Foamable compositions comprising low viscosity thermoplastic material comprising an ethylene .alpha.-olefin

A method of foaming comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a molten thermoplastic composition comprising from about 10 wt-% to about 100 wt-% of at least one ethylene .alpha.-olefin interpolymer and from 0 to about 90 wt-% of a least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of liquid plasticizers, waxes, tackifiers, and mixtures thereof,
• b) forming a solution of said thermoplastic composition with a gas;
• and
• c) releasing said solution from a dispensing device at a temperature ranging from about 90.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

A method of foaming comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a molten thermoplastic composition selected from the group consisting of;
• i) a composition comprising a from about 10 wt-% to about 80 wt-% of at least one homogeneous interpolymer of ethylene having at least one C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 .alpha.-olefin having a polydispersity less than about 2.5 and from 20 wt-% to about 90 wt-% of at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, waxes, tackifiers, and mixtures thereof;
• wherein said composition has a viscosity of less than 100,000 cPs at 400.degree. F.;
• and
• ii) a composition consisting essentially of at least one homogeneous ethylene .alpha.-olefin interpolymer having a number average molecular weight of less than 40,000;
• b) forming a solution of said thermoplastic composition with a gas;
• and
• c) releasing said solution from a dispensing device forming a foam.