Monomodal foamed polymeric compositions containing clay nucleating agents are described. The clays are preferably sepiolite, palygorskite/attapulgite, or combinations thereof. Also described are processes for forming the foamed compositions.

Fine-cell PMMA foams are produced using a production process including nucleators in addition to suitable blowing agents. It was found that, surprisingly, a simple-to-produce stable PMMA foam having very fine cells and very good properties can be produced.

The present invention relates to novel types of PMMA foams and also to the production thereof. The recipes used in the production process include particularly crosslinkers and chain transfer agents as recipe constituents, mostly in low concentrations, in addition to suitable blowing agents. It was found that, surprisingly, the invention provides a simple-to-produce stable PMMA foam having very good properties.

A sponge-formable silicone rubber composition of the present invention comprises (A) a polyorganosiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups per molecule, (B) a polyorganosiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, (C) water, (D) a thickening agent, (E) an emulsifier, (F) a halogen-containing ion conductor of an alkali metal, and (G) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst. The sponge-formable silicone rubber composition can form a silicone rubber sponge having uniform and fine bubbles and having small distortion due to contraction after secondary vulcanization.

The present invention provides a foamable resin composition excellent in terms of the dispersibility and moldability. The foamable resin composition containing: from 30 to 80 wt % of a polyolefin; from 3 to 40 wt % of a polylactic acid; from 1 to 20 wt % of a modified polyolefin containing a carbonyl group in a molecule; from 10 to 40 wt % of a layered silicate; and from 0.01 to 0.5 wt % of a filler, the polyolefin containing at least one of polypropylene and polyethylene, the filler having a density different from the density of the layered silicate by at least 0.20 g/cm.sup.3.

A sponge-formable silicone rubber composition comprises: (A) a polyorganosiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups per molecule, (B) a polyorganosiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, (C) water, (D) cellulose nanofibers, (E) an emulsifier, and (F) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst. The sponge-formable silicone rubber composition can form a silicone rubber sponge having uniform and fine bubbles and that does not readily contaminate a mold.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a geopolymer composite. It further relates to a geopolymer composite, and the use of a geopolymer, a geopolymer in combination with an athermanous additive, or the geopolymer composite in expanded vinyl polymer, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate, and expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate. Finally, the present invention relates to expanded vinyl foam, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer, and to a masterbatch comprising vinyl polymer and a), b), or c).

A foamable polymeric mixture is provided that includes a polymer composition and at least one blowing agent. The blowing agent may comprise any blowing agents known not to deplete the ozone or increase the prevalence of global warming, such as CO.sub.2, HFO, HFC and mixtures thereof. The foamable polymeric mixture may further includes at least one processing aid comprising an organic phase changing material. The inventive foamable mixture is capable of processing at a pressure range of 800 to 1200 psi (5.5 to 8.3 MPa).

Monomodal foamed polymeric compositions containing clay nucleating agents are described. The clays are preferably sepiolite, palygorskite/attapulgite, or combinations thereof. Also described are processes for forming the foamed compositions.

A process for the production of a geopolymer composite. The disclosure further relates to a geopolymer composite, and the use of a geopolymer, a geopolymer in combination with an athermanous additive, or the geopolymer composite in expanded vinyl polymer, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate, and expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate. Finally, the disclosure relates to expanded vinyl foam, preferably vinyl aromatic polymer, and to a masterbatch comprising vinyl polymer and a), b), or c).