groups and, if appropriate, D) additives.

Abstract: Expanded and extruded biodegradable polymer foams are obtained using biodegradable polymers and environmentally benign non-VOC methyl formate as a blowing agent. The blowing agent can be a blend further including at least one co-blowing agent, preferably an environmentally friendly species (e.g., non-VOC), which is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The blowing agent blend can include any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The polymer foam can include a biodegradable polymer or its blends with other biodegradable polymers or conventional (non-biodegradable) polymers. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as for insulation and protective cushioning.

Abstract: Solid polymeric materials for detection, transfer, amplification and memory of chirality of optically active compounds are described. These materials not only are able to absorb also traces of volatile organic compounds (both chiral and achiral) prevailingly as guest of a nanoporous crystalline phase, but for the case of chiral guests are also able to transfer and amplify their chirality, producing intense phenomena of induced circular dichroism (ICD). This induced dichroism remains stable also after chiral guest removal, as well as after temperature increases at least up to 250° C. The solid polymeric materials of the present invention can find applications in sensorics of optically active molecules as well as in systems for storage of data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyurethane foams which are flotation resistant with sufficient strength and density to provide stability and inhibit erosion at pipeline trench sites, and other uses, wherein at least 50% of the foam is open cell and has a density of approximately 1.3 lbs/ft3 to 3.5 lbs/ft3.

Abstract: A blowing agent for thermosetting foams is disclosed. The blowing agent is the hydrofluoropropene HFO-1243zf in combination with a hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO) selected from HCFO-1233zd, HCFO-1233xf and HCFO-1223. The blowing agent is effective as a blowing agent in the manufacture of thermosetting foams.

Abstract: Foamable, isocyanate-functional organopolysiloxanes with more uniform molecular weights are produced by reaction of an aminoalkyl or hydroxyalkyl functional organopolysiloxane with a stoichiometric excess of a di- or polysiocyanate in the presence of a compatibilizer which provides a homogenous reaction mixture.

Abstract: Described is a radially multi-branched polymer represented by the following formula (I): ABi (I), which includes a central molecule (A) to which side-branches (B) are bonded in at least three positions (i?3). Also described are methods for preparing a multi-branched polymer as well as a porous insulating film including a multi-branched polymer.

Abstract: Liquid, injectable, aqueous solutions are transformed in situ to an expandable foam-like, space filling, and adherent biomaterial. Preferably, the foam-like biomaterial is the reaction product of a two-part liquid system to achieve the in situ formation thereof. The liquid system is generally comprised of a protein solution and a cross linker solution which may either be premixed and then applied to a site in need of the biomaterial, or simultaneously mixed and delivered through an in-line mixing/dispensing tip directly to the site. In especially preferred embodiments, an expandable foam-like biomaterial includes the reaction product of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde in the presence of a bicarbonate and an acidic titrant amounts sufficient to impart a cellular foam structure to the material.

Abstract: Use as foaming agents having a low environmental impact of azeotropic or near azeotropic compositions using difluoromethoxy-bis(difluoromethyl ether) and/or 1-difluoromethoxy-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether.

Abstract: Disclosed is substantially spherical porous beads of an aromatic polyether ketone resin, which have an average particle diameter of 50 to 5,000 &mgr;m and a porosity of 40 to 99%. Also disclosed is a method for producing porous beads, which comprises: mixing, while heating, an aromatic polyether ketone resin with a sol vent capable of dissolving the resin to thereby obtain a resin solution; dispersing the resin solution in a liquid dispersion medium which is incapable of dissolving the resin and is non-miscible with the solvent, to thereby obtain a dispersion having the resin solution dispersed therein in the form of globules; cooling the dispersion while maintaining the dispersed form of the resin solution in the liquid dispersion medium, to thereby solidify the resin in the resin solution; and separating the solidified resin from a mixture of the solvent and the liquid dispersion medium, thereby obtaining substantially spherical porous beads of the aromatic polyether ketone resin.

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 method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a material with a fluid mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant facilitates the dissolution of the carbon dioxide into the material and then foam the material in the fluid mixture.

Abstract: Use as foaming agents having a low environmental impact of azeotropic or near azeotropic compositions using difluoromethoxy-bis(difluoromethyl ether) and/or 1-difluroromethoxy-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described that provide three-dimensional fibrillar matrices useful as, among other things, structural prosthetics and scaffolds for cells. The porous fibrillar matrices of the present invention have desirable mechanical properties suitable to a variety of applications, including platforms for in vitro cell cultivation, implants for tissue and organ engineering, implants as tendon and facia prosthetics, and product packaging.

Abstract: A method for the production of a water-absorbent resin capable of fast water absorption is disclosed which comprises the steps of dispersing bubbles of an inert gas in an aqueous monomer solution of a mixture of a water-soluble unsaturated monomer and a water-soluble cross-linking monomer and subjecting the mixture to copolymerization under the condition that a volume of the monomer solution wherein the inert gas is dispersed is in the range of 1.02 to 5 times of a volume of non-dispersant state.

Abstract: Heat-curing, expanding mouldings based on solid polybutadiene rubber and vulcanization systems free from elemental sulfur are distinguished by the following advantageous properties: in the uncured state in which they are supplied, they have minimal rubber-elastic resilience and are readily formable. During the curing process, no unpleasant odors are given off and, after curing, a soft and elastic foam with a continuous outer skin is formed.

Abstract: Gaskets comprising either at least one homogeneously branched ethylene polymer or at least one elastic substantially linear ethylene polymer, at least one ethylene/carboxylic acid interpolymer; and at least one slip agent are disclosed. These gaskets may also contain enhanced polyethylenes produced by the direct polymerization of various combinations of novel elastic substantially linear olefin polymers in multiple reactors using either single or multiple catalysts. These gaskets may also be comprised of at least one ethylene polymer and at least one ionomer. The above mentioned gaskets may also contain slip agents and/or foaming agents. The gaskets are particularly useful for sealing food and liquid containers and do not contribute to taste and/or odor of the packaged product, which is especially useful in food-stuff applications.

Abstract: Aminoplastic resin based on one or more amino derivatives and one or more aldehydes in which the amino derivative is melamine, glycoluril or their mixture in variable proportions and that the aldehyde is a product of formula (I) R--CHO where R=a dialkoxymethyl, 1,3-dioxolan 2-yl group optionally substituted on the vertex 4 and/or 5 by one or more alkyl groups or a 1,3-dioxan 2-yl group optionally substituted on vertices 4, 5 and/or 6 by one or more alkyl groups, optionally mixed with glyoxal, preparation process and use as a crosslinking agent for cellulose.

Abstract: The invention relates to pressurized, blowing-agent-containing isocyanate semiprepolymer mixtures, advantageously having an isocyanate content of from 5 to 25% by weight, based on organic polyisocyanates and polyhydroxyl compounds which are used in combination with a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or olefinically unsaturated monoalcohol having 1 to 25 carbon atoms and/or hydroxyketones, preferably .beta.-hydroxyketones, the use thereof for the production of one-component polyurethane foams by allowing the isocyanate semiprepolymer mixtures to depressurize, and a process therefor.

Abstract: Method for the production of organosiloxane elastomeric foam comprising mixing together (A) a polydiorganosiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups, (B) an organohydrogensiloxane, (C) a platinum catalyst, (D) an .alpha., w-diol of formula HOROH wherein R represents an alkylene group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms and (E) a resin copolymer of R'.sub.3 SiO.sub.0.5 units and SiO.sub.2 units, R' being selected from methyl and vinyl, and thereafter allowing the mixture to foam and cure.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a synthetic resin foam composed of cells having substantially two sizes, one of the sizes being at most 0.3 mm and the other size as being 0.4 to 1 mm, comprising the steps of:forming a mixture of one or more of a water-absorbent high molecular compound, a cell-controlling agent, a synthetic resin, and water; melting the mixture with heating; incorporating a volatile type foaming agent into the mixture under pressure; and extruding the mixture into a lower pressure space to form a foam.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat-shrinkable foam tube, wherein a two-layer tube, having a foaming agent outer layer and non-foaming inner layer, is extruded and heated simultaneously to activate the foaming agent. This process condenses the two steps of extruding and foaming into one step and results in a tube which can be manufactured to exact and consistent standards and be shrunk onto a pipe at a low temperature in a short period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making extruded, closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters. The process comprises: a) heating an alkenyl aromatic polymer material having greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units to form a melt polymer material; b) incorporating into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure a blowing agent comprising at least 50 percent by weight 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) based upon the total weight of the blowing agent to form a foamable gel; c) cooling the foamable gel to an optimum foaming temperature prior to extrusion through a die; and d) extruding the foamable gel through a die to form the foam structure. Further disclosed is a foamable gel capable of forming an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making extruded, closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters. The process comprises: a) heating an alkenyl aromatic polymer material having greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units to form a melt polymer material; b) incorporating into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure a blowing agent comprising at least 50 percent by weight 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) based upon the total weight of the blowing agent to form a foamable gel; c) cooling the foamable gel to an optimum foaming temperature prior to extrusion through a die; and d) extruding the foamable gel through a die to form the foam structure. Further disclosed is a foamable gel capable of forming an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making extruded, closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters. The process comprises: a) heating an alkenyl aromatic polymer material having greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units to form a melt polymer material: b) incorporating into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure a blowing agent comprising at least 50 percent by weight 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) based upon the total weight of the blowing agent to form a foamable gel: c) cooling the foamable gel to an optimum foaming temperature prior to extrusion through a die: and d) extruding the foamable gel through a die to form the foam structure. Further disclosed is a foamable gel capable of forming an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters.