Back to results
US 6,759,080 B2Granted
Process for making foams by photopolymerization of emulsions
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsKristin La Velle Thunhorst, Mark David Gehlsen, Robin Edgar Wright, Eric Wayne Nelson, Steven Dean Koecher, Douglas Gold
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention discloses methods for making foams by photopolymerizing emulsions comprising a reactive phase and a phase immiscible with the reactive phase components. Foams made from water-in-oil emulsions, including high internal phase emulsion are disclosed. Articles and uses for the foams are also described.
Claims25
A process for making a crosslinked polymeric foam comprising:
- a) mixing a reactive phase comprising at least one polymerizable material, at least one crosslinking agent, and at least one emulsifier with at least one photoinitiator and a liquid immiscible with the reactive phase to form an emulsion wherein the immiscible liquid forms a discontinuous or co-continuous phase with the continuous reactive phase;
- b) shaping the emulsion;
- and
- c) exposing the emulsion to actinic radiation comprising ultraviolet or visible radiation of 200 to 800 nanometers to form a crosslinked polymeric foam containing residual immiscible fluid.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.