RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Novel approach based on autoclave bead foaming to produce expanded polycarbonate (EPC) bead foams with microcellular structure and controlled crystallinity
A1 Sánchez Calderón, Ismael
A1 Bernardo García, Victoria
A1 Martín de León, Judit
A1 Rodríguez Pérez, Miguel Ángel
K1 Polycarbonate
K1 Policarbonato
AB Polycarbonate (PC) is a widely used engineering thermoplastic. Also, bead foaming technology is a method to produce high-performance, low-density foams with complex geometries. In this work, expanded polycarbonate (EPC) with microcellullar structure and low density have been produced for the first time using the autoclave bead foaming technique. The effect of the processing parameters, such as the saturation temperature and time, on the characteristics of the EPC bead foams, is analyzed. Contrary to the total amorphous structure of the solid material, the obtained EPC foams present a crystalline phase characterized by a melting peak around 235 °C. The crystallization process might be taking place during the saturation of the samples with CO2. Results show that the saturation temperature allows controlling density, whereas foaming time can be used as a tool to control crystallinity degree in the range from 7.5 to 45 min, without a clear influence on the cellular structure. EPC with densities between 116 and 592 kg/m3, cell sizes of approximately 4–5 µm, and crystallinities ranging 0–11% were produced by a proper modification of the foaming parameters. Then, the use of different saturation parameters allows controlling the density and thermal properties of the EPC, thanks to the autoclave bead foaming process.
PB Elsevier
SN 0264-1275
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/49960
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/49960
LA eng
NO Materials & Design, 2021, vol. 212, 110200
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 17-jul-2024