Low-density thermoplastic expandable microspheres are disclosed. Various low-density structures, in particular, sandwich panels, based on foam prepared from the low-density microspheres, are also disclosed. Process of preparing low-density polymeric microspheres, per se, and the corresponding low-density structures, based on the microsphere foam, are also disclosed.

Closed cell chitin foam is provided. The closed-cell chitin foam composition does not absorb water, is biodegradable, and is mechanically characterized by a density range of 16 to 800 kg/m3, closed-cell pore sizes ranging from 50 microns to 1 mm, an elastic modulus of 3 to 175 MPa, and a tensile strength of 0.15 to 6.5 MPa. The chitin is at least 70% acetylated. In one aspect, the foam is enclosed in a shell e.g. in the form of a surfboard. Chitin foam according to this invention is fully biodegradable. The chitin foam overcomes the current problems with foams that contain polyurethane and polystyrene, and which are manufactured from petroleum-based sources. Petroleum based foams are not renewable, have an adverse impact on our environment, and pose significant health hazards to those who manufacture them. The chitin foam with its water-based manufacturing process and naturally sourced chitin, solves these problems.

Polyol premixes and thermally insulating rigid polyurethane foams, such as those that can be used as a thermal insulation medium in the construction of refrigerated storage devices, are disclosed. A polymer polyol having a OH number of greater than 260 mg KOH/g is utilized. The resulting polyurethane foams can exhibit improved thermal insulation properties without sacrificing other important physical and processing properties.

In a polypropylene-based foamed molded body of the present invention, a density which is measured on the basis of ISO1183 is greater than or equal to 0.15 g/cm.sup.3 and less than or equal to 0.54 g/cm.sup.3, thermal resistance (R) at 30° C. in a thickness direction which is measured on the basis of ASTM E1530 is greater than or equal to 0.020 m.sup.2.Math.K/W and less than or equal to 0.125 m.sup.2.Math.K/W, thermal capacity per unit area (Q) at 30° C. is greater than or equal to 1.0 kJ/m.sup.2.Math.K and less than or equal to 2.5 kJ/m.sup.2.Math.K, and Expression 1 described below is satisfied.

Q>1/(4×R.sup.1/2)  (Expression 1)

Compositions for producing a rigid polyurethane foam are described, comprising at least one isocyanate component, a polyol component, optionally a catalyst which catalyzes the formation of a urethane or isocyanurate bond, wherein the composition has hydrocarbons having 3, 4 or 5 carbon atoms, hydrofluorocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins (HFO), hydrohaloolefins, oxygen-containing blowing agents and/or chlorohydrocarbons as blowing agent, and also comprises acrylate and/or methacrylate copolymers as foam stabilizers.

The present technology provides a method of manufacturing a rigid polyurethane foam having a low thermal conductivity from a foam composition comprising a polyol, an isocyanate, a polyurethane catalyst, a surfactant, water, a modified phenolic resin, optionally a physical blowing agent, and optionally a fire retardant.

The flame-retardant urethane resin composition contains a polyisocyanate compound, a polyol compound, a trimerization catalyst, a blowing agent, and an additive, wherein the additives include red phosphorus and a filler, and the filler has an aspect ratio of 5 to 50, an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or larger, but smaller than 15 μm, and a melting point of 750° C. or higher.

A process for producing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate construction board, the process comprising (i) providing an A-side reactant stream that includes an isocyanate-containing compound; (ii) providing a B-side reactant stream that includes a polyol, where the B-side reactant stream includes a blowing agent that includes a pentane and a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter (δ.sub.t) that is greater than 17 MPa.sup.−0.5; and (iii) mixing the A-side reactant stream with the B-side reactant stream to produce a reaction mixture.

The present invention relates to predominantly (>50 vol %) open-cell (to DIN ISO 4590-5 86), cold-deformable, rigid polyurethane foams which possess high acoustic absorption and a uniform cell structure and which are suitable for producing automotive interior trim, more particularly roof linings and pillar trim.

A reaction system, such as for forming a rigid polyurethane foam, includes a flame retardant polyol that is a brominated reaction product of a cardanol component, a bromine component, and an additive component. The cardanol component includes at least 80 wt % of cardanol, based on the total weight of the cardanol component, and the bromine component including at least 80 wt % of bromine, based on the total weight of the bromine component.