Microcellular polymer foams prepared by thermally-induced phase separation
Thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS) of polymer solutions is discussed. The process consists of three steps. In the first step, a polymer and solvent are heated above their critical temperature to achieve a homogeneous polymer solution. Next, the solution is quenched in a controlled fashion in order to initiate thermally- induced phase separation, TIPS. Under some circumstances, TIPS can result in the formation of bi-continuous phases, a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase. Once phase separation has occurred, the solution can be frozen which effectively terminates phase separation. Alternatively with semi-crystalline polymers the solution may form a stable gel after TIPS. In the final step, the solvent is removed by sublimation of the frozen solvent or by liquid extraction of a resulting gel leaving behind a microcellular polymer foam. By controlling the phase separation during the quench, the foam morphology, foam density, and cell size can be varied. 3 refs., 3 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5952184
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-89-1060C; CONF-8907112-1; ON: DE89015490
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Microcellular foams prepared from demixed polymer solutions
Microcellular foams; For what
Related Subjects
360601* -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
COLLOIDS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DISPERSIONS
EXTRACTION
FOAMS
GELS
MATERIALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NITRILES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYSTYRENE
POLYVINYLS
QUENCHING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS