Blowing agent compositions of hydrofluoroolefins and hydrochlorofluoroolefins

Abstract

The present invention relates to blowing agent compositions comprising (1) at least one hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) and (2) at least one hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO) used in the preparation of foamable thermoplastic compositions. The HFOs of component (1) include, but are not limited too, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO-1243zf), 1,2,3,3,3 -pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225ye), cis- and/or trans-1,3,33-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO 1234yf), and mixtures thereof. The HCFOs of component (2) include, but are not limited to, 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd), 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) and mixtures thereof. The blowing agent compositions are useful in the production of low density insulating foams with improved k-factor.

1 . A foamable resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and a blowing agent comprising at least one hydrofluoroolefin and at least one hydrochlorofluoroolefin. 
     
     
         2 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 1  wherein said hydrofluoroolefin is selected from C3 through C5 fluorinated alkene or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 2  wherein said C3 through C5 fluorinated alkene is selected from trifluoropropene, tetrafluoropropene, pentafluoropropene, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 3  wherein said trifluoropropene is 3,3,3-trifluoropropene. 
     
     
         5 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 3  wherein said tetrafluoropropene is selected from cis-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 3  where the pentafluoropropene is selected from E-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 1  wherein said hydrochlorofluoroolefin contains three or more carbons atoms. 
     
     
         8 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 1  wherein said hydrochlorofluoroolefin is selected from 1-chloro-3,3,34trifluoropropene, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,1-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,2-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 4  where said 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene comprises greater than 75% of the trans-isomer. 
     
     
         10 . The foamable resin composition of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic resin is selected from polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, or mixtures thereof.