Foaming agent compositions containing 1,2,2-trifluor-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane, and methods of foaming

Abstract

A blowing agent composition includes a blowing agent and a nucleating agent. The nucleating agent includes 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane. The 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane is present in the blowing agent composition in an amount from about 0.5 wt. % to about 7 wt. % of the blowing agent composition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blowing agent composition comprising:
 a blowing agent; and   a nucleating agent, the nucleating agent including 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane (TFMCB), the TFMCB present in the blowing agent composition in an amount from about 0.5 wt. % to about 7 wt. % of the blowing agent composition.   
     
     
         2 . The blowing agent composition of  claim 1 , wherein the blowing agent comprises HFC-152a, HFC-245fa, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-365mfc, propane, butane, pentane, cyclopentane, hexane, HFO-1234ze(E), HFO-1234yf, HFO-1336mzz(E), HFO-1336mzz(Z), HFO-1233zd(E), HFO-1233zd(Z), HFO-1224yd(E), HFO-1224yd(Z), C1-C4 alcohol, trans-dichloroethylene (trans-DCE), methyl formate, C1-C4 aldehydes, C3-C4 ketones, C2-C4 ethers, diethers, water, CO2, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The blowing agent composition of  claim 2 , wherein the blowing agent comprises cyclopentane, HFC-245fa, R-1233zd(E), HFO-1336mzz(Z), or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The blowing agent composition of  claim 3 , wherein the blowing agent consists of cyclopentane. 
     
     
         5 . The blowing agent composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adjuvant selected from the group consisting of: surfactant(s), polymer modifier(s), toughening agent(s), colorant(s), dye(s), solubility enhancer(s), rheology modifier(s), plasticizing agent(s), flammability suppressant(s), antibacterial agent(s), viscosity reduction modifier(s), filler(s), vapor pressure modifier(s), catalyst(s) and combination of any two or more of these. 
     
     
         6 . The blowing agent composition of  claim 1 , wherein the TFMCB present in the composition in an amount from about 1 wt. % to about 7 wt. % of the blowing agent composition. 
     
     
         7 . The blowing agent composition of  claim 1 , wherein the TFMCB present in the composition in an amount from about 2 wt. % to about 6 wt. % of the blowing agent composition. 
     
     
         8 . The blowing agent composition of  claim 1 , wherein the TFMCB present in the composition in an amount from about 3 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of the blowing agent composition. 
     
     
         9 . A foamable composition comprising:
 a foam forming agent; and   a blowing agent composition, the blowing agent comprising:
 a blowing agent; and 
 a nucleating agent, the nucleating agent including 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane (TFMCB), the TFMCB present in the blowing agent composition in an amount from about 0.5 wt. % to about 7 wt. % of the blowing agent composition. 
   
     
     
         10 . The foamable composition of  claim 9 , wherein the foam forming agent comprises at least one thermoset foam component. 
     
     
         11 . The foamable composition of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one thermoset component is capable of forming polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         12 . The foamable composition of  claim 9 , wherein the foam forming agent comprises at least one thermoplastic foam component. 
     
     
         13 . The foamable composition of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one thermoplastic foam component is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, ethylene homopolymers, polypropylene, polyethyleneterepthalate (PET) and combinations of these. 
     
     
         14 . The foamable composition of  claim 9 , wherein the blowing agent comprises HFC-152a, HFC-245fa, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-365mfc, propane, butane, pentane, cyclopentane, hexane, HFO-1234ze(E), HFO-1234yf, HFO-1336mzz(E), HFO-1336mzz(Z), HFO-1233zd(E), HFO-1233zd(Z), HFO-1224yd(E), HFO-1224yd(Z), C1-C4 alcohol, trans-dichloroethylene (trans-DCE), methyl formate, C1-C4 aldehydes, C3-C4 ketones, C2-C4 ethers, diethers, water, CO2, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The foamable composition of  claim 14 , wherein the blowing agent comprises cyclopentane, HFC-245fa, R-1233zd(E), HFO-1336mzz(Z), or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A foam comprising:
 a plurality of polymeric cells; and   a composition contained in at least one of the cells, the composition comprising:
 a blowing agent; and 
 a nucleating agent, the nucleating agent including 1,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylcyclobutane (TFMCB), the TFMCB present in the cell in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 3 wt. % of the composition. 
   
     
     
         17 . The foam of  claim 16  in the form of a rigid foam. 
     
     
         18 . The foam of  claim 16  in the form of an open cell foam. 
     
     
         19 . The foam of  claim 16  in the form of a closed cell foam. 
     
     
         20 . The foam of  claim 16  wherein the blowing agent comprises HFC-152a, HFC-245fa, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-365mfc, propane, butane, pentane, cyclopentane, hexane, HFO-1234ze(E), HFO-1234yf, HFO-1336mzz(E), HFO-1336mzz(Z), HFO-1233zd(E), HFO-1233zd(Z), HFO-1224yd(E), HFO-1224yd(Z), C1-C4 alcohol, trans-dichloroethylene (trans-DOE), methyl formate, C1-C4 aldehydes, C3-C4 ketones, C2-C4 ethers, diethers, water, CO2, and combinations thereof.