Microcellular injection molding of gas-laden pellets using nitrogen (N 2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) as co-blowing agents

Xiaofei Sun, Lih Sheng Turng*, Patrick J. Gorton, Pankaj Nigam, Sezen Buell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A novel combination approach to producing quality foamed injection molded parts has been investigated. By combining extruded, gas-laden pellets with microcellular injection molding, the processing benefits and material characteristics of using both N2 and CO2 blowing agents can be realized, thus yielding features superior to that of using either N 2 or CO2 alone. Using an optimal content ratio for the blowing agents, as well as the proper sequence of introducing the gases, foamed parts with a much better morphology can be produced. In particular, extruding N2 gas-laden pellets, followed by microcellular injection molding with higher amounts of CO2, produces a cellular structure that is very fine and dense. In this paper, the theoretical background is discussed and experimental results show that this combined approach leads to significant improvements in foam cell morphology for low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) using two different mold geometries.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
EventASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013 - Madison, WI, United States
Duration: 10 06 201314 06 2013

Publication series

NameASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013
Volume1

Conference

ConferenceASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMadison, WI
Period10/06/1314/06/13

Keywords

  • Co-blowing agents
  • Gas-laden pellets
  • Microcellular injection molding

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