Dow Global Technolgoies LLC

Mark P Allen

Frank V Billotto

Matthew J Turpin

David G McLeod

Jay M Tudor

Christopher Anthony Brewster

Kousay M Said

Steve B Swartzmiller

Thomas Mettler

Tao Chen

Bin Chen

Xiao Liu

Parvinder Singh Walia

Xiaojun Yang

Huzeir Lekovic

Allan James

Xiaochun Liu

George A Klumb

Arnold W Braun, Jr

Frank J Flavin

John W McLaren

Yein J Cai

Srikanth Miryala

Thomas B Chen

Tom T Chen

Eric Yi Ge Yin

An uncured acoustic absorbing member () for cavity sealing comprises a thermally inert carrier () and a thermally expandable material () applied to the carrier. The carrier () contains openings () which become covered when the thermally expandable material is expanded to seal the cavity. The acoustic absorbing members () are particularly useful for sealing automotive cavities to provide acoustical abatement and to prevent the entry of fluids into the cavity.

Acoustic baffle members and methods for applying acoustic baffles in cavities

An uncured acoustic absorbing member for cavity sealing comprises a thermally inert carrier () and a thermally expandable material () applied to the carrier (). The carrier () contains openings () which become covered when the thermally expandable material () is expanded to seal the cavity. The thermally expandable material () may be in the form of substantially discontinuous segments () having an area in the range of 0.25 to 400 mm. The substantially discontinuous segments () provide a highly uniform expansion of the material when it is thermally expanded. The acoustic absorbing members are particularly useful for sealing automotive cavities to provide acoustical abatement and to prevent the entry of fluids into the cavity.

Expandable polymer compositions are used to reinforce or provide various types of insulation to cavities in structural elements. The polymer compositions include at least two different segments, which may or may not be joined. At least one of the segments will expand before another segment when heated. The first-to-expand segment forms a physical barrier to the expansion of later-expanding segments, thereby restricting the expansion of the later-expanding segment in at least one direction. In this manner, the location of the expanded polymer within the cavity can be easily and inexpensively controlled.

Multi-segment expandable polymer compositions which expand in a controllable direction

The present invention is an article comprising a shaped rigid foam part; a heat activated foamable adhesive applied directly to at least a portion of the outer surface of the shaped foam part and an integral locating means. A second aspect of the invention is a method of forming a foam filled vehicle hollow member comprising, (a) inserting into a vehicular hollow member a rigid foam part comprised of a rigid foam having a heat activated foamable adhesive on at least a portion of the rigid foam insert and at least one integral locating means extending from a surface of the rigid foam, (b) engaging the locating means with the hollow member to locate the rigid foam part within the hollow member, and (c) heating the hollow member having the rigid foam part therein to a temperature and for a time sufficient to activate the heat activated expandable adhesive to form the foam filled vehicle hollow member.

Vehicular structural members and method of making the members

A structural member is reinforced with a thermoset polymer foam having (a) a density of 80-650 kg/m, (b) a storage modulus, measured on a 12 mm wide&#xd7;3.5 mm thick&#xd7;17.5 single cantilever sample according to ASTM D 4065-01, under conditions of 1 Hz and a heating rate of 2&#xb0; C./min, such that the ratio of the storage modulus at 0&#xb0; C., expressed in MPa, divided by the density of the thermoset polymer foam, expressed in kg/m, is at least 0.4, and (c) the ratio of the storage modulus of the thermoset polymer foam at 100&#xb0; C. divided by the storage modulus of the thermoset polymer foam at 0&#xb0; C. is at least 0.5. The foam is preferably a polyurethane-isocyanurate foam. The foam exhibits excellent resistance to cracking due to mechanical and thermal stresses.

Rigid polyurethane-isocyanurate reinforcing foams

There is disclosed a closure panel. The panel finds particular utility as a liftgate or endgate for automotive vehicles. Typically, the assembly includes a first panel portion opposite a second panel portion and an intermediate material therebetween. Preferably, one or more of the panel portions is formed of a polymeric material and the intermediate material is preferably a structural foam that can bond to both the first and the second panel portions.

Composite panel and method of forming the same

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Bruce Township, MI, United States of America

Mark P Allen