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Title: Ultra-low density microcellular polymer foam and method

Patent Application ·
OSTI ID:555459

An ultra-low density, microcellular open-celled polymer foam and a method for making such foam are disclosed. A polymer is dissolved in a heated solution consisting essentially of at least one solvent for the dissolution of the polymer in the heated solution and the phase inversion of the dissolved polymer to a liquid gel upon sufficient cooling of the heated solution. The heated solution is contained in a containment means provided with a nucleating promoting means having a relatively rough surface formed of fixed nucleating sites. The heated solution is cooled for a period of time sufficient to form a liquid gel of the polymer by phase inversion. From the gel, a porous foam having a density of less than about 12.0 mg/cm{sup 3} and open porosity provided by well interconnected strut morphology is formed. These foams can be used for ICF targets.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
Assignee:
US Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
Patent Number(s):
PATENTS-US-A8417366
Application Number:
ON: DE97009512; PAN: 8-417,366; TRN: AHC29802%%85
OSTI ID:
555459
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English