Polymer foam molded part with a plurality of polymer foam particles welded together and process for its manufacture

Abstract

A polymer foam molded part is proposed, comprising a plurality of interconnected polymer foam particles made of foamed thermoplastic polymers. The polymer foam particles are at least partially open-pored, and these partially open-pored particles are not fully interconnected, resulting in open spaces between them. These spaces form a network of channels within the polymer foam molded part, corresponding both to each other and to the open pores of the polymer foam particles. The diameter of these open spaces can differ from the mean diameter of the open pores of the polymer foam particles, giving the polymer foam molded part so-called "double-porosity" properties.The invention further relates to a method for producing such a polymer foam molded part by welding the open-pore polymer foam particles.

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