US 12,460,060 B2
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) physically-foamed roll and semi-continuous preparation method thereof
Wentao Zhai, Guangdong (CN)
Assigned to SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY, Guangzhou (CN)
Filed by SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY, Guangdong (CN)
Filed on May 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/204,387.
Application 18/204,387 is a continuation of application No. PCT/CN2022/077102, filed on Feb. 21, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 202110611194.9 (CN), filed on Jun. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0323065 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 44/04 (2006.01); B29C 44/34 (2006.01); C08J 7/048 (2020.01); C08J 9/00 (2006.01); C08J 9/12 (2006.01); B29C 44/02 (2006.01); B29K 21/00 (2006.01); C08J 7/04 (2020.01)
CPC C08J 9/122 (2013.01) [B29C 44/0484 (2013.01); B29C 44/3415 (2013.01); B29C 44/3419 (2013.01); B29C 44/3453 (2013.01); B29C 44/348 (2013.01); C08J 7/048 (2020.01); C08J 9/0023 (2013.01); C08J 9/0061 (2013.01); C08J 9/0066 (2013.01); B29C 44/022 (2013.01); B29C 44/0461 (2013.01); B29K 2021/003 (2013.01); C08J 7/0427 (2020.01); C08J 2201/032 (2013.01); C08J 2201/034 (2013.01); C08J 2201/036 (2013.01); C08J 2203/06 (2013.01); C08J 2203/08 (2013.01); C08J 2205/044 (2013.01); C08J 2205/052 (2013.01); C08J 2300/22 (2013.01); C08J 2300/26 (2013.01); C08J 2367/00 (2013.01); C08J 2375/04 (2013.01); C08J 2377/00 (2013.01); C08J 2429/04 (2013.01); Y10T 428/249976 (2015.04); Y10T 428/249977 (2015.04); Y10T 428/249978 (2015.04); Y10T 428/249979 (2015.04); Y10T 428/249987 (2015.04); Y10T 428/249991 (2015.04); Y10T 428/249993 (2015.04)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A semi-continuous preparation method of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) physically-foamed roll, comprising the following steps:
(1) sequentially drying and premixing a TPE and additives, and subjecting a resulting mixture to continuous extrusion with a twin-screw extruder, calendering, and winding to obtain a precursor TPE roll;
(2) impregnating the precursor TPE roll obtained in step (1) in a high-pressure fluid to obtain an impregnated TPE roll, and subjecting the impregnating TPE roll to a quick freezing and gas-locking treatment and low-temperature storage, wherein a mass content of the high-pressure fluid in the impregnated TPE roll is 1% to 15%; the quick freezing and gas-locking treatment is conducted at −20° C. to −100° C.; the low-temperature storage is conducted at −60° C. to −20° C.; and the high-pressure fluid for the impregnating comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a CO2 fluid and a N2 fluid; and
(3) heating an impregnated TPE roll obtained after the low-temperature storage in a heating medium for physical foaming, and roll pressing, cooling, and winding a foamed material to obtain the TPE physically-foamed roll, wherein the heating medium is hot air or hot water;
wherein in step (1), the precursor TPE roll further comprises a gas blocking layer, and a preparation method of the precursor TPE roll comprises: sequentially drying and premixing the TPE and the additives, and subjecting a resulting mixture to continuous extrusion with a twin-screw extruder and calendering; and coating a surface of the elastomer with a PVA-containing aqueous solution, and drying and winding a resulting material to obtain the precursor TPE roll;
the gas blocking layer has a thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm; and a mass content of PVA in the PVA-containing aqueous solution is 5% to 30%;
in step (2), the high-pressure fluid for the impregnation has a pressure of 1 MPa to 7 MPa, and the impregnation is conducted for 1 h to 24 h.