Expanded polyethylene resin particles include an antistatic agent and a base resin. The expanded polyethylene resin particles are obtained by expanding polyethylene resin particles including the antistatic agent and the base resin, the polyethylene resin particles having a storage modulus of elasticity of 900 to 5000 Pa at an angular frequency of 1 rad/sec in dynamic viscoelastic behavior measurement at 190° C. and a storage modulus of elasticity of 100000 Pa or less at an angular frequency of 100 rad/sec in dynamic viscoelastic behavior measurement at 190° C. The expanded polyethylene resin particles have a low temperature side melting peak and a high temperature side melting peak on a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve obtained when a temperature of the expanded polyethylene resin particles is increased from 20° C. to 220° C. at a heating rate of 10° C./min.

A method of producing a polyethylene resin expanded molded product includes filling a mold with expanded polyethylene resin particles, wherein an internal pressure of 0.12 to 0.16 MPa is applied to the expanded polyethylene resin particles in the mold, and forming the polyethylene resin expanded molded product by heating the expanded polyethylene resin particles and fusing the expanded polyethylene resin particles. The expanded polyethylene resin particles includes 100 parts by weight of a polyethylene resin, 0.08 to 0.25 parts by weight of a cell nucleating agent, 0.3 to 0.8 parts by weight of a polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester, and 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a hydrophilic compound, each of the expanded polyethylene resin particles having a weight of 2.5 to 3.5 mg. The polyethylene resin expanded molded product has a density of 0.017 to 0.021 g/cm.sup.3 and a thickness of 10 to 40 mm.

Provided are composite particles in which reinforcing fibers adhere to the surface of thermoplastic resin expanded beads via a thermosetting resin being in an uncured state, a cured product of the composite particles, an in-mold molded article of the composite particles, a laminate of the composite particles and a reinforcing fiber sheet material, a composite of the composite particles, and a method for producing composite particles.

A supported elastomeric foam (100) includes an elastomeric matrix (102) formed of an elastomer and including a reinforcement region (104) and a foamed region (106). The foamed region includes gas filled cells (108) in the elastomer, and the reinforcement region includes a porous layer (204) having an interconnected network of pores at least partially imbibed with the elastomer. The foam can include an adhesive at a surface of the foam. A compressible seal (802) including a compressible body, which can be elastomeric foam, can also include a pattern of discontinuous adhesive regions about which the compressible body can deform to form a sea. The supported elastomeric foam can form a gas tight seal in an interface when placed under minimal compression.

A supported elastomeric foam (100) includes an elastomeric matrix (102) formed of an elastomer and including a reinforcement region (104) and a foamed region (106). The foamed region includes gas filled cells (108) in the elastomer, and the reinforcement region includes a porous layer (204) having an interconnected network of pores at least partially imbibed with the elastomer. The foam can include an adhesive at a surface of the foam. A compressible seal (802) including a compressible body, which can be elastomeric foam, can also include a pattern of discontinuous adhesive regions about which the compressible body can deform to form a sea. The supported elastomeric foam can form a gas tight seal in an interface when placed under minimal compression.

A tool for the production of particle foam parts through the welding of foam particles by means of electromagnetic waves comprises two mould halves which bound a mould cavity. At least one of the two mould halves is made of a material which is transparent to electromagnetic waves and has a boundary wall which bounds the mould cavity and one or more supports serving to support the boundary wall on a capacitor plate on the side facing away from the mould cavity and forming one or more hollow spaces. A tool system for the production of particle foam parts has the tool and at least one trimming body, which is designed for introduction into the hollow space or at least one of the hollow spaces. A method for the production of a particle foam part with the tool or tool system is also specified.

Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm.sup.3.

Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm.sup.3.

Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.