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.

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 additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, 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.

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 additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, 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.

The invention relates to the field of modified diene-containing (co)polymers, in particular, to modified butadiene-styrene copolymers that can be used as flame retardants for polymer compositions based on expandable polystyrene. In particular, the invention relates to a modified diene-containing (co)polymer, a method for preparing thereof and the use of the same as a flame retardant for expandable polystyrene. The modified diene-containing (co)polymer according to the invention is characterized by a high heat resistance, in particular, a 5% weight loss temperature of at least 180° C., a molecular weight of at least 1500 g/mol, and a halogen content of at least 35 wt. % based on the total weight of the (co)polymer.

The invention relates to the field of modified diene-containing (co)polymers, in particular, to modified butadiene-styrene copolymers that can be used as flame retardants for polymer compositions based on expandable polystyrene. In particular, the invention relates to a modified diene-containing (co)polymer, a method for preparing thereof and the use of the same as a flame retardant for expandable polystyrene. The modified diene-containing (co)polymer according to the invention is characterized by a high heat resistance, in particular, a 5% weight loss temperature of at least 180° C., a molecular weight of at least 1500 g/mol, and a halogen content of at least 35 wt. % based on the total weight of the (co)polymer.

The flame retardant foam is a molded form of a mixture containing at least a cellulose containing powder, a hydrophilic polymer, a foamable thermoplastic resin, a flame retardant, and water. The mixture contains at least one of tricalcium phosphate or silica as a dispersant.

Foam pellets comprising a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) and thermo-expandable microspheres, the foam pellet having a specific gravity of 0.2 to 1.0 and the TPV being composed of an at least partially vulcanized rubber component and a thermoplastic component. The foam pellets may be subsequently processed to form various foam articles without the need to include a foaming agent during processing.

Foam pellets comprising a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) and thermo-expandable microspheres, the foam pellet having a specific gravity of 0.2 to 1.0 and the TPV being composed of an at least partially vulcanized rubber component and a thermoplastic component. The foam pellets may be subsequently processed to form various foam articles without the need to include a foaming agent during processing.

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.

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.