Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

A thermoplastic elastomer foam is made by incorporating a gaseous or supercritical blowing agent under pressure into a molten thermoplastic elastomer comprising polymeric crystalline domains, then releasing the pressure to foam the thermoplastic elastomer.

A thermoplastic elastomer foam is made by incorporating a gaseous or supercritical blowing agent under pressure into a molten thermoplastic elastomer comprising polymeric crystalline domains, then releasing the pressure to foam the thermoplastic elastomer.

Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

The present invention is concerned with an expanded beads molded article of expanded beads comprising a crosslinked multi-block copolymer containing a polyethylene block and an ethylene/-olefin copolymer block, wherein a density is 40 to 150 g/L; a gel fraction by a hot xylene extraction method is 30 to 70% by weight; a tensile elongation is 120% or more; a bead weight of the expanded beads is 0.8 to 8 mg; and the number of expanded beads per unit area on a surface of the expanded beads molded article is 5 to 30 per cm.sup.2, and is able to provide an expanded beads molded article which is light in weight and favorable in surface properties, fusion bondability, and durability.

The present invention relates to a process for producing colored foamed particles consisting of an elastomer (E), at least comprising the providing of foamed particles made of at least one elastomer (E), and the contacting of the particles with a mixture (MF) comprising a dye (F) and a carrier fluid (TF) to obtain colored foamed particles, wherein the carrier fluid (TF) has a polarity suitable for sorption of the carrier fluid into the elastomer. The present invention further relates to cpspolored foamed particles obtained or obtainable by such a process, and to the use of the colored foamed particles of the invention for production of shaped bodies, especially of footwear soles, parts of a footwear sole, bicycle saddles, cushions, mattresses, underlays, handles, protective films, floor coverings, and components in the automotive interior and exterior sector.

The present invention relates to a process for producing colored foamed particles consisting of an elastomer (E), at least comprising the providing of foamed particles made of at least one elastomer (E), and the contacting of the particles with a mixture (MF) comprising a dye (F) and a carrier fluid (TF) to obtain colored foamed particles, wherein the carrier fluid (TF) has a polarity suitable for sorption of the carrier fluid into the elastomer. The present invention further relates to cpspolored foamed particles obtained or obtainable by such a process, and to the use of the colored foamed particles of the invention for production of shaped bodies, especially of footwear soles, parts of a footwear sole, bicycle saddles, cushions, mattresses, underlays, handles, protective films, floor coverings, and components in the automotive interior and exterior sector.

A rubber composition for vulcanization molding which can be manufactured into a rubber product with good dimensional stability, good appearance and sufficiently light weight, a process for manufacturing the same, and applications thereof. A rubber composition for vulcanization molding containing hollow particles and a base rubber, wherein the hollow particles are composed of a thermoplastic resin shell and a thermally vaporizable blowing agent encapsulated therein and have a specified further expansion ratio, and the base rubber has a Mooney viscosity ML (1+4) ranging from 5 to 90 at 100 C. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the rubber composition, hollow particles used for manufacturing the rubber composition, a masterbatch including the hollow particles and a rubber product manufactured from the rubber composition.

Heat-expandable microcapsules each having a core/shell structure which includes a core and a shell, wherein the core contains a volatile substance and the shell contains a polymer, the polymer being obtained by reacting a monomer mixture with an organic peroxide represented by general formula (1):

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wherein the R.sup.1 moieties each independently represent a C.sub.2-12 unsaturated hydrocarbon group, the unsaturated hydrocarbon group being optionally separated by one or more of COO, OCO, and O.