Polyolefins and their nanocomposite foams development characterization and simulation framework for foam blow moulding

Abstract

Polymeric foams are being extensively used in manifold applications varying from disposal coffee cup to as an insulation material for the space shuttle booster rockets Foams offering excellent properties material savings and cost savings have found applications in a variety of fields ranging from comfort noise/thermal insulation to energy absorption applications in automotive aerospace and personal safety The present research work focuses on preparation of polypropylene PP foams using two different methods at lower saturation pressure and higher saturation temperature Also preparation of PP silica nanocomposite foams at higher saturation pressure have been studied Besides the preparation of PP foams by different methods simulation study of foams for blow moulding application has also been undertaken The study has been carried out in three different stages which are briefly described below In the first phase of the research work the influence of foaming temperature on morphological and thermo mechanical characteristics of PP foams prepared using two different methods of batch foaming at low saturation pressures were carried out In the first method involving single step pressure induced foaming PIF was employed wherein the solid specimen was heated to different temperatures in a high pressure vessel and then saturated with CO2 under pressure Subsequent depressurization led to formation of PIF foams Whereas in the second method a two step temperature induced foaming TIF was adopted newline