Noble-gas-infused neoprene closed-cell foams achieving ultra-low thermal conductivity fabrics.

ABSTRACT: Closed-cell foams are widely applied as insulation and essential for the thermal management of protective garments for extreme environments. In this work, we develop and demonstrate a strategy for drastically reducing the thermal conductivity of a flexible, closed-cell polychloroprene foam to 0.031 ± 0.002 W m^-1 K^-1, approaching values of an air gap (0.027 W m^-1 K^-1) for an extended period of time (>10 hours), within a material capable of textile processing. Ultra-insulating neoprene materials are synthesized using high-pressure processing at 243 kPa in a high-molecular-weight gas environment, such as Ar, Kr, or Xe. A Fickian diffusion model describes both the mass infusion and thermal conductivity reduction of the foam as a function of processin

SUBMITTER: Moran JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9080917 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature