Polymer foams containing multi-functional layered nano-graphite
AssigneeOwens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
InventorsRoland Loh, Mark Polasky, Joseph Rynd, James Lee, Xiangmin Han, Kurt Koelling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to foam insulating products, particularly extruded polystyrene foam, containing multi-layered nano-graphite as a process additive for improving the physical properties of foam products.
Claims20
A multi-functional polymeric foam material comprising:
- a) a polymer;
- b) a blowing agent;
- and
- c) multi-layered nano-graphite.
The multi-functional polymeric foam material of claim 10, wherein the surface of said plurality of nano-sheets is grafted with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups.
A method for making a multi-functional extruded polymer foam comprising the steps of:
- a) mixing a resin mixture comprising a polymer and multi-layered nano-graphite compound;
- b) heating said resin mixture to a melt mixing temperature;
- c) incorporating one or more blowing agents into the resin mixture under a pressure sufficient to prevent pre-foaming of the gel;
- d) cooling the gel to a die melt temperature;
- and
- e) extruding the gel through a die to a region of lower die pressure to form the foam.
A method for making a batch polymer foam comprising the steps of:
- a) adding extruded or molded polymer solid containing nano-graphite to a pressure vessel;
- b) adding at least one blowing agent to the pressure vessel;
- c) pressurizing said pressure vessel to a level sufficient to force an appropriate amount of the blowing agent into the free volume of the polymer.
- d) reducing the pressure and removing said roll of polymer containing nano-graphite from the pressure vessel when the blowing agent has thoroughly saturated the polymer.
A rigid foam insulation board comprising:
- a) a polymer;
- b) a blowing agent;
- and
- c) multi-layered nano-graphite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.