Abstract: By compressing and heat curing a non-resilient, non-flexible recurable material formed by subjecting cured polyimide foam to the action of pressurized steam, a wide variety of useful articles may be produced. These include tough, flame-resistant plastic films, sheets, panels, boards, and shapes in general; composites (both reinforced and unreinforced); and laminates and other articles in which separate shapes or parts are bonded together by a new type of tough, flame-resistant adhesive. Additionally, heretofore worthless products such as the kerf cut away from buns of polyimide foam during the foam manufacturing process can be converted and vastly upgraded into any of such an array of new articles of manufacture such as those just mentioned.

Abstract: A non-flexible, non-resilient recurable cellular material, prepared by exposing cured polyimide foam to an atmosphere of steam at an elevated pressure, is introduced into a honeycomb or like structure so that the cells are at least partially filled with the recurable cellular material. The cellular material is then cured while contained within such cells to form a composite polyimide foam-containing structure. Laminates may be applied to either or both faces of the polyimide foam-containing cellular structure. These articles possess enhanced strength, yet are lightweight and flame resistant, and thus useful for structural, vibration damping and thermal insulation applications.

Abstract: Cured polyimide foam is exposed to an atmosphere of steam at elevated temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to convert the foam into a non-flexible, non-resilient recurable cellular material. Preferably the process is conducted such that the cellular material is recurable to a flexible resilient foam having tensile strength properties similar to the tensile strength properties of the original cured polyimide foam subjected to the process. Before recuring, the non-flexible, non-resilient recurable cellular material may be shaped or contoured, and then recured. For example, by impressing shaped articles into the recurable material followed by recuring, shipping/storage containers for the articles are readily produced.

Abstract: Cured polyimide foam is exposed to an atmosphere of steam at elevated temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to convert the foam into a non-flexible, non-resilient recurable cellular material. Preferably the process is conducted such that the cellular material is recurable to a flexible resilient foam having tensile strength properties similar to the tensile strength properties of the original cured polyimide foam subjected to the process. Before recuring, the non-flexible, non-resilient recurable cellular material may be shaped or contoured, and then recured. For example, by impressing shaped articles into the recurable material followed by recuring, shipping/storage containers for the articles are readily produced.

Abstract: By compressing and heat curing a non-resilient, non-flexible recurable material formed by subjecting cured polyimide foam to the action of pressurized steam, a wide variety of useful articles may be produced. These include tough, flame-resistant plastic films, sheets, panels, boards, and shapes in general; composites (both reinforced and unreinforced); and laminates and other articles in which separate shapes or parts are bonded together by a new type of tough, flame-resistant adhesive. Additionally, heretofore worthless waste products such as the kerf cut away from buns of polyimide foam during the foam manufacturing process can be converted and vastly upgraded into any of such an array of new articles of manufacture such as those just mentioned.

Abstract: A polyimide precursor mixture having a solids content of about 50 to about 77 (preferably about 65 to about 75) weight percent is subjected to a multistaged thermal treatment in which the precursor is heated to one or more temperatures sufficient to obtain a consolidated but friable cellular foam structure, and the resultant cellular foam structure is then subjected to one or more higher temperatures sufficient to cure the cellular material into a resilient polyimide foam. There is no need for use of time-consuming and expensive spray drying and microwave radiation apparatus.

Abstract: A body of cured polyimide foam is treated with steam to produce a non-flexible, non-resilient cellular structure. A molding member is impressed into this structure to a depth less than the full thickness of the structure. The structure is then cured to polyimide foam with the molding member removed therefrom either before, during or after the curing has been completed. The resultant articles, which may be laminated, are useful as panels to dampen vibration and sound, and to provide thermal insulation. In addition the articles are flame resistant and flexible.

Abstract: By compressing and heat curing a non-resilient, non-flexible recurable material formed by subjecting cured polyimide foam to the action of pressurized steam, a wide variety of useful articles may be produced. These include tough, flame-resistant plastic films, sheets, panels, boards, and shapes in general; composites (both reinforced and unreinforced); and laminates and other articles in which separate shapes or parts are bonded together by a new type of tough, flame-resistant adhesive. Additionally, heretofore worthless waste products such as the kerf cut away from buns of polyimide foam during the foam manufacturing process can be converted and vastly upgraded into any of such an array of new articles of manufacture such as those just mentioned.

Abstract: Cured polyimide foam is exposed to an atmosphere of steam at elevated temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to convert the foam into a non-flexible, non-resilient recurable cellular material. Preferably the process is conducted such that the cellular material is recurable to a flexible resilient foam having tensile strength properties similar to the tensile strength properties of the original cured polyimide foam subjected to the process. Before recuring, the non-flexible, non-resilient recurable cellular material may be shaped or contoured, and then recured. For example, by impressing shaped articles into the recurable material followed by recuring, shipping/storage containers for the articles are readily produced.

Abstract: By compressing and heat curing a non-resilient, non-flexible recurable material formed by subjecting cured polyimide foam to the action of pressurized steam, a wide variety of useful articles may be produced. These include tough, flame-resistant plastic films, sheets, panels, boards, and shapes in general; composites (both reinforced and unreinforced); and laminates and other articles in which separate shapes or parts are bonded together by a new type of tough, flame-resistant adhesive. Additionally, heretofore worthless waste products such as the kerf cut away from buns of polyimide foam during the foam manufacturing process can be converted and vastly upgraded into any of such an array of new articles of manufacture such as those just mentioned.

Abstract: A heated roll suitable for use as a fuser roll in a xerographic processes is formed from a sheet of flexible, resilient, polyimide foam. An electrical heating circuit is adhesively secured thereto. The circuit is preferably disposed between a pair of polyimide film sheets which, in turn, are secured to the foam.

Abstract: A composition and a process for the preparation of modified polyimide foams possessing outstanding resistance to high humidity environments which comprises the step of preparing a foamable composition by mixing a solution of an ester of benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and caprolactam with a polyamine to form a resin precursor which when heated foams contemporaneously with the polymerization of the reactants. Two solvents with different boiling points are used to produce a two phase system which yields spray dried powders completely free of the lower boiling point solvent.

Abstract: A laminate and a method for its preparation comprising a polyimide foam, a fire-resistant, heat-activated adhesive overlaying a skin on the foam and a polyimide film adhered to the skin, with the laminate being prepared by contacting a foam in contact with the adhesive and film under heat and pressure to simultaneously form a skin on one surface of the foam and bond the polyimide film through the adhesive to the skin.

Abstract: A polyimide and a process for its preparation wherein the polyimide is prepared from reaction of an organic tetracarboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a mixture of an aromatic diamine and an amine-terminated butadiene-nitrile copolymer. The polyimides of the invention are particularly useful in the preparation of flexible foams.

Abstract: A polyimide and a process for its preparation wherein the polyimide is prepared from reaction of an organic tetracarboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a mixture of an aromatic diamine and an amine-terminated butadiene-nitrile copolymer. The polyimides of the invention are particularly useful in the preparation of flexible foams.

Abstract: A polyimide and a process for its preparation wherein the polyimide is prepared from reaction of an organic tetracarboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a mixture of an aromatic diamine and an amine-terminated fluoroether. The polyimides of the invention are particularly useful in the preparation of flexible foams.

Abstract: A polyimide and a process for its preparation wherein the polyimide is prepared from reaction of an organic tetracarboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a mixture of an aromatic diamine and an amine-terminated silicone. The polyimides of the invention are particularly useful in the preparation of flexible foams.