Patent ID: 8529812
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing a pearl comprising an expanded polymer, the process consisting essentially of the following successive steps: a) extruding an expandable composition comprising a polyamide, as the sole thermoplastic polymer in the expandable composition, and an expanding agent, in molten state, to effect expansion thereof to form an expanded composition, and b) cooling the expanded composition, using a liquid comprising water, and chopping the cooled expanded composition to form a pearl having a continuous skin and a density of less than or equal to 0.8 g/cm wherein the step of cooling and chopping the expanded composition is performed at the die outlet of the extruder and wherein the prepared pearl is spherical with its largest dimension being less than or equal to 15 mm, and the continuous skin is obtained by performing the above successive steps.