Patent · US Active

Additive blend for enhancing water vapor permeability and increasing cell size in thermoplastic foams

US8323787B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
4References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 29, 2010
Grant dateDec 4, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 20, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/249986
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, an additive blend of polyethylene oxide and a copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the polyethylene oxide is ethoxylated polyethylene oxide. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The blend of ethoxylated polyethylene oxide and copolymer of polystyrene and maleic anhydride provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product and increases the average cell size of the foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the additive acts as a cell enlarger, a water vapor permeability enhancer, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.