A coated insulation product formed with a low GWP blowing agent composition is disclosed that is capable of achieving a 180-day R/in insulation value of at least 5. The coated insulation product includes a foam product formed from a foamable composition comprising: a matrix composition; and a blowing agent composition a blowing agent composition comprising 15 wt. % to 60 wt. % of a fluorinated alkene and 40 wt. % to 85 wt. % of a co-blowing agent. The foam product is coated with 3 g/m.sup.2 and 225 g/m.sup.2 of a barrier coating composition on at least one surface.

A coated insulation product formed with a low GWP blowing agent composition is disclosed that is capable of achieving a 180-day R/in insulation value of at least 5. The coated insulation product includes a foam product formed from a foamable composition comprising: a matrix composition; and a blowing agent composition a blowing agent composition comprising 15 wt. % to 60 wt. % of a fluorinated alkene and 40 wt. % to 85 wt. % of a co-blowing agent. The foam product is coated with 3 g/m.sup.2 and 225 g/m.sup.2 of a barrier coating composition on at least one surface.

The present invention provides a continuous process for solid-state expansion of a biopolymer, e.g., polylactic acid, which can be used to manufacture reduced-density thermoplastic materials with improved physical and thermal properties. By incorporating multiple stages of heating into the process as a means to regulate heat flux, unprecedented control of microstructure and crystallinity can be achieved. Thermoplastic sheets with the distinct cellular characteristics implied by the process disclosed herein were found to be thicker and stronger than materials prepared by conventional processes. Thermoforming sheets with such characteristics enabled the production of light-weight thermally-stable, compostable products that resist warping, and are thus suitable for a range of industrial applications.

Physical foaming a footwear component with a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid is provided. The method include temperature conditioning a mold and then engaging the mold with a robot that conveys the mold to a press. At the press a gas counter pressure is applied to a cavity of the mold before injecting a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid into the cavity of the mold. The process continues with releasing the gas counter pressure from the cavity of the mold and then removing the footwear component from the cavity of the mold. The parameters of the method are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

The present invention relates to a method of making a foamed cellulosic fiber-thermoplastic composite article. The method includes the steps of providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamable article in a molding or extruding operation. The method is characterized in that at least 10% of the cellulosic fibers have been thermally modified prior to being combined with the copolymer composition.

The present invention relates to a method of making a foamed cellulosic fiber-thermoplastic composite article. The method includes the steps of providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamable article in a molding or extruding operation. The method is characterized in that at least 10% of the cellulosic fibers have been thermally modified prior to being combined with the copolymer composition.

A method of forming a skin-foam-substrate type structure particular suitable as an automobile trim component. The method comprises supplying a polymer resin containing a chemical foaming agent and including metal particles capable of inductive heating, that is positioned between a polymeric skin and substrate, followed by inductive heating to cause foaming of the polymeric resin. The foamed polymer resin adheres to the skin and substrate.

A buffer material including a skinned polyurethane foam including a foam layer and a skin layer formed on the surface of the foam layer, wherein the skinned polyurethane foam essentially contains no silicone compound, the foam layer is polyurethane foam, the skin layer is a polyurethane resin layer produced by reaction of a skin-isocyanate component containing an aliphatic and/or an alicyclic polyisocyanate with a skin-active hydrogen group-containing component, the skin layer has a storage modulus at 23 C. (E.sub.coat) of 110.sup.7 Pa or more and 310.sup.8 Pa or less, the foam layer has a storage modulus at 23 C. (E.sub.foam) of 110.sup.5 Pa or more and 510.sup.6 Pa or less, and the ratio (E.sub.coat/E.sub.foam) of the storage modulus at 23 C. (E.sub.coat) of the skin layer relative to the storage modulus at 23 C. (E.sub.foam) of the foam layer is 10 or more and 500 or less.

This invention relates to compositions comprising 1,2-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethylene (i.e., CFO-1112) and an additional component. The compositions described herein may be useful, for example, in foam blowing applications.