Polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer cell size enlarger for foam
US8754142B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08J2425/06
- 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 infrared attenuating agent, and a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent contains an HFC. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide increases the cell size of the polymer foam and offsets or even negates the decreased cell size caused by an HFC blowing agent and/or infrared attenuating agents. In addition, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, 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.