High-temperature foams are produced and used in the construction of aeroplanes, ships and rail and other vehicles. In particular, the foams are further processed into sandwich materials by joining with two outer layers. To this end, a novel process is used for producing high-temperature foams (HT foams) which are particularly suitable for producing such sandwich components for lightweight construction. This process achieves an improvement in the processability of the HT foams produced and a weight reduction of the sandwich materials. The HT foams are furthermore rigid particle foams which are markedly more economic to produce than rigid block foams. In particular, a reduction is brought about in resin absorption in fibre composite processes through a process-related optimization of the surface constitution.

The invention disclosed herein is an automotive acoustic panel including a porous sound-absorption material made from a polymer and an expanded perlite. One or more silane compounds may be coupled or coated onto the expanded perlite while a coupling agent and a chemical foaming agent may additionally be added to the automotive acoustic panel.

A solid state foaming process for generating a microcellular foam sheet for use in forming a container is provided includes a pre-foaming treatment phase prior to a solid state impregnation and foaming phase. The solid state microcellular foam sheet includes a central foamed section defining a foam layer within the microcellular foam sheet having a first population of cells within which are interspersed a second population of cells.

A solid state foaming process for generating a microcellular foam sheet for use in forming a container is provided includes a pre-foaming treatment phase prior to a solid state impregnation and foaming phase. The solid state microcellular foam sheet includes a central foamed section defining a foam layer within the microcellular foam sheet having a first population of cells within which are interspersed a second population of cells.

A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.

A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.

A solid state foamed microcellular foam sheet for use in forming a container is provided. The solid state foamed microcellular foam sheet includes a central foamed section defining a foam layer within the microcellular foam sheet having a first population of cells within which are interspersed a second population of cells.