A textured metallocene polyethylene foam sheet suitable for use in a floor
covering is made using a highly co-activated azodicarbonamide package
which blows the metallocene polyethylene effectively. The preferred
co-activators are zinc oxide and urea. The textured surface of metallocene
polyethylene foam is formed by a chemical embossing process which utilizes
a liquid triazole having an alkyl moiety as a foam-expansion inhibitor.
The triazole is dissolved in a non-polar solvent to form the foam
inhibitor. The preferred inhibitor is a hydrocarbon which may be
halogenated.