A process for producing expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads can include the use of an inorganic blowing agent.

Expandable thermoplastic polyurethane comprising blowing agent, wherein the Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84.

The invention relates to a noncrosslinked block copolymer foam, comprising at least one rigid block and at least one flexible block, in which the copolymer includes at least one carboxylic acid chain end blocked with a polycarbodiimide. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing this foam and to articles manufactured therefrom.

The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a copolymer foam containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks, comprising the following steps: mixing the copolymer melt with a blowing agent, said copolymer having a coefficient of thermal diffusivity a and a crystallization temperature T.sub.c; providing a mold of thickness h at a temperature T.sub.m; injecting the mixture of the copolymer and of the blowing agent at a temperature T.sub.p, into the closed mold; foaming the mixture by opening the mold;
in which the maintenance time between the injection of the mixture of the copolymer and of the blowing agent into the closed mold and the opening of the mold is within the range extending from (t.sub.opt−25%) to (t.sub.opt+25%),
t.sub.opt being expressed in seconds and obtained by equation (I):

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}{t}_{\mathrm{opt}}=-\frac{1}{{\pi }^2}\frac{h^2}{a}\ln \left(\frac{\pi }{4}\frac{T_m-T_c}{T_m-T_p}\right),& \left(I\right)\end{array}$

in which a is expressed in m.sup.2/s, h is expressed in m and T.sub.m, T.sub.c and T.sub.p are expressed in ° C.

A hybrid material contains a matrix of polyurethane and foamed particles of thermoplastic polyurethane contained therein. A process can be used for producing such hybrid materials and these hybrid materials can be used as bicycle saddles, upholstery and shoe soles.

Expandable thermoplastic polyurethane comprising blowing agent, wherein the Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84.

A polyurethane-polyurea comprising water blown foam having an apparent density in the range 30-700 kg/m.sup.3 measured according to ISO 845 and having a tensile strength (measured according to DIN 53504) over apparent density ratio of at least 10 kPa.Math.m.sup.3/kg.

These foams are very suitable for use in footwear and automotive and more in particular in applications aiming for consumer comfort.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding, or injection molding followed by compression molding.

A polyurethane foam is disclosed having unique load bearing characteristics rendering it suitable for a variety of applications. The foam exhibits high surface-softness and smoothness properties, making it well-suited for use in articles such as pillows and mattress toppers. However, upon continued application of pressure, the resilience of the foam increases sharply, translating into a remarkable support characteristics that make the foam suitable for use in the seat portions of chairs and sofas, as well as in the base portion of mattresses. The foams therefore address the limitations of conventional, high-resilience and visco-elastic polyurethane foams. A process of making the foam and its use in various articles is also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing polyurethane moldings, including the steps of providing a reaction mixture (M), including at least one polyisocyanate, and at least one component with two functional groups which are reactive towards isocyanates, introducing the reaction mixture (M) into a mold and allowing the reaction mixture (M) to react to form a polyurethane molding. In the first step, at least one additive selected from vegetable oils is added to the mixture (M). The present disclosure also relates to a polyurethane molding obtained or obtainable according to said process and the use of a polyurethane molding according to the invention as sole of a boot or part of a sole of a boot.