Provided in one embodiment is a cured absorbent composite comprising: liquid resistant layer of elastomer; and a layer affixed to the liquid resistant layer comprising an open foam of elastomer, wherein the moisture absorption capacity of the foam layer, normalized by the thickness of the absorptive layer, is 1.5 times that of Ansell's foam lined Household glove.

Provided is a method for producing a low specific gravity molded foam using a propylene-based polymer. The method includes: providing a foamable composition including a mixture of a propylene-based polymer and thermally expandable microspheres; introducing the foamable composition into a mold for producing a molded foam; raising the temperature of the foamable composition to at least the expansion start temperature (T.sub.start) of the thermally expandable microspheres to expand the foamable composition in the mold; forming a molded foam in a state in which the foamable composition is expanded to fill the mold; and releasing the molded foam from the mold.

Aspects hereof provide methods for molding a single-phase solution comprised of a polymer composition and a gas. The polymer composition and the gas are maintained under pressure during the molding operation to prevent a cellular structure from being formed by the dissolved gas in the polymer composition coming out of solution. The mold cavity in which the single-phase solution is introduced for molding purposes is pressurized to a mold pressure that is sufficient to maintain the single-phase solution as a single-phase solution as the mold cavity is filled. Subsequent to filling the mold cavity with the single-phase solution under pressure, the resulting article may be exposed to a reduction in pressure causing the entrapped gas to form a cellular structure.

An ink is used for forming a photothermal conversion layer used for causing expansion of at least a portion of a thermal expansion layer of a thermally-expandable sheet. The ink includes an inorganic infrared absorbing agent having a higher absorptivity in at least one region of an infrared light spectrum than in a visible light spectrum. A base of the ink is white.

Aspects hereof provide methods for molding a single-phase solution comprised of a polymer composition and a gas. The polymer composition and the gas are maintained under pressure during the molding operation to prevent a cellular structure from being formed by the dissolved gas in the polymer composition coming out of solution. The mold cavity in which the single-phase solution is introduced for molding purposes is pressurized to a mold pressure that is sufficient to maintain the single-phase solution as a single-phase solution as the mold cavity is filled. Subsequent to filling the mold cavity with the single-phase solution under pressure, the resulting article may solidify entrapping the compressed gas, or the article may be exposed to a reduction in pressure causing the entrapped gas to form a cellular structure.

Provided are a space filling material and a space filling structure capable of filling a predetermined space for various purposes, and method for using those. A space filling material (11) includes reinforcing fibers as an expansion material and a resin. The reinforcing fibers form a plurality of intersections and are bonded with the resin at at least one of the intersections. Heating of the space filling material causes an expansion stress in at least a thickness direction (X) such that the space filling material fills a predetermined space (13). For example, the space filling material may contain the resin at a volume ratio of 15 to 95 vol % based on a total volume of the reinforcing fibers and the resin.

Provided in one embodiment is a cured absorbent composite comprising: liquid resistant layer of elastomer; and a layer affixed to the liquid resistant layer comprising an open foam of elastomer, wherein the moisture absorption capacity of the foam layer, normalized by the thickness of the absorptive layer, is 1.5 times that of Ansell's foam lined Household glove.

Provided in one embodiment is a cured absorbent composite comprising: liquid resistant layer of elastomer; and a layer affixed to the liquid resistant layer comprising an open foam of elastomer, wherein the moisture absorption capacity of the foam layer, normalized by the thickness of the absorptive layer, is 1.5 times that of Ansell's foam lined Household glove.

The invention relates to a method for producing a foam-backed molded component, the method comprising the following steps: a) introducing a cover material in a mold (100), the mold (100) having a negative-profiled surface (310); and b) generating and maintaining a vacuum and/or negative pressure on the side of the cover material facing the mold (100); and c) pouring a foam material in the mold (100); and d) closing the mold (100); and e) molding the foam material; and f) opening the mold (100) and removing a foam-backed molded component, the foam-backed molded component having a profiled surface.

A method for producing a skin-covered foamed molded article includes blow molding a parison into a skin and heating expanded polystyrene beads filled in a hollow space of the skin to form a foam layer fuse-bonded to the skin, polystyrene resin composition having specific Charpy impact strength, MFR and branching degree. The skin of the skin-covered foamed molded article is formed of the specific polystyrene resin composition.