Microcellular polymer foams prepared by thermally-induced phase separation

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5952184

Aubert, J. H.

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 Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5952184
• Report Number(s): SAND-89-1060C; CONF-8907112-1; ON: DE89015490
• Resource Relation: Conference: SUBWOG-28, Aldermaston, UK, 10-14 Jul 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
FOAMS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
POLYSTYRENE
GELS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NITRILES
ORGANIC POLYMERS
QUENCHING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
COLLOIDS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DISPERSIONS
EXTRACTION
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYVINYLS
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
360601* - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture