Facile one-step method to manufacture polypropylene bead foams with outstanding thermal insulation and mechanical properties via supercritical CO2 extrusion foaming

Huang, Pengke; Su, Yaozhuo; Luo, Haibin; Lan, Xiaoqin; Chong, Yunkai; Wu, Fei; Zheng, Wenge

doi:10.1016/j.jcou.2022.102167

Cited by 23 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In addition, with the addition of the TOR content, the distance between the high melting peak (T m-high ) and the low melting peak (T m-low ) becomes smaller, illustrating that the interface between them was gradually improved (agreeing with SEM in Figure S1, Supporting Information). Moreover, the T m-low could promote the chain segment activity and interface diffusion, while the T m-high could help to stabilize the cellular structures, 33 which would help to broaden the lowtemperature foaming temperature. In addition, the relationship between microphase and thermal properties of POE/TOR composites was further analyzed by DMA testing.…”

Section: Thermal Properties Of Poe/tor Compositesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supercritical CO₂Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Gong

Zheng

Huang

et al. 2023

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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Lightweight polyolefin elastomer (POE) foams are of great interest in numerous fields. However, POE is difficult to foaming and obtaining the ideal cellular structures before cross-linking. Herein, low-molecular-weight trans-polyoctylene rubber (TOR) with lots of double bonds and low molecular weight was introduced into the POE matrix to improve their vulcanizing and foaming process. Then, a series of lightweight POE/TOR composite foams with adjustable cellular structures and outstanding performance were prepared by supercritical CO 2 foaming. It was worth noting that the gel content and foaming temperature windows were greatly improved under the action of TOR, and a record-breaking density as low as 0.036 g/cm 3 for POE-based composite foams was harvested. In addition, the as-prepared elastomer foams exhibited rapid shrinkage but slow recovery feature due to the diffusivity difference of gas and cross-linking nature of materials, and its recovery ratio could reach 91.3%. More interestingly, the conversion law of the corresponding density change between hard and soft materials was discovered, and extra-soft POE-based composite foams (like Shore C below 10) were obtained, which could be twisted, folded, compressed, stretched, bent, and rolled with ease. Furthermore, the residual strain and hysteresis loss ratio of as-prepared elastomer foams were as low as 1.56 and 12.95%, respectively. These distinct advantages together with the green foaming process make the composite elastomer foams very promising toward high-performance flexible cellular polymeric materials.

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Section: Thermal Properties Of Poe/tor Compositesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supercritical CO₂Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Gong

Zheng

Huang

et al. 2023

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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“…The foaming process using scCO 2 produces polymer foams with special features due to the versatility of the supercritical fluid (Figure 11). It has been reported that polymeric foams produced by scCO 2 with specific features could enter the market for thermal insulation [145,146], bone tissue [147], EMI shielding [148], adsorbing materials [130,149], and filters [150]. This section will describe some of the attributes of polymeric foams that researchers have found and of their applications.…”

Section: Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production and Application of Polymer Foams Employing Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Lima¹,

Bose²

2022

Advances in Polymer Technology

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Polymeric foams have characteristics that make them attractive for different applications. However, some foaming methods rely on chemicals that are not environmentally friendly. One of the possibilities to tackle the environmental issue is to utilize supercritical carbon dioxide ScCO2 since it is a “green” solvent, thus facilitating a sustainable method of producing foams. ScCO2 is nontoxic, chemically inert, and soluble in molten plastic. It can act as a plasticizer, decreasing the viscosity of polymers according to temperature and pressure. Most foam processes can benefit from ScCO2 since the methods rely on nucleation, growth, and expansion mechanisms. Process considerations such as pretreatment, temperature, pressure, pressure drop, and diffusion time are relevant parameters for foaming. Other variables such as additives, fillers, and chain extenders also play a role in the foaming process. This review highlights the morphology, performance, and features of the foam produced with ScCO2, considering relevant aspects of replacing or introducing a novel foam. Recent findings related to foaming assisted by ScCO2 and how processing parameters influence the foam product are addressed. In addition, we discuss possible applications where foams have significant benefits. This review shows the recent progress and possibilities of ScCO2 in processing polymer foams.

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“…Compared with autoclave foaming, extrusion foaming is more cost-efficient, time-saving, and has no wastewater generation. 12,13 Because the gas solubilization, compounding, foaming, and pelletizing can happen in a one-step process. However, it is far more difficult to endow the materials with proper cellular structures and low density in the molten state (like extrusion foaming) than in the solid state (like autoclave foaming).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this work, based on our previous research, an anhydrous supercritical CO 2 extrusion foaming combined with wind-cooling pelletizing technology was used to prepare PLA bead foams. 12,13 The foaming ability of the PLA matrix was improved by the addition of the chain extender. Four types of PLA bead foams with different morphologies, cellular structures, and opencell content were designed and prepared by different technologies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extruded polylactide bead foams using anhydrous supercritical CO₂ extrusion foaming

Su,

Huang,

Sun

et al. 2023

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio‐based and biodegradable polymer. It is challenging to prepare PLA bead foams at a large scale in an efficient manner. Herein, beads of modified PLA are foamed by one‐step anhydrous supercritical CO2 extrusion. This dramatically shortens the production time, prevents the PLA from pyrohydrolysis, and avoids wastewater generation. The melt strength of the PLA is increased from 0.8 to 16.7 cN using a chain extender. The morphologies and microstructures of bead foams are analyzed. In the case of the PLA bead foam obtained by extrusion foaming combined with wind‐cooling pelletizing technology, the expansion ratio is higher than 13, the pore morphology is typical cellular structures, and the surface is glossy. The advantages and shortcomings of the PLA beads are also investigated. It is beneficial to promote the continuous preparation of PLA bead foams and other polymer beads like PS, and PP, which can be used in the fields of green packing, sound absorption, cold‐chain logistics, and so forth.

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Facile one-step method to manufacture polypropylene bead foams with outstanding thermal insulation and mechanical properties via supercritical CO2 extrusion foaming

Cited by 23 publications

References 33 publications

Supercritical CO₂Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Supercritical CO₂Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Production and Application of Polymer Foams Employing Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Extruded polylactide bead foams using anhydrous supercritical CO₂ extrusion foaming

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Facile one-step method to manufacture polypropylene bead foams with outstanding thermal insulation and mechanical properties via supercritical CO2 extrusion foaming

Cited by 23 publications

References 33 publications

Supercritical CO2Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Supercritical CO2Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Production and Application of Polymer Foams Employing Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Extruded polylactide bead foams using anhydrous supercritical CO2 extrusion foaming

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Supercritical CO₂Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Supercritical CO₂Foaming of Lightweight Polyolefin Elastomer/trans-Polyoctylene Rubber Composite Foams with Extra-Soft and Anti-Shrinkage Performance

Extruded polylactide bead foams using anhydrous supercritical CO₂ extrusion foaming