Open Cell Isocyanurate Foams for Vacuum Insulation Panels

Abstract

This paper describes the preparation, processing, properties and applications of open cell rigid isocyanurate foams. A mechanism for the formation of open cell rigid foams is discussed. The open cell foams were blown by using a blend of methylene chloride and n-pentane at specific ratios between 95/5 and 50/50 by weight. The resulting foams had open cell contents of about 50-95%, depending upon the reaction conditions employed at densities of 30-50 kg/M3. When pour-in-place foams were further exposed to vacuum after foaming, the resulting foams had an increased open cell content. This open cell foam technology suggests a variety of potential applications, not only for household refrigerators and deep freezers, but also for cryogenic liquid tank insulation, e.g., liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, and liquefied natural gas.