Microcellular foaming behavior of ether- and ester-based TPUs blown with supercritical CO2

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 561-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bige Batı ◽  
Emine Büşra Küçük ◽  
Ali Durmuş ◽  
Mohammadreza Nofar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Hard Segment ◽  
Saturation Temperature ◽  
Growth Behavior ◽  
Processing Unit ◽  
Foam Expansion ◽  
Processing Window ◽  
Blowing Agent ◽  
Foaming Behavior ◽  
Scale Reactor

AbstractThe bead foaming behavior of ether- and an ester-based Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) resins were investigated in a lab-scale reactor using supercritical CO2 as the blowing agent. The samples were saturated at various saturation temperatures and the effects of hard segment crystallization during the saturation on the foaming behavior of the TPU samples were explored. The results revealed that the different HS crystallization tendencies and possible CO2 solubility differences in two TPU grades led to their different foaming behaviors. The ester-based TPU could be foamed within a wider saturation temperature range and revealed an easier cell growth and foam expansion while the ether-based TPU showed a more limited cell growth behavior and hence processing window. The effect of pre-annealing and hence the isothermally induced HS crystallization on the foaming behavior of the ether-based TPU and the influence of depressurization rate on the foaming behavior of ester-based TPU was also explored.

scholarly journals Effect of Compatibility on the Foaming Behavior of Injection Molded Polypropylene and Polycarbonate Blend Parts

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bei Su ◽  
Ying-Guo Zhou ◽  
Bin-Bin Dong ◽  
Cao Yan
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Potential Method ◽  
Grafted Polymers ◽  
Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer ◽  
Blowing Agent ◽  
Cell Nucleation ◽  
Foaming Behavior ◽  
Thermal Features ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Scanning Electron

To improve the foaming behavior of a common linear polypropylene (PP) resin, polycarbonate (PC) was blended with PP, and three different grafted polymers were used as the compatibilizers. The solid and foamed samples of the PP/PC 3:1 blend with different compatibilizers were first fabricated by melt extrusion followed by injection molding (IM) with and without a blowing agent. The mechanical properties, thermal features, morphological structure, and relative rheological characterizations of these samples were studied using a tensile test, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and torque rheometer. It can be found from the experimental results that the influence of the compatibility between the PP and PC phases on the foaming behavior of PP/PC blends is substantial. The results suggest that PC coupling with an appropriate compatibilizer is a potential method to improve the foamability of PP resin. The comprehensive effect of PC and a suitable compatibilizer on the foamability of PP can be attributed to two possible mechanisms, i.e., the partial compatibility between phases that facilitates cell nucleation and the improved gas-melt viscosity that helps to form a fine foaming structure.

scholarly journals Microwave Foaming of Materials: An Emerging Field

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2477
Author(s):  
Mukarram Zubair ◽  
Rebecca Ferrari ◽  
Omar Alagha ◽  
Nuhu Dalhat Mu’azu ◽  
Nawaf I. Blaisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Process Time ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Blowing Agent ◽  
Foaming Behavior ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Physical Expansion ◽  
Processing Steps ◽  
Processing Factors

In the last two decades, the application of microwave heating to the processing of materials has to become increasingly widespread. Microwave-assisted foaming processes show promise for industrial commercialization due to the potential advantages that microwaves have shown compared to conventional methods. These include reducing process time, improved energy efficiency, solvent-free foaming, reduced processing steps, and improved product quality. However, the interaction of microwave energy with foaming materials, the effects of critical processing factors on microwave foaming behavior, and the foamed product’s final properties are still not well-explored. This article reviews the mechanism and principles of microwave foaming of different materials. The article critically evaluates the impact of influential foaming parameters such as blowing agent, viscosity, precursor properties, microwave conditions, additives, and filler on the interaction of microwave, foaming material, physical (expansion, cellular structure, and density), mechanical, and thermal properties of the resultant foamed product. Finally, the key challenges and opportunities for developing industrial microwave foaming processes are identified, and areas for potential future research works are highlighted.

scholarly journals Progressive developmental restriction, acquisition of left-right identity and cell growth behavior during lobe formation in mouse liver development

Development ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (7) ◽  
pp. 1149-1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C. Weiss ◽  
Jean-Francois Le Garrec ◽  
Sabrina Coqueran ◽  
Helene Strick-Marchand ◽  
Margaret Buckingham
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Growth Behavior ◽  
Liver Development

Foaming of amorphous polymers and blends in supercritical CO2: Solubility versus block copolymers addition

2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 535-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Antonio Reglero ◽  
Philippe Viot ◽  
Michel Dumon
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Triblock Copolymers ◽  
Saturation Pressure ◽  
Saturation Temperature ◽  
Good Control ◽  
Amorphous Polymers ◽  
Co2 Solubility ◽  
Gain Ratio ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Foaming Behavior

Supercritical CO2 (scCO2) is used as a medium for foaming amorphous polymers. Astudy of the solubility of supercritical CO2 in several amorphous polymers (PS andPMMA) and blends is performed, followed by an investigation of the foaming behavior of the polymer–gas systems. Nano-structuring triblock copolymers (styrene-co- butadiene-co-methylmethacrylate SBM and methylmethacrylate-co-butylacrylate-co- methylmethacrylate MAM) were blended as additives to PS or PMMA by extrusion. The addition of these triblock copolymers results in an important weight gain ratio of gas in a wide range of temperatures (from 25 to 80°C), relating this weight gain ratio to the foaming behavior of the blends (CO2 is preferentially located in the micro or nano-domains issued from the structuration of the block copolymer). Foaming is carried out in a batch one-step scCO2 process, keeping constant the saturation pressure and depressurization rate (300 bar and 60 bar/min, respectively). Influence of saturation temperature (25–85 °C) on the final porous structure is shown. In spite of the influence of the terpolymer on the weight gain ratio, the structuration is believed to provide a good control of microcellular foams in PS and PMMA.

Study on the Foaming Behavior of PS-CO2 by Using Water or Ethanol as Co-Blowing Agent

2013 ◽  
Vol 748 ◽  
pp. 112-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Wei Luo ◽  
Chun Ling Xin ◽  
Jiao Sun ◽  
Bao Rui Yan ◽  
Ya Dong He
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Cell Density ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Expansion Ratio ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Blowing Agents ◽  
Blowing Agent ◽  
Foaming Behavior ◽  
Low Solubility ◽  
Foam Production

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been reported as an interesting substitute of banned ozone-depleting blowing agents, such as HCFC and HFC etc., for low-density polystyrene (PS) foam production, but it is difficult to industrialize due to its low solubility in PS matrix; therefore, high pressure is always needed in order to obtain the required gas concentrations for low density foam. Mixtures of blowing agents might be a practical way to make foam processing easy to control. In this paper, the foaming behaviors of PS-CO2 by using water or ethanol as co-blowing agent were investigated. The performances of foams obtained by PS-CO2, PS-CO2-water and PS-CO2-ethanol systems were tested respectively. It was found that cell size increased owing to the existence of co-blowing agent; in particular, the expansion ratio of PS foam obtained by CO2-ethanol was 1.3 times greater than that by CO2. At the same time, cell density as well as apparent density decreased with temperature increasing, while cell size showed the opposite. Cell size and apparent density, rather than cell density, decreased with pressure. These results were explained by the solution behavior of each of blowing agent.

Preparation of microporous thermoplastic polyurethane by low-temperature supercritical CO2 foaming

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Chia Chu ◽  
Shu-Kai Yeh ◽  
Sheng-Ping Peng ◽  
Ting-Wei Kang ◽  
Wen-Jeng Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polyurethane Foam ◽  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Thermoplastic Polyurethane ◽  
Saturation Temperature ◽  
Phenyl Isocyanate ◽  
Blowing Agent ◽  
Soft Segments ◽  
Hard Segments ◽  
Poly Propylene ◽  
Foam Production

Thermoplastic polyurethane possesses many special characteristics. Its flexibility, rigidity, and elasticity can be adjusted by controlling the ratio of soft segments to hard segments. Due to its versatile physical properties, thermoplastic polyurethane is commonly used in transportation, construction, and biomaterials. However, methods for thermoplastic polyurethane foam production using CO2 are still under investigation. We have previously prepared nanoporous thermoplastic polyurethane foam using commercially available thermoplastic polyurethane; however, in this study, thermoplastic polyurethane was synthesized using 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), poly(propylene glycol) and 1,4-butanediol, without solvents, using a pre-polymer method. The properties of the synthesized thermoplastic polyurethane were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and their mechanical properties were measured. The synthesized thermoplastic polyurethane was foamed by batch foaming using supercritical CO2 as the blowing agent. The effect of saturation temperature and saturation time on the cell morphology of the thermoplastic polyurethane foam was examined.

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