Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Flexible polyurethane foams are made by reacting a polyether mixture and water with a polyisocyanate. The foams have excellent suite of properties for use in seating applications, as they are supporting, comfortable and resilient foam. A further advantage is these properties can be obtained at isocyanate indices of close to or even greater than 100.

Flexible polyurethane foams are made by reacting a polyether mixture and water with a polyisocyanate. The foams have excellent suite of properties for use in seating applications, as they are supporting, comfortable and resilient foam. A further advantage is these properties can be obtained at isocyanate indices of close to or even greater than 100.

Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated macromers produced using a residue of an isocyanate manufacturing process. Also disclosed are preformed stabilizers produced using such macromers, polymer polyols produced using such preformed stabilizers, foam-forming compositions produced using such polymer polyols, and foam produced using such compositions.

Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated macromers produced using a residue of an isocyanate manufacturing process. Also disclosed are preformed stabilizers produced using such macromers, polymer polyols produced using such preformed stabilizers, foam-forming compositions produced using such polymer polyols, and foam produced using such compositions.

Vibration damping and sound absorbing foam formed of foam and fine particles present inside the foam so as to form bell-like structures in the foam is produced by performing the following steps [I] to [III] in the stated order. [I] Producing fine particles each having a surface coated with a coating material capable of being dissolved in at least one liquid selected from water and a solvent. [II] Mixing the coated fine particles into a material for foam, and producing foam from the mixture. [III] Immersing the foam in at least one liquid selected from water and a solvent to remove the coating of each of the fine particles in the foam by dissolution in the liquid.

Vibration damping and sound absorbing foam formed of foam and fine particles present inside the foam so as to form bell-like structures in the foam is produced by performing the following steps [I] to [III] in the stated order. [I] Producing fine particles each having a surface coated with a coating material capable of being dissolved in at least one liquid selected from water and a solvent. [II] Mixing the coated fine particles into a material for foam, and producing foam from the mixture. [III] Immersing the foam in at least one liquid selected from water and a solvent to remove the coating of each of the fine particles in the foam by dissolution in the liquid.