Title: Noble-gas-infused neoprene closed-cell foams achieving ultra-low thermal conductivity fabrics

Abstract

Closed-cell foams are widely applied as insulation and essential for the thermal management of protective garments for extreme environments. In this work, we develop and demonstrate a strategy for drastically reducing the thermal conductivity of a flexible, closed-cell polychloroprene foam to 0.031 ± 0.002 W m^-1 K^-1, approaching values of an air gap (0.027 W m^-1 K^-1) for an extended period of time (>10 hours), within a material capable of textile processing. Ultra-insulating neoprene materials are synthesized using high-pressure processing at 243 kPa in a high-molecular-weight gas environment, such as Ar, Kr, or Xe. A Fickian diffusion model describes both the mass infusion and thermal conductivity reduction of the foam as a function of processing time, predicting a 24–72 hour required exposure time for full charging of a 6 mm thick 5 cm diameter neoprene sample. These results enable waterproof textile insulation that approximates a wearable air gap. We demonstrate a wetsuit made of ultra-low thermally conductive neoprene capable of potentially extending dive times to 2–3 hours in water below 10 °C, compared with <1 hour for the state-of-the-art. This work introduces the prospect of effectively wearing a flexible air gap for thermal protection in harsh environments.

Authors:

Moran, Jeffrey L. ^[1]; Cottrill, Anton L. ^[2]; Benck, Jesse D. ^[2]; Liu, Pingwei ^[2]; Yuan, Zhe ^[2]; Strano, Michael S. ^[2]; Buongiorno, Jacopo ^[3]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University, USA, Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT
2. Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, USA
3. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, MIT, USA

Publication Date:

Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2018

Research Org.:

Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE; US Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR); King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

OSTI Identifier:

1454640

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1499910

Grant/Contract Number:  

FG02-08ER46488

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

RSC Advances

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: RSC Advances Journal Volume: 8 Journal Issue: 38; Journal ID: ISSN 2046-2069

Publisher:

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Country of Publication:

United Kingdom

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE