| abstract |
A thermoplastic elastomer foam is made by cooling a thermoplastic elastomer comprising from 0.1 wt% to 20 wt% of a semi-crystalline polymer to a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the semi-crystalline polymer, such that crystalline regions of the semi-crystalline polymer phase separate from the thermoplastic elastomer, incorporating a gaseous or supercritical blowing agent under pressure into the thermoplastic elastomer before, during, or after the crystalline regions phase separate, then releasing the pressure to foam the thermoplastic elastomer. |