Provided is a method of preparing a superabsorbent polymer sheet, including polymerization of monomers in the presence of an encapsulated foaming agent and an inorganic foaming agent. According to the method of preparing the superabsorbent polymer sheet of the present invention, a porous flexible superabsorbent polymer sheet may be prepared.

Heat-expandable microspheres having a thermoplastic resin shell and a thermally-vaporizable blowing agent encapsulated therein. The thermoplastic resin is a copolymer produced from a polymerizable component containing 15 to 90 wt % of acrylonitrile, 3 to 50 wt % of an acrylate ester monomer (A) represented by formula (1) shown below, and 3 to 70 wt % of a methacrylate ester monomer (B) represented by formula (2) shown below. The weight ratio of the acrylate ester monomer (A) represented by formula (1) to the methacrylate ester monomer (B) represented by formula (2) in the polymerizable component (A:B) ranges from 10:90 to 90:10:
H.sub.2C═CH—COOR.sup.1  (1)
H.sub.2C═C(CH.sub.3)—COOR.sup.2  (2).
Also disclosed are hollow particles manufactured by expanding the heat-expandable microspheres; a composition containing a base compound and the heat-expandable microspheres or the hollow particles; and a formed product manufactured by molding or applying the composition.

Foamed acrylic materials using both traditional chemical blowing agents as well as foamable microspheres. The acrylic foams have improved density reduction, optical properties, and insulation properties. The acrylic foams can be formed by traditional melt processing methods (extrusion, blow molding, etc.) as well as innovative foaming methods, such as foaming during or after polymerization. One method involves the use of expandable microspheres blended with monomers, the monomers then polymerized through bulk polymerization in cell cast, infusion, or compression molding processes. This method can be effectively used to produce composite foam structures.

Foamed acrylic materials using both traditional chemical blowing agents as well as foamable microspheres. The acrylic foams have improved density reduction, optical properties, and insulation properties. The acrylic foams can be formed by traditional melt processing methods (extrusion, blow molding, etc.) as well as innovative foaming methods, such as foaming during or after polymerization. One method involves the use of expandable microspheres blended with monomers, the monomers then polymerized through bulk polymerization in cell cast, infusion, or compression molding processes. This method can be effectively used to produce composite foam structures.

A solidified, conformable porous composite having interconnected pores and containing thermally-expanded polymer microspheres and a particulate filler material is disclosed herein. An energy storage device containing a solidified, conformable porous composite having interconnected pores and comprising thermally-expanded polymer microspheres and particulate filler material is disclosed herein. A method of making a solidified, conformable porous composite in which no solvent is introduced into and extracted from the composite in the formation of pores is disclosed herein.

A solidified, conformable porous composite having interconnected pores and containing thermally-expanded polymer microspheres and a particulate filler material is disclosed herein. An energy storage device containing a solidified, conformable porous composite having interconnected pores and comprising thermally-expanded polymer microspheres and particulate filler material is disclosed herein. A method of making a solidified, conformable porous composite in which no solvent is introduced into and extracted from the composite in the formation of pores is disclosed herein.

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 disclosure provides aromatic polyester polyether polyols and compositions comprising such polyols. The disclosed aromatic polyester polyether polyols and compositions including same are the products of the transesterification reaction of polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) and an ethoxylated triol, namely glycerin or trimethylolpropane, wherein the degree of ethoxylation is from 1 to 9 moles. At least some of the PET used to generate the aromatic polyester polyether polyols is derived from recycled PET. The disclosed aromatic polyester polyether polyols have utility in preparing polyurethane materials, for example.

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 disclosure provides aromatic polyester polyether polyols and compositions comprising such polyols. The disclosed aromatic polyester polyether polyols and compositions including same are the products of the transesterification reaction of polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) and an ethoxylated triol, namely glycerin or trimethylolpropane, wherein the degree of ethoxylation is from 1 to 9 moles. At least some of the PET used to generate the aromatic polyester polyether polyols is derived from recycled PET. The disclosed aromatic polyester polyether polyols have utility in preparing polyurethane materials, for example.

Heat-expandable microspheres including a thermoplastic resin shell and a thermally-vaporizable blowing agent encapsulated therein. The thermoplastic resin is a polymer of a polymerizable component containing a cross-linkable monomer (A) which has at least two (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule and a reactive carbon-carbon double bond in addition to the (meth)acryloyl groups and has a molecular weight of at least 500. Also disclosed are hollow resin particles manufactured by expanding the heat-expandable microspheres; fine-particle-coated hollow resin particles including the hollow resin particles; a composition including a base component and the heat-expandable microspheres, or hollow resin particles, or fine-particle coated hollow resin particles; and a formed article manufactured by forming the composition.

The present invention provides a modified formula to make a hydrophilic foam. In some embodiments this modified formula adds a filler which causes the foam to become less absorptive, which has the benefit of making available to the skin more makeup or other products, while also providing a superior esthetic application of makeup on the skin. In other embodiments the modified formula makes the hydrophilic foam easier to clean and reduces the staining propensity of the foam. In other embodiments the modified formula uses an additive to the properties or usability of the foam in some way. Providing the filler and additive can be done in combination or separately depending on the desired benefits or properties of the foam. In some embodiments the foam is fashioned into a shape suitable for makeup application.