Structure and properties of PMP foams doped with Cu nanopowders

Abstract

Poly-4-methyl-1-pentene (PMP) foams doped with Cu nanopowders have been prepared by thermally induced phase separation. Ultrasonic dispersal was exploited to increase dispersion uniformity of Cu nanopowders in the foam skeleton. With increase in the concentration of Cu nanopowders, the structure of the doped PMP foams becomes finer and the size of cells, smaller. The modulus data of the doped foams described by a scaling constant larger than two significantly overestimate the predicted value. These indicate two roles of Cu nanopowders in PMP foams: fortifiers of foam structure and nuclei in polymer crystallization.

Numerical simulation on cellular structure and mechanical properties of tungsten particles/polymethyl methacrylate microcellular composites

“…Cellular structure significantly affected the compressive properties of W/PMMA microcellular composite materials 26,27 . The void porosity and average cell size of W/PMMA microcellular composites were statistically analyzed, as shown in Figure 6A.…”

“…Cellular structure significantly affected the compressive properties of W/PMMA microcellular composite materials. 26,27 The void porosity and average cell size of W/PMMA microcellular composites were statistically analyzed, as shown in Figure 6A. The cell sizes of W/PMMA microcellular composites were small and evenly distributed, so the effect of void porosity on compressive properties was investigated at the same average cell size of 4 ± 0.2 μm.…”

“…Metal particles possess rigidity, high hardness, and simple shape, exhibiting ideal inclusion phases. Currently, silver (Ag) particles 25,26 and copper (Cu) particles 27,28 have been used as heterogeneous nucleating agents in the field of microfoaming. Tungsten (W) exhibits high hardness, strength and melting point, low thermal expansion coefficient, small volume ratio and high mass ratio, and can introduce a high‐content of W particles into polymer matrix, promoting the research of a wide range content of inclusion phases in the field of micro foaming 29 .…”