Abstract: The invention relates to expandable styrene polymers containinga) a styrene polymer,b) and at least one carbon dioxide absorber, mixed or copolymerized with the above, in an amount of from 0.01 to 50% by weight, based on the sum of a) and b), andc) a blowing agent or blowing agent mixture in an amount of from 0.5 to 12% by weight,where the blowing agent or blowing agent mixture comprisesc.sub.1) from 10 to 100% by weight of carbon dioxide andc.sub.2) from 0 to 90% by weight of at least one further blowing agent.The invention furthermore relates to the styrene polymers containing a carbon dioxide absorber, to the styrene polymer foams obtainable from the expandable styrene polymers, and to an improved process for impregnating styrene polymers with carbon dioxide-containing blowing agents or blowing agent mixtures.

Abstract: Foam sheets of high compressive strength are produced by extruding a mixture of a styrene polymer and from 5 to 16% by weight of a blowing agent mixture containinga) from 3 to 70% by weight of an alcohol or ketone having a boiling point of from 56.degree. to 100.degree. C.,b) from 5 to 50% by weight of carbon dioxide andc) from 0 to 90% by weight of a saturated C.sub.3 - to C.sub.5 -hydrocarbon and/or of a hydrogen-containing chlorofluorocarbon or fluorinated hydrocarbon boiling at from -30.degree. to +30.degree. C.

Abstract: Processes using high temperature thermoplastic polymers in the in-situ fabrication in the formation of foamed composite sandwich or foam articles often result in weak unsound products which may be avoided by utilizing a high temperature thermoplastic in powder form (22), a blowing agent having a high decomposition temperature (24), and, if desired, reinforcers and/or fillers (28), admixing the thermoplastic, blowing agent and reinforcer and fillers (30), placing the admixture in a mold and, if forming a composite structure, in abutment with at least one skin (34), compacting the contents of the mold (37), and applying sufficient heat and/or pressure to the mold and its contents to melt the thermoplastic and generate gas within said mixture by decomposition of the blowing agent (38). Also, an activator may be included with the blowing agent which promotes the production of gas (26).

Abstract: A microporous sheet comprising a polymeric matrix having a liquid insoluble, particulate, activated polysaccharide media dispersed therein; use of the sheet in affinity chromatography or ion-exchange chromatography or as a biochemical reactor or battery separator; processes for manufacturing the sheet; apparatus containing the microporous sheet as its active element; and methods for using such sheet.

Abstract: Processes using high temperature thermoplastic polymers in the in-situ fabrication in the formation of foamed composite sandwich or foam articles often result in weak unsound products which may be avoided by utilizing a high temperature thermoplastic in powder form (22), a blowing agent having a high decomposition temperature (24), and, if desired, reinforcers and/or fillers, (28), mixing the thermoplastic, blowing agent and reinforcer and fillers (30), placing the mixture in a mold and, if forming a composite structure, in abutment with at least one skin (34), and applying sufficient heat and/or pressure to the mold and its contents to melt the thermoplastic and generate gas within said mixture by decomposition of the blowing agent (38). Also, an activator may be included with the blowing agent which promotes the production of gas (26). The thermoplastic should be free from any material which will react with the blowing agent or the activator at temperatures below the melting point of the thermoplastic.

Abstract: The invention is a composition useful for the preparation of POWADIR membranes of a bisphenol-based polycarbonate wherein at least 25 percent by weight of the bisphenol moieties are tetrahalogenated, wherein the halogen is Cl or Br, the composition comprising (i) a bisphenol-based polycarbonate wherein at least 25 percent by weight of the bisphenol moieties are tetrahalogenated, wherein the halogen is Cl or Br, (ii) a solvent for such polycarbonate, and (iii) a non-solvent for such polycarbonate. The composition is useful for extruding membranes wherein the membranes formed are POWADIR membranes with a discriminating region capable of separating oxygen from nitrogen.The composition of this invention allows the formation of membranes with excellent physical properties, good separation factors for oxygen and nitrogen, with excellent fluxes.

Abstract: A process of forming hollow microspheres containing carbon or a polymer which is a carbon precursor. The process comprises forming a solution in a liquid solvent of a polymer having the following properties (a) a molecular weight of at least 10,000 and a long chain structure; (b) an ability to be coagulated by or precipitated from the solution by a non-solvent for the polymer; (c) an ability to form a continuous stretchable film when coagulated or precipitated from solution; (d) a chemical structure which is infusible or capable of being rendered infusible, and (e) a high carbon yield of at least 30% by weight upon being carbonized in a non-reactive atmosphere. An insoluble particulate blowing agent is incorporated into the solution and the solution is then divided into droplets and the droplets are introduced into a liquid bath containing a suitable non-solvent for the polymer.

Abstract: Ketoxime compounds are added to foamable elastomeric silicone foam contain organic alcohol as a hydroxyl source to reduce foam density.

Abstract: A process for forming hollow microspheres containing carbon or a polymer which is a carbon precursor. The process comprises forming a solution in a liquid solvent of a polymer having the following properties (a) a molecular weight of at least 10,000 and a long chain structure; (b) an ability to be coagulated by or precipitated from the solution by a non-solvent for the polymer; (c) an ability to form a continuous stretchable film when coagulated or precipitated from solution; (d) a chemical structure which is infusible or capable of being rendered infusible, and (e) a high carbon yield of at least 30% by weight upon being carbonized in a non-reactive atmosphere. An insoluble particulate blowing agent is incorporated into the solution and the solution is then divided into droplets and the droplets are introduced into a liquid bath containing a suitable non-solvent for the polymer.

Abstract: A plastic foam is made by mixing a plastic material or its origin material with a blowing agent which does not react with the material, said agent having a maximum vapor pressure of 10 Pa at the highest permissible application temperature of the plastic foam and having a minimum vapor pressure of 600 Pa at a pressure at which said material is in plastic condition. A formed body of the mixture is then exposed to a pressure low enough to evaporate the blowing agent and form bubbles in the mixture, whereupon the body is cooled at low pressure to solidify the plastic material and substantially condense said agent, thereby providing said body with closed cells having a reduced internal pressure.

Abstract: An expandable polyetherimide composition comprising (A) polyetherimide and (B) a blowing agent containing in the said agent at least 10% by weight of a volatile organic foaming component having a solubility parameter [.delta..sub.c ] satisfying the following equation.delta..sub.p -1.14.ltoreq..delta..sub.c .ltoreq..delta..sub.p +1.14,wherein .delta..sub.p is the solubility parameter of the polyetherimide, a dielectric constant of not less than 15, and a boiling point at normal pressure of not higher than 80.degree. C.; and a foam material obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A method for producing foam polyolefin products which are light-stable and weather-resistant are obtained by the combined use of the following stabilizers:(a) phenolic antioxidants,(b) substituted benzophenones and/or substituted benzotriazoles, and(c) sterically hindered amines.

Abstract: A method of forming a foamed thermoplastic polymer. A solid thermoplastic lymer is immersed in an immersant solution comprising a compatible carrier solvent and an infusant solution containing an incompatible liquid blowing agent for a time sufficient for the immersant solution to infuse into the polymer. The carrier solvent is then selectively extracted, preferably by a solvent exchange process in which the immersant solution is gradually diluted with and replaced by the infusant solution, so as to selectively leave behind the infusant solution permanently entrapped in the polymer. The polymer is then heated to volatilize the blowing agent and expand the polymer into a foamed state.

Abstract: A method for producing foam polyolefin products which are light-stable and weather-resistant are obtained by the combined use of the following stabilizers:(a) phenolic antioxidants,(b) substituted benzophenones and/or substituted benzotriazoles, and(c) sterically hindered amines.

Abstract: The invention concerns the production of a voluminous, particulate vinyl chloride polymer by precipitation of a solution of the polymer in a heated, agitated nonsolvent with removal of the solvent by distillation, the nonsolvent exhibiting a boiling point of >100.degree. C. under normal pressure, and the temperature of the nonsolvent being 40.degree.-120.degree. C. above the boiling point of the solvent, but does not fall below 100.degree. C. nor range above 180.degree. C. The voluminous, particulate polymer is suitable for the production of damping materials.

Abstract: When polyvinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymers are acetalized in an acid aqueous medium in the presence of a wetting agent, an open-pore solid foam is formed, if the reaction mixture contains gas bubbles. These gas bubbles are produced, in particular, by stirring in air. The molded articles obtained are porous, and the pores are uniformly distributed. The dried molded article absorbs many times its weight of water. It is employed as a sponge for household use and in industry.

Abstract: A fluid transmitting polyolefin foam having a special open-cell cellular structure as compared with the conventional polyolefin foams having all cells closed is disclosed. Such a novel fluid transmitting polyolefin foam is produced by mixing a polyolefin with a polymer other than a polyolefin, said polyolefin and/or said polymer other than a polyolefin having a blowing agent incorporated therein and/or adhered thereto and subjecting the resulting mixture to extrusion moulding. The present fluid transmitting polyolefin foam has a wide variety of uses, for example, as a synthetic leather, synthetic filter cloth, separator of storage battery, synthetic paper, package, etc.

Abstract: A novel method of making foamed, crosslinked low density polyethylene utilizing as dual crosslinking/blowing agents, organic peroxides of the formula: ##STR1## where each R is a t-alkyl group bonded through its tertiary carbon atom and having 4-8 carbon atoms; and R' is an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of polysulfone foam using methylene chloride as a blowing agent. A pressurized combination of heat-plastified foamable gel of polysulfone containing methylene chloride as a blowing agent is extruded into a zone of lower pressure through an orifice of a die. As the gel expands into a foam, it forms a product of decreased density, increased resiliency and flexibility, and improved insulation properties over conventional polysulfone foam.

Abstract: Novel processes and compositions are provided for the preparation of foamed, crosslinked polyethylene utilizing cyclic peroxyketal crosslinking/blowing agents. The novel compositions include esters of thiodipropionic acid as activators.

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

Abstract: A composition comprising a gas-expandable polymeric material and an activated hydrazodicarboxylate blowing agent, wherein the activator is selected from nickelbis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate), a mixture of 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone and nickelbis(2-oxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone), nickel stearate, nickel trifluoroacetylacetonate, [2,2'-thiobis(4-t-thiobis(4-t-octylphenolato)]nickel, nickelbis [O-ethyl-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phosphonate], nickelammoniumsulfate, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), and hexamethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid).

Abstract: A novel mixture of brominated cinnamalacetophenones is provided said mixture consisting essentially of from about 80 to 90 percent by weight chain brominated cinnamalacetophenone tetrabromide, from about 5 to about 10 percent by weight chain brominated cinnamalacetophenone dibromide and from about 5 to about 10 percent by weight di-ring brominated cinnamalacetophenone hexabromide.

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

Abstract: Silicon halides will react chemically with polyols to produce polyol silicate resinous products which will react chemically with polyisocyanates to produce polyisocyanate silicate solid or cellular solid products.

Abstract: The method of production of chemically set compositions which show no shrinkage or which increase their volume during setting finding their application in building engineering, electrotechnical engineering and other fields of technology, consists in adding a special expanding system to a composition comprising synthetic resins or elastomers. Said system consists of an expanding agent, an expansion promoter, and if need be an expansion moderator, and sodium and/or potassium and/or magnesium fluosilicate. As the expanding agent substances are used having a porous structure and sorption properties, as for instance aluminosilicates, and as the expansion promoter substances are used having a polar structure and a critical diameter of the molecule smaller than that of the pores of the expanding agent, as for instance alcohols.