CO2, as blowing agent

Fig. 25 SEM pictures (50 pm definition) of modified PS samples undcu- CO2 or N2 gas pressure. The structure of the modified PS presents different aspects depending rai the use of CO2 or N2 as blowing agent. Left For the CO2-PS Systran at 317.15 K, the structure of foam is apparent. Right For the N2-PS system at 313.12 K, there is no appearance of a foam structure the surface of the PS is only damaged by the gas pressurization...

Azocarbonamide (I) Carbonamide N2, CO, CO2 190-230 220 Most widely used blowing agent in PVC and polyolefins. High decomposition temperature reduced by a variety of metal salts and oxides such as lead carbonate, lead phosphite and zinc oxide. High gas yield. Reaction products show little odour or discoloration. ... 

Foams are commercially produced several ways. Some polymerization processes produce their own foam. Polyurethanes, for example, are very exothermic. When they are formed, if a little water is present, CO2 will be a by-product. As the polymer forms, the CO2 will cause closed cell foam. As another example, a blowing agent can be injected into the molten polymer. The agent will later decompose, giving off a gas when the polymer is heated to melting. Epoxy resins are expanded into foams this way. 

Cyanate ester monomers must be stored under dry conditions, because water can react with cyanate ester resins and deliver carbamates as undesired side products (Scheme 2) [186]. Even when the carbamates are only formed in the presence of a catalyst, this catalytic effect can be caused by traces remaining from the monomer synthesis. The formation of carbamates is critical, as they can decompose to amines and CO2. While the amine easily reacts with another cyanate ester, the CO2 can act as a blowing agent and hence leads to uncontrolled porosity during the processing. 

Nonfluorine CFC substitutes have been considered, but few are fully satisfactory. For example, we could go back 50 years to the use of anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant, but NH3 is as toxic now as it ever was. Cyclopentane could be used as a foam-blowing agent, but it is less effective than HCFC-141b and besides would contribute to the volatile organic compound load in the troposphere, which is the root cause of ozone pollution (Section 8.3.2). On the other hand, supercritical CO2 is emerging as an alternative to CFCs in various steps in the preparation of fluorocarbon polymers (Section 8.1.3). 

Whether the one-shot process or prepolymer technique is used, the development of a foam involves the juxtaposition of gas generation and the development of tensile strength within the developing foam. The evolution of gas can be via the use of blowing agents or the in situ generation of CO2 from the reaction of water with an isocyanate to produce a water-blown foam. In any case, the gas evolution creates an internal pressure that must be resisted by the development of a gel structure via polymerization reactions as shown in Figure 3.13. 

When isocyanates come into contact with water, gaseous carbon dioxide and a substituted urea are formed (Fig. 3). During foam production, this CO2 is often used as the primary blowing agent. When synthesizing PU products that are not intended to be foams, water contamination should be avoided at all costs. 

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