Product and Process Developments in the Nitrogen Autoclave Process for Polyolefin Foam Manufacture

Eaves, D. E.; Witten, N.

doi:10.1016/b978-188420776-1.50022-3

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…20 mm thick foam sheets, cut from a large block were supplied by Zotefoams plc. They were prepared using the Zotefoams autoclave process (15) , using dissolved nitrogen as a blowing agent. The blended polymer had been crosslinked.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethylene – Styrene Interpolymer Foam Blends: Mechanical Properties and Sport Applications

2002

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Mechanical tests were performed on foamed blends of Ethylene – Styrene Interpolymer (ESI) with low density polyethylene (LDPE). In compressive impact tests the foams, of density around 50 kg m-3, have higher initial yield stresses than Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam of the same density. Impact, Instron and creep tests were analysed to estimate the effective air pressure in the undeformed foam cells, and the initial yield stress. The rate dependence of the latter increases slightly with increasing ESI content. The ESI/LDPE foams have improved impact properties, compared with EVA foams of similar density, for leg protection applications. Analysis of creep tests shows that air diffuses from the cells at a similar rate to EVA foams of a greater density. The ESI/LDPE foams have potential to replace higher density EVA foams in running shoes.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethylene – Styrene Interpolymer Foam Blends: Mechanical Properties and Sport Applications

2002

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“…Zotefoams plc operates a unique, proprietary technology (1,2,3,4) for the manufacture of low-density foams. The process involves three key stages:…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The volume expansions possible in the process are in excess of 60x, leading to commercially available crosslinked polyolefi n foams with densities as low as 15 kg/m 3 . As the process does not rely on the use of chemical foaming agents, the crosslinking and foaming stages are discrete and this in turn offers scope to apply the technology to a wide range of materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cleanroom Insulation Performance of Nitrogen Expanded Low Density Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Foams

Witten¹

2008

Cellular Polymers

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Zotefoams plc is a world leading manufacturer of low density, closed-cell, crosslinked block foams and is recognised globally for producing the highest performance polyolefin foams. In recent years the company has developed a new generation of low density foams based on materials where foaming has traditionally been an insurmountable technical challenge or other limitations have existed to the reduction in density possible. One of these new commercially available foam products, sold under the trademark ZOTEK® F, is based on the fluoropolymer Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF). The properties of the products, not surprisingly, reflect the general properties of the fluoropolymer family however as cellular materials the combination of material attributes is unsurpassed in the industry. This paper will describe these novel foam products covering the key aspects of the current commercial grades of ZOTEK® F and the technology used to manufacture them. The paper will then focus on a specific application area in cleanroom insulation, where the product performance will be reviewed against the combination of technically challenging requirements such as low flammability, low smoke generation, low thermal conductivity, low moisture absorption, chemical inertness and resistance to fungal growth.

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Modeling the dynamic crushing of closed-cell polyethylene and polystyrene foams

Mills

2011

Journal of Cellular Plastics

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The geometry of low-density, closed-cell, polyethylene, and polystyrene foams was modeled, considering the shape of the cell edges, using a Kelvin foam model. Typical regions in a foam product, undergoing uniaxial compressive impact, were considered using periodic boundary conditions, for two directions in the body-centered cubic lattice. Finite element analysis predicted yield stresses, when 24% of the polymer was in the cell edges, which were 18% smaller than those of the equivalent dry foam of the same relative density of 0.046. The face deformation mechanisms were almost the same as in the dry foam. However, plastic hinges needed to form across some cell edges before the foam yielded. The cell gas contribution to the compressive stress in polyethylene foams could be calculated, to a good approximation, by considering isothermal compression of gas in a single cell with zero lateral expansion. The model explained why the lateral expansion of polystyrene foams after compressive yield is small, but significant for polyethylene foams.

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Product and Process Developments in the Nitrogen Autoclave Process for Polyolefin Foam Manufacture

Cited by 4 publications

References 3 publications

Ethylene – Styrene Interpolymer Foam Blends: Mechanical Properties and Sport Applications

Ethylene – Styrene Interpolymer Foam Blends: Mechanical Properties and Sport Applications

Cleanroom Insulation Performance of Nitrogen Expanded Low Density Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Foams

Modeling the dynamic crushing of closed-cell polyethylene and polystyrene foams

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