| abstract |
The invention relates to polyolefin foams consisting of polyolefins of ultrahigh molecular weight, i.e. weight-average molecular weight from about 4 x 10⁵ to 6 x 10⁶ g/mol and higher, and to a novel process for producing these foams by foaming a solution of a polyolefin of ultrahigh molecular weight in a solvent with the use of a physical or chemical blowing agent or of an inert gas blown into the solution, and cooling of the resulting foam to a temperature below the gelling tempereature of the polyolefin. If appropriate, these foams can be provided wholly or partially with a smooth skin on their surface by superficial cooling, if appropriate under the action of pressure. These foams are distinguished by high tensile strength and impact strength values, shock-absorbing properties, low glass transition temperatures, low embrittlement at low temperatures and high chemical resistance, and they are used especially as mechanical and acoustic insulating materials, materials of construction, filter agents and implantation materials. |