Abstract:
Closed cell silicone foams are formed by subjecting a silicone base to an inert gas at an elevated pressure, preferably after a pre-curing step, reducing the pressure to allow the base to expand to produce closed cell silicone foam and curing this expanded foam at an elevated temperature.
Abstract:
This invention relates to the field of thermal insulation. In particular, the invention describes superinsulation articles having a desired porosity, reduced pore size and cost-effective methods for manufacturing such articles. In one aspect of the present invention, the article may comprise a material system with at least about 20% porosity. In a further aspect of the invention, an article may comprise greater than about 25% of nanopores having a pore size no greater than about 1500 nanometers in its shortest axis.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for impregnating a support matrix with solid and/or liquid compounds using a compressed gas or a compressed mixture of gases at densities ranging from 0.15 to 1.3 kg/l and at least two unsymmetrical pressure changes (pulsations). The method is further characterized in that both a multitude of impregnating substances such as biologically active compounds, technical materials or metal-organic compounds, as well as support matrices of biological origin and organic or inorganic substances can be used that have large inner surfaces and/or inner surfaces that are difficult to access.
Abstract:
A polycarbonate foam that is a thermoplastic resin foam suitable for a backlight or a lighting box of an electric signboard, a luminaire, a display, and the like, has both high optical reflectivity and shape-retaining property, and has a short production cycle time. A polycarbonate foam contains a polycarbonate (A) and a fluorinated polycarbonate (B) and has a plurality of pores with a mean bubble diameter of 10 micrometers or less within. The foam is manufactured by a manufacturing method including holding a resin sheet containing the polycarbonate (A) and the fluorinated polycarbonate (B) in a pressurized inert gas atmosphere and incorporating the inert gas into the resin sheet, and heating the resin sheet incorporated with the inert gas to a temperature equal to or higher than a softening temperature of the polycarbonate under ambient pressure and foaming the resin sheet.
Abstract:
Described is a process for making closed cell fluoropolymer foam, and the foam so made. The process includes subjecting a fluoropolymer resin an inert gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric to drive gas into the resin, raising the temperature of the resin to or above its softening point, and reducing the pressure while maintaining the temperature at or above the softening point of the resin, in order to expand the resin to result in closed cell fluoropolymer foam. The resin is cross-linked prior to expansion. The resulting foams can be used in various applications, such as in flotation devices and for making thermal and/or acoustic insulation.
Abstract:
Fluoroelastomers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the fluoroelastomer with the carbon dioxide, and impregnating the swollen fluorelastomer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the fluoroelastomer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the fluoroelastomer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the fluoroelastomer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.
Abstract:
A resin composition containing thermoplastic resin and a flame retardant is sufficiently kneaded and molded, and carbon dioxide in a supercritical state is caused to permeate into the resin composition. Subsequently, the resin composition is degassed by cooling and/or pressure reduction. As a result of degassing, a resin foam body having a fine and uniform micro-cellular foam structure is obtained. The resin foam body has a cyclic structure in which a resin phase and a pore phase are continuous and intertwined. The obtained resin foam body can suitably find applications such as home OA parts, electric and electronic parts and automobile parts that are required to be highly strong, lightweight and nonflammable.
Abstract:
A solid state process utilizes gas impregnation to enhance thermoforming of thermoplastic material. If the gas is plasticizing, the article is thereby plasticized for thermoforming. In some embodiments, the invention provides foaming the polymer prior to or during thermoforming by creating high levels of dissolved gas during gas exposure. Foaming may proceed spontaneously upon decompression from gas pressure, or foaming may be enhanced by heating the polymer sheet near to or above the polymer's glass transition temperature, thereby producing plasticized foamed polymer for thermoforming. When objects of unfoamed polymer are desired, foaming may be suppressed by thermoforming gas saturated articles under gas pressure. This process may be used to enhance the thermoforming performance of articles that have been previously foamed, including articles foamed by prior art processes. In some embodiments, polymer is sufficiently plasticized so that it may be thermoformed without heating. Plasticization of the polymer is reversible.
Abstract:
Fluoroelastomers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the fluoroelastomer with the carbon dioxide, and impregnating the swollen fluorelastomer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the fluoroelastomer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the fluoroelastomer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the fluoroelastomer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to crosslinking of porous materials made of biodegradable polymers. The method comprises: (a) placing a porous biodegradable polymer in a chamber; (b) introducing a supercritical fluid containing a crosslinking agent into the chamber to effect crosslinking of the porous biodegradable polymer; and optionally (c) introducing a pure supercritical into the chamber to wash the crosslinked polymer until the crosslinking agent is substantially removed from the polymer.