Nucleation efficiency of talc in the foaming behaviour and cellular structure of polymer-based foams
AssigneeImerys Talc Europe
InventorGilles Meli
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Abstract
A polymer-based foam composition includes a polymer and up to 20 wt. % talc particles, based on the total weight of the composition. The talc particles include microcrystalline talc.
Claims18
1-15. (canceled)
A polymer-based foam composition comprising:
- a polymer;
- and
- up to 20 wt. % talc particles, based on the total weight of the composition,
- wherein the talc particles comprise microcrystalline talc.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer-based foam composition comprises up to 10 wt. % talc particles.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises at least one of a thermoplastic, a thermoplastic elastomer, a rubber, and a polypropylene polymer.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is the major component of the composition.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the microcrystalline talc has an average particle size d50 by Sedigraph of 0.5 to 10 μm.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the microcrystalline talc has an aspect ratio according to Jennings theory of between 9 and 15.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the microcrystalline talc has a surface BET area of 5 to 25 m2/g.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer-based foam composition has an average cell size of φ=150 μm or less in at least one of the vertical direction (φVD) and the width direction (φWD).
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer-based foam composition has a ratio φVD/φWD of the average cell size in a vertical direction φVD to the average cell size in a width direction φWD of 0.7 or more.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer-based foam composition contains Nf=105 or more cells per cm3.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, produced by a two-step extrusion-mixing and foaming process.
The polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1, produced by a single-step injection-moulding foaming process.
A method of use of the polymer-based foam composition of claim 1 for producing at least one of packagings, food packaging products, plastic parts for automotive vehicles, thermal and/or noise insulation foams, pipes, consumer goods, and appliances.
A product comprising the polymer-based foam composition according to claim 1.
A method of formation of the polymer-based foam composition as defined in claim 1, the method comprising:
- providing a polymer composition;
- providing a microcrystalline talc product;
- introducing the microcrystalline talc product into the polymer composition in an extrusion-mixing process;
- and
- foaming the polymer composition using a gas comprising at least one of CO2, nitrogen, and a noble gas.
A method of formation of the polymer-based foam composition as defined in claim 1, the method comprising:
- providing a polymer composition;
- providing a microcrystalline talc product;
- and
- introducing the microcrystalline talc product into the polymer composition;
- and
- foaming the composition using a single-step injection moulding foaming process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.