A method for producing a foam component includes providing a particulate starting material in a mold, softening the starting material, inducing a pressure change within the mold to cause foaming in at least a portion of the softened starting material without the use of a blowing agent, and solidifying the foamed starting material.

A method for producing a foam component includes providing a particulate starting material in a mold, softening the starting material, inducing a pressure change within the mold to cause foaming in at least a portion of the softened starting material without the use of a blowing agent, and solidifying the foamed starting material.

Polymer composite materials are disclosed containing one or more chemical scavengers. The polymer composites are porous and are configured to be contacted with a liquid for removing trace amounts of metals, proteins, polypeptides, polyphenols, other organic compounds, and the like. In order to produce the porous composite polymer product, one or more chemical scavengers are combined with high density polyethylene particles and sintered into a shape. The polyethylene resin acts as a binder trapping or encasing the one or more chemical scavengers in the porous structure.

Polymer composite materials are disclosed containing one or more chemical scavengers. The polymer composites are porous and are configured to be contacted with a liquid for removing trace amounts of metals, proteins, polypeptides, polyphenols, other organic compounds, and the like. In order to produce the porous composite polymer product, one or more chemical scavengers are combined with high density polyethylene particles and sintered into a shape. The polyethylene resin acts as a binder trapping or encasing the one or more chemical scavengers in the porous structure.

Provided is a polyethylene powder having a density of 910 kg/m.sup.3 or more and less than 935 kg/m.sup.3 and an average particle diameter of 50 m or more and less than 140 m, wherein the polyethylene powder contains a particle having a particle diameter of 60 m and a particle having a particle diameter of 100 m, the compressive strength at 10% displacement of the particle having a particle diameter of 60 m is 2.0 MPa or more and less than 5.0 MPa, and the compressive strength at 10% displacement of the particle having a particle diameter of 60 m is 0.5 times or more and less than 1.3 times the compressive strength at 10% displacement of the particle having a particle diameter of 100 m.

Provided is a polyethylene powder having a density of 910 kg/m.sup.3 or more and less than 935 kg/m.sup.3 and an average particle diameter of 50 m or more and less than 140 m, wherein the polyethylene powder contains a particle having a particle diameter of 60 m and a particle having a particle diameter of 100 m, the compressive strength at 10% displacement of the particle having a particle diameter of 60 m is 2.0 MPa or more and less than 5.0 MPa, and the compressive strength at 10% displacement of the particle having a particle diameter of 60 m is 0.5 times or more and less than 1.3 times the compressive strength at 10% displacement of the particle having a particle diameter of 100 m.

An aerogel article that includes a plurality of aerogel particles is disclosed. The plurality of aerogel particles each include a polymeric matrix defining pores of the plurality of aerogel particles. The polymeric matrix includes a non-consolidated portion comprising the pores and a consolidated portion plasticized by a plasticizing solvent. The plurality of aerogel particles are bonded to each other through an interface that comprises the consolidated portions of adjacent ones of the plurality of aerogel particles.