The present invention relates to a thermally expandable composition comprising at least one peroxidically crosslinking polymer which does not contain glycidyl (meth) acrylate as a monomer in copolymerized form; at least one polymer, which is polymerized with glycidyl (meth) acrylate as a monomer present in a proportion of from 2 to 20% by weight, based on the respective polymer; at least one peroxide; and at least one endothermic chemical propellant, moldings containing this composition, and a method for sealing and filling cavities in components, for reinforcing or stiffening components, in particular hollow components, and for bonding movable components using such molded bodies.

The invention relates to a method in which a polyester melt containing one or more polyesters is produced, the polyester melt being foamed by a blowing agent and a foamed granulate is produced from the foamed polyester melt. The intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the polyester melt is reduced by the blowing agent about at least 0.05 dl/g, measured according to ASTM D4603, and the IV of the foamed granulate is then increased by means of a solid phase polycondensation (SSP).

A foam sheet includes a composition containing an aliphatic polyester resin, and the foam sheet has a surface roughness Sa (i.e. arithmetic average height) of 81 μm or higher.

The invention relates to a process for producing small-cell foams from a styrene-polymer component (S) and an additive of formula (I), wherein Z represents a C.sub.1-C.sub.5-alkylene group or an oxygen or sulfur atom, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent, e.g., a C.sub.3-C.sub.12-alkyl residue, C.sub.3-C.sub.12-cycloalkyl residue or benzyl residue; and R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 represent hydrogen or a C.sub.1-C.sub.6-alkyl residue, comprising the steps of: —heating at least a styrene-polymer component (S) to obtain a molten, polymeric molding compound, —introducing a propellant (T) into the molten molding compound to form a foamable composition (Z), and—foaming the foamable composition to obtain a foamed molding, the molten polymeric molding compound containing at least one carboxylic acid derivative of the general formula (I).

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The present invention aims to provide a masterbatch for foam molding which can be suitably used in molding involving high shear force or molding requiring low molding temperature and which can provide a foam molded article having a high expansion ratio and good appearance quality. The present invention also aims to provide a foam molded article formed from the masterbatch for foam molding. Provided is a masterbatch for foam molding, containing: a base resin; and a thermally expandable microcapsule, the masterbatch having a true specific gravity of 0.80 g/cm.sup.3 or more and a Mooney viscosity ML 1+4 (100° C.) of 20 to 90, the base resin containing an EPDM resin, the masterbatch containing the thermally expandable microcapsule in an amount of 40 to 300 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the base resin.

This document presents algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrates, and a method of making the same. The fiber may be a synthetic fiber, but can also be formed as a cellulosic (e.g., cotton). In various implementations, an algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrate can be made to have identical properties and characteristics of nylon-6 of nylon 6-6 polymer or the like, and yet contain antimicrobial, anti-viral, and/or flame retardant algal derived substances. Any of various species of red algae, brown algae, blue-green algae, and brown seaweed (marine microalgae and/or macroalgae) are known to contain a high level of sulfated polysaccharides with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame-retardant properties, and can be used as described herein. Additionally disclosed are algae-derived flexible foams, whether open-cell or closed-cell, with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame resistant properties. Further, a process of manufacturing is presented wherein the process may include one or more of the steps of: harvesting algae-biomass; sufficiently drying the algae biomass; blending the dried algae biomass with a carrier resin and various foaming ingredients; adding an algal-derived antimicrobial compound selected from various natural sulfated polysaccharides present in brown algae, red algae, and/or certain seaweeds (marine microalgae); and adding a sufficient quantity of dried algae biomass to the formulation to adequately create a fire resistant flexible foam material.

A molded body, comprising a resin and cells, the cells having an average diameter of from 0.03 mm to 0.13 mm, and a number per unit area of the cells at a cross-section of the molded body being no less than 20 cells/mm.sup.2.

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.

A thermally expandable composition including at least one polymer, at least one free radical initiator, at least one chemical blowing agent, and silane groups; and also a baffle and/or a reinforcement element for hollow structures including the thermally expandable composition, to a process for manufacturing the baffle and/or reinforcement element, to use of the baffle and/or reinforcement element for sealing, baffling, or reinforcing of a cavity or a hollow structure, and to a method for sealing, baffling and/or reinforcing a cavity or hollow structure.

The present invention provides a thermally expandable microcapsule that has excellent heat resistance and compression resistance and that enables the production of a foam molded article that is less likely to undergo deterioration or appearance defects over a long period of time, as well as a foamable masterbatch and a foam molded article each produced using the thermally expandable microcapsule. Provided is a thermally expandable microcapsule including a shell and a volatile expansion agent as a core agent encapsulated by the shell, the shell containing a black material and a polymer compound.