Foams based on thermoplastic polyurethanes

Abstract

Molded parts for automobile interiors can be made from expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads. Processes can be used to produce the molded parts from thermoplastic polyurethane.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 : A molded part for automobile interiors comprising fused expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads. 
     
     
         17 : The molded part according to  claim 16 , wherein the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane is based on a polyether alcohol. 
     
     
         18 : The molded part according to  claim 16 , wherein the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane is based on a polytetrahydrofuran of a molar mass that ranges from 600 g/mol to 2500 g/mol. 
     
     
         19 : The molded part according to  claim 16 , wherein the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane is based on a polyester alcohol. 
     
     
         20 : The molded part according to  claim 16 , wherein the molded part comprises a density in the range from 8 to 600 g/l. 
     
     
         21 : The molded part according to  claim 16 , wherein the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads have a diameter from 0.2 mm to 20 mm. 
     
     
         22 : The molded part according to  claim 16 , wherein the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads are spherical or cylindrical or elongate. 
     
     
         23 : A process for producing the molded part according to  claim 16 , comprising:
 (i) extruding a thermoplastic polyurethane, to give thermoplastic polyurethane pellets,   (ii) impregnating the thermoplastic polyurethane pellets with a blowing agent under pressure, to give impregnated pellets,   (iii) depressurizing said impregnated pellets to produce expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads, and   (iv) fusing the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads in a mold to give the molded part for automobile interiors.   
     
     
         24 : The process according to  claim 23 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane pellets from (i) have an average diameter from 0.2 mm to 10 mm. 
     
     
         25 : The process according to  claim 23 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane pellets are impregnated in (ii) with from 0.1 to 40% by weight, based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane pellets, of a blowing agent. 
     
     
         26 : A process for producing the molded part according to  claim 16 , comprising:
 (i) melting a thermoplastic polyurethane with a blowing agent, to obtain a melt,   (ii) pelletizing the melt to produce expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads, and   (iii) fusing the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads in a mold to give the molded part for automobile interiors.   
     
     
         27 : The process according to  claim 26 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is melted in (i) together with from 0.1 to 40% by weight, based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane, of a blowing agent in an extruder. 
     
     
         28 : The process according to  claim 26 , wherein the melt is pelletized in (ii) without an apparatus which inhibits foaming. 
     
     
         29 : The process according to  claim 23 , wherein a shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84. 
     
     
         30 : The process according to  claim 23 , wherein the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads are fused with steam at a temperature of from 100° C., to 140° C. 
     
     
         31 : A steering wheel part comprising the molded part according to  claim 16 . 
     
     
         32 : A door side part comprising the molded part according to  claim 16 . 
     
     
         33 : A foot well part comprising the molded part according to  claim 16 . 
     
     
         34 : The process according to  claim 26 , wherein a shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84. 
     
     
         35 : The process according to  claim 26 , wherein the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads are fused with steam at a temperature of from 100° C. to 40° C.