Polyether polyols are prepared by polymerizing unsaturated monomers in a continuous phase of a base polyol. A macromer or polymerization produce of such a macromer is present during the polymerization to stabilize the polymer particles as they form. The macromer is a polyether capped with certain unsaturated epoxide compounds.

The invention pertains generally to a shelf-stable polyurethane HFO-blown two-component polyurethane foam composition which includes controlling the ratio of tin-containing catalyst(s) to potassium-containing catalyst(s).

Flexible polyurethane foams are made by reacting a hydrophilic quasi-prepolymer, water and a polymer polyol in the presence of a silicone surfactant and an ethylene oxide/higher alkylene oxide block copolymer. The foams exhibit desirably low densities and compression sets, and have good thermal and moisture-wicking properties. The foams are useful in bedding and other comfort applications in which they are exposed to body heat and bear at least a portion of the weight of the user. The thermal and moisture wicking properties contribute to perceived comfort for the user.

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling Chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

Isocyanate-reactive composition that include a polyol blend, a blowing agent composition, and a catalyst. The polyol blend includes a polyether polyol having a functionality of 2 to 6 and an OH number of 20 to 50 mg KOH/g, which is present in an amount of at least 30% by weight, based on total weight of the isocyanate-reactive composition, and an aromatic polyester polyol having a functionality of 1.5 to 3 and an OH number of 150 to 450 mg KOH/g, which is present in an amount of at least 40% by weight, based on total weight of the isocyanate-reactive composition. The blowing agent composition includes water, the water being present in an amount of 1 to 20% by weight, based on total weight of the isocyanate-reactive composition and in an amount of at least 90% by weight, based on total weight of the blowing agent composition. The isocyanate-reaction composition has a green content of at least 30% by weight, based on total weight of the isocyanate-reactive composition. Polyurethane foam-forming reaction mixtures, polyurethane foams, multi-layer composite articles and methods for their production are also described.

Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing polyether carbonate polyols by adding alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide to a H-functional starter substance in the presence of a DMC catalyst or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc, wherein (γ) alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide are added to a H-functional starter substance in a reactor in the presence of a DMC catalyst or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc, characterized in that the alkylene oxide contains a proportion of 5 to 50 wt. % ethylene oxide, based on the overall weight of the alkylene oxide used, and the addition of the ethylene oxide is carried out in an atmosphere containing carbon dioxide.

A biodegradable foam which includes a poly-ester-based polyurethane foam and a mixture comprised of a soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria embedded in a carrier compound. The mixture of the soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria is homogenously dispersed throughout the polyester-based polyurethane foam. This biodegradable foam exhibits biodegradation rates higher than a polyester-based polyurethane foam absent the soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria.

A graft macromer, comprising the reaction product of at least one macromer being at least one molecule which comprises in its structure one or more hydroxyl-terminated polyether and/or polyester chains, with at least one grafting compound which comprises in its structure at least one at least monoalkoxylated or at least monohalogenated silyl group and at least one alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl containing group which is reactive towards the hydroxyl group of the macromer, is used for dispersing e.g. SiO.sub.2 in a polyol.

Very soft, launderable polyurethane foams for pillow and other bedding applications are made using a quasi-prepolymer of diphenylmethane diisocyanate and a polyether polyol having a high oxyethylene content. The quasi-prepolymer is reacted with isocyanate-reactive components that include a certain monoalcohol but is devoid of or nearly devoid of a polyether polyol having a high oxyethylene content.