A process for producing a copolymer foam containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks, including the following steps: mixing the copolymer in the melt state with a blowing agent; foaming of the mixture of copolymer and blowing agent, wherein the blowing agent includes a mixture of dinitrogen and carbon dioxide. Also, a copolymer foam containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks which can be obtained by such a production process.

An expanded bead having a through hole and including a foamed core layer which defines the through hole therein and which is constituted of a resin composition containing two kinds of polypropylene-based resins having different melting points, and a cover layer covering the foamed core layer and constituted of a polyolefin-based resin. The expanded bead gives a DSC curve in which an endothermic peak intrinsic to the resin composition and another endothermic peak on a higher temperature side thereof appear in a specific heat of fusion ratio. Molded articles include a multiplicity of the expanded beads.

A variety of forms and foam components are provided, including foam components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment. The articles include a composition having a foam structure, wherein the composition includes a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer comprising: (a) a plurality of first segments, each first segment derived from a dihydroxy-terminated polydiol; (b) a plurality of second segments, each second segment derived from a diol; and (c) a plurality of third segments, each third segment derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including at least one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by extrusion or injection molding to foam the polymeric composition, or extrusion or injection molding to foam the polymeric composition followed by compression molding of the foam.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an extrusion foaming method for producing low-density extrusion foam from a thermoplastic cellulose-based starting material.

A phenolic resin foam has a density of 30 kg/m.sup.3 to 80 kg/m.sup.3, a closed cell ratio of 85% or more, and reaches a total amount of heat release of 8 MJ/m.sup.2 in a time of 20 minutes or more in a heat release test performed using a cone calorimeter.

A polyurethane, in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane, is obtainable or obtained by reacting at least a polyisocyanate composition and a polyol composition. The polyol composition contains at least one polyester diol or polyether diol, having a number-average molecular weight in the range from 500 to 3000 g/mol, and at least one polysiloxane having two terminal isocyanate-reactive functionalities selected from a thio group, a hydroxyl group, and an amino group. A process can be used for preparing this polyurethane, and a molded body containing the polyurethane is useful. Foam beads based on polyurethane can be obtained or obtainable from the polyurethane, and a process can be used for producing foam beads. Corresponding bead foams are useful.

Embodiments relate to a porous polyurethane polishing pad for use in a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process of semiconductors and a process for producing the same. In the porous polyurethane polishing pad, it is possible to control the size and distribution of pores, whereby the polishing performance (i.e., polishing rate) of the polishing pad can be adjusted, by way of employing thermally expanded microcapsules as a solid phase foaming agent and an inert gas as a gas phase foaming agent.

A novel method for producing an olefinic resin porous material with no skin layer is provided. The method for producing an olefinic resin porous material disclosed herein includes the steps of preparing a single phase in which an olefinic resin, a hydrocarbon compound, and a polar compound are mixed one another, in a pressure-resistant container, introducing high pressure carbon dioxide into the pressure-resistant container, and releasing the pressure in the pressure-resistant container. The polar compound has a hydroxy group or a carbonyl group. Introducing the high pressure carbon dioxide is carried out such that the pressure in the pressure-resistant container reaches 6 MPa or higher.

A bio-resin composition, a bio-resin composite, and a bio-foam material are provided. The bio-resin composition includes a polymer matrix, a toughener, and an antistatic agent. The weight ratio of the polymer matrix to the toughener is between 90:10 and 60:40. Based on the total weight of the polymer matrix and the toughener, the content of the antistatic agent is between 1% and 10%.

A device for preparing a liquid polymer blend is proposed having a storage container for the liquid polymer blend; a degassing device, which is arranged downstream of the storage container, for the liquid polymer; a gassing device, which is arranged downstream of the degassing device, for adding an additive gas to the liquid polymer blend; a homogenization unit, which is arranged downstream of the gassing device, for the polymer blend to which the additive gas was added; and an output line, which is connected to the homogenization unit, for the homogenized polymer blend.