PROCESS OF CORK EXPANSION WITH ENVIRONMENTALLY INNOCUOUS COMPOUNDS

摘要

The present invention relates to the thermochemical process of cork expansion with the use of environmentally innocuous compounds, under compression conditions, followed by rapid decompression, with the use of liquid organic compounds which have reduced reactivity and polarity and are innocuous to the environment and to public health. These compounds, isolated or mixed, allow for the attainment of important volumetric expansions of cork, in relation to cork' s physical and mechanical characteristics and its chemical structure. The use of compounds which are environmentally inappropriate, such as methanol or dichloromethane, is therefore avoided. Expanded cork can be used, for instance, in the production of composed stoppers, parquet, and expansion joints, as well as for other purposes. This invention allows for the expansion of all types of cork, contributing to the industrial use of cork, including the types of cork that are inadequate for the production of stoppers- These types of cork may be the ones which are very porous or with anatomic defects.