Use of foam materials derived from high internal phase emulsions for insulation
US5633291A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 27, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08J2325/08
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention relates to the use of polymeric foam materials for insulation. These polymeric foams are prepared by polymerization of certain water-in-oil emulsions having a relatively high ratio of water phase to oil phase, commonly known in the art as high internal phase emulstions, or "HIPEs." The HIPE-derived foam materials used in the present invention comprise a generally hydrophobic, flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid nonionic polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells. These foam structures have: PA1 A) a specific surface area per foam volume of at least about 0.01 m.sup.2 /cc; PA1 B) a density of less than about 0.05 g/cc; and PA1 C) a glass transition temperature (Tg) of between about -20.degree. and 90.degree. C. The foams can be used as thermal, acoustic, and/or mechanical insulation materials. In a preferred embodiment, the foams used can be prepared, packaged, and shipped in a compressed, high density state and will "spring back" upon activation (e.g. heat) to the original density of the foam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.