A METHOD OF PRODUCING MICROCELLULAR FOAMS AND MICROCELLULAR FOAMS OF SEMI-CRYSTALLINE POLYMERIC MATERIALS

摘要

A method for producing a microcellular foam from a semi-crystalline polymeric material. The material is heated to its melting point at an elevated pressure and then saturated with a uniform concentration of a gas. The pressure is then lowered causing bubble nucleation and growth within the material. The material is then quenched to prevent further foaming. Bubbles on the order of 5um in diameter are produced with a bubble density of approximately 1010 bubbles/cm3.