Abstract: The invention relates to a foam which comprises a foam matrix having essentially open cells and an impregnation comprising essentially fluorocarbon resin or silicone resin applied to the foam matrix. The impregnation additionally comprises at least one flame-retardant substance. The invention further relates to a process for producing a foam according to the invention.

Abstract: A compound of substantially transparent resin and amorphous silica particulate is disclosed. The silica particulate are nanometric size and dispersed throughout in the resin. The compound can be used to make an article to diffuse and transmit light from a point source of light.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 60 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foamed phenol resin body, which is useful as an oil absorbent, which is an absorbent of oil and hydrophobic liquid and a production method thereof, and relates to a method of producing an oil-absorbable foamed body, which may be simply produced, may absorb large amounts of oil even when used in small amounts, and may be formed into various foam products, such as mats, foam or rolls, depending on the types of spilled oil, in order to facilitate the absorption of oil. The present invention further relates to a foamed body produced using the method, and to a foam product using the foamed body. Accordingly, the oil absorbent of the present invention may be easily produced, and has numerous pores formed therein to facilitate the absorption of oil.

Abstract: Strengthened thermoplastic materials use fly ash or cinders as extenders. The extended materials use fly ash or cinders that preferably contain no more than about 2% by weight of moisture. The thermoplastic materials are preferably foamed and extruded to form extruded closed cell foam articles, for example a window blind slat, shutter louver, shutter stile, or shutter frame. Thermoplastic materials formed with the fly ash or cinders can also be formed into non-foamed products or into pellets for use in later extruding to form products.

Abstract: A foaming composition can be provided which is a fluororesin composition comprising a fluororesin and an electrical insulating whisker and which is foamed by being mixed with a foaming agent to reduce a diameter of cells. Thus, the diameter of cells of the foam obtained by foaming can be reduced. Further, a coaxial insulated cable can be provided in which an insulator layer made of this foam is arranged around a central conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for film formation which can form a porous film that excels in dielectric properties, adhesion, film consistency and mechanical strength, and that is easily thinned; a porous film and a method for forming the same, and a high-performing and highly reliable semiconductor device which contains the porous film inside. More specifically, the composition for forming a porous film comprises a solution containing an amorphous polymer which is obtained by hydrolyzing and condensing at least one silane compound expressed by the general formula (R1)nSi(OR2)4?n, and a zeolite sol which is formed by using a quaternary ammonium hydroxide. The method for forming a porous film comprises a coating step for coating the composition for forming a porous film; a subsequent drying step; and a porousness forming step.

Abstract: The particulate water absorbent has a cross-linking structure therein, and contains (i) a particulate water absorbent resin having a cross-linking structure on a surface therof and (ii) not less than 0.001 mass % and less than 10 mass % of anorganic acid multivalent metal salt whose molecule contains not less than seven carbon atoms. Futher, the particulate water absorbent contains 90 mass % of particles, whose particle diameter is not less than 106 ?m and 850 ?m, with respect to the particulate water absorbent.

Abstract: A thermoplastic foam is provided which contains a thermoplastic resin and a layered silicate and in which foam cells and the layered silicate are evenly and finely dispersed. A volume-expansible gas or heat decomposable blowing agent is incorporated into interlayer spaces of a layered silicate in a composite material containing 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin and 0.1–50 parts by weight of the layered silicate, and the gas or blowing agent is allowed to expand in volume or thermally decompose to form foam cells 6, so that a thermoplastic foam is obtained in which the layered silicate has an average interlayer spacing of over 60 ? when determined by an X-ray diffractometry.

Abstract: A structural foam article suitable for molding into automobile trim, the article comprising at least one thermoplastic; about 2% to about 15% by volume reinforcing particles having one or more layers of 0.7 nm–1.2 nm thick platelets, wherein more than about 50% of the reinforcing particles are less than about 20 layers thick; at least one blowing agent present in a range from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight. A method of producing structural foam articles comprising this structural foam is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixture Ia which comprises a composition IIa consisting of a) 1 to 95% by weight of a solid III, preferably a basic solid III, having a primary particle size of 5 nm to 20 microns, and b) 5 to 99% by weight of a polymeric mass IV obtainable by polymerizing b1) 5 to 100% by weight, based on the mass IV of a condensation product V of ?) at least one compound VI which is capable to react with a carboxylic acid or a sulfonic acid or a derivative thereof or a mixture of two or more thereof, and ?) at least one mole per mole of the compound VI of a carboxylic acid or a sulfonic acid VII which exhibits at least one radically polymerizable functional group, or a derivative thereof or a mixture of two or more thereof and b2) 0 to 95% by weight, based on the mass IV, of a further compound VIII having an average molecular weight (number average) of at least 5000 and having polyether segments in the main or side chain, wherein the proportion by weight of the composition IIa in the mixture Ia is 1 to 100% by weigh

Abstract: A solid includes crosslinked amphiphilic organosilicate precursors. The amphiphilic organosilicate precursors form a matrix with an array of micro-structures dispersed in the matrix.

Abstract: Nano-sized particles such as nano-clays can be mixed with polymers through either melt compounding or in-situ polymerization. By modifying the particle surface with various surfactants and controlling processing conditions, we are able to achieve either intercalated (partial dispersion) or exfoliated (full dispersion) nano-clay distribution in polymers with the clay content up to 35% by weight. When a blowing agent is injected into the nanocomposite in an extruder (a continuous mixer) or a batch mixer, polymeric foam can be produced. Supercritical carbon dioxide, an environmentally friendly, low-cost, non-flammable, chemically benign gas is used as the blowing agent. This process forms a microcellular foam with very high cell density (>109 cells/cc) and small cell size (<5 microns) can be achieved by controlling the CO2 content, melt and die temperature, and pressure drop rate.

Abstract: A fiber-free molding composition containing: (a) a binder selected from the group consisting of an epoxide, a polyisocyanate, a furane-resin-free phenolic resin, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a filler mixture containing: (i) an inorganic high-temperature-resistant filler; and (ii) a heat-activatable swelling agent.

Abstract: A thermoplastic foam is provided which contains a thermoplastic resin and a layered silicate and in which foam cells and the layered silicate are evenly and finely dispersed. A volume-expansible gas or heat decomposable blowing agent is incorporated into interlayer spaces of a layered silicate in a composite material containing 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin and 0.1-50 parts by weight of the layered silicate, and the gas or blowing agent is allowed to expand in volume or thermally decompose to form foam cells 6, so that a thermoplastic foam is obtained in which the layered silicate has an average interlayer spacing of over 60 ? when determined by an X-ray diffractometry.

Abstract: An electroconductive silicone rubber sponge composition comprising: 100 parts by weight of a polyorganosiloxane, 1 to 100 parts by weight of all electroconductive filler such as carbon black, 0.01 to 50 parts by weight of a hollow thermoplastic resin powder, 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a liquid compound that has a boiling point above room temperature, preferably water or an alcohol and a curing agent in an amount sufficient to cure the composition. An optional reinforcing filler may be added. The composition is capable of forming an electroconductive silicone rubber sponge having uniform and microfine foam cells.

Abstract: A silane-crosslinking expandable polyolefin resin composition that is flowable before foaming and composition, does not cause degassing even when foaming is carried out immediately after heat molding without the conventional crosslinking operation, and gives a crosslinked foam having superior heat resistance (heat deformation properties) after the foaming. The silane-crosslinking expandable polyolefin resin composition includes 100 parts by weight of a mixture of 5-90% by weight of a silane-grafted polyethylene resin obtained by melt mixing 100 parts by weight of LLDPE having a molecular weight distribution of 5 or less and a density of 0.87-0.945 g/cm3, 0.1-5 parts by weight of a vinyl-functional silane compound and 0.01-0.5 parts by weight of a free radical generator, and 95-10% by weight of a polyolefin resin; and 2-20 parts by weight of a specified organic blowing gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preparing a syntactic foam composition suitable for use as a carrier for chemicals or other compounds, including pharmaceuticals. The invention further relates to compositions prepared in accordance with the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Nano-sized particles such as nano-clays can be mixed with polymers through either melt compounding or in-situ polymerization. By modifying the particle surface with various surfactants and controlling processing conditions, we are able to achieve either intercalated (partial dispersion) or exfoliated (full dispersion) nano-clay distribution in polymers with the clay content up to 35% by weight. When a blowing agent is injected into the nanocomposite in an extruder (a continuous mixer) or a batch mixer, polymeric foam can be produced. Supercritical carbon dioxide, an environmentally friendly, low-cost, non-flammable, chemically benign gas is used as the blowing agent. This process forms a microcellular foam with very high cell density (>109 cells/cc) and small cell size (<5 microns) can be achieved by controlling the CO2 content, melt and die temperature, and pressure drop rate.

Abstract: Prepare a multimodal polymeric foam from a foamable composition containing a polymer, an absorbent clay, and a blowing agent composition containing water and carbon dioxide and that contains less than 0.2 parts by weight of bentonite based on 100 parts by weight of polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of blowing inhibitors and a method for discovering such inhibitors with determinable inhibition activities. The new class of blowing inhibitors are organo-silanes that may be directly adsorbed onto active catalytic sites of blowing catalysts and that can inhibit the thermo-catalytic efficiency of such catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of blowing inhibitors and a method for discovering such inhibitors with determinable inhibition activities. The new class of blowing inhibitors are organo-silanes that may be directly adsorbed onto active catalytic sites of blowing catalysts and that can inhibit the thermo-catalytic efficiency of such catalysts.

Abstract: An expandable vinyl chloride resin composition which can provide foamed articles having a greatly enhanced expansion ratio without remarkably lowering the surface property and strength by the use of thermally decomposable blowing agents without the use of organic solvent blowing agents, and which comprises 100 parts by weight of a vinyl chloride resin, 0.5 to 30 parts by weight of, as a processing aid, a two stage (meth)acrylic ester polymer having a specific viscosity of at least 0.5 (0.1 % chloroform solution, 30° C.) prepared by polymerizing a monomer component containing as a main component a monomer selected from acrylic esters and methacrylic esters excepting methyl methacrylate in the presence of a latex of a methyl methacrylate polymer having a specific viscosity of at least 0.7, 0.3 to 25 parts by weight of a thermally decomposable inorganic blowing agent, 0.01 to 15 parts by weight of a thermally decomposable organic blowing agent and 0 to 20 parts by weight of a filler.

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: A thermoplastic window covering article, and the method for making the same. The window covering article is formed of a closed cell foam of a thermoplastic strengthened with diatomaceous earth having less than about two percent moisture.

Abstract: A foam composition that includes a vehicle and surface-modified nanoparticles disposed in the vehicle. The individual nanoparticles having a particle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: An aggregate having attached at least one type of polymer is described, wherein the aggregate comprises at least one carbon phase and at least one silicon-containing species phase. Other aggregates which can have a polymer attached include, but are not limited to, an aggregate comprising at least one carbon phase and at least one metal-containing species phase and carbon black at least partially coated with silica. Methods of making the aggregate are further described which involve combining the starting aggregate with a reactive polymer and mixing in order to attach the polymer onto the aggregate. Uses of the aggregate are further described such as incorporating the aggregate into polymer foams and other polymeric products as well as elastomeric products. Polymer foam compositions are also described and contain polymer foam and chemically modified carbonaceous filler, specifically, carbonaceous filler having polymer moieties chemically bonded to the carbonaceous particulates.

Abstract: A thermoplastic article, and the method for making the same. The article is formed of a closed cell foam thermoplastic or substantially solid thermoplastic strengthened with diatomaceous earth having less than about two percent moisture.

Abstract: Foamable polypropylene composition comprising a polypropylene resin having an D1238L melt flow rate of from about 0.5 to about 30 g/10 min, and a method for extruding rigid, foamed polypropylene sheet with improved surface appearance having a density in the range 0.4 to about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of foaming a polymer comprising the steps of providing a composition comprising said polymer and a zeolite in an amount of 0.3% or more based on the weight of said polymer and extruding said composition. The invention further relates to foamed articles and to the use of zeolites as foaming agents in the foaming of polymers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a preservation mat board for use in framing a picture frame. The mat board includes a top facing layer and/or backing layer, each comprising a buffer and/or deacidifying agent, adhered to a middle board or layer by an adhesive containing zeolites. Another embodiment discloses mixing polystyrene pellets with zeolite using an extruder and one or more blowing agents to form a foam material. One or more paper layers comprising a buffer and/or deacidifying agent are heat-fused, without the use of adhesives, to the surface of the foam to form a preservation mat board.

Abstract: Foamable polypropylene composition comprising a polypropylene resin having an D1238L melt flow rate of from about 0.5 to about 30 g/10 min, and a method for extruding rigid, foamed polypropylene sheet with improved surface appearance having a density in the range 0.4 to about 0.8 g/cm3.

Abstract: Polymer foams containing nanoclay are provided, the foams having improved properties such as thermal insulation values.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a foamed rubber comprising a step of foaming a rubber composition, which composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer rubber, (B) 10 to 100 parts by weight of mica, and (C) 2 to 10 parts by weight of a foaming agent.

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: Composition that can be used as a polymer blowing agent, comprising from 60 to 98% of HFC-134a and from 2 to 40% of cyclopentane;

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: A gelling material is composed of water-absorbent resin 12 wrapped in a bag composed of two laminated water-soluble sheets 1.1, the water-absorbent resin being prepared so as to enable the bag to be disintegrated by an inner pressure generated when an expanded volume of the water-absorbent resin by absorbing water through the bag exceeds a maximum volume capacity. When the gelling material is added to the aqueous fluid, the water-absorbent resin 12 is spread in the aqueous fluid at a stroke, and is diffused uniformly. Thus, the water-absorbent resin 12 is brought fully in contact with the aqueous fluid. Since this enables the aqueous fluid to be gelled in a short period of time, the aqueous fluid can be processed speedily. Even the aqueous fluids, which are difficult to be handled by the conventional gelling material, can be gelled conveniently in a short period of time, and the resulting gell can be easily handled, thereby enabling an easy disposal of the aqueous fluids, i.e., the gell.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a foamed rubber comprising a step of foaming a rubber composition, which composition comprises:

Abstract: It provides a blowing agent which is significantly inhibited from solidification and is exceedingly useful as a blowing agent satisfactory in flowability, dispersibility into resins, and the like, even after the lapse of a prolonged period of time, and a process for producing the same. The blowing agent of the present invention is substantially anhydrous blowing agent, and it is obtained by treating a blowing agent with a surface-treating agent capable of removing water from the blowing agent, followed by optionally heating during or after the treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium density chlorinated polyvinyl chloride foam and the method of preparing such a foam. The foam having a specific gravity in the range of about 0.3 to about 1.5 comprises chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, a nitrogen containing decomposition type blowing agent, a tin stabilizer, a costabilizer and a high molecular weight process aid.

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: The mixture comprising a polymer, an adsorbtion agent including an expansion agent and a nucleating agent is produced before being placed in an extruder. The result is a finished product of expanded cellular polymer comprising more than 90% by volume of closed cells.

Abstract: A moldable silicone rubber sponge composition comprising (A) 100 weight parts silicone rubber base compound with a Williams plasticity at 25° C. of 50 to 600 comprising (a) 100 weight parts diorganopolysiloxane gum that contains at least 2 alkenyl groups in each molecule and (b) 1 to 120 weight parts wet-process silica, (B) 0.01 to 50 weight parts hollow gas-containing thermoplastic resin powder, and (C) curing agent in an amount sufficient to effect curing of the composition. The invention is further a silicone rubber sponge afforded by the thermosetting of the above-defined moldable silicone rubber sponge composition and a method for producing the silicone rubber sponge.

Abstract: Processes for producing alkenyl aromatic foams utilizing a cycloaliphatic gas as blowing agent, are described. Also disclosed are alkenyl aromatic foams produced by the process which exhibit increased thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: Method for obtaining the foamed organosilicon compositions, involving mixing of organosiloxane rubber (OR), organosilicon joining agent (JA) and modifier (M). Agents acting like (OR) are represented by polyorganosiloxane block-copolymers having formula as follows: {[R1SiO1.5]a[R2(OH)SiO]b, [R3R4SiO]c}n, where: R1R2R3R4 are aliphatic, aromatic radicals having from 1 to 6 atoms carbon; n is an integer from 30 to 360; c=1; a is selected from the 0.019-3.760 interval; b is selected from the 0.008-0.240 interval; or the mixture of the above block-copolymer with the “&agr;”, “&ohgr;”-dihydroxypolydiorganosiloxane in the ratio of (0.05-0.

Abstract: A process for producing static-free synthetic rubber includes mixing acrylonitrile-butadiene, Anti-static agent, Activated zinc oxide, Zinc stearate, HI-sil (EPDM), Plasticizer, and Stearic Acid prior to a kneading process at 140 degrees Celsius for 8 to 12 minutes. (DCP) Peroxides and Blowing agents are added to the kneeing mixture two minutes before the end of the kneeding process. After the kneeding process, the resultant mixture is fed through rollers to form a sheet of the synthetic rubber. The sheet is then cut into appropriately-sized pieces and put into a mold, where the pieces are subjected to high pressure and a temperature of 160 degrees Celsius. The pieces are then left to cool, and then be used for articles such as static-free footwear.

Abstract: In a process for stabilizing a foamed starting slip material, the starting slip material which is foamed comprises the following constituents: a. inorganic sinterable material, b. a source of blowing gas, c. a framework former which forms a framework when the pH of the starting slip material is changed, d. pH control material, e. liquid, f. if desired, one or more of the following materials: dispersant binder viscosity modifier, and the pH of the starting slip material is changed to initiate or accelerate the formation of the framework from the framework former.

Abstract: A silicate-based blowing agent and method for producing foamed polymer; provides a blowing agent containing at least one metal silicate, boric acid or a salt thereof, a peroxy compound, a reaction initiator and, optionally, a desiccant. The blowing agent is prepared by mixing the ingredients at least one time and allowing the mixture to rest without mixing until a dry dilatent gel is formed. The blowing agent is useful for the production of foamed polymers, especially for the production of foamed rubber.

Abstract: An expandable resin composition comprising:(A) 100 parts by weight of HDPE (high density polyethylene) having a DSC melting point of about 127 to about 136 degrees C.; a density of 0.945 to 0.967 gram per cubic centimeter; and a melt flow rate of about 0.1 to about 10 grams per 10 minutes, and for each 100 parts by weight of component (A),(B) about 2 to about 50 parts by weight of polypropylene having a DSC melting point of at least about 130 degrees C.;(C) about 50 to about 200 parts by weight of an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, prepared with a metallocene catalyst, having a DSC melting point of about 98 to about 121 degrees C.; a density of 0.900 to 0.935 gram per cubic centimeter; and a melt flow rate of about 0.5 to about 3 grams per 10 minutes;(D) about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight of a polysiloxane-polyether block copolymer having the following formula:R.sub.3 --Si--O--R.sub.2 (SiO).sub.m --RX(SiO).sub.n --SiR.sub.