A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.

In the case of producing a fiber-reinforced composite material having excellent impact resistance by using an automatic lay up device, to provide a prepreg that can be layed up without adhesion and deposition of a part of the reinforced fibers or matrix resin in the device.

A prepreg containing the following components [A] to [E], wherein 85% by mass or more of the component [E] is present in a range within 9% of the average thickness of the prepreg from each surface of the prepreg, a range within 7% of the average thickness of the prepreg from each surface of the prepreg is composed of a first resin composition containing the components [B] to [E], and the prepreg satisfies the following conditions (I) to (V): [A] a carbon fiber, [B] an epoxy resin having two or more glycidyl groups in one molecule, [C] an aromatic amine compound, [D] a thermoplastic resin having a polyarylether skeleton, [E] a particle wherein primary particles have a number average particle size of 5 to 50 m, the content ratio (% by mass) of a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin of 95:5 to 70:30, and a size of a crack generated when the particle is immersed in methyl ethyl ketone and boiled and refluxed for 24 hours is 20 m or less and the number of the crack is 5 or less; Condition (I): the component [B] contains 80% by mass or more of an epoxy resin having a viscosity at 25 C. of 2.010.sup.4 mPa.Math.s or more, Condition (II): a molar ratio of the number of active hydrogens in the component [C] to the number of epoxy groups in the component [B] is 0.7 to 1.3, Condition (III): the prepreg contains 15 to 25% by mass of the component [D] with respect to 100% by mass of the component [B], Condition (IV): the prepreg contains 50 to 80% by mass of the component [E] with respect to 100% by mass of the component [B], Condition (V): a minimum value of loss tangent tan of the first resin composition in the temperature range of 12 to 25 C. is 1.0 or less.

Provided is an expansive refractory material that not only has excellent fire resistance but also can provide a heat insulating function for protecting a content by expanding to form a heat insulating layer when the refractory material is brought close to a heat source or comes into contact with flame. The refractory material at least includes: discontinuous reinforcing fibers having a thermal conductivity of 4 W/(m.Math.K) or higher; and a flame-retardant thermoplastic resin, wherein the discontinuous reinforcing fibers are dispersed in the refractory material. The refractory material has a post-expansion porosity of 30% or higher.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

Provided are a superabsorbent polymer and a preparation method thereof. The superabsorbent polymer may effectively avoid a rewetting phenomenon after absorbing liquid, because a saline solution hardly remains in the empty spaces between swollen gel particles. Accordingly, the superabsorbent polymer may be used to provide hygienic materials, such as diapers, sanitary napkins, etc., which have a fluffy texture even after body fluid is discharged thereto.

Provided are a shaped article made of a fibrous filler-reinforced thermoplastic resin composition and capable of increasing mechanical properties and a method for producing the shaped article. The shaped article is made of a resin composition containing: inorganic fibers having an average fiber length of 1 m to 300 m and an average aspect ratio of 3 to 200; and a thermoplastic resin, and the inorganic fibers have an average orientation angle of 24 or lower.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide for composite structures including a bonding layer that adheres a substrate (e.g., including a polymeric composition such as rubber) to a material (e.g., including a polymer such as polyurethane). The adhesion of the substrate to the material through the bonding layer can include chemical bonds such as, but not limited to, siloxane linkages, silanol linkages, silyl linkages, or any combination thereof in the bonding layer.

A process for preparing a semifinished product comprising a PAEK-based resin and reinforcing fibers, including: preparing a dispersion comprising a PAEK-based resin in pulverulent form dispersed in an aqueous phase including at least one volatile organic compound and optionally a surfactant; bringing the reinforcing fibers into contact with said aqueous dispersion; drying the fibers impregnated with dispersion; and heating the impregnated fibers to a temperature sufficient for the melting of the resin, so as to form a semifinished product, wherein the aqueous phase of the dispersion has a dynamic viscosity, measured at 25 C. under a shear stress of 6.8 s.sup.1 on a Brookfield DV2T Extra viscometer, is between 0.1 and 25 Pa.Math.s; and wherein when the surfactant is present, its content is less than 1% by weight relative to the mass of dispersed resin.

In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.

Embodiments relate to a hard coat laminated film having a first hard coat, a second hard coat, and a transparent resin film layer, where: the first hard coat is formed from paint which contains predetermined amounts of (A) a multifunctional (meth)acrylate, (B) a water repellent, and (C) a silane coupling agent, and which does not contain inorganic particles; and the second hard coat is formed from paint containing predetermined amounts of (D) a polymerizable compound and (E) inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 1-300 nm. The (D) polymerizable compound contains: (d1) a multifunctional (meth)acrylate having three or more (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule; (d2) a compound having two or more secondary thiol groups in one molecule; and optionally, (d3) at least one (meth)acrylate selected from the group consisting of a (meth)acrylate having two (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule, a (meth)acrylate having one (meth)acryloyl group in one molecule, and a urethane(meth)acrylate.