The present invention relates to two-dimensional and three-dimensional shaped parts and composite materials made of popcorn and synthetic and/or natural binding agents which are cured in automatic moulding machines or similar pressing installations by means of radio wave technology or microwaves. By means of these technologies, light-weight, two-dimensional and three-dimensional shaped parts and composite materials can be produced for packaging, as interior and exterior parts (for example in automobile and mobile-home construction), shock absorbers, space-dividing elements, furniture, consumer goods, for the building trade of for heat insulation.

This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.

This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.

The invention concerns a process and a device for producing a particle foam part. The method comprises the steps of feeding foam particles into a mould space of a mould, welding the foam particles in the mould space under application of a predetermined pressure, wherein the foam particles comprise a proportion of at least 10% by weight of recycled, shredded foam particles and the welding of the foam particles takes place by means of electromagnetic waves.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

A novel material for producing auxetic foams is disclosed. The material comprises a multiphase, multicomponent polymer foam with a filler polymer having a carefully selected glass transition temperature. Novel methods for producing auxetic foams from the material are also disclosed that consistently, reliably and quickly produce auxetic polyurethane foam at about room temperature (25° C.). This technology overcomes challenging issues in the large-scale production of auxetic PU foams, such as unfavorable heat-transmission problem and harmful organic solvents.

A novel material for producing auxetic foams is disclosed. The material comprises a multiphase, multicomponent polymer foam with a filler polymer having a carefully selected glass transition temperature. Novel methods for producing auxetic foams from the material are also disclosed that consistently, reliably and quickly produce auxetic polyurethane foam at about room temperature (25° C.). This technology overcomes challenging issues in the large-scale production of auxetic PU foams, such as unfavorable heat-transmission problem and harmful organic solvents.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a breast prosthesis, in which a first dispersion of a first granular material is introduced into a cross-linkable silicone compound. The silicone compound subsequently is cured in order to form a prosthesis body, wherein the prosthesis body is heated to a shrinking temperature which lies above the melting point of the thermoplastic material.

High-temperature foams are produced and used in the construction of aeroplanes, ships and rail and other vehicles. In particular, the foams are further processed into sandwich materials by joining with two outer layers. To this end, a novel process is used for producing high-temperature foams (HT foams) which are particularly suitable for producing such sandwich components for lightweight construction. This process achieves an improvement in the processability of the HT foams produced and a weight reduction of the sandwich materials. The HT foams are furthermore rigid particle foams which are markedly more economic to produce than rigid block foams. In particular, a reduction is brought about in resin absorption in fibre composite processes through a process-related optimization of the surface constitution.