The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a glycerol-tricarboxylic acid polyester foam which comprises the steps of combining glycerol and a tri-carboxylic acid to provide a liquid reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a substrate under polymerization conditions, wherein the substrate has a top layer comprising one or more of metal, metal oxide, and metal halide. The invention also pertains to a glycerol-tricarboxylic polyester foam, in particular a glycerol-citric acid polyester foam, which has a closed cell foam structure wherein at least 90 vol. % of the foam, preferably at least 95% of the foam, is built up from cells having a diameter below 2 mm. The foamed polyester of the present invention is green, biodegradable, and non-toxic, and can be cleanly combusted. It finds application in, int. al., packaging materials, insulation materials, and materials with a short life cycle.

The invention relates to a process for production of expanded foam beads of one or more polyesters based on aliphatic or aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic diols, comprising the steps of: (a) melting the polyester and admixing the polyester with 1 to 3.5 wt %, based on the polyester, of a carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen blowing agent and also 0.1 to 2 wt % of a nucleating agent, and pressing the nucleated polyester melt, containing blowing agent, through a perforated disk controlled to a temperature between 150 C. and 185 C. and into a pelletizing chamber, (b) using a cutting device to comminute the polymer melt pressed through the perforated disk into individual expanding pellets, (c) discharging the pellets from the pelletizing chamber into a stream of water which is at a temperature of 5 to 90 C. and a pressure of 0.1 bar to 20 bar above ambient pressure.

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.

This invention relates to novel macromers prepared from amine based polyols, preformed stabilizers prepared from these macromers, and to polymer polyols prepared from the preformed stabilizers. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing these compositions.

This invention relates to novel macromers prepared from amine based polyols, preformed stabilizers prepared from these macromers, and to polymer polyols prepared from the preformed stabilizers. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing these compositions.

An article is comprised of a thermoset polymer having a dye sublimation image in a layer attached or integral to a surface of the thermoset polymer, wherein at least a portion of the thermoset polymer is a foam. The foam article may be made by pretreating a thermoset organic polymer foam to a temperature of 100? C. to about 250 ? C. for a time sufficient to stabilize the thermoset polymer and dye sublimating an image into a layer of the pretreated thermoset foam. The foam article having the dye sublimation image may be used for applications having aesthetic or structural requirements such as railing, decking or fences.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding, or injection molding followed by compression molding.

The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a glycerol-tricarboxylic acid polyester foam which comprises the steps of combining glycerol and a tri-carboxylic acid to provide a liquid reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a substrate under polymerization conditions, wherein the substrate has a top layer comprising one or more of metal, metal oxide, and metal halide. The invention also pertains to a glycerol-tricarboxylic polyester foam, in particular a glycerol-citric acid polyester foam, which has a closed cell foam structure wherein at least 90 vol. % of the foam, preferably at least 95% of the foam, is built up from cells having a diameter below 2 mm. The foamed polyester of the present invention is green, biodegradable, and non-toxic, and can be cleanly combusted. It finds application in, int. al., packaging materials, insulation materials, and materials with a short life cycle.

The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a glycerol-tricarboxylic acid polyester foam which comprises the steps of combining glycerol and a tri-carboxylic acid to provide a liquid reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a substrate under polymerization conditions, wherein the substrate has a top layer comprising one or more of metal, metal oxide, and metal halide. The invention also pertains to a glycerol-tricarboxylic polyester foam, in particular a glycerol-citric acid polyester foam, which has a closed cell foam structure wherein at least 90 vol. % of the foam, preferably at least 95% of the foam, is built up from cells having a diameter below 2 mm. The foamed polyester of the present invention is green, biodegradable, and non-toxic, and can be cleanly combusted. It finds application in, int. al., packaging materials, insulation materials, and materials with a short life cycle.