Rogers Corporation

World Properties, Inc.

Michael D Bessette

Robert A Weiss

Can Erkey

Poh Poh Gan

Yueping Fu

Robert B Jerard

A conductive elastomeric foam composite is presented, comprising an elastomer foam and polypyrrole, thiophene, or aniline and derivatives thereof. The foam is manufactured by first diffusing an oxidant into the dense polymer phase of a solvent-swollen foam and then diffusing pyrrole or pyrrole derivative vapor or solution into the dried foam, resulting in an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole at the oxidant site. Only about 5 wt % of conductive polymer is required for observing an insulator to conductor transition. The conductivity of the composite foam can be effectively controlled between 10,and 10,S/cm by varying either the amount of oxidant used and/or the copolymer composition.

Conductive elastomeric foams by in-situ vapor phase polymerization of pyrroles

A conductive elastomeric foam composite is presented, comprising an elastomer foam and polypyrrole, thiophene, or aniline and derivatives thereof. The foam is manufactured by first diffusing an oxidant into the dense polymer phase of a solvent-swollen foam and then diffusing pyrrole or pyrrole derivative vapor or solution into the dried foam, resulting in an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole at the oxidant site. Only about 5 wt % of conductive polymer is required for observing an insulator to conductor transition. The conductivity of the composite foam can be effectively controlled between 10.sup.-7 and 10.sup.-1 S/cm by varying either the amount of oxidant used and/or the copolymer composition.

Conductive elastomeric foams by in-situ vapor phase polymerization of

An electrically conductive elastomeric foam is presented. Preferably, the elastomeric foam comprises polyurethane foam and in accordance with an important feature of this invention, the elastomeric foam is rendered electrically conductive by incorporating therein electrically conductive fibers. As used herein, a 'fiber' has a diameter greater than or equal to one micron, and an aspect ratio (length/diameter) greater than or equal to fifteen. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the elastomeric foam is prepared from a polyurethane stock comprised of a polyhydroxyl compound, an organic polyisocyanate compound, a catalyst, a foam stabilizer and an amount of electrically conductive fiber which is effective to render the elastomeric foam electrically conductive. The conductive foam of this invention finds particular utility in the manufacture of conductive soling in footwear, conductive rollers and the like for use in electrophotographic equipment as well as in electrostatic dissipative and EMI/RFI shielding applications.

Electrically conductive fiber filled elastomeric foam

Improved mold structure and method of molding for mechanically frothed urethane foams is presented. The mold is filled from the bottom via an annular runner which communicates with the mold cavity. The connection between the annular runner and the mold cavity is restricted to create a back pressure in the circumferential runner.

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Storrs, CT, United States of America

Michael D Bessette