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Abstract

The solubility of various blowing agents (BAs) such as CO2, N2, Ar, pentane, isopentane, cyclopentane, butane, hexane, heptane, 1,1-difluoroethane, CO2/N2, and CO2/pentane in polyethylene terephthalate was studied using closed pressure vessels. The experiments were performed at 50—200°C and pressures up to 14 MPa. The solubilities were correlated using the Flory—Huggins equation for HFC and hydrocarbons, and via Henry's law for supercritical gases. In order of decreasing solubility, the BAs rank 1,1-difluoroethane > hydrocarbons > inert gases. Since the Arrhenius type behavior seemed to be able to describe the temperature dependency of the H-values, the solubilities at foaming temperatures can be predicted.

Keywords

solubility polyethylene terephthalate solvent gas.

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Solubility Measurements of Blowing Agents in Polyethylene Terephthalate

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