The effect of cell size on the physical properties of crosslinked closed cell polyethylene foams produced by a high pressure nitrogen solution process

Abstract

The thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, mechanical properties at low strain rates and dynamic mechanical properties of a collection of crosslinked closed cell polyethylene foams manufactured by a high pressure nitrogen solution process have been studied as a function of the cell size. The main mechanisms that influence each property and the foam microstructure have been considered to rationalise the results. A theoretical model has been used to examine the thermal conductivity values. The results have shown the extent to which reducing the cell size could improve the insulating capabilities of these materials. The effect of cell size on the mechanical properties at low strain rates is very small, as a consequence the thermal expansion does not depend on cell size. Nevertheless, the structural characteristics are seen to influence dynamic mechanical response at temperatures below 15°C.