Reduced-VOC and Non-VOC Blowing Agents for Making Expanded and Extruded Thermoplastic Foams

摘要

Process for producing a thermoplastic polymer foam article includes preparing an expandable polymeric formulation comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent blend, forming the formulation into an expandable bead, and expanding the expandable bead to form a thermoplastic polymer foam article. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate, hydrocarbon, and either carbon dioxide or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a). The blowing agent blend has a higher effective volatility than that of methyl formate alone. A thermoplastic polymer foam article prepared by a process is also provided.

主权项

1. A process for producing a thermoplastic polymer foam article comprising:
preparing an expandable polymeric formulation comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent blend, the blowing agent blend comprising methyl formate, hydrocarbon, and either carbon dioxide or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a), the blowing agent blend having a higher effective volatility than that of methyl formate alone; forming the formulation into an expandable bead; and expanding the expandable bead to form a thermoplastic polymer foam article.