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Extruded Polystyrene Foam: Propylene-Blown Log Let Out at 75 °C (McIntire, Dow 1948, Ex. 3, Test 4)
Extruded polystyrene foam blown with a propylene gas fraction instead of methyl chloride. Polystyrene stands two days at 40 °C with the propylene under pressure and becomes a gel. Let out at 75 °C (395 psi in the tower), it swelled into a log 18 to 20 inches across, weighing 2.9 lb per cubic foot, with uniform cells finer than at 60 °C.
Source: O. R. McIntire (Dow), US 2,450,436 (1948), Example 3. Picture: the patent's drawing.
Advanced
3 days
Instructions
1
1
Charge the tower with polystyrene
Charge the tower with polystyrene
Charge a high-pressure tower with 300 lb of granular polystyrene.
Materials for this step:
Polystyrene300 lbsTools needed:
Pressure Reactor
Balance Scale
Rubber Gloves2
2
Add the propylene fraction
Add the propylene fraction
Add 100 lb of a cracked-oil gas fraction that is about 93 % propylene, under pressure, and close the tower. Propylene is a flammable gas: no flames, strong ventilation.
Materials for this step:
Propylene100 lbsTools needed:
Pressure Gas CylinderPressure Reactor
Chemical Splash Goggles3
3
Stand two days at 40 °C
Stand two days at 40 °C
Let the tower stand for two days at 40 °C while the polystyrene takes up the propylene.
Tools needed:
Pressure Reactor
Thermometer - Lab4
4
Let it out at 75 °C
Let it out at 75 °C
Open the valved outlet near the bottom (3.25 inch in the patent) at 75 °C. The pressure is about 395 psi. The gel flows out and swells into a log 18 to 20 inches across, 2.9 lb per cubic foot, with uniform cells finer than at 60 °C. Close the outlet again. The patent heated step by step (50, 60, 75 °C) for several hours each, letting a portion out at each step.
Tools needed:
Pressure ReactorThermometer - LabChemical Splash GogglesRubber Gloves5
5
Saw into boards
Saw into boards
When the foam has set, saw it lengthwise into slabs (ours: a woodworking saw).
Tools needed:
Woodworking SawRubber GlovesTools Required
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