Relationship between cell morphology and impact strength of microcellular foamed high-density polyethylene/polypropylene blends

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 44; no. 8; pp. 1551 - 1560
• Main Authors: Rachtanapun, Pornchai, Selke, Susan E. M., Matuana, Laurent M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc 01-08-2004; Wiley Subscription Services; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Correlation analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Impact strength; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Physicochemistry of polymers; Plastic foams; Polymer blends; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Polymer blends; Impact strength; Morphology; Propylene polymer; High density ethylene polymer; Foam(plastics); Miscibility; Mechanical properties; Olefin polymer; Polymer; Recycling; Heterogeneous mixture
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.20152

Polymer blends, such as those resulting from recycling postconsumer plastics, often have poor mechanical properties. Microcellular foams have been shown to have the potential to improve properties, and permit higher‐value uses of mixed polymer streams. In this study, the effects of microcellular batch processing conditions (foaming time and temperature) and HDPE/PP blend compositions on the cell morphology (the average cell size and cell‐population density) and impact strength were studied. Optical microscopy was used to investigate the miscibility and crystalline morphology of the HDPE/PP blends. Pure HDPE and PP did not foam well at any processing conditions. Blending facilitated the formation of microcellular structures in polyolefins because of the poorly bonded interfaces of immiscible HDPE/PP blends, which favored cell nucleation. The experimental results indicated that well‐developed microcellular structures are produced in HDPE/PP blends at ratios of 50:50 and 30:70. The cell morphology had a strong relationship with the impact strength of foamed samples. Improvement in impact strength was associated with well‐developed microcellular morphology. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1551–1560, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.