Process for producing foamed articles of aromatic polyesters

A process for producing a foamed article of an aromatic polyester by mixing an aromatic polyester, 0.05 to 5% by weight, based on the aromatic polyester, of an epoxy compound which has two or more epoxy groups, 0.05 to 3% by weight based on the aromatic polyester, of a metal compound selected from the group consisting of organic acid salts, inorganic acid salts, and oxides of a metal of Group Ia, IIa or IIIa of the periodic table, and 0.05 to 30% by weight, based on the aromatic polyester, of a blowing agent in a melt extrusion shaping machine while introducing the blowing agent thereinto under pressure, said process comprising mixing said materials with a fibrous filler in said melt extrusion shaping machine, then extruding the molten mixture from said extrusion shaping machine, further expanding the extruded and unsolidified foamed article in an atmosphere maintained at reduced pressure, and solidifying said article by cooling in an atmosphere maintained at reduced pressure.