Thermoplastic ionomer foams

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physcial properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a non-volatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusal profile of physical properties including extremely rapid production, melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, a novel memory characteristic, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1g/cc.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.