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Effect of processing conditions on poly(butylene succinate) foam materials
Author(s) -
Zhang Yihe,
Lu Bo,
Lv Fengzhu,
Guo Wenmin,
Ji Junhui,
Chu Paul K.,
Zhang Changan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.36867
Subject(s) - materials science , blowing agent , talc , composite material , ammonium bicarbonate , plasticizer , polyvinyl chloride , chemical engineering , polyurethane , chemistry , organic chemistry , raw material , engineering
Polymeric foams have many advantages such as light weight, high specific strength, strong energy absorption, as well as good sound and thermal insulation. Unfortunately, most polymeric foams such as polyvinyl chloride foams do not undergo natural degradation and thus giving rise to white pollution to the environment. Here, we report the preparation and properties of poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) foam which is a biodegradable plastic. Ammonium bicarbonate is used as the foaming agent during the formation of the PBS foam by the molding method, and under the optimal conditions of 5 wt % ammonium bicarbonate, 10 MPa pressure, and 5 min pressing time, the pristine PBS foam with the smallest bulk density can be obtained, whereas under the conditions of 5 wt % ammonium bicarbonate, 7.5 MPa pressure, and 7 min pressing time, the toughening PBS foam has the smallest bulk density. Adding talc as a nucleating agent can reduce the bulk density of the foam and in this case, an NH 4 HCO 3 content of 3 wt % yields the best result. Moreover, addition of plasticizers can effectively improve the mechanical properties of the products. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012