US 2019/0309140 A1 · HOLLOW POLYMER PARTICLES FOR THERMAL INSULATION

Abstract

A thermal insulating additive, product formed therefrom, and method of making the same, wherein the thermal insulating additive comprises a plurality of hollow polymeric particles having an average particle size up to about 0.3 micrometers. The hollow polymeric particles exhibit a mechanical strength in a compression test up to about 420 psi and a thermal conductivity that is less than 0.150 W/m-k. The hollow polymeric particles are individually formed as an alkaline swellable core that is at least partially encapsulated with two or more shell layers; the alkaline swellable core prior to swelling exhibits an average particle size that is less than about 50 nanometers.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A thermal insulating additive, the thermal insulating additive comprising a plurality of hollow polymeric particles having an average particle size up to about 0.3 micrometers;

wherein the hollow polymeric particles exhibit a mechanical strength in a compression test up to about 420 psi and a thermal conductivity that is less than 0.150 W/m-k.

The product composition according to claim 8, wherein the thermal energy management application is a coating application, as an additive to thermoplastics, an acoustic insulation application, a UV light protection application, or a paperboard application.

A method of forming thermal insulating additive, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of hollow polymeric particles;
the hollow polymeric particles being individually formed as an alkaline swellable core that is at least partially encapsulated with two or more shell layers;
the alkaline swellable core exhibiting an average particle size that is less than about 50 nanometers;
allowing the alkaline swellable core in each hollow polymeric particle to swell, such that the hollow polymeric particles exhibit an average particle size up to about 0.3 micrometers;
and
collecting the swollen hollow polymeric particles to form the thermal insulating additive;
wherein the hollow polymeric particles exhibit a mechanical strength in a compression test up to about 420 psi and a thermal conductivity that is less than 0.150 W/m-k;
wherein the shell layers are more hydrophobic than the swellable core.

5 more elements

The method according to claim 16, wherein the hydrophilic, acid-functional monoethylenically unsaturated monomers used to form the swellable core are selected as one or more from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acryloxypropionic acid, (meth)acryloxypropionic acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, maleic acid or anhydride, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, monomethyl maleate, monomethyl fumarate, and monomethyl itaconate, vinyl phosphonic acid, allyl phosphonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanephosphonic acid, α-phosphonostyrene, and 2-methylacrylamido-2-methylpropanephosphonic acid;

and the nonionic monethylenically unsaturated monomer are selected as at least one from styrene, alpha-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, t-butyl styrene, vinyltoluene, ethylene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, (meth)acrylonitrile, (meth)acrylamide, methyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate, butyl(meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl(meth)acrylate, hydroxyl ethyl(meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate, oleyl(meth)acrylate, palmityl(meth)acrylate, and stearyl(meth)acrylate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hollow polymer particles for thermal insulation

Life of this patent

Hollow polymer particles for thermal insulation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21