Compressed, extruded, evacuated open-cell polymer foams and evacuated insulation panels containing them
AssigneeThe Dow Chemical Company
InventorBruce A. Malone
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Abstract
Disclosed is a compressed, evacuated, open-cell polymer foam, the foam having an open cell content of about 70 percent or more prior to compression, the foam having a thickness of about 40 to about 90 percent of the initial thickness of the foam prior to compression, the foam having an absolute cell gas pressure of about 10 torr or less in its open cells, the foam having a density of about 16 to about 250 kilograms per cubic meter. Further disclosed is an evacuated insulation panel employing the foam.
Claims20
A method of enhancing insulating capability of an evacuated open-cell thermoplastic foam on a per unit thickness or volume basis, the method comprising the following steps:
- a) providing an open-cell polymer foam having an open cell content of 90 percent or more prior to compression and having a density of about 16 to about 250 kilograms per cubic meter prior to compression;
- b) compressing the foam to a thickness of about 40 to about 90 percent of the initial thickness of the foam prior to compression;
- and
- c) evacuating the foam to an absolute cell gas pressure of about 1 torr or less in its open cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.