The Effect of Chemical Blowing Agent Dosage on the Properties of Extruded Expanded Polypropylene

摘要

This paper investigates the influence of CBA (chemical blowing agent) concentration on the properties of extruded EPP (expanded polypropylene) rod samples. A design of experiment methodology was adopted to quantify the effect of CBA (endothermic type)dosage on EPP properties. Foam characteristics measured, were density, cell structure, tensile properties, premature foaming, and extrusion parameters (melt temperature and pressure). The research revealed that an optimal blowing agent concentration of 0.5% exists in terms of obtaining the finest cell morphology and most efficient material savings/density reduction.