Method of forming a foamed thermoplastic polymer

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:865993

Duchane, David V ^[1]; Cash, David L ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A method of forming a foamed thermoplastic polymer. A solid thermoplastic lymer is immersed in an immersant solution comprising a compatible carrier solvent and an infusant solution containing an incompatible liquid blowing agent for a time sufficient for the immersant solution to infuse into the polymer. The carrier solvent is then selectively extracted, preferably by a solvent exchange process in which the immersant solution is gradually diluted with and replaced by the infusant solution, so as to selectively leave behind the infusant solution permanently entrapped in the polymer. The polymer is then heated to volatilize the blowing agent and expand the polymer into a foamed state.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4613629
• OSTI ID: 865993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
forming
foamed
thermoplastic
polymer
solid
lymer
immersed
immersant
solution
comprising
compatible
carrier
solvent
infusant
containing
incompatible
liquid
blowing
agent
time
sufficient
infuse
selectively
extracted
preferably
exchange
process
gradually
diluted
replaced
leave
permanently
entrapped
heated
volatilize
expand
blowing agent
time sufficient
solution containing
solution comprising
thermoplastic polymer
exchange process
selectively extract
compatible carrier
foamed thermoplastic
solid thermoplastic
plastic polymer
liquid blowing
/521/