Empower Materials
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Other Structural Applications

Pore Formers

QPAC poly(alkylene carbonates) are uniquely suited for use as direct pore formers.

Key Benefits:

  • Decomposes completely by 300°C in any environment
  • Very low ash residue with the complete burn-out of carbon
  • Available in a range of molecular weights, standard QPAC has a range of 100,000 – 300,000 Mw
  • Amorphous 
  • Solubilize completely and homogeneously to form a true solution
  • Millable into fine powders 
  • QPAC40 is available as a particle suspended in a water-based emulsion; all QPAC materials are available in granulate/ pellet form or solution
  • Excellent film-forming and coating capabilities
  • Benign emissions from combustion are carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and environmentally safe
  • Decomposition occurs in a wide range of sintering atmospheres, including air, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and vacuum

Applications include:

  • Mesoporous Carbon Composites
  • Titanium Structures
  • Fuel Cells
  • Medical Implants
  • Thermoplastic Films and Stock Shapes
  • Mortars, Concrete, and Artificial Stone
  • Foams and Tapes

Pore Formers Overview

Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) Fabrication

QPAC is suitable as a sacrificial layer for forming encapsulated air channels in MEMS and microfluidic device fabrication.

Key benefits:

  • Decomposition advances linearly with time
  • Naturally “tacky” and provides excellent adhesion to substrates
  • Decomposition occurs in a wide range of sintering atmospheres, including air, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and vacuum
  • Decomposes completely between 220°C – 350°C, which can be as much as 100°C below the decomposition temperatures of other binders
  • Virtually no residue or contamination
  • Benign emissions from combustion are carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and environmentally safe

Applications include:

  • MEMS microfluidic devices in polyamide (SU-8)
  • Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) chip modules

Medical Implants

An emerging application for QPAC organic binders is in fabrication of medical implants and controlled drug delivery.

Applications include:

  • Pore former for bio formation
  • Biomaterial for controlled drug delivery

Key benefits:

confidential

Note: QPAC is currently not FDA-registered.

Lost Foam Casting

Key Benefits:

  • Decomposes completely by 300°C in any environment
  • Very low ash residue with the complete burn-out of carbon
  • Benign emissions from combustion are carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and environmentally safe
  • Decomposition occurs in a wide range of sintering atmospheres, including air, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and vacuum

Applications include:

  • Metal Castings
  • Foundries
  • Aluminum
  • Stainless Steel

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