5. Process modeling
The formation of a polymer foam involves several steps:
the dissolution of gas in the molten polymer under high pressure;
the nucleation of a population of gas bubbles in the polymer after the pressure is released;
the growth of nucleated bubbles until they reach their final equilibrium size as the polymer solidifies;
the stabilization of the cellular structure.
The density of the final foam depends on several process parameters (temperature, pressure, the rate of depressurization caused by the mold opening speed in the case of injection molding, etc.) and is directly related to the initial amount of dissolved gas and the fraction of gas diffused out. The bubble...
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Process modeling
Mechanical properties
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