A thermally expandable composition that comprises at least one organic compound having at least one cyclic carbonate group as a blowing agent, at least one catalyst for the blowing agent, at least one reactive binder and at least one hardener and/or accelerator. Also provided are molded bodies containing the composition, and a method for sealing and filling hollow spaces in components, in order to strengthen or stiffen components, in particular hollow components, and for adhering movable components through use of molded bodies of this type, as well as to the use of corresponding cyclic organic carbonates as a blowing agent in thermally expandable compositions.

The invention relates to a method in which a polyester melt containing one or more polyesters is produced, the polyester melt being foamed by a blowing agent and a foamed granulate is produced from the foamed polyester melt. The intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the polyester melt is reduced by the blowing agent about at least 0.05 dl/g, measured according to ASTM D4603, and the IV of the foamed granulate is then increased by means of a solid phase polycondensation (SSP).

Thermoplastic polymers, for example fluoropolymers, are foamed by use of a solid formulation comprising thermoplastic polymer and manganese oxalate.

Foamed reactor made thermoplastic polyolefins (rTPOs), and articles made therefrom, are described. The compositions have an rTPO combined with a foaming agent. The foaming agent can be a physical blowing agent and/or a chemical foaming agent, and may include optional nucleating agents. Some compositions utilize a masterbatch having one or more chemical foaming agents to foam the rTPOs. The rTPOs have a large melt flow rate range and flexural modulus range that translate into a broad scope of potential applications and foamed architecture. This allows the combination of rTPOs and foaming agents to be fine-tuned for selected foaming application.

The invention relates to low density fluoropolymer foam, and preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foam, such as that made with KYNAR PVDF resins, and articles made of the foam. The foam is produced by adding microspheres containing blowing agents to the polymer and processing it through an extruder. The microspheres consist of a hard shell containing a physical blowing agent. The shell softens at elevated temperatures and allows the expansion of the blowing agent, and microsphere to create larger voids within the polymer matrix. By proper control of the polymer composition, viscosity, processing temperature, blowing agent selection, loading ratio, and finishing conditions, useful articles such as foamed PVDF pipe, tube, profiles, film, wire jacketing and other articles can be produced. The microspheres may be added to the fluoropolymer matrix by several means, including as part of a masterbatch with a compatible polymer carrier.

The invention relates to a foam material (FP) comprising a polymer composition (C) comprising at least a polyphenylene sulfide polymer (PPS) and at least one functionalized elastomer (E). The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of said foam material and to an article (A) including said foam material (FP), for example a composite material.

A masterbatch (C) containing thermally expandable microcapsules (A) and a carrier resin composition (B) is provided. The carrier resin composition (B) contains a carrier resin (B1) and a plasticizer (B2), the carrier resin (B1) being an acrylic resin having a weight average molecular weight of 8,000 or more and 350,000 or less, and the plasticizer (B2) being an acrylic plasticizer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or more and 20,000 or less. The carrier resin composition (B) is substantially compatible with a polycarbonate resin and has a shear viscosity of 1.0 Pa.Math.s or more and 1.510.sup.6 Pa.Math.s or less at 80 C. The occurrence of whitening is suppressed and a good appearance can be obtained in an injection molded foam made with the masterbatch. A polycarbonate resin composition, an injection molded foam, and a method for producing an injection molded foam are provided.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a foam molded body that can make a shape of bubbles close to a perfect circle. According to the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a foam molded body, including a step of forming a foam parison from a melt-kneaded resin obtained by melting and kneading a raw material resin and a foaming gas in a cylinder of an extruder and molding the foam parison to obtain the foam molded body, wherein the foaming gas contains 0.1 to 1.0% of argon, is provided.

A resin composition containing heat-expandable microspheres including a thermoplastic resin shell and a thermally vaporizable blowing agent encapsulated therein and at least one base resin selected from rubbers, olefin resins and thermoplastic elastomers. The thermoplastic resin is a polymer of a polymerizable component containing N-substituted maleimide and a nitrile monomer containing methacrylonitrile. Also disclosed are molded articles manufactured by molding the resin composition.

The invention relates to an acrylic formulation having an acrylic matrix and 1-20 percent by weight of a very high molecular weight acrylic processing aid, with a weight average molecular weight of greater than 5,000,000 Daltons. The formulation has a high melt strength, yet is processable under typical melt processing conditions. The formulation is useful for melt-processed products, including extruded products such as extruded sheet, foam, co-extruded profiles, blown films, and other objects typically formed by a heat processing operation. Useful acrylic matrices include Plexiglas and Solarkote resins from Arkema Inc.