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Polymers
Special Issues
Recent Developments in Polymer Foaming Processes
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Recent Developments in Polymer Foaming Processes

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2021) | Viewed by 11006

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jose Antonio Ruiz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polymer Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Interests: polymers; micro and nanocellular polymers; design, synthesis, and characterization of high-performance polymers; nanoporous sensory polymers; polymer foaming processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Micro and nanocellular polymers have been deeply analyzed in the last decades due to their combination of low weight and outstanding thermal and mechanical properties, especially in the nanocellular range (below 1 mm). For this reason, these high-performance materials can be employed in many different applications related to thermal and acoustical isolation, dumping, low-weight absorption energy materials, separation membranes, or filters. In this sense, the analysis of the physical and chemical foaming processes of polymers has become a key point to control density, porosity, and, subsequently, the final properties of the foamed materials.

 

This Special Issue presents an overview of the latest developments in this quickly evolving field, including the understanding of the physical mechanism of the polymer foaming processes, the formation and characterization of the cellular structures, the determination of the structure-properties relationship and the analysis of the different foaming procedures, both chemical and physical.

Dr. Jose Antonio Ruiz
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymers
  • foaming mechanisms
  • micro and nanocellular porosity
  • chemical blowing agents
  • ScCO2

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 10096 KiB  
Article
Vibration and Sound Response of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polyamide 6 Using Microcellular-Foaming-Process-Applied Injection Molding Process
by Hyun Keun Kim, Jaehoo Kim, Donghwi Kim, Youngjae Ryu and Sung Woon Cha
Polymers 2022, 14(1), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14010173 - 02 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1887
Abstract
In this study, the vibration and sound response characteristics of composites produced via injection molding applied with a microcellular foaming process (MCPs) were improved. The study was conducted using PA6 and glass fiber composites, which are representative thermoplastic engineering plastics. Two types of [...] Read more.
In this study, the vibration and sound response characteristics of composites produced via injection molding applied with a microcellular foaming process (MCPs) were improved. The study was conducted using PA6 and glass fiber composites, which are representative thermoplastic engineering plastics. Two types of specimens were used: a plate specimen to confirm the basic sound and vibration characteristics, and a large roof-rack specimen from an actual vehicle with a complex shape. The frequency response function curve was calculated by conducting an impact test, and natural frequency and damping ratio were measured based on the curve. The results confirmed that, in the case of a specimen manufactured through the injection molding process to which MCPs were applied, the natural frequency was lowered, and the damping ratio decreased. The degree of change in the natural frequency and damping ratio was confirmed. To determine the cause of the change in the natural frequency and damping ratio, the mode shape at the natural frequency of each specimen was measured and the relationship was confirmed by measuring the density and the elastic modulus of the composite. In addition, the usability of the specimens to which MCPs were applied was verified by conducting impact strength and tensile strength tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Polymer Foaming Processes)
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17 pages, 9195 KiB  
Article
Effects of Injection Molding Process Parameters on the Chemical Foaming Behavior of Polypropylene and Polystyrene
by Chen-Yuan Chung, Shyh-Shin Hwang, Shia-Chung Chen and Ming-Chien Lai
Polymers 2021, 13(14), 2331; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13142331 - 16 Jul 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3664
Abstract
In the present study, semi-crystalline polypropylene (PP) and amorphous polystyrene (PS) were adopted as matrix materials. After the exothermic foaming agent azodicarbonamide was added, injection molding was implemented to create samples. The mold flow analysis program Moldex3D was then applied to verify the [...] Read more.
In the present study, semi-crystalline polypropylene (PP) and amorphous polystyrene (PS) were adopted as matrix materials. After the exothermic foaming agent azodicarbonamide was added, injection molding was implemented to create samples. The mold flow analysis program Moldex3D was then applied to verify the short-shot results. Three process parameters were adopted, namely injection speed, melt temperature, and mold temperature; three levels were set for each factor in the one-factor-at-a-time experimental design. The macroscopic effects of the factors on the weight, specific weight, and expansion ratios of the samples were investigated to determine foaming efficiency, and their microscopic effects on cell density and diameter were examined using a scanning electron microscope. The process parameters for the exothermic foaming agent were optimized accordingly. Finally, the expansion ratios of the two matrix materials in the optimal process parameter settings were compared. After the experimental database was created, the foaming module of the chemical blowing agents was established by Moldex3D Company. The results indicated that semi-crystalline materials foamed less due to their crystallinity. PP exhibits the highest expansion ratio at low injection speed, a high melt temperature, and a low mold temperature, whereas PS exhibits the highest expansion ratio at high injection speed, a moderate melt temperature, and a low mold temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Polymer Foaming Processes)
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Review

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31 pages, 5859 KiB  
Review
Microwave Foaming of Materials: An Emerging Field
by Mukarram Zubair, Rebecca Ferrari, Omar Alagha, Nuhu Dalhat Mu’azu, Nawaf I. Blaisi, Ijlal Shahrukh Ateeq and Mohammad Saood Manzar
Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2477; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112477 - 25 Oct 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4659
Abstract
In the last two decades, the application of microwave heating to the processing of materials has to become increasingly widespread. Microwave-assisted foaming processes show promise for industrial commercialization due to the potential advantages that microwaves have shown compared to conventional methods. These include [...] Read more.
In the last two decades, the application of microwave heating to the processing of materials has to become increasingly widespread. Microwave-assisted foaming processes show promise for industrial commercialization due to the potential advantages that microwaves have shown compared to conventional methods. These include reducing process time, improved energy efficiency, solvent-free foaming, reduced processing steps, and improved product quality. However, the interaction of microwave energy with foaming materials, the effects of critical processing factors on microwave foaming behavior, and the foamed product’s final properties are still not well-explored. This article reviews the mechanism and principles of microwave foaming of different materials. The article critically evaluates the impact of influential foaming parameters such as blowing agent, viscosity, precursor properties, microwave conditions, additives, and filler on the interaction of microwave, foaming material, physical (expansion, cellular structure, and density), mechanical, and thermal properties of the resultant foamed product. Finally, the key challenges and opportunities for developing industrial microwave foaming processes are identified, and areas for potential future research works are highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Polymer Foaming Processes)
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