Carbon dioxide blown low density, flexible microcellular polyurethane elastomers
US8178591B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249978
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Microcellular polyurethane flexible foams having densities no greater than 0.3 g/cc which are suitable for use as lightweight shoe sole components are produced with carbon dioxide in an amount such that the polyurethane-forming mixture has a free rise density of from about 0.03 to about 0.3 g/cc. At least a portion of that carbon dioxide is dissolved as a gas into one or both of the reaction components. The amount of dissolved carbon dioxide must be such that the froth density of the isocyanate and/or isocyanate-reactive component(s) in which the carbon dioxide is dissolved will be from about 0.1 to about 0.8 g/cc. Additional carbon dioxide may be formed by the reaction of water and isocyanate during the polyurethane-forming reaction but the total amount of CO2 present should be controlled to ensure that the polyurethane-forming mixture has a free rise density of from about 0.03 to 0.3 g/cc. Use of a preferred isocyanate-reactive component in which a specified ratio of diol to triol is satisfied makes it possible to use more water than had been expected. Use of a preferred prepolymer makes it possible to produce microcellular polyurethanes having good physical properties solely wit…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.