What Happens to Closed-Cell Foam at Cryogenic Temperatures?

[KarenRei]

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 :)

 

[KarenRei]

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