HDPE/UHMWPE composite foams prepared by compression molding with optimized foaming capacity and mechanical properties

ABSTRACT High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) foams have attracted increasing interest because of their excellent toughness, chemical stability, and low cost. However, the low melt strength and narrow foaming window usually lead to poor foaming capacity and performances prepared by compression molding u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2018-12, Vol.135 (46), p.n/a
Main Authors: Sun, P., Qian, T. Y., Ji, X. Y., Wu, C., Yan, Y. S., Qi, R. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
compression molding
Crosslinking
Density
Dicumyl peroxide
Foaming agents
foaming capacity
HDPE/UHMWPE composite foams
High density polyethylenes
Materials science
Mechanical properties
Melt temperature
Morphology
Organic chemistry
Physical properties
Plastic foam
Polyethylene
Polymers
Pressure molding
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
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Summary:ABSTRACT High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) foams have attracted increasing interest because of their excellent toughness, chemical stability, and low cost. However, the low melt strength and narrow foaming window usually lead to poor foaming capacity and performances prepared by compression molding under high temperature for HDPE. Herein, ultra high‐molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is used to improve the melt strength, melting temperature, mechanical properties, and foaming capacity of HDPE. The HDPE/UHMWPE composite foams are fabricated by the single‐stage compression molding with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a crosslinking agent and azodicarbonamide (ADC) as a foaming agent. The effects of UHMWPE, DCP, and ADC on the cellular morphology, foaming density, and mechanical properties have also been investigated. The results show that UHMWPE can enhance the foaming capacity and physical properties of HDPE and make it feasible to prepare HDPE foams with a wide density range just by adjusting the content of foaming agent. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46768. Herein, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is added into high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix to improve the melt strength, melting temperature, mechanical properties and foaming capacity of HDPE. The results show that the incorporation of UHMWPE can enhance the foaming capacity and physical properties of HDPE, and make it feasible to prepare the uniform HDPE foams with a wide density range.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.46768