Polymeric Foams provides comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals, technologies, applications, and recent developments.

Features:

• Explains how to combine knowledge of basic science with modern technologies to meet specific polymeric foam application needs
• Investigates the structure-property relationships of various polymeric foams and their implications for end use
• Includes approximately 150 illustrations and 50 tables to clarify the concepts and simplify access to important data
• Examines the latest advances in polymeric foams, providing insight into application-driven developments

Contents

Introduction to Polymeric Foams

• Basic Considerations on Foams, Foaming, and Foamed Polymers
• History of Polymeric Foams
• Foam Structure and Properties
• Blowing Agents
• Environmental Issues and Technical Challenges
• Thermoplastic and Thermoset
• Polymeric Foam Technology
• Applications and Usage

Theromodynamics and Kinetics

• Equilibrium
• Super-Saturation
• Reactions and their Kinetics
• Melt/Gas Rheology
• Crystallization Kinetics
• Transport Phenomena: Diffusion and Permeation

Foaming Fundamentals

• Physical Blowing Agents
• Chemical Blowing Agents
• Reactive Foaming
• Emulsion: Chemical Solution
• Nucleation in Batch, Continuous, and Reaction Foaming
• Growth
• Cell Coalescence and Rupture
• Solidification and Curing

General Foam Processing Technolgies

• Foam Extrusion
• Thermoset Reactive Foaming
• Foam Injection Molding
• X-Linked Polyolefin Foam
• Molded Bead
• Foamed Film
• Areogel

Relationships Between Foam Structure and Properties

• Effects of Foam Density
• Open Cell Content and Its Effects
• Key Properties: Energy Absorption, Insulation, Sound Absorption, and Mechanical Properties
• Cell Size Distribution and Its Effects
• Dimensional Stability
• Residual Blowing Agent
• X-Linked Content

General Polymeric Foams and Their Applications

• Flexible and Rigid Polyurethane (PU) Foams
• Polystyrene Foams: Sheet and Slab
• Polyolefin Foams: PE, PP, and Blends

Wood Composite Foams

• Challenges to and Processing Strategies for the Development of WPC Foams
• WPC Foams in Batch Processing
• Foaming of WPCs with Chemical Blowing Agents in Extrusion
• Foaming of WPCs with Physical Blowing Agents (PBAs) in Extrusion
• WPC Foams in Injection Molding
• Innovative Stretching Technology and WPC Foams
• Effects of Nano-Clay on WPC Foams and Their Flame Retardancy
• Current Foaming Technology and Markets for WPC

Biodegradable Foams

• Definition of Biodegradability
• Biodegradable Polymers
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Degradation Mechanisms
• Development of Biodegradable Foams
• Extrusion of Novel Water Soluble PVOH Foams
• Starch Foams
• Polylactic Acid (PLA) Polymer

Index

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