Patent ID: 8314161
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: C08J,C08L

Abstract:
1. A non-resilient closed cell polystyrene foam insulation product consisting of an expanded, solidified molten blend of polystyrene homopolymer, a vinyl polymer, a blowing agent, and optionally one or more non-polymeric additives, the vinyl polymer having a melt index of about 1 to 2 g/10 min. at 190° C., the vinyl polymer containing about 20 to 40 mol % copolymerized vinyl alcohol, wherein the amount of vinyl polymer in the molten blend is sufficient so that (a) the polystyrene foam product contains about 0.21 to 1.06 wt. % copolymerized vinyl alcohol, and further so that (b) a transverse sample of the closed cell polystyrene foam insulation product having a nominal thickness of 1 inch (about 2.54 cm) exhibits a radius at failure, R and further wherein the amount of vinyl polymer contained in the molten blend is not so much that the strength of the polystyrene foam product is substantially less than the strength of an otherwise identical polystyrene foam made without the vinyl polymer, this amount being no greater than about 2.5 wt. %.