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Deformation of Polypropylene Foam Neopolen® P in Compression

Institute of Polymer Mechanics, University of Latvia, Aizkraukles Street 23, Riga, LV-1006, Latviabeverte{at}pmi.lv

Neopolen^® P is a two-phase cellular composite foam material produced by BASF AG, Germany. In most of the practical applications, Neopolen^® P works under a range of small and compressive deformations. Therefore it is necessary to determine the moduli in compression and compressive strength in the most effective way for a wide range of foam densities: 2284kg/m³. Several experimental methods of different precision for deformation properties of Neopolen^® P were compared. The direct measurements performed by a universal testing machine were used for the main part of the experiments. They were compared with results obtained by a more precise and time-consuming method, using an inductive extensiometer HBW5K.

Experimental data were obtained for structural, elastic, and strength properties. It was proved that the foam exhibited a slight monotropy for the highest density of the investigated range. The observed anisotropy of mechanical properties was correlated to the structure and the manufacturing technology of the foam. Influence of the interaction of the two main factors: the electrostatic forces and the Earth gravity on the final anisotropy mode of the foam was analyzed.

Key Words: composite materials • polypropylene foam • Neopolen® P • experiments • inductive extensiometer • structure • pre-expansion • polypropylene beads • electrostatic forces • the Earth gravity • compression • stress–strain curve • compression strength • elastic moduli • anisotropy

Journal of Cellular Plastics, Vol. 40, No. 3, 191-204 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0021955X04043718


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