The present disclosure provides thermally expandable microspheres at least partially prepared from bio-based monomers and a process of their manufacture. The microspheres include a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a blowing agent. The thermoplastic polymer shell includes a copolymer of an itaconate dialkylester and at least one aliphatic or aromatic mono-ethylenically unsaturated comonomer. The itaconate dialkylester has the formula (1): ##STR00001## where each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, separately from one another, is an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, and the copolymer includes 0-50 wt. % of vinyl aromatic comonomers, based on the total weight of the comonomers. The present disclosure further provides expanded microspheres usable in a variety of applications.

An example starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component includes a mixture of a starch and an expansion additive. The starch has an amylose content of less than about 70% by weight. The expansion additive enhances the expansion and physical properties of the starch. A method of preparing a starch-based material is also disclosed and an alternate starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component is also disclosed.

An example starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component includes a mixture of a starch and an expansion additive. The starch has an amylose content of less than about 70% by weight. The expansion additive enhances the expansion and physical properties of the starch. A method of preparing a starch-based material is also disclosed and an alternate starch-based material for forming a biodegradable component is also disclosed.

Disclosed herein is a process for the production of poly(meth)acrylimide materials. Therein, a granulated copolymer of (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylonitrile is prefoamed and imidated by thermal treatment in a single step to provide poly(meth)acrylimide particles.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded to polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded to polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

A material comprising an encapsulated component within a shell, a rupture initiator associated with the encapsulated component, and a polymeric matrix material, wherein the encapsulation is adapted to fail upon activation of the rupture initiator allowing the encapsulated component to be liberated to initiate a reaction or increase the reactivity of the material.

A material comprising an encapsulated component within a shell, a rupture initiator associated with the encapsulated component, and a polymeric matrix material, wherein the encapsulation is adapted to fail upon activation of the rupture initiator allowing the encapsulated component to be liberated to initiate a reaction or increase the reactivity of the material.

A polymer composition that includes a polymer produced from ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally, vinyl acetate; optionally a secondary foamable polymer; a foaming agent, and a peroxide is provided. Methods for making such a polymer composition include blending a polymer composition from a mixture of a polymer produced from ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally, vinyl acetate, optionally a secondary foamable polymer; a foaming agent, and a peroxide are provided.

A polymer composition that includes a polymer produced from ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally, vinyl acetate; optionally a secondary foamable polymer; a foaming agent, and a peroxide is provided. Methods for making such a polymer composition include blending a polymer composition from a mixture of a polymer produced from ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally, vinyl acetate, optionally a secondary foamable polymer; a foaming agent, and a peroxide are provided.