Compression blow formed articles having improved barrier properties and methods of making the same are provided herein.

A materials kit for 3D printing can include a powder bed material including from about 60 wt % to 100 wt % composite fibers having an average aspect ratio from about 3:1 to about 30:1 and a fusing agent including an energy absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation to produce heat. The composite fibers can include glass fibers coated with an encapsulating polymer, wherein the glass fibers can be included at from about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total weight of the powder bed material.

An example of a three-dimensional (3D) printing kit includes a build material composition and a fusing agent to be applied to at least a portion of the build material composition during 3D printing. The build material composition includes a polyamide having: an avalanche angle ranging from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees; a break energy ranging from about 25 kJ/kg to about 57 kJ/kg; and an avalanche energy ranging from about 7 kJ/kg to about 22 kJ/kg. The fusing agent includes an energy absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation to coalesce the polyamide in the at least the portion.

A method, composition, and article of manufacture. The method can include depositing a layer, which includes a set of particles and a set of microcapsules encapsulating polymerizing agents. The method can also include fusing particles in selected areas of the layer with a laser, and rupturing at least a portion of microcapsules using at least one energy source selected from the laser, an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source, and a heat source. The composition can include a set of particles and a set of microcapsules, each containing a polymerizing agent encapsulated by a degradable shell. The article of manufacture can include fused layers that include fused particles and pores sealed in reactions with polymerizing agents released from degradable microcapsules.

Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the disclosed methods comprise selectively depositing a binding material on foam particles in a target area such that the binding material coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the foam particles with the binding material. The binding material is then cured to affix foam particles in the target area to one another. In various aspects, the disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that differential levels of affixing between the foam particles, and thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A materials kit for 3D printing can include a powder bed material including from about 60 wt % to 100 wt % composite fibers having an average aspect ratio from about 3:1 to about 30:1 and a fusing agent including an energy absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation to produce heat. The composite fibers can include glass fibers coated with an encapsulating polymer, wherein the glass fibers can be included at from about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total weight of the powder bed material.

The invention relates to an extrusion process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate comprising mixing first and second additives with first and second polymer components, respectively, in dedicated mixers.

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A helmet and method for forming a helmet having a multi-density impact liner may include forming a puck comprising an interface surface and at least one side is formed. The interface surface of the puck is placed in direct contact with a receiving surface of a cap located in an impact liner mold. Next, the interface surface of the puck is thermally fused directly to the receiving surface of the cap while contemporaneously an impact liner body is formed inside the mold. The impact liner body is fused to the at least one side of the puck, and to a majority of the receiving surface of the cap. The density of the puck may be greater than the density of the impact liner body. The puck and the impact liner body may be expanded polystyrene (EPS), and the cap may be polycarbonate (PC).

A composite article and a method for insulating an appliance are disclosed. In general, the appliance is selected from the group of major, domestic or household appliances (e.g. ovens, stoves, ranges, etc.). The appliance has a first surface that defines a heating cavity, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The composite article comprises a backing layer spaced from the first surface, and an insulating layer sandwiched between the second surface and the backing layer. The insulating layer reduces heat transfer from the heating cavity to the backing layer (e.g. during use of the appliance). The insulating layer comprises a foamed silicone. The foamed silicone can be one formed via a hydrosilylation-curable silicone composition, a condensation-curable silicone composition, or a combination thereof. The insulating layer may comprise a foamed room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTV) silicone. The backing layer comprises a foamed polyurethane (PUR), a foamed polyisocyanurate (PIR), or a foamed PUR/PIR hybrid.