Supercritically Foamed Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Title: LOW DENSITY FOAM, MIDSOLE, FOOTWEAR, AND METHODS FOR MAKING LOW DENSITY FOAM

 Number/Link: WO2015/017088

Applicant/Assignee: Nike

Publication date: 5-02-2015

Gist”: TPU blown with supercritical CO2 and/or N2

Why it is interesting: This case relates to foamed TPU (or EVA) with densities down to 150 kg/m³. The low density is accomplished by the combination of a conventional physical blowing agent and a supercritical fluid, specifically supercritical CO2 or N2 or a combination of these. The conventional blowing agent is incorporated into the polymer pellets before these are added to the extruder while the supercritical fluid is added to the molten polymer through a port in the extruder barrel.  The material is then extruded or injection moulded. Nike have filed two more patents on this technology: WO2015/017089 and WO2015/017090.

Nike shoe with EVA midsole

Nike shoe with foamed thermoplastic midsole

Cross-Linked Melt-Spun Polyurethane Fibers

Title: ISOCYANATE PREPOLYMER COMPOSITION AND CROSSLINKED POLYURETHANE PREPARED THEREFROM

 Number/Link: WO2015/007731

Applicant/Assignee: BASF

Publication date: 22-01-2015

Gist”: Melt spinning a TPU – prepolymer blend.

Why it is interesting: Crosslinked polyurethane fibers are produced by melt-spinning a thermoplastic polyurethane which is melt-blended with a specific isocyanate prepolymer composition.  The prepolymer composition is a mixture of a polymeric MDI and the reaction product of a polyester polyol and an excess of 4.4′-MDI. The polyester polyol is prepared from adipic acid together with 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPdiol) and/or trimethylolpropane. The prepolymer composition is characterized by its low viscosity (probably due to the use of the branched polyester).  The crosslinked fibers show an improved tensile set and temperature resistance.

Polymeric MDI

Polymeric MDI

Classic PU Patent of the Month: Polyurethane-Polyurea RIM Elastomers (Bayer 1976)

Title: VERFAHREN ZUR HERSTELLUNG VON ELASTISCHEN FORMKOERPERN

 Number/Link: DE262295 (German)

Applicant/Assignee: Bayer

Publication date: 24-11-1977

Gist”: Use of DETDA  in one shot PU-PUA RIM.

Why it is interesting: This is the invention that for the first time allowed the production of large reaction injection moulded (RIM) polyurea articles with a very short demould time. Apart from advances in mixing head design which allowed for fast and accurate mixing and advances in mould design, polyurea RIM was made possible by the development of specific diamine chain extenders.  Bayer found that aromatic diamines containing one alkyl group in o-postion to a first amino group and two alkyl groups in o-position to a second amine group, where at least two of the alkyl groups contain 2 or more carbon atoms, have the correct reactivity for a one shot RIM process when used together with conventional polyether polyols, MDI and catalysts. A preferred example of such a diamine is diethyltoluenediamine (DETDA). The use of DETDA in one shot RIM allowed for the production of  parts up to 10 kg with a demould time of 30 seconds.

DETDA

DETDA

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