Ethyl Corporation

H Eugene Broemmelsiek

Raymond Lee

Carroll W Lanier

James R Barringer

Porter W Gregory

Harold E Schulz

Caroll W Lanier

Polyimide foam of desired density is produced by adding to a polyimide precursor comprising carboxylic and diamine components at least one foam-enhancing polar, protic additive of the formula ROH, where R is hydrogen, or C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 linear or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with halo, aryl, alkoxy or hydroxy, and heating the resultant slurry to a temperature that does not exceed about 105.degree. C. to form a homogeneous melt. When heated to a higher temperature the melt foams and cures. The density of the foam is affected by the amount of foam-enhancing additive which is utilized.

Polyimide foam of desired density

Polyimide foam products and methods

Method for producing polyimide foam of desired density

Described are ways of improving the yields of specification grade polyimide foam on a consistent basis from one run to the next, by use of improved microwave-based foaming processes. In one such process, prior to the application of the microwave radiation, the body of polyimide precursor is compressed at a pressure that will reduce the bulk volume of the precursor and heated to a temperature below that at which any substantial foaming occurs. to accomplish the foaming, one further embodiment of the invention employs microwave radiation directed upon the top, sides and ends of the body of above-treated polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing maintaining the developing foam under a substantially vapor-impermeable microwave compatible shroud. The extent to which the microwave radiation impinges upwardly into the bottom of said body and said foam structure is curtailed, preferably by means of a metallic shield located below the precursor and developing foam structure.

Production of foamed polymer structures

Described are ways of improving the yields of specification grade polyimide foam on a consistent basis from one run to the next, by use of improved microwave-based foaming processes. In one such process, the microwave radiation is directed upon the top, sides and ends of the body of polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing, but the extent to which such radiation impinges upwardly into the bottom of said body and said foam structure is curtailed, preferably by means of a metallic shield located below the precursor and developing foam structure. Mechanisms by which the shields function to provide the improvements of the process are discussed, and methods based thereon are set forth.

Described are ways of improving the yields of specification grade polyimide foam on a consistent basis from one run to the next by use of improvements in microwave-based foaming processes. While a body of polyimide precursor is exposed to microwave radiation, the body of polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing therefrom are kept under a substantially vapor-impermeable microwave-compatible shroud that does not substantially restrict or impede development of the foam structure. For this purpose use may be made of a shroud composed of a polymer film. Mechanisms by which the shroud produces the improved results are discussed, and methods based thereon are set forth.

Described are ways of improving the yields of specification grade polyimide foam on a consistent basis from one run to the next, by use of improved microwave-based foaming processes. In one such process, during the application of the microwave radiation, the body of polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing therefrom are maintained under a substantially vapor-impermeable mmicrowave-compatible shroud that does not substantially restrict or impede development of the foam structure; and the microwave radiation is directed upon the top, sides and ends of the body of polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing, but the extent to which such radiation impinges upwardly into the bottom of said body and said foam structure is curtailed, preferably by means of a metallic shield located below the precursor and developing foam structure. Mechanisms by which the shields and shrouds function to provide the improvements of the process are discussed, and methods based thereon are set forth.

Described are ways of improving the yields of specification grade polyimide on a consistent basis from one run to the next, by use of improved microwave-based foaming processes. In one such process, during the application of the microwave radiation, the body of polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing therefrom are maintained under a substantially vapor-impermeable microwave-compatible shroud that does not substantially restrict or impede development of the foam structure; and the microwave radiation is directed upon the top, sides and ends of the body of polyimide precursor and of the foam structure as it is developing, but the extent to which such radiation impinges upwardly into the bottom of said body and said foam structure is curtailed, preferably by means of a metallic shield located below the precursor and developing foam structure. Mechanism by which the shields and shrouds function to provide the improvements of the process are discussed, and methods based thereon are set forth.

Growing community of inventors

Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

H Eugene Broemmelsiek