Compositions are provided including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic nitrogen-containing matrix material and composite particles distributed in the matrix material. The composite particles each include a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are foam compositions and particles including the foam compositions, such as a sheet or multilayer construction. Composite particles are further provided. Methods of making the foam compositions are additionally described herein. Also, polishing pads, polishing systems, and methods of polishing a substrate are provided.

A water-oil separation device uses a difference in density between water and oil. The water-oil separation device can easily and quickly separate oil by using a polymer film floating at interface between water and oil. The water-oil separation device easily and quickly collects oil of various viscosities with a simple structure by using differences in density between materials without using a conventional lyophilic/lyophobic film, thus solving the drawbacks of conventional filter-based and adsorption-based methods, and enabling quick and effective responses to actual oil spill situations.

A method of forming a skin-foam-substrate type structure particular suitable as an automobile trim component. The method comprises supplying a polymer resin containing a chemical foaming agent and including metal particles capable of inductive heating, that is positioned between a polymeric skin and substrate, followed by inductive heating to cause foaming of the polymeric resin. The foamed polymer resin adheres to the skin and substrate.

A method may include reprocessing a polymer composition comprising a crosslinked polymeric composition, wherein the crosslinked polymeric composition comprises a matrix polymer having a polar polymer internal phase that is selectively crosslinked with a crosslinking agent, wherein the reprocessed polymer composition retains an environmental stress cracking resistance within 60% of the value for the initial polymer composition when measured according to ASTM D-1693 procedure B and wherein the reprocessed polymer composition presents a Normalized Property Balance Index (N.sub.PBI) greater than about 1.0.

The present invention relates to a novel method for conferring to thermoplastic, thermostable polymers or elastomers, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrical, X-ray shielding or density properties that allow the detection of said polymers by means of specific equipment that exists in the prior art. The detection of the thermoplastic polymers, thermostable polymers or elastomers in turn facilitates their location, removal or separation. The method is based on the addition of specific iron and silicon alloys with or without surface treatment.

Aqueous binder compositions for binding fibers comprise a vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer of 60 to 94% by weight vinyl acetate, 5 to 30% by weight ethylene and 0 to 20% by weight of further ethylenically unsaturated comonomers copolymerizable therewith, polymerized in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol in aqueous medium, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a copolymer B) containing 20 to 50% by weight of monomer units derived from ethylenically unsaturated carboxamides, 20 to 50% by weight of monomer units derived from ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, and 20 to 50% by weight of monomer units derived from ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides thereof.

An object of the present invention is to develop and provide a fiber-reinforced composite material having a bagworm silk thread(s) as a reinforcing fiber and being isotropic in terms of elastic modulus and strength. A fiber-reinforced composite material having nonwoven fabric(s) including bagworm silk thread as a reinforcing fiber is also provided.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. 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. 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.

A polymer composition may include an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer at an amount ranging from 10 to 90 phr; an elastomeric EVA composition at an amount ranging from 10 to 90 phr; a plasticizer at an amount ranging from 5 to 40 phr; a blowing agent in an amount ranging from 2 to 10 phr; and a peroxide in an amount ranging from 0.3 to 4 phr.

A composition is described comprising semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; polyvinyl acetate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25° C.; plasticizer; and optionally amorphous polylactic acid polymer. In another embodiment the composition further comprises nucleating agent. Also described are films comprising the composition as well as articles, such as a tape or sheet, comprising the film described herein and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the film.