Improved Nanoporous Insulation Materials

Title: AEROGEL-CONTAINING POLYURETHANE COMPOSITE MATERIAL

 Number/Link: WO2013182506 (German)

Applicant/Assignee: BASF

Publication date: 12-12-2013

Gist”: An aqueous dispersion based on an isocyanate and an isocyanate-reactive vinyl polymer is used to bind aerogel particles into an insulation material.

Why it is interesting: Binding (silica) aerogel (or xerogel or cryogel) particles into insulation panels using aqueous polyurethane binders is known.  See e.g. my previous posts on the subject here, here and here. According to this invention both the insulation and processing properties of existing systems can be improved by using an aqueous dispersion of a vinyl polymer containing isocyanate-reactive side groups, together with an emulsifiable isocyanate. The polyvinyl is preferably water-soluble, the side groups being -OH, -SH, -NH2 or -COOH,  a (preferred) example being poyvinylamine with a molecular weight from 10,000 to 500,000. The isocyanate used is preferably a modified HDI or IPDI.  In the examples materials are shown with densities of about 120 kg/m³ and a thermal conductivity of about 16 mW/m.K.

SLENTITE (TM) aerogel-PU insulation panel by BASF

SLENTITE (TM) aerogel-PU insulation panel by BASF

Flexible Foams containing Polyurethane Phase Change Gels

Title: Polyurethane Gel-Like Polymers, Methods and Use in Flexible Foams  

 Number/Link: US2013/0296449

Applicant/Assignee: PETERSON CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Publication date: 07-11-2013

Gist”:   “Polyurethane phase change gels” prepared from polyurethane gels and conventional PCMs are incorporated into polyurethane or latex flexible foams to improve thermal comfort.

Why it is interesting: This application is closely related to the application discussed in the previous post but instead of a plasticized styrenic triblock copolymer, now a polyurethane gel is used. The PU gel is produced from conventional raw materials at low NCO-index (about 60%) together with plasticizers.

A Polyurethane Gel

A Polyurethane Gel

Incorporating “Phase Change Gels” into Flexible Foams for Improved Thermal Comfort

Title: Thermal Storage Gelatinous Triblock Copolymer Elastomer Particles in Polyurethane Flexible Foams

 Number/Link: US2013/295371

Applicant/Assignee: PETERSON CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Publication date: 07-11-2013

Gist”:  Particles of  “phase change gels” prepared from plasticized styrenic TPEs and conventional PCMs are incorporated into polyurethane or latex flexible foams

Why it is interesting: A conventional phase change material (PCM) selected from alkanes, PEGs, hydrated salts ect. with a transition temperature between 20 and 35°C is melt-blended with a plasticized styrenic triblock copolymer like SBS, SIS, SEBS etc. to form a “phase change gel”. The gel is then comminuted and added to a flexible foam forming composition in an amount of about 30 pphp. The resulting foams have an increased thermal conductivity which together with the temperature buffering properties of the PCM improves thermal comfort. The flexible foams are useful in application such as matresses, pillows, automotive cushioning, shoe inserts, medical foams and the like. In my opinion especially useful for viscoleastic (“memory”) foams which are known to suffer from thermal discomfort problems.

Effect of "gel PCM" on heating rate of flexible foam according to the invention.

Effect of “gel PCM” on heating rate of flexible foam according to the invention.

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