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

A polyolefin composition is foamed by a process in which a nucleator is used, and the nucleator comprises 80% or more of unagglomerated fluororesin particles and/or agglomerates of fluororesin particles in which both the unagglomerated particles and the agglomerates are less than 1 m in size.

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.

Foamed propylene-based reactor made polyolefins, and articles made therefrom, are described. The compositions have a resin that is a reactor made propylene based random copolymer or terpolymer with high comonomer content, combined with a foaming agent. The foaming agent can be at least one physical blowing agent or at least one chemical foaming agent, and may include optional nucleating agents. Reactor made copolymers and terpolymers have a large range of high comonomer content and therefore have physical properties such as increased flexibility, high gloss, lower sealing temperature, and improved compatibility with other polyolefins. These properties translate into a broad scope of potential applications and foamed architecture. This allows the combination of the copolymer or terpolymer, and foaming agents to be fine-tuned for selected foaming application.

A polymer-based foam composition includes an ethylene-based polymer matrix, graphene particles dispersed in the matrix, at least one crosslinking agent, at least one blowing agent, and optionally, kickers, crosslinking co-agents, plasticizers or combinations thereof. The polymer-based foam composition is particularly useful for applications that require lightweight and sound insulation properties.

A molded body, comprising a foamed portion in which a skin layer A, a foamed layer and a skin layer B are disposed in this order in a thickness direction, wherein in the foamed portion, the foamed layer has a ratio of thickness, with respect to a total thickness of the skin layer A, the foamed layer and the skin layer B, of from 73% to 88%.

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.

The present disclosure relates to thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) compositions and foaming agent masterbatches suitable for foaming, as well as foamed TPV compositions, methods of making the foregoing, and applications of various foamed TPV compositions. In particular, the present disclosure provides foaming agent masterbatches having unconventionally lower loading of foaming agent in carrier polymer. The carrier polymer may advantageously comprise or be a plastomer and/or propylene-based elastomer that is also suitable for inclusion in the TPV composition, and foaming the TPV composition may include the use of relatively greater amounts of foaming agent masterbatch. The use of greater amounts of foaming agent masterbatch with lower loading may allow for superior distribution of the foaming agent in the TPV composition during foaming, leading to greater uniformity of extent of foaming (e.g., as may be shown through greater uniformity of specific gravity in the foamed TPV composition).

Process for producing a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising expanded microballoons, wherein the constituents for forming the adhesive are mixed in a first mixing assembly, the mixed adhesive is transferred into a second mixing assembly into which, at the same time, unexpanded microballoons are fed, the microballoons are expanded in the second mixing assembly or on exit from the second mixing assembly, the adhesive mixture with the expanded microballoons is shaped to a layer in a shaping assembly in which expanded microballoons which have broken through the surface are pressed into the layer surface and the layer of adhesive mixture together with the expanded microballoons are optionally applied to a weblike backing material.

Provided is a rubber composition for tire treads containing a diene rubber, from 1 to 20 parts by weight of a silica containing millable silicone rubber compound, and from 0.2 to 20 parts by weight of thermally expandable microcapsules, per 100 parts by weight of the diene rubber. A rubber hardness of the millable silicone rubber compound is from 10 to 50.