Abstract: A phenolic resin composite foam is disclosed which is prepared by heating and foaming a novolak phenolic resin having a number average molecular weight of 250 to 600 and a bulk density of 0.15 to 0.5, a blowing agent, a blowing auxiliary compound and inorganic foamed particles. Additional materials for flame retardancy can be added. The foam produced has a high compressive strength, a high foaming and rapid curing rates, a low water absorption and a minimum of friability.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ether compositions rendered flame retardant with bromine-containing compounds can be foam molded into shaped articles free of streaking and without the generation of odors if the foaming agent comprises citric acid and sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: An expandable polyolefin composition and a method of preparation are provided. Isobutane or mixtures of isobutane with other physical blowing agents are utilized to expand polyolefin compositions which have been modified by the addition of a stability control agent. The composition has a high degree of dimensional stability and exhibits minimal shrinkage during curing and/or aging.

Abstract: Foamable and foamed polyvinlyidene fluoride materials prepared by compounding the PVDF with a suitable nucleating agent of discreet insoluble particles, a blowing agent having an activation temperature above the melting point of the PVDF, and a dispersing aid to provide a substantially homogeneous powdered mixture that is then melt compounded with high shear melt blending means and then extruded and quenched to provide the foamable polyvinylidene fluoride material which can then be extruded as an insulating material on wire at a temperature sufficiently high to activate the blowing agent.

Abstract: A process for the production of plastic foam material includes forming a liquid mixture by mixing an unsaturated resin, a catalyst operable to cause curing of the unsaturated resin, a promoter operable to activate the catalyst, a gas-releasing salt, and an acid operable to cause the release of gas from the salt so that the liquid mixture foams and cures by gelling and subsequent hardening. Included in the mixture is a volatile liquid gas-release control agent which volatilizes during curing to maintain gas release passages open in the foam and thereby permit release of gases from the foam during hardening after gellation at least until the foam is structurally stable.

Abstract: The production of foamed articles of polyphenylene ether resins is improved by including a modifier comprising an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid or derivative. The resulting products are lightweight, exhibit superior heat resistance and retain flame retardancy over polyphenylene ether resins which are foamed in the absence of the modifier. Such resins are especially suited for the production of extrusion and injection foam molding materials.

Abstract: Foamable and foamed polyvinylidene fluoride materials prepared by compounding the PVDF with a suitable nucleating agent of discreet insoluble particles, a blowing agent having an activation temperature above the melting point of the PVDF, and a dispersing aid to provide a substantially homogeneous powdered mixture that is then melt compounded with high shear melt blending means and the extruded and quenched to provide the foamable polyvinylidene fluoride material which can then be extruded as an insulating material on wire at a temperature sufficiently high to activate the blowing agent.

Abstract: An improved process for in situ production of a reticulated, open-cell polyurethane foam which comprises reacting a polyester/polyether polyol mixture with an aromatic polyisocyanate having a ratio of isocyanate moieties to aromatic moieties of about 2:1 in the presence of a catalyst and a blowing agent,the improvement comprises:said polyol mixture being(a) 80 to 95 parts by weight of polyester polyol and(b) 20 to 5 parts by weight of polyoxypropylene polyether polyol or a mixed poly(oxyethylene/oxypropylene polyether polyol, each having at least one polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers dispersed therein and a stabilizing surfactant for polyether polyurethane foam,and said process produces a polyurethane foam which has excellent strength properties and an exceeding low resistance to air flow.

Abstract: Resilient foams based on melamine resins are prepared by foaming an aqueous solution which contains a melamine/formaldehyde precondensate, an emulsifier, a volatile blowing agent and a curing agent and then curing the foam. In this process, from 0.2 to 4% by weight of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or aluminum salt of an organic, preferably polybasic acid, of a polyphosphoric acid or of a boron acid are added to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: An expandable polyolefin composition and a method of preparation are provided. Isobutane or mixtures of isobutane with other physical blowing agents are utilized to expand polyolefin compositions which have been modified by the addition of a stability control agent. The composition has a high degree of dimensional stability and exhibits minimal shrinkage during curing and/or aging.

Abstract: An improved process for in situ production of a reticulated, open-cell polyurethane foam which comprises reacting a polyester/polyether polyol mixture with an aromatic polyisocyanate having a ratio of isocyanate moieties to aromatic moieties of about 2:1 in the presence of a catalyst and a blowing agent,the improvement comprises:said polyol mixture being(a) 80 to 95 parts by weight of polyester polyol and(b) 20 to 5 parts by weight of polyoxypropylene polyether polyol or a mixed poly(oxyethylene/oxypropylene polyether polyol, each having at least one polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers dispersed therein and a stabilizing surfactant for polyether polyurethane foam,and said process produces a polyurethane foam which has excellent strength properties and an exceeding low resistance to air flow.

Abstract: Disclosed are rigid materials such as sheets, boards or tubes made of expanded polypropylene, which have a uniform specific gravity d of from about 4.1.times.10.sup.-6 to about 8.1.times.10.sup.-6 Newton/mm.sup.3, a crystallization temperature of from about 115.degree. C. to about 135.degree. C. and a flexural modulus Mf expressed in Newton/mm.sup.3 such that the ratio Mf:d is from about 1.5.times.10.sup.8 to about 1.7.times.10.sup.8 mm.

Abstract: Crosslinked water absorbent carboxylic polyelectrolytes and articles made therefrom are provided. The polyelectrolytes are crosslinked using a di- or tri-functional aziridine crosslinking agent.

Abstract: An expandable polyolefin composition and a method of preparation are provided. Isobutane or mixtures of isobutane with other physical blowing agents are utilized to expand polyolefin compositions which have been modified by the addition of a stability control agent. The composition has a high degree of dimensional stability and exhibits minimal shrinkage during curing and/or aging.

Abstract: Styrene polymer foam is prepared using a mixed blowing agent of carbon dioxide plus ethyl chloride and optionally a fluorocarbon to provide a foam having primary cells and secondary cells formed in the struts and walls.

Abstract: A resin composition for a masterbatch of foaming agent, comprising:(A) 100 parts by weight of a resin component comprising(i) 100 to 20% by weight of a modified resin having an aromatic vinyl monomer unit content of 5 to 70% by weight, the aromatic vinyl monomer unit being obtained by subjecting an ethylene polymer resin or propylene polymer resin and an aromatic vinyl monomer to graft polymerization, and(ii) 0 to 80% by weight of an ethylene polymer resin or propylene polymer resin, and(B) 1 to 50 parts by weight of a chemical foaming agent.

Abstract: Foamable and foamed polyvinlyidene fluoride materials prepared by compounding the PVDF with a suitable nucleating agent of discreet insoluble particles, a blowing agent having an activation temperature above the melting point of the PVDF, and a dispersing aid to provide a substantially homogeneous powdered mixture that is then melt compounded with high shear melt blending means and then extruded and quenched to provide the foamable polyvinlyidene fluoride material which can then be extruded as an insulating material on wire at a temperature sufficiently high to activate the blowing agent.

Abstract: Foamable low-modulus thermoplastic compositions are prepared by incorporating suitable chemical blowing agents in low-modulus polymers. Specifically, low-modulus copolyetherester compositions may be foamed by use of citric acid, sodium bicarbonate or mixtures thereof as blowing agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to new blowing and nucleating agents for the processing of plastics, which are based on mono- and diesters of citric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for foaming thermoplastic aromatic polycarbonates, 2-phenyl-1-oxa-3,4-diazol-5-ones acylated in the 4-position being used in combination with cyanuric acid.

Abstract: Polyorganosiloxane foams are obtained by blending, dispensing and curing two-part polyorganosiloxane compositions comprising a liquid hydroxyl endblocked polydimethylsiloxane, a liquid alkyl orthosilicate as the curing agent, a catalytically effective amount of a tin compound, a blowing agent and, as a foam stablilizer, a resinous organosiloxane copolymer comprising trimethylsiloxy units, SiO.sub.4/2 units and a specified class of fluorine-containing organosiloxane units.

Abstract: An epoxy foam product is presented which is produced by frothing in an intensive mixer an epoxy functional reactant stream and a curing agent stream in the presence of a surfactant and gaseous frothing agent. The epoxy foam product is characterized as a strong, rigid low-density foam having a fine, uniform cell size.

Abstract: Highly desirable alkenylaromatic monomer olefinically unsaturated acid foams are prepared by extrusion using as a blowing agent inorganic compounds such as sodium bicarbonate, either alone or in combination with volatile fluid foaming agents.

Abstract: Highly desirable alkenylaromatic monomer olefinically unsaturated acid foams are prepared by extrusion using as a blowing agent inorganic compounds such as sodium bicarbonate, either alone or in combination with volatile fluid foaming agents.

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: A process for producing a resin foam by using an aqueous medium, which comprises(a) treating a resin compound with said aqueous medium to cause the aqueous medium to adhere to and be held by the resin compound, said resin compound being composed of porous agglomerated particles resulting from partial melt-adhesion of thermoplastic resin particles coated with a fine hydrophilic solid powder which does not substantially melt at the melting temperature of the resin particles, said solid powder being embedded in the resin particles but partly exposed at their surfaces,(b) melt-kneading the resin compound treated with the aqueous medium under such an elevated pressure that evaporation of the aqueous medium is substantially inhibited, and(c) thereafter releasing the kneaded resin composition from the pressurized state to foam it; and a thermoplastic resin compound used for the aforesaid process.

Abstract: A plastic tray for packaging food products is disclosed. The tray has a preferred composition of about 85 percent polypropylene, 15 percent impact modifier or copolymer, 1 percent nucleating agent, and 1 percent density reduction agents.A method of manufacturing a plastic tray of packaging food products is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing the polypropylene, impact modifier, nucleating agent and density reduction agents together, heating the mixture at 450.degree. F. to 550.degree. F. under a pressure of about 300 p.s.i., injecting the heated mixture into a mold, and cooling the mixture.

Abstract: Process for obtaining cellular materials, based on unsaturated polyester in optionally containing reinforcing and/or inert fillers, having a density between 0.2 and 1.0 kg/l by moulding under pressure a liquid foam of said resins, characterized by the fact that the liquid foam based on unsaturated polyester resins containing conventional additives, optionally containing an inert and/or reinforcing charge of mineral or organic fibers having a length which is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm and more preferably less than 1.5 mm, obtained by mechanical introduction of a gas and/or by means of a chemical and/or physical foaming agent, is firstly introduced into an open half-mould optionally containing a further fiber reinforcement, by casting an amount higher than the free volume of the mould, and subsequently said foam is cross-linked.

Abstract: An improved expandable polymeric styrene particle is provided containing a blowing agent, a minor amount of pentaerythritol tetrastearate, overcoated with a minor amount of glyceryl monostearate. The improved particle results in a significantly reduced final mold cooling cycle in producing the finished molded article. Pentaerythritol tetrastearate is preferably incorporated during impregnation with the blowing agent and glyceryl monostearate overcoated by blending with the expandable particles after impregnation.

Abstract: Moulding composition comprising a vinylidene fluoride polymer and a blowing agent which is a hydroxycarboxylic acid or an alkali metal salt derived from one of the acids.

Abstract: Thermoplastic foams of polystyrene, for example, are prepared with a blowing agent which is a mixture of an organic plasticizing blowing agent, such as pentane, and an atmospheric gas, such as carbon dioxide. Typically, such foams prepared with organic blowing agent alone were aged prior to thermoforming the foam into articles. Foams prepared with the mixed blowing agent of this invention exhibit the advantage of reduced atmospheric emissions on aging.

Abstract: Mechanically stable styrene polymer foams having highly desirable physical properties are prepared employing as a blowing agent a mixture of lower alcohols with chlorofluoromethanes.

Abstract: Foamed thermopolastic resin comprising poly (p-methylenebenzoate) suitable for structural foam injection molded parts.

Abstract: A low density foam product is formed from a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride polymer (CPVC) composition containing a primary blowing agent and a nucleating system comprised of an alkali metal borohydride and a proton donor activator.

Abstract: Foamed thermoplastic resin comprising poly(p-methylenebenzoate) suitable for structural foam injection molded parts.

Abstract: Alkali metal borohydride concentrates are prepared by dry blending alkali metal borohydride powder with a dry non-reactive plastic resin, melting and extruding the blended mixture to form an encapsulated alkali metal borohydride concentrate, and then chopping the extrusion into pellets. The pellet concentrate may then be blended into other materials.

Abstract: Alkali metal borohydride concentrates are prepared by dry blending alkali metal borohydride power with a dry non-reactive plastic resin, melting and extruding the blended mixture to form an encapsulated alkali metal borohydride concentrate, and then chopping the extrusion into pellets. The pellet concentrate may then be blended into other materials.

Abstract: Alkali metal borohydride concentrates are prepared by dry blending alkali metal borohydride powder with a dry non-reactive plastic resin, melting and extruding the blended mixture to form an encapsulated alkali metal borohydride concentrate, and then chopping the extrusion into pellets. The pellet concentrate may then be blended into other materials.

Abstract: A low density foam product is formed from a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride polymer (CPVC) composition containing a primary blowing agent and a nucleating system comprised of an alkali metal borohydride and a proton donor activator.

Abstract: Particulate styrene polymers which contain a blowing agent and are surface-coated with from 0.05 to 1% by weight of an ester. The coating agent is a hydroxycarboxylic acid ester, or an ester of a carboxylic acid with an oxyalkylated alcohol; tristearyl citrate is a preferred ester.The styrene polymers can be used to produce foam moldings, with short mold dwell times and good welding of the foam particles.

Abstract: Expandable styrene-type polymer beads having a short cooling time are obtained by a method wherein styrene-type polymer beads are impregnated with a blowing agent preferably as a step separate and independent of the polymerization step or in the same suspension polymerization reactor after a substantial completion of the polymerization, in an aqueous suspension comprising styrene-type polymer beads, a blowing agent, a suspending agent, at least 0.0001% of a halide salt of a transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel and copper, or a mixture thereof, and at least 0.001% of glycerol mono-, di-, or tri-ester of a fatty acid having 12-30 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof, said halide being bromide, chloride or iodide, and said percentages being based on the total weight of polymer beads subjected to the impregnation, with the proviso that if said glycerol ester is a tri-ester, there must be present at least 0.

Abstract: Substantially closed-cell aliphatic olefin polymer foams having improved dimensional stability are provided by the inclusion therein of from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based upon the olefin polymer, of certain higher aliphatic hydrocarbyl ether, ester or anhydride compounds.

Abstract: For forming synthetic cellular materials, gas is generated by the reaction of an isocyanate and a hydroperioxide. The reactants produce a novel polymeric amine oxide foam. When the reactants are introduced to a base resin, cellular foam products (densities throughout the 50 to 2 lbs/ft.sup.3 range), extended resin products of even higher densities, and non-shrink resinous solids (with microcellular distribution of gas) can be obtained. When employed in resins curable with hydroperoxide, a small fraction of the hydroperoxide interacts with a promoter and serves to cure the resin while the larger fraction reacts earlier with the isocyanate to evolve gas before the gellation state of the base resin is reached. The foaming agent can be made commercially available as a premixture of isocyanate and appropriate surfactant for the hydroperoxide reaction. By mixing with low hydroxyl and carboxyl base resin, long pot life is obtainable.

Abstract: The use, in an otherwise conventional polyolefin extrusion foaming process, of a stability control agent (e.g., stearamide, EAA copolymer, etc.) in conjunction with certain mixed blowing agent systems (e.g., 5-50 weight percent trichloromonofluoromethane and 50-95 weight percent dichlorodifluoromethane) provides closed-cell olefin polymer foam articles having increased maximum achievable cross-sections and good dimensional stability.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for reducing the processing temperature of a thermoplastic polymer comprising blending the thermoplastic polymer in powder form with an effective amount of a compound having a softening temperature of about 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. lower than the softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer. The invention further pertains to novel chemical blowing agent concentrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foamable polymeric composition comprising a copolymer of alkenyl aromatic and alkenyl nitrile monomers, optionally a diene rubber grafted with said monomers and a foaming agent selected from a polybasic acid group. A method for foaming said polyblend is also disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially closed-cell aliphatic olefin polymer foams having improved dimensional stability are provided by the inclusion therein of from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based upon the olefin polymer, of certain higher aliphatic hydrocarbyl ether, ester or anhydride compounds.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for reducing the processing temperature of a thermoplastic polymer comprising blending the thermoplastic polymer in powder form with an effective amount of a compound having a softening temperature of about 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. lower than the softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer. The invention further pertains to novel chemical blowing agent concentrates.

Abstract: A molded article simulating the appearance of natural plantation crepe rubber and a method for producing this article. Styrene/butadiene linear or radial block copolymer having a polymerized styrene content of the range of about 20 to about 50 weight percent of the total block copolymer and resinous polymer of vinyl-substituted aromatic compound in the range of about 10 to about 60 parts resinous polymer per 100 parts block copolymer are blended with a sufficient amount of polarizing agent to achieve rapid heating through response to microwave treatment. The composition is melted, molded against a surface mirroring the appearance of plantation crepe rubber, and removed from the mold as an article simulating plantation crepe rubber.

Abstract: A thermoplastic synthetic resin such as polyethylene or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin containing 0.1 to 10 wt. % of a specific additive selected from specific classes of compounds, namely saturated higher fatty acid amides, saturated higher aliphatic amines and complete esters of saturated higher fatty acids is found to be very suitable for production of expanded articles and can be easily formed into expanded articles with little shrinkage after expansion, free from creases on the surface or cracks on the cell walls, and having excellent characteristics such as good closed cellular characteristic, high compressive strength, low density, etc.