STRUCTURE/PROCESS/PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS IN MOLDED POLYETHYLENE FOAMS

摘要

Structure, process and property relationships of molded polyethylene foams were investigated. Two compression molding variations were used namely: single stage and heat and chill processes. Using either process, crosslinking and chemical blowing agent decomposition occurred under identical conditions followed by expansion at different temperatures. Foam densities were correlated to degree of crosslinking and tensile stress/strain curves of unfoamed crosslinked polymer (of the same gel content) determined at temperatures corresponding to those of foam expansion.