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Maximal cell density predictions for compressible polymer foams

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Maximal Cell density predictions for compressible polymer foams.pdf (615.12 KB)

Date

2012-12-05

Authors

Thompson, Russell B.
Kim, Yeongyoon
Park, Chul B.
Chen, P.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Thermodynamic upper bounds for polymer foam cell densities are predicted using compressible selfconsistent field theory. It is found that the incompressible limit always gives the highest, and therefore ultimate, upper bound. Qualitative comparisons between the compressible and incompressible cases agree, indicating that low temperatures and high blowing agent content should be used to achieve high cell densities. The inhomogeneous bubble structure reveals deviations from the expected homogeneous SanchezeLacombe equation of state, consistent with some experimental results. A generalized Sanchez eLacombe equation of state is discussed in the context of its suitability as a simple alternative to the SimhaeSomcynsky equation of state.

Description

Published by Elsevier in the journal "Polymer" volume 54, issue 2. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2012.11.067.

Keywords

self-consistent field theory, polymer foams, Nano-celluar foam

LC Keywords

Citation

URI

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032386112010324
 http://hdl.handle.net/10012/10317

Collections

Waterloo Research
Physics and Astronomy