The invention provides polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams and methods for the preparation thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to open-celled, polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams and methods for their preparation. The foams are characterized by a fine uniform cell structure and little or no foam collapse. The foams are produced with a polyol premix composition which comprises a combination of a hydrohaloolefin blowing agent, a polyol, a silicone surfactant, and a sterically hindered amine catalyst.

A composition for forming a foamed silicone elastomer is disclosed. The composition comprises: A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule; B) an organohydrogensiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule; C) a hydrosilylation catalyst; D) a chemical blowing agent; and E) a physical blowing agent. The hydrosilylation catalyst C) is present in a catalytically effective amount. The chemical blowing agent D) has at least one hydroxyl (OH) group, and is present in an amount to provide a OH content >0 and <500 parts per million (ppm). The physical blowing agent E) undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a gaseous state during exposure to atmospheric pressure and a temperature ≥0° C. The blowing agents D) and E) are different from one another. A foamed silicone elastomer, and methods of forming the composition and foamed silicone elastomer are also disclosed.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

Polymer foams based on polyethersulfone (PESU) fulfil the legal specifications demanded by the aviation industry for aircraft interiors. Specifically the demands on fire characteristics, stability to media and mechanical properties constitute a great challenge here. According to the related art, suitable polymer foams are produced as semifinished products. Reprocessing to give shaped articles is uneconomic in terms of time and material exploitation, for example by virtue of large amounts of cutting waste. The problem is solved by the material which is suitable in principle can be processed to give particle foam mouldings. These mouldings can be produced without reprocessing in short cycle times and hence economically. Furthermore, this gives rise to new means of functional integration, for example by direct incorporation of inserts etc. in the foam, and with regard to freedom in terms of design.

A composition for an expandable sealant including at least one polymeric material selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylenes (LDPE), linear low density polyethylenes (LLPDE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene methacrylate (EMA), and ethylene-butyl acrylate (EnBA); and a chemical blowing agent, wherein the composition is substantially free of a cross-linking agent.

A composition is used for producing novel types of foam in that they combine specifically good flame-retardant properties with a good elongation at break. These novel types of foam are produced from a blend of polyether sulphone (PES) and polyphenylene sulphone (PPSU).

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

A polymer that is capable of affording a heat storage material superior in humidity permeability and shape retention after phase transition and that is superior in molding processability is provided. The polymer includes constitutional units (A) derived from ethylene, constitutional units (B) represented by a specified formula, and optionally includes constitutional units (C) represented by another specified formula. Where the total number of the units (A), the units (B), and the units (C) is 100%, the number of the units (A) accounts for 70% to 99%, the total number of the units (B) and the units (C) accounts for 1% by weight to 30% by weight. Where the total number of the units (B) and the units (C) is 100%, the number of the units (B) accounts for 1% to 100% and the number of the units (C) accounts for 0% to 99%.

A flexible material for thermal and acoustical insulation comprising an expanded polymer (blend) based on at least one elastomer, wherein expansion is achieved by decomposition of a mixture of at least two chemical blowing agents, comprising the exothermic chemical blowing agent 4,4-Oxybis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazide) (OBSH) and at least one endothermic blowing agent.