Expanded and extruded thermoplastic foams made with methyl formate-based blowing agents

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Low density expanded and extruded thermoplastic polymer foams are obtained using an environmentally benign non-VOC and non-HAP methyl formate as a blowing agent. The blowing agent can be a blend further including at least one co-blowing agent, preferably an environmentally friendly species (e.g. non- VOC and/or non-HAP). The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon a halogenated hydrocarbon, a , hydrocarbon with polar functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent or combinations thereof. The , thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam e.g. a , polystyrene foam. The …