A molded flexible polyurethane foam having a hardness gradient going from soft to hard from the top to the bottom of the foam. The hardness gradient in the foam is a result of a foam elasticity gradient which arises from a polymer elasticity gradient and/or density gradient. A method for producing a flexible foam having a hardness gradient and a reactive mixture suitable for making said flexible foam is disclosed. Furthermore, the use of the flexible foams having a hardness gradient in matrasses, cushions for seating (more in particular for use in automotive seating), furniture, automotive under-carpets and dash insulators is disclosed.

A foam and a foaming composition are provided. The foam includes a composite material and a plurality of foam cells, wherein the foam cells are disposed in the composite material. The composite material includes a modified sulfur-containing polymer and a fluorine-containing polymer fiber, wherein a degree of orientation as defined by the ratio I.sub.110/I.sub.200 is from 1.0 to 1.3, wherein I.sub.110 is the X-ray diffraction peak intensity of (110) planes of the modified sulfur-containing polymer and I.sub.200 is the X-ray diffraction peak intensity of (200) planes of the modified sulfur-containing polymer.

The present invention relates to a reaction mixture for manufacturing an inorganic-filler based closed-cell rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) comprising foam, the reaction mixture comprising mixing at an isocyanate index >120: At least one polyisocyanate-containing compound; At least one isocyanate-reactive compound; At least one PIR promoting catalyst; An inorganic filler composition; At least one physical blowing agent;
characterised in that said inorganic filler composition has bulk density ranging from 1 to 2 g/cm.sup.3, and wherein the total amount of inorganic fillers in the reaction mixture is at least 70 wt % calculated on the total weight of said reaction mixture, without taking into account the weight of said at least one physical blowing agent.

The invention relates to a process for obtaining a polyether polyol with a bimodal molecular weight distribution, intended for the production of flexible polyurethane foams, in particular of soft, hypersoft and thermoplastic types. The process according to the invention comprises two successive steps, wherein in the first step, the polyaddition of alkylene oxides to a starter is carried out in the presence of a catalyst, and in the second step, the polyaddition of alkylene oxides to a mixture of the polymer formed in the first step and a second portion of the starter is carried out, also in the presence of a catalyst. Furthermore, the invention relates to a polyether polyol with a bimodal molecular weight distribution and its use in the production of soft-, hypersoft- and thermoplastic-type flexible polyurethane foams.

A polyurethane composition, comprising (A) an isocyanate compound and (B) a polyol blend of three polyether polyols having particularly designed formulation and OH functionality, is provided. The viscoelastic polyurethane foam prepared by using said polyurethane composition exhibits tailored viscoelastic properties and superior aesthetic appearance.

The invention pertains generally to a process and a composition-of-matter for a shelf-stable open cell polyurethane HFO-blown two-component polyurethane foam composition having improved flame-retardant properties through the use of at least one organo-tin containing catalyst and at least one potassium containing catalyst; and at least one dimorpholino-based ether catalyst, a ratio of the at least one potassium-containing catalyst to the tin-containing catalyst being at least approximately 1.5:1.0, the at least one surfactant comprising a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) backbone and polyethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide (PEO-PPO) random copolymer grafts; and the added water comprises at least 8 weight percent of said B-side reactants, the polyurethane foam having a Class B rating with a flame spread between 25 and 75 inclusive and a smoke developed of under 450 using ASTM E 84 testing protocol.

A sound-absorbing material includes an open-cell, filled silicone foam having a density of less than 155 kg/m.sup.3 and a porosity of at least 70%, wherein the silicone foam has an average cell size of less than 2300 micrometers, determined in a direction parallel to the rise direction, and an average cell size of less than 800 micrometers, determined in a direction perpendicular to the rise direction, each determined by optical microscopy.

A catalyst composition comprising at least one compound with a general formula I:

##STR00001## wherein A is NR.sup.3, R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-C.sub.8 linear or branched, x=0-6, n and m are each independently 1 to 6, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently C.sub.2-C.sub.8 alkyl, and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are CH.sub.3 groups; or AO, x=0-6, n and m are each independently 1 to 6, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently C.sub.2-C.sub.8 alkyl, and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are CH.sub.3 groups; or AO or NR.sup.3, R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-C.sub.8 linear or branched, and N(R.sup.1R.sup.4) and N(R.sup.2R.sup.5) each independently represent a C.sub.3-C.sub.7 ring amine moiety of the type:

##STR00002##

Provided are a thermoplastic polyurethane foam and an impact resistant composite laminate. The thermoplastic polyurethane comprises a structural unit represented by Formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein each R independently is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2 or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2; n is a number from 2 to 13; and the structural unit has a Mn ranging from 700 g/mole to 2500 g/mole. The impact resistant composite laminate comprises a base layer and a first impact resistant layer formed by the thermoplastic polyurethane foam, and the first impact resistant layer overlaps the base layer.