Infrared Attenuation Agent Blends

A method of preparing an insulating polymer foam comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a polymer;
• b) providing an inorganic infrared attenuation agent blend to the polymer;
• c) combining the inorganic infrared attenuation agent blend with the polymer to obtain a mixture;
• and
• d) foaming the mixture through a batch foaming process or an extrusion process to form the insulating polymer foam,
• wherein the inorganic infrared attenuation agent blend comprises a first metal oxide having an infrared radiation absorption peak in a first wavelength range, and a second metal oxide having an infrared radiation absorption peak in a second wavelength range which is different from the first wavelength range,
• wherein each of the first and the second wavelength range is selected from a group consisting of greater than 1500 cm−1, 1500-1200 cm−1, 1200-800 cm−1, 800-500 cm−1, and less than 500 cm−1.

A foamable polymer material comprising:

• a) a polymer,
• b) a blowing agent composition, and
• c) an inorganic infrared attenuation agent blend comprising a first metal oxide having an infrared radiation absorption peak in a first wavelength range, and a second metal oxide having an infrared radiation absorption peak in a second wavelength range which is different from the first wavelength range,
• wherein at least one of the first wavelength and the second wavelength range is from 1200 cm−1 to 800 cm−1.