Polymer composite materials and methods of preparation are discussed. The composite material may comprise a polyurethane foam and a plurality of inorganic particles dispersed in the polyurethane foam. The composite material may have moisture movement properties, such that (a) a sample of the composite material having a length of 48 inches has a moisture movement of less than 0.15% along the length, and/or (b) a sample having a length of 6 inches has a moisture movement of less than 0.8% along the length, when submerged in 45° C. distilled water for 14 days.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a coating or layer on a substrate, in which process a mixture comprising one or more polyurethane dispersions, one or more flame retardants, which can be halogen-based or halogen-free, one or more foam stabilizers and optionally one or more crosslinkers is mechanically foamed and then applied on a substrate as a foam, optionally followed by adding flocking fibres, and subsequently dried, wherein the foam has flame retardant properties and remains present as a stable pressure resistant dried foam.

A crosslinkable and foamable composition is provided, which comprises a hydrogenated styrenic diblock copolymer, a free radical initiator and a foaming agent, wherein the hydrogenated styrenic diblock copolymer comprises: a first block comprising a conjugated diene monomer unit; and a second block comprising a styrene unit, wherein the hydrogenated styrenic diblock copolymer comprises 10 to 60 wt % of the styrene unit, 50 mol % or more of the conjugated diene monomer unit is hydrogenated, and the hydrogenated styrenic diblock copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 30000 to 200000. In addition, a foam obtained by crosslinking and foaming the aforesaid crosslinkable and foamable composition is also provided.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous scaffold for tissue engineering. It is another object of the present invention to provide a porous scaffold obtainable by the method as above described, and its use for tissue engineering, cell culture and cell delivery. The method of the invention comprises the steps consisting of: a) preparing an alkaline aqueous solution comprising an amount of at least one polysaccharide, an amount of a cross-linking agent and an amount of a porogen agent b) transforming the solution into a hydrogel by placing said solution at a temperature from about 4° C. to about 80° C. for a sufficient time to allow the cross-linking of said amount of polysaccharide and c) submerging said hydrogel into an aqueous solution d) washing the porous scaffold obtained at step c).

A cross-linked polyolefin resin foam of the present invention has a total light transmittance and a thickness that satisfy a predetermined condition, and has a reflection color difference Δ* of −10 to 16, a reflection color difference Δa* of −3 to 3, and a reflection color difference ΔL* of 50 or more. According to the present invention, there can be provided a cross-linked polyolefin resin foam that can suppress a change in color tone of transmitted light while ensuring transparency, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, layered product, formed product, and display member that include such a cross-linked polyolefin resin foam.

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition capable of allowing for production of a crosslinked foamed product suitable for applications of footwear parts such as soles and excellent in properties such as lightweight properties, heat shrinkability, compression set and mechanical strength in a well-balanced manner, a foamed product using the composition and a footwear part using the same. An ethylene copolymer composition including an ethylene copolymer (A) satisfying all the following requirements (A-a), (A-b), (A-c) and (A-d), ethylene/α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms/non-conjugated polyene copolymer rubber (B), and, if necessary, an ethylene/polar monomer copolymer (C); (A-a) a vinyl group content per 1,000 carbon atoms is 0.025 to 0.3, (A-b) MFR.sub.10/MFR.sub.2.16 is 7 to 20, (A-c) a density is 0.850 to 0.910 g/cm.sup.3, and (A-d) a melt flow rate is 0.01 to 200 g/10 min.

The present application relates to a thermally expandable composition containing at least one peroxide cross-linking polymer, at least one peroxide and at least one endothermic, chemical blowing agent, the blowing agent comprising at least one solid, optionally functionalized, polycarboxylic acid or the salt thereof and at least one urea derivative according to the formula (I) as defined herein; as well as shaped bodies containing the composition and to a method for sealing and filling voids in components, for strengthening or reinforcing components, in particular hollow components, and for bonding mobile components using shaped bodies of this type.

Embodiments of the present invention encompass methods of forming a foamed polyolefin and articles and materials of the foamed polyolefin. The foamed materials and articles may be used in applications requiring thermal insulation.

The present invention relates to a super absorbent polymer. The super absorbent polymer exhibits excellent initial absorption capacity, and thus can provide a sanitary material such as a diaper or a sanitary napkin which can quickly absorb body fluids and impart a dry and soft touch feeling.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.