AU2005248932B2 - Improved hydrofluorocarbon blown foam and method for preparation thereof - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name ofApplicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Honeywell International Inc., of 101 Columbia Avenue P.O.

Box 2245, Morristown, New Jersey 07960, United States of America Mary Charlotte BOGDON Rajiv Ratna SINGH Harold John KIETA Dennis Paul KONOPA Barbara Ruth DECAIRE Leslie Bruce BEMENT Address for Service: Invention Title: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Trademark Attorneys, of 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia Ph: 03 9254 2777 Fax: 03 9254 2770 Attorney Code: DM "Improved hydrofluorocarbon blown foam and method for preparation thereof" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 27-08-'08 17:30 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P007/037 F-639 :IaOPBitdl~p iTingl6970 t 1sspkdo-27/09/206t 00 0 0 IMPROVED HYDROFLUOROCARBON BLOWN FOAM AND METHOD FOR b) PREPARATION THEREOF Field of the Invention Ce The invention relates to a blowing agent, a method of preparing a polyurethane or 00 polyisocyanurate foam composition, and to closed cell foams.

0 Background of the Invention The class of foams known as low density rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam has utility in a wide variety of insulation applications including roofing systems, building panels, refrigerators and freezers. The methods of producing polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams are generally known and consist in general of the reaction of an organic polyisocyanate and a polyol or mixture of polyols in the presence of a volatile blowing agent, which is caused to vaporize by the heat liberated during the reaction of isocyanate or isocyanurate and polyol. This reaction can be enhanced through the use of amine and/or other catalysts as well as surfactants. The catalysts ensure adequate curing of the foam, while the surfactants regulate and control cell size.

The foam industry has historically used liquid fluorocarbon blowing agents such as trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) and 1,1-dichloro-l-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) because of their ease of use in processing conditions. Fluorocarbons act not only as blowing agents by virtue of their volatility, but also are encapsulated or entrained in the closed cell structure of the rigid foam and are the major contributor to the low thermal conductivity properties of rigid urethane foams. The escape of 1 COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 t certain fluorocarbons, most notably chlorofluorocarbons, to the atmosphere is now Srecognized as potentially contributing to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer O and to global warming. In view of the environmental concerns with respect to Schlorofluorocarbon blowing agents, it is now generally accepted that it would be more 5 desirable to use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) rather than the chlorofluorocarbons. Exemplary hydrofluorocarbons suitable for use C as blowing agents in the preparation of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams are ¢c€ 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane 00 (known in the art as HFC-245fa, HFC-134a, and HFC-134, respectively). These 10 materials, however, possess a lower boiling point and a correspondingly higher vapor 0pressure than the prior art materials. This difference becomes significant when any of HFC-245fa, HFC-134a or HFC-134 are incorporated into the B-side of a foam formulation that is either transported in or used directly from a low pressure rated container.

The use of a fluorocarbon as the preferred commercial expansion or blowing agent in insulating foam applications is based in part on the resulting k-factor associated with the foam produced. K-factor is defined as the rate of transfer of heat energy by conduction through one square foot of one inch thick homogenous material in one hour where there is a difference of one degree Fahrenheit perpendicularly across the two surfaces of the material. As is generally known in the art, the cell gas composition of the foam at the moment of manufacture does not necessarily correspond to the equilibrium gas composition after aging or sustained use. The gas in a closed cell foam frequently exhibits compositional changes as the foam ages leading to such known phenomena as increase in thermal conductivity or loss of insulation value (both measured in terms of k-factor) and thermal aging. Since the utility of closed-cell polyurethane-type foams is based, in part, upon their thermal insulation properties, it would be advantageous to identify materials which lower the k-factor of foams and reduce thermal aging of the foams over time.

Methods for improving the k-factor and/or thermal aging characteristics of polyurethane foam are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,696,306 and 5,837,742. There 27-08-'08 17:31 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P008/037 F-639 P.PERllS]tdSpt c ilan i27967 111 p .da-27nTh& S 00 0 0 remains a need in the art for polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams prepared from a b blowing agent comprising a hydrofluorocarbon selected from the group consisting ofHFC- 245fa, HFC-134a, HFC-134 and mixtures thereof, which foams have improved processibility, k-factor and/or thermal aging characteristics. The instant invention meets this need by providing additives that reduce the vapor pressure of HFC-245fa and HFC- 134a and/or reduce the k-factor of foams produced from blowing agents comprising these CO hydrofluorocarbons.

00 Detailed Description of the Invention 0 It has now been discovered that the addition of a mixture of a-methyl styrene with isobutanol and/or isopropanol to the B-side of a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam formulation comprising a blowing agent comprising a hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane and mixtures thereof results in reduced vapor pressure, improved k-factor, enhanced solubility of the blowing agent and/or improved processing characteristics of the foams. The addition of the a-methyl styrene mixtures to the foam formulation results in improved thermal conductivity (k-factor) and thermal aging characteristics. With respect to thermal conductivity, the term "improved" refers to a decrease in the k-factor of the foam.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method of preparing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam composition comprising reacting and foaming a mixture of ingredients which react to form polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams in the presence of a blowing agent comprising a hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and mixtures thereof; and an additive selected from mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isobutanol; mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isopropanol; and mixtures of a-methyl styrene, isobutanol and isopropanol, preferably from about 0.02 to about 10 weight percent of said additive, based on the amount of blowing agent. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of preparing polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam compositions comprising the step of reacting and foaming a mixture of ingredients which react to form polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams in the presence of a blowing agent comprising 3 COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-'08 17:31 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P009/037 F-639 P$flPERdAtsoncaKom117on7btc-Mno0at 00 0 0 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and the mixture of a-methyl styrene with isobutanol and/or 3 isopropanol, preferably from about 0.02 to about 5 weight percent of the mixture of amethyl styrene with isobutanol and/or isopropanol, based on the amount of blowing agent.

Also described herein is a closed cell foam prepared from a polymer foam formulation containing a blowing agent a hydrofluorocarbon selected from the group c consisting of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2- OO tetrafluoroethane and mixtures thereof and an effective amount of an additive selected from the group consisting of a-methyl styrene, isobutanol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof, preferably from about 0.02 to about 10 weight percent of said additive, based on Sthe amount of blowing agent. The closed cell foam prepared from a polymer foam formulation containing a blowing agent comprising 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and amethyl styrene, preferably from about 0.02 to about 5 weight percent a-methyl styrene, based on the amount of blowing agent.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a closed cell foam comprising a cell gas comprising a blowing agent comprising: a hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1.1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and mixtures thereof; and an additive comprising a-methyl styrene and isobutanol or a-methyl styrene and isopropanol; preferably from about 0.02 to about 10 weight percent of said additive, based on the amount of blowing agent. In one embodiment, the invention provides a closed cell foam containing a cell gas comprising a blowing agent comprising 1,1,1,3,3pentafluoropropane and the mixture of a-methyl styrene with isobutanol and/or isopropanol, preferably from about 0.02 to about 5 weight percent of the mixture of amethyl styrene with isobutanol and/or isopropanol, based on the amount of blowing agent.

The invention further relates to a blowing agent composition comprising a hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and mixtures thereof; and an additive selected from mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isobutanol; mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isopropanol; and mixtures of a-methyl styrene, isobutanol and isopropanol, preferably from about 0.02 to about 10 weight percent of said additive, based on the amount of blowing agent. In one embodiment, the invention provides a blowing agent composition 1,1,1,3,3- 4 COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-'08 17:31 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P010/037 F-639 P.PER.1iHSRdt' o l l2n7 96 70 Ia s.d2/lWr200 00 0 o pentafluoropropane and the mixture of a-methyl styrene with isobutanol and/or isopropanol, preferably from about 0.02 to about 5 weight percent of the mixture of a- Smethyl styrene with isobutanol and/or isopropanol, based on the amount of blowing agent.

C 5 As used herein, an effective amount of additive means an amount, based on the amount of blowing agent, which reduces the vapor pressure of a foam formulation B-side c to below the vapor pressure of the corresponding foam prepared in the absence of additive.

O Generally, an effective amount is from about 0.02 to about 10 weight percent, based on the 00 Samount of blowing agent. The a-methyl styrene mixture is preferably added in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 2 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent.

As used herein, blowing agent composition refers HFC-245fa or HFC-134a singly or in combination with other non-ozone depleting blowing agents, such as, for example, other hydrofluorocarbons, difluoromethane (HFC-32), difluoroethane (HFC-152), trifluoroethane (HFC-143), tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134), pentafluoropropane (HFC-245), hexafluoropropane (HFC-236), heptafluoropropane (HFC-227); C 4

-C

7 hydrocarbons, including but not limited to butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, cyclopentane, hexane and isohexane; inert gases, air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide; and water in an amount of from about 0,5 to about 2 parts per 100 parts ofpolyol. Where isomerism is possible for the hydrofluorocarbons mentioned above, the respective isomers may be used either singly or in the form of a mixture.

HFC-245fa is a known material and can be prepared by methods known in the art such as those disclosed in WO 94/14736, WO 94/29251, WO 94/29252 and U.S. Patent No. 5,574,192. Difluoroethane, trifluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, heptafluoropropane and hexafluoropropane are available for purchase from COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 AlliedSignal Inc. of Morristown, NJ. The a-methyl styrene, isobutanol and Sisopropanol components of the invention are also commercially available.

SWith respect to the preparation of rigid or flexible polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams using a blowing agent comprising 1,1,1,3,3- 5 pentafluoropropane or 1,,11,2-tetrafluoroethane, any of the methods well known in the art can be employed. See Saunders and Frisch, Volumes I and II Polyurethanes Cc Chemistry and Technology (1962). In general, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate 00 foams are prepared by combining under suitable conditions an isocyanate (or isocyanurate), a polyol or mixture of polyols, a blowing agent or mixture of blowing 010 agents, and other materials such as catalysts, surfactants, and optionally, flame retardants, colorants, or other additives.

It is convenient in many applications to provide the components for polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams in pre-blended foam formulations. Most typically, the foam formulation is pre-blended into two components. The isocyanate or polyisocyanate composition comprises the first component, commonly referred to as the component or "A-side." The polyol or polyol mixture, surfactant, catalysts, blowing agents, flame retardant, water and other isocyanate reactive components comprise the second component, commonly referred to as the "B" component or "B-side". While the surfactant and fluorocarbon blowing agent are usually placed on the polyol side, they may be placed on either side, or partly on one side and partly on the other side. Accordingly, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams are readily prepared by bringing together the A and B side components either by hand mix, for small preparations, or preferably machine mix techniques to form blocks, slabs, laminates, pour-in-place panels and other items, spray applied foams, froths, and the like. Optionally, other ingredients such as fire retardants, colorants, auxiliary blowing agents, water and even other polyols can be added as a third stream to the mix head or reaction site. Most conveniently, however, they are all incorporated into one B component.

27-08-'08 17:31 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P011/037 F-639 P!FiCfP'fkii\l 27o3670 lu spadoc-l27OWh2 00 0O SThe additive mixture of a-methyl styrene with isobutanol and/or isopropanol used f in accordance with the present invention may be added to B-side of the foam formulation, ;Z or to the blowing agent per se, by any manner well known in the art.

Any organic polyisocyanate can be employed in polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam synthesis inclusive of aliphatit and aromatic polyisocyanates.

C Preferred as a class are the aromatic polyisocyanates, Preferred polyisocyanates for 00 rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam synthesis are the polymethylene Spolyphenyl isocyanates, particularly the mixtures containing from about 30 to about percent by weight ofmethylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) with the remainder of the mixture comprising the polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanates of functionality higher than 2. Preferred polyisocyanates for flexible polyurethane foam synthesis are toluene diisocyanates including, without limitation, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, 2,6toluene diisocyanate, and mixtures thereof.

Typical polyols used in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foams include, but are not limited to, aromatic amino-based polyether polyols such as those based on mixtures of 2,4- and 2,6-toluenediamine condensed with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. These polyols find utility in pour-in-place molded foams. Another example is aromatic alkylamino-based polyether polyols such as those based on ethoxylated and/or propoxylated aminoethylated nonylphenol derivatives. These polyols generally find utility in spray applied polyurethane foams. Another example is sucrose-based polyols such as those based on sucrose derivatives and/or mixtures of sucrose and glycerine derivatives condensed with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. These polyols generally find utility in pour-in-place molded foams.

Typical polyols used in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foams include, but are not limited to, those based on glycerol, ethylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene diamine, pentaerythritol, and the like condensed with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and the like. These are generally referred to as "polyether polyols". Another example is the graft copolymer polyols which include, but are not limited to, conventional polyether polyols with vinyl 7 COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 t polymer grafted to the polyether polyol chain. Yet another example is polyurea

O

Smodified polyols which consist of conventional polyether polyols with polyurea O particles dispersed in the polyol.

SExamples of polyols used in polyurethane modified polyisocyanurate foams include, but are not limited to, aromatic polyester polyols such as those based on complex mixtures of phthalate-type or terephthalate-type esters formed from polyols

C

such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, or propylene glycol. These polyols are Sused in rigid laminated boardstock, and may be blended with other types of polyols such as sucrose based polyols, and used in polyurethane foam applications.

Catalysts used in the manufacture of polyurethane foams are typically tertiary amines including, but not limited to, N-alkylmorpholines, N-alkylalkanolamines, N,N-dialkylcyclohexylamines, and alkylamines where the alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and the like and isomeric forms thereof, as well as heterocyclic amines. Typical, but not limiting, examples are triethylenediamine, tetramethylethylenediamine, bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl)ether, triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, triamylamine, pyridine, quinoline, dimethylpiperazine, piperazine, N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, N-ethylmorpholine, 2-methylpiperazine, N,N-dimethylethanolamine, tetramethylpropanediamine, methyltriethylenediamine, and mixtures thereof.

Optionally, non-amine polyurethane catalysts are used. Typical of such catalysts are organometallic compounds of lead, tin, titanium, antimony, cobalt, aluminum, mercury, zinc, nickel, copper, manganese, zirconium, and mixtures thereof Exemplary catalysts include, without limitation, lead 2-ethylhexoate, lead benzoate, ferric chloride, antimony trichloride, and antimony glycolate. A preferred organo-tin class includes the stannous salts of carboxylic acids such as stannous octoate, stannous 2-ethylhexoate, stannous laurate, and the like, as well as dialkyl tin salts of carboxylic acids such as dibutyl tin diacetate, dibutyl tin dilaurate, dioctyl tin diacetate, and the like.

In the preparation of polyisocyanurate foams, trimerization catalysts are used Sfor the purpose of converting the blends in conjunction with excess A component to 0 polyisocyanurate-polyurethane foams. The trimerization catalysts employed can be Sany catalyst known to one skilled in the art including, but not limited to, glycine salts c 5 and tertiary amine trimerization catalysts, alkali metal carboxylic acid salts, and mixtures thereof. Preferred species within the classes are potassium acetate, Cpotassium octoate, and 00 Also included in the mixture are blowing agents or blowing agent blends.

CN Generally speaking, the amount of blowing agent present in the blended mixture is dictated by the desired foam densities of the final polyurethane or polyisocyanurate C foams products. The polyurethane foams produced can vary in density, for example, from about 0.5 pound per cubic foot to about 40 pounds per cubic foot, preferably from about I to about 20 pounds per cubic foot, and most preferably from about 1 to about 6 pounds per cubic foot. The density obtained is a function of how much of the blowing agent, or blowing agent mixture, is present in the A and/or B components, or that is added at the time the foam is prepared. The proportions in parts by weight of the total blowing agent or blowing agent blend can fall within the range of from 1 to about 60 parts of blowing agent per 100 parts of polyol. Preferably from about 10 to about 35 parts by weight of blowing agent per 100 parts by weight of polyol are used.

Dispersing agents, cell stabilizers, and surfactants may be incorporated into the blowing agent mixture. Surfactants, better known as silicone oils, are added to serve as cell stabilizers. Some representative materials are sold under the names of DC-193, B-8404, and L-5340 which are, generally, polysiloxane polyoxyalkylene block co-polymers such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,834,748, 2,917,480, and 2,846,458.

Other optional additives for the blowing agent mixture may include flame retardants such as tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate, tris(2-chloropropyl)phosphate, tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloropropyl)phosphate, diammonium 27-08- 08 17:31 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P012/037 F-639 P:PER'0!£a ialinsT\Hl711 I S pQad-27ERB00 8 00 0 0 phosphate, various halogenated aromatic compounds, antimony oxide, aluminium b1) trihydrate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like.

This invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting reference examples in which parts or percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

c Reference Example 1 00 NC In this example, the vapor-pressure of a B-side prepared with HFC-245fa as a O 10 blowing agent is compared to a B-side prepared with HFC-245fa and 8.69 Spbw) isobutanol, based on the amount of HFC-245fa. The lowering of the vapor pressure was measured in an differential vapor pressure apparatus. The apparatus consists of two Fisher-Porter tubes with valves hooked to the two inlets of a differential pressure gauge (range -5 psi to +5 psi, with a resolution of 0.1 psi); together with a bypass line. To start the experiment, 50 grams of one of the two mixtures detailed in Table 1 were loaded in one of the two Fisher-Porter tube and grams of the other mixture in the other tube. The apparatus was then evacuated to purge the system of air that can interfere with the pressure measurement. The bypass line was then opened to zero the differential pressure gauge. With the gauge at zero, the bypass valve is closed, and the two valves on the Fisher-Porter tube is opened to the differential pressure gauge for measurement. The differential pressure gauge showed that the isobutanol containing composition was lower in pressure by 1.9 psi compared to the composition that did not contain isobutanol (see Table 2).

COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-02-'09 17:31 PEON-Davies Collisen Cave +61392542770 -50P1/3 -3 T-650 P013/037 F-639 t6s $?J-27NWllfA 00

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0 Table 1 CopoensWt.Q/ Wt%0/ Thanoi R-470X 3 45,35 44.46 Terat 20313.39 13.13 SF-265a 5.13 5.03 Glycerne 3,06 3.00 LK-443 0 0.67 0.66 R-8020 1,20- 1.18 LeadNap-all 24%o 0.07 0.07 Fyrol Pcd 8,03 7A.

1WC-2451'a 23,09 .22.64 Isobutanol 0.00 1.97 Index 1100 110 Table 2 Test Isobutanol -concentration 8.60 (wt of blowing agent- Chanie in vapor pt6fs&rO -1.9 In this example, the vair pressure of the fl-side prepared with HFC-245fa as a blowing agent is determined by the procedure described in Reference Example 1 compared to a E3-side prepared with HFC-245fa and K.60 isopropanol, based on the amount of IWC-245h'. The formulation used to pre'pare the foams is summarized in' Table 3. Table 4 shows that the addition of isopropanc4 results in a decrease ini vapor pressure of 2.28 psig.

0 PolyoI from Eastman ChwtIdcaI 6 PolyoI fl-em Hocichi Celanesa 'Surfactant from Air products d"Ctalyst from Mooney t Additive from AKZO COMS ID)No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-'08 17:31 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P014/037 F-639 ~,PflUIImsd-ri~u~rosm In ziNosnooY~e 00 0 0

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(cI 00 o o r-I Table 3 Components Wt%' Wt,% .Thanol R-470X 43.20 44,23 Terate 203 13.35 13.06 SF-265' 5.11 5.00 Glycerine 3.05 2.98 LK443 h 0.67 0.65 R-8020 1.20 1.17 Lead Nap-all 24%' 0.07 0.07 yrolPCF 8.01 7.83 HFC-245fa 23.35 22.85 Isopropanol 0.00 2.15 Index 110 110 Table 4 Test Isopropanol concentration 8.69 (wt of blowing agent) Change in vapor pressure -2.28 (psig) Reference Example 3 In this example, the vapour pressure of a B-side prepared with HFC-245fa as a blowing agent is determined by the procedure described in Reference Example 1 and is compared to the vapor pressure of B-sides prepared with HFC-245fa and 2.0 (0.64 pbw) and 0:5 (0.16 pbw) a-methyl styrene, based on the amount of HFC- 245fa. These foams are prepared from commercial rigid polyurethane-type foam systems, contain an equal number of moles of blowing agent and have equivalent densities. The formulation used to prepare the foams is summarized in Table Table 6 shows that the addition of a-methyl styrene in the amounts of 2.0 and tPolyo from Eastman Chemical Polyol from Hoescht Celanese SSurfactant from Air products 'Catalyst from Mooney J Additive from AKZO COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-'08 17:32 FEOM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P015/037 F-639 P:lOPER\Id\Scpihci blatb2 i0 N p.4W-27/Dmfl92t 00 0 0 weight percent results in a decrease in vapor pressure of 1.2 and 0.7 psig, respectively.

Table Formulation Wt% Wt.% Wt.% PHT4 DIOL 34.56 34.41 34.53 THANOLO R-57Sb 34.56 34.41 34.53 DC-193 1.04 1.03 1.04 POLYCAT 8 d 1.24 1.24 1.24 6.91 6.88 6.91 o-methyl styrene 0.00 0.44 0.11 HFC-245fa 21.68 21.58 21.65 SPolyol from Great Lakes Chemical b Polyol from Eastman Chemical Surfactant (silicon glycol co-polymer) from Air Products and Chemicals dAmine Catalyst from Air Products "Non-lonic Surface Active Agent from Texaco Chemical Co.

Table 6 Test r-methylstyrene concentration 2.0 (wt of blowing agent) Change in vapor pressree (psig) -12 -0.7 Reference Example 4 In this example, the k-factor of a foam prepared with HFC-245fa as a blowing agent is compared to a foam prepared with HFC-245fa and 0.02 a-methyl styrene, based on the amount of HFC-245fa. These foams are prepared from commercial rigid polyurethane-type foam systems, contain an equal number of moles of blowing agent and have equivalent densities. The comparison is performed by measuring the kfactor of the foams by ASTM C-518 initially, at 13 days and at 26 days. The formulation used to prepare the foams is summarized in Table 7. The test results 13 COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-'08 17:32 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P016/037 F-639 PA.1PE)tiK;lpSii6cainMi1349 7 hlp*doC-a4o7/GDl 00 0 cO cNI summarized in Table 8 indicate that foams prepared with HFC-245fa and a-methyl styrene have better (lower) k-factors than foams prepared with HFC-245fa alone.

Table 7 Components Wt.% Wt.% Thanol R-470X 45.05 45,05 Terate 203' 13.30 13.30 SF-265' 5.09 5.09 Glycerine 3,04 3.04 LK443 m 0.66 0.66 R-8020 1.20 1.20 Lead Nap-all 24%" 0.07 0.07 Pyrol PCF" 7.98 7.98 Water 0.33 0.33 HFC-245fa 23.27 23.27 a-methyl styrene 0.00 0.01 Index 110 110 Table 8 Test Time (days) k-Factor (BTU in/Hr Ft z F) Initial .150 .146 13 days .165 .160 28 days .172 .167 Reference. Example In this example, the k-factor of a foam prepared with HFC-245fa as a blowing agent is compared to a foam prepared with 0.5 a-methyl styrene, based on the amount of HFC-245fa. These foams are prepared from commercial rigid polyurethane-type foam systems, contain an equal number of moles of blowing agent and have equivalent densities.

Polyol from Eastman Chemical Polyol from Hoescht Celanese m Surfatant from Air products SCatalyst from Mooney Additive from AKZO COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-'08 17:32 FROM'-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P017/037 F-639 00 0 0 ci

CNI

PMPER.W clSpc.tltlcunOl7 tL96,.h.)-1.27 S2001 The comparison is performed by measuring the k-factor of the foams by ASTM C-518 initially, at 13 days and at 26 days. The formulation used to prepare the foams is summarized in Table 9. The test results summarized in Table 10 indicate that foams prepared from a different foam formulation containing HFC-245fa and a-methyl styrene have better (lower) k-factors than foams prepared with HFC-245fa alone.

Table 9 Components PBW PBW Thanol R-470XP 45.05 44.98 Terate 2 0 3 q 13.30 13.28 SF-265' 5.09 5.09 Glycerine 3.04 3.03 LK.443r 1.20 1.19 R-8020 0.07 0.07 Lead Nap-all 24% 7.98 7.97 Fyrol PCF' 0.33 0.33 Water 0.33 0,33 HFC-245fa 23.27 23.24 -methyl styrene 0.00 0.15 Index 110 110 Table Test Time (days) k-Factor (BTU in/Hr F F) Initial .150 .147 13 days .165 .160 28 days .172 .166 Reference Example 6 In this example, the k-factor of a foam prepared with HFC-245fa as a blowing agent is compared to a foam prepared with 2.0 a-methyl styrene, based on the P Polyol from Eastman Chemical SPolyol from Hoescht Celanese Surfactant from Air products Catalyst from Mooney 'Additive from AKZO COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 amount of HFC-245fa. These foams are prepared from commercial rigid polyurethane-type foam systems, contain an equal number of moles of blowing agent and have equivalent densities.

The comparison is performed by measuring the k-factor of the foams by ASTM C-518 initially, at 13 days and at 26 days. The formulation used to prepare the foams is summarized in Table 11. The test results summarized in Table 8 indicate that foams prepared with HFC-245fa and 2.0 a-methyl styrene have better (lower) k-factors than foams prepared with HFC-245fa alone.

Table 11 Components Wt.% Wt.% Thanol R-470Xu 45.05 44.84 Terate 203' 13.30 13.24 SF-265k 5.09 5.07 Glycerine 3.04 3.02 LK-443w 1.20 1.19 R-8020 0.66 0.66 Lead Nap-all 24%' 0.07 0.07 Fyrol PCF Y 7.98 7.98 water 0.33 0.33 HFC-245fa 23.27 23.16 o-methyl styrene 0.00 0.46 Index 110 110 Table 12 Test _Time (days k-Factor (BTU in/Hr Ft 2 Initial .150 .148 13 days .165 .162 28 days .172 .162 Polyol from Eastman Chemical SPolyol from Hoescht Celanese Surfactant from Air products Catalyst from Mooney SAdditive from AKZO 27-08-'08 17:32 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P018/037 F-639 00 0 0 ci P-lofgft'Iktd(l ^s ul270770 i dio 27/l?2B Reference Example 7 In this example, a foam is prepared from a typical commercial rigid polyurethane-type foam formulation such as that shown in Table 13, wherein the moles of blowing agent are equal and the densities are equivalent. Foams prepared with HFC-134a as the blowing agent is compared to a foam with HFC-134a and 0.02 a-methyl styrene, based on the amount of HFC-134a. The vapor pressures of the B-sides of the respective foams are determined by the procedure described in Example 1 and are compared. The k-factor of the resultant foams are determined using ASTM C-518 and compared. Both the vapor pressure of the B-side and k-factor of the compositions containing a-methyl styrene display improvement.

Table 13 Components Wt.% Wt,% Thanol R-470X 67.76 45,05% Terate 203" 20.01 13.30% SF-265' 7.66 5.09% CGlycerin 4.57 3.04% LK-443' 1 0.66% R-8020 1.8 1,20% Lead NapI-a 0.1 0.07% Fyrol PCF d 12 7.98% Water 0.5 0,33% HFC.245fa 35 23.27% a-methyl styrene 0 0.01% Index 110 110 2 Polyol from Eastman Chemical "Polyol fron Hoescht Celanese SSurfactant from Air products SCatalyst from Mooney Additive from AKZO COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-08 17:32 FROM-Da..ies Collison Cave +61219Z542770 T-650 P019/037 F-639 00 0 o Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context ci requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and ;Z "1comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or S steps.

(fl The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an 00 acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general 0knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

17a COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27

Claims (1)

1. 27-08-'08 17:32 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P0201/37 F-639 P^oPeomtflkesdcs ationsiz707 Ist spadC-2/02flO 00 0 o THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: Z 1. A blowing agent composition comprising a hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3- pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and mixtures thereof; and an additive selected from mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isobutanol; mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isopropanol; and mixtures of a-methyl styrene, frn isobutanol and isopropanol. 00 S2. The blowing agent composition of claim 1, wherein the additive is present in an t amount of about 0.02 to about 10 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent. 3. The blowing agent composition of claim 2, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 0.02 to about 5 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent. 4. The blowing agent composition of claim 3, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 0.02 to about 2 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent. The blowing agent composition of claim 4, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 0.02 to about 0.5 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent. 6. The blowing agent composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon consists of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane. 7. A method of preparing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam composition comprising reacting and foaming a mixture of ingredients which react to form polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams in the presence of a blowing agent comprising a hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2- tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and mixtures thereof; and an additive selected from mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isobutanol; mixtures of a-methyl styrene and isopropanol; and mixtures of a-methyl styrene, isobutanol and isopropanol. 18 COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27 27-08-'08 17:32 FROM-Davies Collison Cave +61392542770 T-650 P021/37 F-639 P:OPERRdAiS9pltettla12767 I5tspdlo 27/vl /2i(PO l 00 0 0 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 0.02 to osi) about 10 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent. 9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon consists of 1,1,1,3,3- C'I pentafluoropropane. 10. A closed cell foam comprising a cell gas comprising a blowing agent comprising: a n hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2- 00 tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and mixtures thereof; and an additive Cl comprising of a-methyl styrene and isobutanol. o 11. A closed cell foam comprising a cell gas comprising a blowing agent comprising: a hydrofluorocarbon selected from 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2- tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and mixtures thereof; and an additive comprising of a-methyl styrene and isopropanol. 12. The closed cell foam of claim 10 or 11, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon comprises 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane. 13. The closed cell foam of claim 12, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon consists of 1,1,1,3,3- pentafluoropropane. 14. The closed cell foam of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 0.02 to about 2 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent. 15. The closed cell foam of claim 14, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 0.02 to about 0.5 weight percent, based on the amount of blowing agent. 16. A blowing agent composition of claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described. 17. A method of claim 7 substantially as hereinbefore described. 18. A closed cell foam of claim 10 or 11 substantially as hereinbefore described. 19 COMS ID No: ARCS-203791 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:38 Date 2008-08-27