Effect of Phase Structure on Foam Structure of PBE/EVA Composite under CO2 Batch Foaming

doi:10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2020.09.001

Abstract

Abstract:

In this paper, the propylene?based elastomer/ethylene?vinyl acetate copolymer (PBE/EVA) blends with different phase structures are prepared by melt blending and then foamed under CO₂ batch foaming. The effect of PBE/EVA phase structure on the foam cell structure was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy. When the phase structure of blends presented the “see?island” phase, a conventional honeycomb?foamed structure was obtained. An open?cell network structures was achieved when the blends possessed a bicontinuous phase structure. The formation of such a special cell structure is ascribed to the difference in viscosity between the two components in the bicontinuous phase structure. This study helps to strengthen the understanding of the relationship between polymer phase structure and foaming behavior and therefore provides an important reference for preparation of polymer foams with specific open cells.

Key words: propylene?based elastomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, blending, bicontinuous phase structure, open?cell foam

CLC Number:

TQ328.06

LI Niexin, LI Minggang, TANG Tao, WANG Yi, XING Haiping. Effect of Phase Structure on Foam Structure of PBE/EVA Composite under CO₂ Batch Foaming[J]. China Plastics, 2020, 34(9): 1-8.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1. SEM images of the fractured surfaces of PBE/EVA blends

Fig.2. DSC curves of pure PBE and EVA and PBE/EVA blends

Fig.3. SEM images of pure PBE and EVA and PBE/EVA blend foams

样品	泡孔直径D_c/ μm	泡孔密度N/ ×10⁵个·cm^-3	体积膨胀倍率
PBE	138.1±54.3	5.6	3.25
8PBE/2EVA	181.5±61.7	8.6	5.99
5PBE/5EVA	158.8±45.5	6.4	2.92
2PBE/8EVA	244.8±68.2	3.6	4.34
EVA	—	—	1.13

Tab. 1. Cell data of pure PBE and EVA and PBE/EVA blend foams

Fig.4. EDS analysis of 5PBE/5EVA foam samples

Fig.5. DMA curves of PBE and EVA

Fig.6. Influence of temperature on the bubble structure of 5PBE/5EVA foam

Fig.7. SEM images of EVA?T and 5PBE/5EVA?T foams

Fig.8. SEM images of the phase structure of 5PBE/5EVA unfoamed samples and the bubble structure of the foamed samples at different saturation time

Fig.9. Formation mechanism of network open?cell structure of 5PBE/5EVA blend foam

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Effect of Phase Structure on Foam Structure of PBE/EVA Composite under CO₂ Batch Foaming

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