Abstract:
The apparatus for the production of foams includes an extrusion device for the plastification of a polymer melt, a heat exchanger for the cooling of the polymer melt, and also a connection piece for the connection of the extrusion apparatus to the heat exchanger. The connection piece contains a metering device for the introduction of a foaming agent into the polymer melt.
Abstract:
A cartilaginous tissue repair device with a biocompatible, bioresorbable three-dimensional silk or other fibre lay and a biocompatible, bioresorbable substantially porous silk-based or other hydrogel partially or substantially filling the interstices of the fibre lay; with or without an integral means of firmly anchoring the device to a patient's bone.
Abstract:
While steam is supplied to flow channels to heat inner cavity surfaces to a temperature equal to or higher than the heat distortion temperature of a molding resin, the resin mixed with a supercritical fluid is injected from an injection molding machine into a mold cavity. When the injection of a predetermined quantity of the resin is completed, the supply of the steam to the flow channels is stopped, and cooling water starts to be supplied to the flow channels. The inner cavity surfaces are thus quickly switched from a heated state to a cooled state, cooling and solidifying the resin into a molded product of good appearance which is free of broken cell marks on its surface.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a microcellular foam of a thermoplastic resin and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly to a microcellular foam comprising a skin layer having a porosity of below 5% and a core layer having a porosity of at least 5%, wherein the thickness of the skin layer accounts for 5 to 50% of the entire foam, and a method for preparing the same. The microcellular foam of the present invention is advantageous in that it has a thicker skin layer and smaller and uniform micropores in the core layer, compared with conventional microcellular foams, while having mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional non-foamed sheets.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process comprising the following phases: the feeding and melting of polypropylene to obtain a molten polymer; addition to the molten polymer of possible additives; mixing of the molten polymer with the additives; introduction of the expanding agent CO2 into the molten polymer; extrusion of the molten polymer, expanding agent and possible additives to produce an expanded polypropylene, wherein the polypropylene fed and melted in the first phase consists of a polypropylene which contains a quantity ranging from 15 to 25% of high melt strength polypropylene and wherein the temperature is lowered to a value of about 160null C. immediately after introducing the CO2 gas into the molten polymer.
Abstract:
The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which includes utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic film so that the resultant product is adapted for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labels for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sandwich panel comprises the steps of: a) providing a plate-shaped assembly of a first cover part and a second cover part and between these cover parts a core part of a thermoplastic material containing a physical blowing agent, b) heating the assembly resulting from step a) under pressure between press tools in a press to a foaming temperature below the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material in the core part, thereby effecting adhesion of the foamed core part to the first and second cover parts c) foaming the thermoplastic material in the core part under pressure and at the foaming temperature wherein the spacing between the press tools is increased; d) a cooling step of cooling the foamed sandwich panel resulting from step c), while the sandwich panel is maintained under pressure between the press tools; e) removing the thus cooled sandwich panel from the press; and f) drying the sandwich panel thus obtained; wherein the cooling step d) comprises.a first substep d1) of cooling the foamed assembly from the foaming temperature to an intermediate temperature in the range of 70-100° C. at a first cooling rate and a second substep d2) of cooling the foamed assembly from the intermediate temperature to ambient temperature at a second cooling rate, the second cooling rate is less than the first cooling rate.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a microcellular foam of a thermoplastic resin and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly to a microcellular foam comprising a skin layer having a porosity of below 5% and a core layer having a porosity of at least 5%, wherein the thickness of the skin layer accounts for 5 to 50% of the entire foam, and a method for preparing the same. The microcellular foam of the present invention is advantageous in that it has a thicker skin layer and smaller and uniform micropores in the core layer, compared with conventional microcellular foams, while having mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional non-foamed sheets.
Abstract:
A method for forming energy absorbing components for motor vehicles includes mixing a polymeric resin and blowing agent combination. The combination is heated, liquefied, and pressurized. A mold for receiving the liquefied combination is pre-cooled. The liquefied combination is injection molded in the mold to form the energy absorbing component.
Abstract:
A foam extrusion assembly having a melt region wherein a plurality of material pellets are melted and mixed by a mixing assembly with a blowing agent introduced via an agent addition assembly. The foam extrusion assembly further includes a heat extraction region structured to extract excess heat from the mixture of melted material pellets and blowing agent such that the mixture achieves an extrudable temperature. The heat extraction region includes an elongate barrel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the inlet being structured to receive the extrusion mixture therethrough for passage into the barrel wherein a heat extraction structure cooperatively disposed with the barrel draws heat therefrom. An extrusion screw is disposed in the barrel and includes at least one screw flight structured to rotate within the barrel and urge the extrusion mixture towards the outlet of the barrel where a die is disposed in order to form the finished product. Moreover, the screw flight includes at least one circulation channel defined therein and structured to receive quantities of the extrusion mixture therethrough upon rotation of the extrusion screw, thereby circulating the extrusion mixture towards the barrel for more effective and uniform cooling of the extrusion mixture to an extrudable temperature prior to passage through the die.