Solubility and diffusivity of polyethyl acrylate in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

An alternative plastic-bonded molding powder production process would use a polymeric binder dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide rather than the liquid organic solvents currently used. This research investigated the solubility and diffusion coefficients of polyethyl acrylate, a potential binder, in supercritical carbon dioxide. Over the range of solvent conditions investigated, the dissolved polymer concentration was 0.036 wt% or less. A practical molding powder production process is not likely with such a dilute binder solution. © 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA,.