Polyamide pre-expanded particles of this disclosure have a peak temperature of a maximum endothermic peak of 150-275° C. on a DSC curve obtained while being heated from 30° C. to 280° C. at a heating rate of 10° C./min using a DSC. The width of the peak is 30-80° C. when a straight line approximating the DSC curve on a high-temperature side relative to the peak after an end of melting is used as a baseline. The width corresponds to a difference between an extrapolated melting start temperature which is a temperature at an intersection point between a tangent line at an inflection point of the peak on a low-temperature side and the baseline, and an extrapolated melting end temperature which is a temperature at an intersection point between a tangent line at an inflection point of the peak on a high-temperature side and the baseline.

A composition for forming a foamed silicone elastomer is disclosed. The composition comprises: A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule; B) an organohydrogensiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule; C) a hydrosilylation catalyst; D) a chemical blowing agent; and E) a physical blowing agent. The hydrosilylation catalyst C) is present in a catalytically effective amount. The chemical blowing agent D) has at least one hydroxyl (OH) group, and is present in an amount to provide a OH content >0 and <500 parts per million (ppm). The physical blowing agent E) undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a gaseous state during exposure to atmospheric pressure and a temperature ≥0° C. The blowing agents D) and E) are different from one another. A foamed silicone elastomer, and methods of forming the composition and foamed silicone elastomer are also disclosed.

A composition for forming a foamed silicone elastomer is disclosed. The composition comprises: A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule; B) an organohydrogensiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule; C) a hydrosilylation catalyst; D) a chemical blowing agent; and E) a physical blowing agent. The hydrosilylation catalyst C) is present in a catalytically effective amount. The chemical blowing agent D) has at least one hydroxyl (OH) group, and is present in an amount to provide a OH content >0 and <500 parts per million (ppm). The physical blowing agent E) undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a gaseous state during exposure to atmospheric pressure and a temperature ≥0° C. The blowing agents D) and E) are different from one another. A foamed silicone elastomer, and methods of forming the composition and foamed silicone elastomer are also disclosed.

Expandable thermoplastic polyurethane comprising blowing agent, wherein the Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84.

Expandable thermoplastic polyurethane comprising blowing agent, wherein the Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84.

The invention relates to a process for production of expanded thermoplastic elastomer, said process comprising the steps of: (e) adding monomers and/or oligomers used for producing the thermoplastic elastomer with or without further starting materials into a first stage of a polymer-processing machine, (f) mixing the monomers and/or oligomers and also the optionally added further starting materials and reacting the monomers and/or oligomers to give a polymer melt in the first stage of the polymer-processing machine, (g) passing the polymer melt into a second stage of a polymer-processing machine and adding a physical blowing agent with or without further starting materials to obtain a polymer melt comprising a blowing agent, (h) molding the polymer melt comprising a blowing agent into an expanded thermoplastic elastomer.

The invention relates to a process for production of expanded thermoplastic elastomer, said process comprising the steps of: (e) adding monomers and/or oligomers used for producing the thermoplastic elastomer with or without further starting materials into a first stage of a polymer-processing machine, (f) mixing the monomers and/or oligomers and also the optionally added further starting materials and reacting the monomers and/or oligomers to give a polymer melt in the first stage of the polymer-processing machine, (g) passing the polymer melt into a second stage of a polymer-processing machine and adding a physical blowing agent with or without further starting materials to obtain a polymer melt comprising a blowing agent, (h) molding the polymer melt comprising a blowing agent into an expanded thermoplastic elastomer.

A process for producing expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads can include the use of an inorganic blowing agent.

A process for producing expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads can include the use of an inorganic blowing agent.

Expandable thermoplastic polyurethane comprising blowing agent, wherein the Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84.