Effects of temperature and thermal cycles on the mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene foam

Tahir, Muhammad Naeem; Hamed, Ehab

doi:10.1177/10996362211063152

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…Expanded polystyrene (EPS), a white color foam primarily used for packaging and insulation, is basically produced from small spherical solid beads of polystyrene (Rydzkowski et al, 2020). It is a lighter material and exhibits excellent adaptability, greater dimensional stability, high resistance toward bending and compression, less toxicity, high moisture resistance, and remarkable thermal insulation properties (Ramli Sulong et al, 2019; Tahir & Hamed, 2022; Wasiu & Baba, 2020). Hence, these properties make it an excellent material for packaging and construction (buildings, roads, railway, etc.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a novel composite of expanded polystyrene with rGO and SEBS‐g‐MA

Fatima,

Qamar,

Zahra

et al. 2024

Microscopy Res & Technique

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This study displays the effect of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanofiller and polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene‐ran‐butylene)‐b‐polystyrene‐grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) on the optical, thermal, and mechanical features of expanded polystyrene (EPS). First, the thin films of pristine EPS and composites were prepared using solution cast method. The prepared films were subjected to fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), SEM, UV–visible spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, and universal testing machine for structural, morphological, optical, thermal, and mechanical characterizations. Optical study revealed a significant increase in refractive index and absorption of composites than EPS. Indirect band‐gap energy of EPS (~4.08 eV) was reduced to ~1.61 eV for rGO composite and ~ 2.23 eV for composite composed of rGO and SEBS‐g‐MA. Thermal analyses presented improvement in characterization temperatures such as T10, T50, Tp, Tm, and Tg of composites, which ultimately lead to the thermal stability of prepared composites than pristine EPS. Stress–strain curves displayed higher yield strength (46.62 MPa), Young's modulus (96.29 MPa), and strain at break (0.54%) for EPS+rGO composite than pure EPS having stress at break (1.01 MPa), Young's modulus (12.44 MPa), and strain at break (0.08%). Moreover, ductility with relatively higher strain at break (0.61%) and lower Young's modulus (79.32 MPa) and yield strength (32.98 MPa) was noticed in EPS+rGO+SEBS‐g‐MA composite than EPS+rGO composite film. Morphological analysis revealed a change in globular morphology of EPS and inhomogeneous dispersion of rGO in EPS to homogeneously dispersed rGO in EPS matrix without globules owing to the addition of SEBS‐g‐MA. The increase in compatibility of EPS and rGO due to SEBS‐g‐MA was also observed in FTIR spectra.Research Highlights Here, the solution casting approach was used to create the composite film of EPS and rGO with globules of various sizes. After adding SEBS‐g‐MA, the shape altered to globular free films exhibiting homogenous dispersion of rGO in EPS matrix. An optical investigation showed that composite materials had a significantly higher refractive index and absorption than EPS. The optical, thermal, and mechanical investigations suggest that the produced composites may be a great substitute for virgin EPS, allowing for a wider range of applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a novel composite of expanded polystyrene with rGO and SEBS‐g‐MA

Fatima,

Qamar,

Zahra

et al. 2024

Microscopy Res & Technique

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“…This study provides continuity for recent work reported in the literature about the mechanical behavior of foams under high temperature conditions. [12][13][14] Experimental methodology…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flexural behavior and microstructural material properties of sandwich foam core under arctic temperature conditions

Aowad

Banik

Zhang

et al. 2023

Jnl of Sandwich Structures & Materials

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This study investigates three types of foam core materials used in composite sandwich structures at various densities: H60, H100, F50, F90, PN115, PN200 and PN250. Three-point bending test is conducted to determine relationships between material and flexural properties at both room and low temperature Arctic conditions. X-ray micro-computed tomography is utilized to observe the microstructural relationships between foam density and mechanical properties of the core. This study evaluates Arctic temperature effects on mechanical properties for various types of foam core at varying densities with the intention for future Arctic applications. Although foam core materials become more brittle at a lower temperature, their flexural stiffness and flexural strength are further increased. However, due to the enhanced brittleness, the energy required for fracture is significantly reduced at low temperature conditions. This study utilizes statistical analysis to create contour plots and linear regression equations to predict flexural properties as a function of temperature and foam density. Molecular dynamics simulation is employed to verify experimental results to elucidate the effect of temperature on material behavior. This work provides a deeper understanding of how flexural strength relates to foam density, adding to existing data on foam strength properties under compressive, shear and tensile loads.

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