Alternate Polymer Foams for Laser IFE Targets W

Alternate Polymer Foams for Laser IFE Targets W. P. Steckle, Jr. , A. M. Schwendt, and A. Nobile Los Alamos National Laboratory Polymer and Coatings Group, MST-7, MS E 549 Los Alamos, NM 87545

Task Goals Task 3. 5. 2: Evaluate alternative systems for foam shells that have the potential to meet specifications ($75 k LANL) Potential alternate systems being considered • Injection molding • Other foam systems - some contain nitrogen and oxygen, so these are lower priority • Alternative initiators - UV/photoinitiators FY 01 Deliverable: Report that provides a review of foam chemistries and technologies that have potential for fabrication of IFE foam targets that can be scaled up

Foams Currently Used in ICF Targets

Example: Foam injection molding is being considered Injection Molding Advantages • Close control of target specifications out of round wall variation outside diameter skin on foam • Process simplifications possible • Mature industrial technology available Issues • Bonding of hemishells with acceptable defects • Removal/elimination of “nub” from injection mold process • Mold design • Precision fabrication of molds • Process for skin and surface finish

Current Injection Molding Technology has Advanced Considerably in the Recent Past Mu. Cell™ Microcellular Injection Molding Trexel Inc. mold Density: 30 - 900 mg/cc Pore size: 1 - 50 µm

Summary • • Task 3. 5. 2 (Alternate Foam Systems) will investigate alternative foam chemistries and technologies that could be of potential use in laser IFE targets The FY 01 deliverable for this task will be a report reviewing foam systems that have potential for fabrication of IFE targets