Influence of temperature distribution on the foaming quality of foamed polypropylene composites

• Published in: e-Polymers 2023-02, Vol.23 (1), p.1375-86
• Main Authors: Yang, Xin, Pei, Xiang-lin, Xu, Jia-jie, Yang, Zhi-peng, Gong, Wei, Zhong, Jin-cheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: calculation; Density; Foaming; foaming quality; Injection molding; Mathematical analysis; Plastic foam; Polymer matrix composites; Polyolefins; Polypropylene; simulation; Temperature distribution; temperature field
• ISSN: 1618-7229; 2197-4586; 1618-7229
• DOI: 10.1515/epoly-2022-8093

The foamed polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by injection molding process. Fourier’s law and software were used to calculate and simulate the internal temperature distribution of PP composites, respectively, and the influence of the temperature distribution on the foaming quality of foamed PP composites was further analyzed. The result showed that the calculative and simulated results of temperature distribution in different thermal transfer directions had great reproducibility. In different isothermal planes, the temperature from the nozzle to the dynamic mold gradually decreased. The isothermal plane with a temperature of 370.36 K had a better foaming quality, average diameter of cell and cell density were 28.46 µm and 3.7 × 10 cells·cm , respectively. In different regions of the same isothermal plane, the temperature gradually decreased from the center to the edge. The foaming quality in the region (c) at a temperature of 335.86 K was ideal, and the average diameter of cell and the cell density were 26.5 µm and 2.39 × 10 cells·cm , respectively. This work could provide prediction for improving the foaming quality of foamed polyolefin composites.