Composite articles by combining a thermoplastic molding and foam

A composite article, comprising:

• a thermoplastic molded object whose surface is bonded to a foamed latex material as the wet foamed latex material in contact with said thermoplastic molded object is vulcanized, said thermoplastic molded object constituted of the following components:
• a) 10-100 parts by weight (ppw) of polyphenylene ether (PPE) which is essentially made up of units having the structural formula:
• ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each is an n-alkyl group of up to 6 carbon atoms or R.sub.1 represents hydrogen and R.sub.2 a tertiary alkyl of up to 6 C atoms;
• R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent, independently of each other, a methyl group or hydrogen;
• b) 0-80 ppw of styrene polymer;
• c) 0-30 ppw of impact modifiers;
• d) 0-40 ppw of reinforcing agents and/or fillers;
• e) 0-30 ppw of flame retardants;
• and
• f) 0-15 ppw of customary additives, the formulation having a heat deflection temperature, according to ISO 75, Method B, of greater than 90.degree. C.;
• and the foamed latex consisting of, relative to the total rubber content of the foamed latex,
• I) 20-100% by weight of SBR latex with a minimum proportion of more than 15% by weight of styrene in the solid polymer, and
• II) 80-0% by weight of natural-rubber latex or at least one other synthetic latex, with the remaining constituents being vulcanizing agents, processing agents and gelling agents.