A thermoplastic elastomer compound includes polyolefin elastomer, high softening point tackifier, and, optionally, styrenic block copolymer. When styrenic block copolymer is present, the weight ratio of polyolefin elastomer to styrenic block copolymer is no less than about 1:1. The polyolefin elastomer has a POE Tan Delta Peak Temperature, the styrenic block copolymer has a SBC Tan Delta Peak Temperature, and the thermoplastic elastomer compound has a Compound Tan Delta Peak Temperature. The Compound Tan Delta Peak Temperature is greater than the POE Tan Delta Peak Temperature. When styrenic block copolymer is present, Compound Tan Delta Peak Temperature is also greater than the SBC Tan Delta Peak Temperature. The thermoplastic elastomer compound exhibits useful damping properties at or above room temperature and can be formed into plastic articles, including foamed plastic articles and/or crosslinked plastic articles, which can be useful for a variety of damping applications.

A process for producing split crosslinked polyolefin sheets comprises producing a crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet having an opposing first surface region and second surface region, and an intermediate region disposed therebetween, wherein the intermediate region is configured to have a gel content lower than an average gel content of the first surface region and the second surface region, and an average cell size larger than an average cell size of the first surface region and the second surface region; and applying a splitting force to the crosslinked foam sheet such that a controlled tear propagation travels through the intermediate region until a first side of the crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet and a second side of the crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet are separated to produce two split polyolefin foam sheets. The split crosslinked polyolefin foam sheets may comprise a skin side comprising a closed cell surface, and a split side comprising an open cell surface having peak heights of about 150 μm to about 550 μm.

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).

A foam sheet includes a composition containing an aliphatic polyester resin, and the foam sheet has a surface roughness Sa (i.e. arithmetic average height) of 81 μm or higher.

Modified lignin products, processes for making them, and their use to produce rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams are disclosed. The processes comprise heating a lignin source with a nitrogen source and a starved concentration of a C.sub.1-C.sub.5 aldehyde to give a reaction mixture comprising a Mannich condensation product, neutralizing the reaction mixture, and isolating the modified lignin product. The process is performed at a mass ratio of lignin source to nitrogen source within the range of 1:1 to 1:5 and at a molar ratio of nitrogen source to C.sub.1-C.sub.5 aldehyde within the range of 3.5:1 to 1:1. Polyol blends and performance additives that contain the modified lignin products are described. Rigid foams that process well and incorporate up to 60 wt.%, based on the amount of polyol component, of the modified lignin contribute to excellent flame retardancy and low-temperature R-value performance.

To provide a collagen sponge excellent in mechanical strength and a production method for the collagen sponge. A collagen sponge including a porous construct having a pore structure, the collagen sponge having a tensile strength of 1 N or more and 5 N or less in every direction including a length direction and a width direction. The collagen sponge may be produced by a production method including the following steps: (1) a step of subjecting a collagen solution obtained by mixing collagen and a solvent to stirring and deaeration treatment; (2) a step of subjecting the collagen solution to freeze-dry treatment; and (3) a step of subjecting a dried collagen product after the freeze-dry treatment to insoluble treatment.

This document presents algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrates, and a method of making the same. The fiber may be a synthetic fiber, but can also be formed as a cellulosic (e.g., cotton). In various implementations, an algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrate can be made to have identical properties and characteristics of nylon-6 of nylon 6-6 polymer or the like, and yet contain antimicrobial, anti-viral, and/or flame retardant algal derived substances. Any of various species of red algae, brown algae, blue-green algae, and brown seaweed (marine microalgae and/or macroalgae) are known to contain a high level of sulfated polysaccharides with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame-retardant properties, and can be used as described herein. Additionally disclosed are algae-derived flexible foams, whether open-cell or closed-cell, with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame resistant properties. Further, a process of manufacturing is presented wherein the process may include one or more of the steps of: harvesting algae-biomass; sufficiently drying the algae biomass; blending the dried algae biomass with a carrier resin and various foaming ingredients; adding an algal-derived antimicrobial compound selected from various natural sulfated polysaccharides present in brown algae, red algae, and/or certain seaweeds (marine microalgae); and adding a sufficient quantity of dried algae biomass to the formulation to adequately create a fire resistant flexible foam material.

An ultra-light graphene-rubber foam particle for soles is prepared from, by weight, 60-65 parts of natural rubber, 8-12 parts of isoprene rubber, 8-12 parts of butadiene rubber, 6-8 parts of styrene butadiene rubber, 0.8-1.0 parts of modified graphene, 0.08-0.12 parts of poly(N-vinylacetamide), 0.8-1.0 parts of silicone oil, 3.0-3.5 parts of inorganic nano-particles, 1.2-1.5 parts of activated zinc oxide, 0.8-1.0 parts of zinc stearate, 1.0-1.2 parts of stearic acid, 0.8-1.0 parts of cross-linking agents, 2.0-3.0 parts of flow promotors, and 1.5-1.8 parts of foaming agents. According to the invention, the modified graphene is uniformly dispersed into the rubber materials, so that the ultra-light graphene-rubber foam particle has good thermal stability, wear resistance and tensile strength, the permanent compressive-deformation performance and thermal contraction resistance are improved, and the weight is reduced by over 50%.

There is provided a method of manufacturing an openly and highly porous thermoset foam, the method comprising the steps of mixing a thermosetting resin and crystals to form a mixture; applying pressure to the mixture to expel excess thermosetting resin, thereby producing a network of crystals touching each other with the thermosetting resin filling the interstices between the crystals of said network; curing the thermosetting resin in the mixture under pressure to produce a cured material; and contacting the cured material with a solvent for the crystals, thereby leaching the crystals out of the cured material, thereby obtaining said openly and highly porous thermoset foam. There is also provided a thermoset foam made of a thermoset and having a porosity of at least about 70%, wherein more than about 75% of the pores in the foam are connected to a neighboring pore.

This disclosure relates to a composite comprising (a) a rubber layer comprising a cured rubber and optionally a first copolymer having carboxyl groups or anhydride groups; and (b) a foam layer comprising a crosslinked ethylene vinyl acetate and optionally a second copolymer having carboxyl groups or glycidyl methacrylate groups; wherein the foam layer has at least one surface adhering to the rubber layer directly, and provided that either the first copolymer or the second copolymer is present, and the composite is free of glues or adhesive films in the interface between the rubber layer and the foam layer.