HYDROPHOBIC AND/OR OLEOPHOBIC OPEN CELL POLYIMIDE ACOUSTIC AND THERMAL INSULATION FOAMS AND METHODS OF MAKING

摘要

Provided are methods of treating an open cell polyimide foam product to produce a treated polyimide foam product having a property of repelling water or oil. The method includes the steps of: selecting a polyimide foam product having an external surface area and an open cell structure that has an interior surface area, wetting the exterior surface area and the interior surface area with a chemical treatment fluid comprising a treatment chemical that has a property of repelling water or oil, and distributing the treatment chemical onto at least a portion of the interior surface area sufficient to modify a surface property of the interior surface. Also provided are treated polyimide foam products that have an open cell polyimide foam substrate with an interior surface area and a treatment chemical on at least a portion of the interior surface area. The treatment chemical renders the interior surface hydrophobic or oleophobic.