A method of reducing foamed density that results in a foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) component exhibiting reduced density. The foamed PVC component contains at least a PVC resin and a process aid blend. The process aid blend contains from 1 weight % to 60 weight % (based on the weight of the blend) of a functionalized process aid, and from 99 weight % to 40 weight % (based on the weight of the blend) of a non-functionalized process aid. The functionalized process aid includes at least one base polymer functionalized with a reactive epoxy, hydroxyl, β-keto ester, β-keto amide, or carboxylic acid functional group. The foamed PVC component containing the process aid blend has a lower density than a reference foamed PVC component made using the same process conditions and additives, but which contains only non-functionalized process aid and not the functionalized process aid.

There is provided a cured-film formation composition that forms a cured film having excellent photoreaction efficiency and solvent resistance, and high adhesion, an orientation material for photo-alignment, and a retardation material formed with the orientation material.

A laminate (1) provided with: a substrate (2); an undercoat layer (3), which is formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate (2), contains an organic polymer with a functional group, and is formed in a membrane form or film form; and an atomic layer deposition film (4), which contains a precursor (6) that serves as a starting material, is formed so as to cover the surface of the undercoat layer (3), and in which at least some of the precursor (6) are bonded to the functional groups. The linear expansion coefficient of a layered film provided with the substrate (2) and the undercoat layer (3) is from about 1.0×10.sup.−5/K to about 8.0×10.sup.−5/K.

A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of functional particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, and wherein the polymer matrix composite has an air flow resistance at 25° C., as measured by the “Air Flow Resistance Test,” of less than 300 seconds/50 cm.sup.3/500 micrometers; and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.3 g/cm.sup.3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as filters.

Provided is a method for modifying a polypropylene resin molded body with a side chain crystalline block copolymer having a long alkane chain in a side chain, having a good interaction force with the polypropylene resin molded body, and having a function capable of modifying surface characteristics. Also provided is a modified polypropylene resin molded body. The method for modifying a polypropylene resin molded body includes a step of contacting a copolymer solution including a side chain crystalline block copolymer with a polypropylene resin molded body at a temperature of the copolymer solution of 40 to 120° C. The modified polypropylene resin molded body includes a base material of the polypropylene resin molded body and a site that includes the side chain crystalline block copolymer in at least part of the base material.

A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of functional particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, and wherein the polymer matrix composite has an air flow resistance at 25° C., as measured by the “Air Flow Resistance Test,” of less than 300 seconds/50 cm.sup.3/500 micrometers; and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.3 g/cm.sup.3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as filters.

A composition for foam molding including: a component (A): an olefin-based polymer; a component (B): a styrene block copolymer having no chemical-bond cross-linking moiety; a component (C): a process oil; and a component (D): a foaming agent, wherein a content of the component (A) relative to a total mass of the component (A) and the component (B) is 5 to 36% by mass, and a content of the component (C) relative to 100 parts by mass of the total mass of the component (A) and the component (B) is 160 to 350 parts by mass.

Provided is a method for modifying a polypropylene resin molded body with a side chain crystalline block copolymer having a long alkane chain in a side chain, having a good interaction force with the polypropylene resin molded body, and having a function capable of modifying surface characteristics. Also provided is a modified polypropylene resin molded body. The method for modifying a polypropylene resin molded body includes a step of contacting a copolymer solution including a side chain crystalline block copolymer with a polypropylene resin molded body at a temperature of the copolymer solution of 40 to 120° C. The modified polypropylene resin molded body includes a base material of the polypropylene resin molded body and a site that includes the side chain crystalline block copolymer in at least part of the base material.

A polyamide-based resin expanded bead comprising a foam layer formed by expanding a polyamide-based resin, wherein on a first DSC curve and a second DSC curve, the first DSC curve has a melting peak (intrinsic peak) having a peak top temperature on a low temperature side equal to or lower than a peak top temperature of a melting peak of the second DSC curve and a melting peak (high temperature peak) having a peak top temperature on a high temperature side exceeding the peak top temperature of the second DSC curve, and, the peak top temperature of the melting peak of the second DSC curve is 180° C. or higher and 280° C. or lower, and the polyamide-based resin expanded bead has an apparent density of 10 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 and a closed cell ratio of 85% or more.

A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of functional particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, and wherein the polymer matrix composite has an air flow resistance at 25 C., as measured by the Air Flow Resistance Test, of less than 300 seconds/50 cm.sup.3/500 micrometers; and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.3 g/cm.sup.3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as filters.