What Happens to Closed-Cell Foam at Cryogenic Temperatures?

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Closed-cell foam is commonly used in cryogenic applications, such as the insulation on the shuttle's external tank. At cryogenic temperatures, there are concerns about whether the air inside the foam cells would freeze, potentially leading to cell rupture or significant volume reduction. The structural integrity of the foam upon returning to normal temperatures is also questioned, particularly regarding any permanent damage. Non-plastic foams, like foamed aluminum, raise additional concerns about crushing or inflation without damage, given aluminum's susceptibility to fatigue. Despite extensive searching, there appears to be a lack of detailed information on the behavior of these materials at cryogenic temperatures.
KarenRei
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Closed-cell foam is used in many cryogenic applications - for example, the insulation on the shuttle ET was closed cell. But what exactly happens to a closed-cell foam at cryogenic temperatures? One would presume that the air inside the cells would freeze out. But would the cells rupture? Or would their volume decrease by orders of magnitude? Would they not lose structural integrity on return - do they fully return to normal, or is the freeze-out area damaged?

What about non-plastic foams? For example, there's foamed aluminum on the market today, also being looked at for cryogenic applications in cases. Would it not crush? Would it inflate without damage or would the cells rupture? At the very least one would expect some problems, as aluminum is a fatigue-prone metal...

Searched for an hour or two today and couldn't find any information on this.

Thanks :)
 
I still have been unable to find any information, unfortunately.
 
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