Abstract: A foam structure having a density of less than about 20 lbs/ft.sup.3. The method of forming the same comprising forming a homogeneous melt blend under pressure of a polymer member selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide resin particles, polycarbonate resin particles, a polymer blend of polyphenylene oxide and polystyrene in particle form imbibed with a blowing agent, followed by extrusion of the same into a lower pressure atmosphere. A composition comprising said particles imbibed with methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,1,2-trichloroethane or mixtures thereof. A method of thermoforming said foam in sheet form.

Abstract: A dry-type textile cleaning article is disclosed which comprises a friable hydrophilic polyurethane foam body which incorporates abrasive particles, solvents, surfactants, and adjuvants such as fragrance, biocides, and fiber emollients. When rubbed over a textile surface the foam body yields shreds which are effective to remove both liquid and dry soils from textiles.

Abstract: A foam structure having a density of less than about 20 lbs/ft.sup.3. The method of forming the same comprising forming a homogeneous melt blend under pressure of a polymer member selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide resin particles, polycarbonate resin particles, a polymer blend of polyphenylene oxide and polystyrene in particle form imbibed with a blowing agent, followed by extrusion of the same into a lower pressure atmosphere. A composition comprising said particles imbibed with methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,1,2-trichloroethane or mixtures thereof. A method of thermoforming said foam in sheet form.

Abstract: The foam of the present invention, which has a multi-cellular structure including many wrinkles having one end in the boundary portion where at least three cells are adjacent to one another and extending toward the central portion of the cell wall, is a rigid thermoplastic resin foam having an ultra-low density, a high sound-insulating property, a high heat-insulating property and a high flexibility, and it is suitable for adaption for building construction. The process of the present invention is to provide the aforesaid foam of the present invention by subjecting the foam of a rigid thermoplastic resin to expansion, contraction and aging.

Abstract: A dry-type carpet cleaning composition is disclosed which comprises shreds of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam which incorporates abrasive particles surfactants, and adjuvants such as fragrance, solvents, anti-static agents and fiber emollients. The foam shreds are effective to clean both wet and dry carpeting since they are highly water-absorbent and can be readily removed from the carpet surface when wet.

Abstract: A foam structure having a density of less than about 20 lbs/ft.sup.3. The method of forming the same comprising forming a homogeneous melt blend under pressure of a polymer member selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide resin particles, polycarbonate resin particles, a polymer blend of polyphenylene oxide and polystyrene in particle form imbibed with a blowing agent, followed by extrusion of the same into a lower pressure atmosphere. A composition comprising said particles imbibed with methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,1,2-trichloroethane or mixtures thereof. A method of thermoforming said foam in sheet form.

Abstract: A composite cleaning pad is provided which incorporates a sheet of open-celled reticulated, hydrophillic polyurethane foam which integrally incorporates silane-coupled abrasives and a gelled aqueous phase and a textile sheet which covers a surface of the foam sheet and is bonded thereto.

Abstract: A water and oil absorbant concrete cleaning composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam. Methods are also disclosed to bind the solids to the cellular foam matrix.

Abstract: The foam of the present invention, which has a multi-cellular structure including many wrinkles having one end in the boundary portion where at least three cells are adjacent to one another and extending toward the central portion of the cell wall, is a rigid thermoplastic resin foam having an ultra-low density, a high sound-insulating property, a high heat-insulating property and a high flexibility, and it is suitable for adaption for building construction. The process of the present invention is to provide the aforesaid foam of the present invention by subjecting the foam of a rigid thermoplastic resin to expansion, contraction and aging.

Abstract: An absorbent floor cleaning composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam having an aqueous phase releasably absorbed therein. The composition is particularly effective to clean flooring fouled with oily or greasy soils.

Abstract: An absorbent floor cleaning composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam having an aqueous phase releasably absorbed therein. The composition is particularly effective to clean flooring fouled with oily or greasy soils.

Abstract: Described is a process for preparing extruded functional fluid and solid-containing thermoplastic foamed particles using chemical blowing agents or direct gas extrusion processes, uses of such foamed particles and articles produced from said foamed particles. The process described involves the use of a single screw or double screw extruder wherein the resin particles are added upstream from the functional fluid or solid which, in turn, is added to the extruder upstream from the point of addition of the liquid or gaseous blowing agent.

Abstract: An absorbent floor cleaning and waxing composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam having an aqueous wax emulsion releasably incorporated therein. The composition is effective to replace soiled coatings of floor wax with fresh floor wax.

Abstract: A process for the rapid post curing of polyether polyurethane foam in the form of porous blocks in which the foam is subjected to a mixture of water vapor and gaseous ammonia, primary or secondary amines at a temperature of about 50.degree. to 150.degree. F. for a period of 1 or more minutes. The cured foam recovers its original dimensions when distorted or compressed after the distortion or compression force is released.

Abstract: A foam structure having a density of less than about 20 lbs/ft.sup.3. The method of forming the same comprising forming a homogeneous melt blend under pressure of a polymer member selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide resin particles, polycarbonate resin particles, a polymer blend of polyphenylene oxide and polystyrene in particle form imbibed with a blowing agent, followed by extrusion of the same into a lower pressure atmosphere. A composition comprising said particles imbibed with methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,1,2-trichloroethane or mixtures thereof. A method of thermoforming said foam in sheet form.

Abstract: A technique for enhancing the mechanical, thermal or other properties of an open-cell synthetic plastic foam body by injecting filler particles into the cells thereof. The filler particles, which may take the form of micro-spheres of glass, metal powers or other additives, depending on the property to be enhanced, are fed into a pressurized stream of air which is projected at high velocity to fluidize the particles. The stream is directed toward the surface of the body to cause the particles carried thereby to impregnate the cells.

Abstract: A modified low-density flexible polyurethane foam product having a relatively high degree of firmness as well as commercially acceptable dielectric heat sealing characteristics. The product formulation includes an intermediate constituted by a mixture of polyol and a polymer/polyol in a ratio imparting to the product a predetermined degree of firmness, and a thermoplastic additive whose dielectric loss index is greater than the loss index of polyurethane foam to impart to the product an acceptable dielectric heating response in a high frequency electric field. This response is enhanced by acrylonitrile/styrene components included in the polymer/polyol.

Abstract: There are provided methods for making heat-resistant, foamed, crystalline plastic materials. For example, polyethylene terephthalate may be foamed with a polycarbonate, extruded into a foamed sheet and this foamed sheet may be thermoformed by being subjected to crystallization annealing. The thermoformed, foamed, crystalline plastic sheets prepared by this process are particularly useful for forming light weight, ovenable food containers.

Abstract: High performance foams comprised of thermotropic liquid crystal polymers are provided. The lightweight rigid foams exhibit a combination of excellent properties including enhanced mechanical properties such as high strength to weight ratio, high flame and thermal stability, and excellent solvent resistance. The foams fabricated from such polymers have significantly reduced anisotropy compared to unfoamed polymers. The transverse mechanical properties are enhanced by foaming relative to the percentage density reduction due to the foaming. The physical properties of the foams are further enhanced by heat treatment as the core of foams of thermotropic liquid crystal polymers consists of highly oriented cell walls which can exhibit greater enhancement upon heat treatment than is exhibited by the core of the unfoamed polymer.

Abstract: High performance foams comprised of certain thermotropic liquid crystal polymers are provided. Such thermotropic liquid crystal polymers comprise not less than about 10 mole percent of recurring 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moieties. The lightweight rigid foams exhibit a combination of excellent properties including enhanced mechanical properties such as high strength to weight ratio, high flame and thermal stability, and excellent solvent resistance. The foams fabricated from such polymers have significantly reduced anisotropy compared to unfoamed articles of the same polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of micro-bits of expanded styrene-polymers and of expanded polyolefins by comminuting the styrene-polymer or polyolefin in a particular combination of comminuting steps in a suitable comminutor that can provide that combination of steps and in the presence of water as a cooling agent. The polymer micro-bits, which are produced as an aqueous slurry, may be rendered dry-to-the-touch by vacuum filtration followed by passage through a filter press.

Abstract: A porous composite material includes a porous body formed of a hydrophobic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride and a layer of a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol provided over at least a portion of the interior surface of each of the pores of the porous body. The composite material is obtained by a process including the steps of dispersing an aqueous solution containing a hydrophilic polymer and a foaming agent into a solution of a hydrophobic polymer in an organic solvent to form an emulsion, removing the water and the organic solvent from the emulsion to obtain a solid, and subjecting the solid to foaming conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to solutions of silanols prepared by hydrolysis of alkyltrialkoxysilanes whose alkoxy groups are partially or completely hydrolyzed.Preferred hydrolyzed alkyltrialkoxysilanes are of the formula CH.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --Si(OH).sub.n (OH').sub.3-n.

Abstract: Polymer foam is extruded as a tube or sheet into a cooling liquid which is maintained at a temperature up to about 85.degree. C. Either one or both surfaces of the polymer are cooled as the extrudate emerging from the die orifice passes through the liquid. Styrenic polymer foam extrudate produced by such a method exhibits excellent puncture resistance and tensile properties.

Abstract: An improved method for automatically controlling the rate of mass flow in a system having a mass mover powered by a power supply which is attenuated by a control device for transferring mass through a conduit, wherein a signal proportional to said mass flow is transmitted to an automatic control unit, characterized by the improvement among others, whereby the improved automatic control unit is provided with a process control mode in which new operating conditions are entered into the program, and the automatic control unit determines the correct mode of control for the new process conditions.

Abstract: A method if provided for continuously hydrolyzing urethane foam in a vertically oriented hydrolysis reactor. In a preferred practice, a bed of foam particles is formed in the reactor. Superheated steam is flowed continuously upward through the bed at a temperature and rate such that only the foam particles then adjacent the bottom of the reactor are hydrolyzed and the bulk of the bed is not fluidized. Unreacted steam heats the unhydrolyzed foam. Liquid hydrolysis products are drained as they are formed to prevent hydrolysis-impeding liquid saturation of unhydrolyzed particles.

Abstract: A method for preparing macroporous aminotriazine-aldehyde resins by reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a miscible porogen. The resin product has high surface area and porosity and displays excellent sorption capacity.

Abstract: The preparation of flexible polyurethane foam micro-bits by the comminution of a flexible polyurethane foam in the presence of a compatible protective cooling fluid under specific comminuting steps and conditions.

Abstract: A novel flexible polyurethane foam has a substantial number of cells with an internal residual cell surface greater than 60% and less than 90%. The novel foams have improved vibration damping characteristics.

Abstract: Low density, lightweight foam articles may be provided with certain portions or regions thereof, that are reinforced, having higher density and strength, obtained by compression of the foam in these locations, during or after formation of the foam. Such locations may be made sufficiently strong and dense to allow the article to be attached in place by fastening means, imbedded therein. The increase in density can be as much as from 5 pcf to 10 pcf or higher, depending upon the particular application.Many foam materials, capable of being molded, extruded, or otherwise shaped to a predetermined configuration, may be made with this combination of high and low density, including foams of styrenic polymer or copolymer compositions, urethanes, vinyls, and even non-thermoplastic based materials, such as phenolic foams.

Abstract: A sound-absorbent material is made by compressing foamed synthetic plastics material so as to rupture the walls of at least some of the cells therein. Preferably a slab of polycarbodiimide foam is compressed to about 50% to 66% of its initial thickness while cold or at a temperature below 120.degree. C., and is moulded to shape while below 120.degree. C., being bonded if desired to one or more sheets of covering or strengthening or decorative fabric or felt or other facing material.

Abstract: Porous polyurethane solids such as open cell polyurethane foams are rapidly heated and hydrolytically decomposed into separate polyol component and diamine component by contacting the porous solids with saturated steam in a heated vacuum chamber. Separation of high quality liquid polyol and diamine is achieved.

Abstract: Cold-cured molded polyurethane flexible foams having improved vibration damping properities are made by foaming in the presence of (1) a high molecular weight predominantly linear siloxane polyoxyalkylene block copolymer and (2) a solvent which is compatible with the block copolymer and which has a viscosity of 3 to 100 cps and a surface tension between 15 to 60 dynes/cm.

Abstract: Polyimide foams derived from mixtures of aromatic diamines and partial esters of a benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid. The precursors are converted into polyimide foams by the application of heat; and the foams are then compressed, yielding dense, rigid, and structurally strong, intumescent materials.

Abstract: The invention is a reaction injection molded polyurethane of improved properties comprising the cured reaction product of a high molecular weight polyhydric polyether, a low molecular weight active hydrogen containing compound of at least two functionality and a polyisocyanate. The reaction product is cured by subjecting it to an ambient temperature of from about 290.degree.-425.degree. F. for a time sufficient to achieve an improvement in properties. The invention is also a method for making such polyurethanes.

Abstract: Polyimide foams derived from mixtures of aromatic diamines and partial esters of a benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid. The precursors are converted into polyimide foams by the application of heat; and the foams are then compressed, yielding dense, rigid, and structurally strong, intumescent materials.

Abstract: A wear-resistant flexible sheet material, suitable for use as outer soles on footwear, is produced by pressing reconstituted polyurethane foam sheets in the substantial absence of air at temperatures above 150.degree. C. The sheets should have a density exceeding 15 lb/ft.sup.3 and are further densified by the hot pressing. The sheets are preferably pre-heated to 175.degree.-210.degree. C. and pressed under a pressure of 5 to 30 tons/ft.sup.2 for periods of up to 5 minutes. The sheets may be embossed or smooth surfaced and may contain pigments, plasticizers and other additives.

Abstract: Polyimide foams derived from mixtures of aromatic diamines and partial esters of a benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid. The precursors are converted into polyimide foams by the application of heat; and the foams are then compressed, yielding dense, rigid, and structurally strong, intumescent materials.

Abstract: A granular polyurethane cellular medium for absorbing water-borne, water insoluble hydrocarbons, method for its preparation and production system. The granular medium is formed by prereacting polyisocyanate or a prepolymer with a linear monohydric alcohol to form a prepolymer. This prepolymer subsequently is reacted with a polyol and blowing agent within a flexible sheet bun mold. Following molding of the bun within the flexible sheet, the bun is transferred to a comminution stage within a predetermined time period whereupon it is granulated. The material is fabricable at low cost and under a broad range of environmental conditions permitting flexibility in selecting the site for production of the material. The material exhibits an unusually high affinity for the water-borne contaminant hydrocarbons, does not absorb water and lends itself to low-cost production procedures.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the production of a particulate foamable polyvinyl aromatic resin of the type wherein a vinyl aromatic monomer is polymerized in an aqueous suspension system to produce beads of thermoplastic polyvinyl aromatic resin, separating the beads and incorporating a volatile liquid blowing agent in the separated beads at a temperature above the resin softening point under such conditions that foamable resin particles are produced, cooling said beads followed by separating and drying said beads, the improvement comprising: drying said beads under vacuum conditions at normal temperatures, removing residual water from said beads while retaining said blowing agent in said beads. Also included in the invention are foamable particles when produced by the above process and foamed articles made from the foamable particles.

Abstract: Involved are (I) expanded, thermoplastic, non-brittle as expanded polymers selected from a styrene-polymer and a polyolefin from polyethylene to poly-methylpentene, said expanded polymer being in form of micro-bits which (a) are from about 40 to about 325 microns long and from about 20 to about 325 microns wide, (b) are substantially completely to entirely completely free (i) of intact cells of expanded polymer bit-pieces from which they were produced and of (ii) any uniformity in outline of individual micro-bit particles, and (c) in density are from about 85 percent of, to about substantially the same as, the specific unexpanded polymer from which there was provided the aforesaid expanded polymer, and (II) a method of preparing these micro-bits by impelling a mixture of them in water in a confined comminuting zone through a circular path by repeated impact by a plurality of impact surfaces spaced axially and radially at apart from one another and rotated about the circular path's axis from about 4700 to abou

Abstract: Basic material for making a porous material for seals comprising powder produced by pulverizing a plastic foams selected from the group consisting of gelated foams and semi-gelated foam of polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A flexible and foldable foam plastic sheet and a process for making same, said process comprising initially compressing the foam sheet between two surfaces at least one of which is a textured surface (e.g., screen like) to reduce the sheet in thickness and reduce or destroy the resilience of the foam, and then, when further reduction in thickness of the resulting sheet is desired, pressing the resulting compressed sheet between two substantially smooth surfaces to achieve such desired further reduction in thickness. Mechanical properties of the foam sheet so processed are desirably increased, thereby producing a foam sheet product suitable as a replacement for paper in many applications.

Abstract: A polyurethane structure prepared by the comminution of a flexible polyurethane foam in the presence of a compatible protective cooling fluid.

Abstract: New chromatographic materials have been developed to serve as the stationary phase of columns used in the separation of atmospheric gases. These materials consist of a crosslinked porous polymer matrix, e.g., a divinylbenzene polymer, into which has been embedded an inorganic complexed ion such as N,N'-ethylene-bis(acetylacetoniminato)-cobalt (II). Organic nitrogenous bases, such as pyridine, may be incorporated into the chelate polymer complexes to increase their chromatographic utility. With such materials, the process of gas chromatography is greatly simplified, especially in terms of time and quantity of material needed for a gas separation.

Abstract: A method for hydrolysis of polyurethane foam and recovery of diamines and polyethers (or polyesters) from the hydrolysate carried out near atmospheric pressure and temperatures above about 185.degree. C. in a reaction zone containing water vapor which comprises increasing the rate of diamine production by inclusion of a minor, but effective amount of ammonia in the reaction zone. Volitilized diamines separated from the foam are preferably removed from the reaction zone, e.g. in an overhead stream, while polyethers (or polyesters) separated from the foam are recovered as liquid bottoms from the reaction zone.

Abstract: Expandable-polystyrene beads suitable for use in making impervious containers are made from a recipe including styrene, free-radical initiator and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and this practice includes a step of washing the beads in a warm aqueous solution to which an alkoxylated nonionic surfactant having 70-90 percent of its molecular weight accounted for by oxyethylene units is added in an amount effective to cause the washing to remove contaminating grafted polyvinyl pyrrolidone from the surface of the beads and cause them to become expandable into impervious product containers.

Abstract: Resilient polyester foam materials. Acyl halide, polyol, and polyhydroxy cross-linking agent are reacted in the presence of alkali metal carbonate to prepare the resilient polyester foams. A process similar to that used in the one-shot preparation of polyurethane foams is used. Preferred reactants are adipyl chloride, quadrafunctional polyol based on pentaerythritol, propoxylated pentaerythritol cross-linking agent, and sodium carbonate. The resilient polyester foams find use in products such as catamenial tampons.

Abstract: A process for preparing permeable membranes which comprises kneading in the molten state two different kinds of thermoplastic synthetic resins which are partly compatible with each other, fabricating the molten mixture into a sheet, film or hollow article, treating the fabricated article with a solvent which is a good solvent for one of the component resins but is a poor solvent for the other to dissolve and remove the former resin, drying the fabricated article, and then stretching it. In place of the resin to be removed by the solvent, rubbers or oligomers having partial compatibility with the resin which remains undissolved can be used.