Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams 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 foamable polymer composition comprising a crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking peroxide compound, and a chemical blowing agent comprising a functionalized particulate bicarbonate containing at least one additive. The additive may be selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid, a rosin acid, any derivative thereof, and salts thereof; or any combinations thereof, such as comprising abietic acid, dihydroabietic acid, neoabietic acid, a rosin acid ester, linoleic acid, or mixtures thereof. The particulate bicarbonate may be preferably functionalized by spray-coating, extrusion or co-grinding with at least one additive. The functionalized particulate bicarbonate may further comprise 0.1-5 wt % silica. A process for manufacturing a foamed crosslinked polymer, such as EVA and/or crosslinked polyolefins, and a foamed crosslinked polymer obtained by such process.

The invention relates to a process for producing a polypropylene composition using a first extruder comprising successive zones comprising a first zone, a second zone, a third zone and a fourth zone and a second extruder comprising successive zones comprising a first zone and a second zone, the process comprising the steps of: 1a) introducing a first propylene-based polymer in the first zone of the first extruder, 1b) melt mixing the first propylene-based polymer in the second zone of the first extruder, 1c) adding an additive masterbatch to the mixture of step 1b) in the third zone of the first extruder and 1d) melt-mixing the mixture of step 1c) in the fourth zone of the first extruder to obtain the polypropylene composition, wherein the maximum temperature in the fourth zone of the first extruder is lower than the maximum temperature in the second zone of the first extruder and is lower than 240° C., wherein the additive masterbatch is produced in the second extruder by a process comprising the steps of: 2a) introducing a second propylene-based polymer and organic additives in the first zone of the second extruder and 2b) melt mixing the mixture of step 2a) in the second zone of the second extruder to obtain the additive masterbatch, wherein the maximum temperature in the second zone of the second extruder is lower than the maximum temperature in the second zone of the first extruder and is lower than 240° C.

The disclosure generally relates to compositions of a soft touch material, and methods of preparing the compositions thereof. The compositions are suitable for use in apparatuses such as wearable devices, e.g., in-ear earpieces.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams 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.

The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising from 60-98 wt. % of polypropylene, from 2-40 wt. % of aromatic polycarbonate and from 0.1-10 wt. % of compatibiliser for the manufacture of a foamed article, wherein the compatibiliser is a BAB or AB type of block copolymer comprising a polypropylene block A and a polyester or polycarbonate block B, or wherein the compatibiliser is a graft copolymer of the type ABn having a polypropylene backbone A and polyester or polycarbonate block(s) B grafted thereon, with n being at least 1, and wherein the polyester or polycarbonate blocks B have an average M/F ratio from 2-25, wherein M is the number of backbone carbon atoms in the polyester or polycarbonate not including carbonyl carbon atoms, and F is the number of ester or carbonate groups in the polyester or polycarbonate block, and wherein the wt. % is based on the sum of the amount polypropylene, polycarbonate and compatibiliser.

Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic gel prepared from a composition comprising: a styrene triblock copolymer; a styrene diblock copolymer; an oil extender; and optionally an additive. The composition comprises greater than 21 wt % up to about 35 wt % of a combination of the styrene triblock copolymer and the styrene diblock copolymer. The thermoplastic gel exhibits a very low oil bleed out of less than about 5% after 1500 hours at 60° C. and 120 kPa.

A block copolymer is provided. The block copolymer includes a first block including repeat units represented by formula (I), and a second block connected to the first block and including repeat units represented by formula (II) or (III). The disclosure also provides a method for preparing the block copolymer and a thin film structure including the same.

A method for preparing a polymer nanocomposite is provided with steps of (1) dissolving polyvinyl chloride; (2) dissolving polyethylene; (3) dissolving a polyvinyl chloride-polyethylene block copolymer; (4) adding a surfactant into a mixed solution obtained from the above-mentioned steps; (5) adding a light permeable material into the mixed solution; (6) adding an enforcement material into the mixed solution; (7) performing an ultrasonic mixing to the mixed solution; and (8) performing a rotary evaporation to the mixed solution.

Disclosed are articles having a thermoplastic photochromic coating. The articles exhibit a Bayer Abrasion ratio of at least 2 and desirable photochromic properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light.