An article has a density of from 0.03 to 0.45 g/cc. The article includes a plurality of anisotropic tubular particles that are randomly oriented in the article. The tubular particles include a thermoplastic elastomer foam and a non-foamed polymer disposed on an exterior surface of the thermoplastic elastomer foam as an outermost layer of the tubular particles. Each of the thermoplastic elastomer foam and the non-foamed polymer independently has a softening temperature determined according to DIN ISO 306. Moreover, the non-foamed polymer includes an additive that is responsive to non-heat energy to selectively heat the non-foamed polymer to its softening temperature prior to the thermoplastic elastomer foam reaching its softening temperature.

According to the present invention, there is provided a foam molded product of thermoplastic polyester elastomer resin which exhibits light weight and excellent rebound resilience. The foam molded product is characterized in that, the foam molded product has a foamed layer consisting of a resin phase and an isolated foamed cell.

According to the present invention, there is provided a foam molded product of thermoplastic polyester elastomer resin which exhibits light weight and excellent rebound resilience. The foam molded product is characterized in that, the foam molded product has a foamed layer consisting of a resin phase and an isolated foamed cell.

A method for producing a foamed particle molded article provided with a skin, includes: forming a hollow molded article; filling a hollow part of the hollow molded article with polypropylene-based resin foamed particles; and heating and fusing the particles to each other. A melt elongation at 190 C. of the polypropylene-based resin forming the hollow molded article is 100 m/min or more. A half-crystallization time at 100 C. of the polypropylene-based resin is between 25 to 80 seconds. In heat flux differential scanning calorimetry, a melting peak temperature of the polypropylene-based resin is between 130 to 155 C., a partial heat of fusion at 140 C. or more of the polypropylene-based resin is between 20 to 50 J/g, and a ratio of the partial heat of fusion of the polypropylene-based resin to the total (partial heat of fusion/total heat of fusion) is between 0.2 to 0.8.

Molded foam articles are provided. The molded foam articles have at least one surface having at least a portion that has been skin-formed for improving the thermal and mechanical properties of the molded foam articles without the need for material, density, or foam particle size changes.

Molded foam articles are provided. The molded foam articles have at least one surface having at least a portion that has been skin-formed for improving the thermal and mechanical properties of the molded foam articles without the need for material, density, or foam particle size changes.

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity.

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity.

The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.

The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.