Handbook of Plastic Foams Types, Properties, Manufacture and Applications

Cellular plastics or plastic foams, also referred to as expanded or sponge plastics, generally consist of a minimum of two phases, a solid-polymer matrix and a gaseous phase derived from a blowing agent. The solid-polymer phase may be either inorganic, organic or organometallic. There may be more than one solid phase present, which can be composed of polymer alloys or polymer blends based on two or more polymers, or which can be in the form of interpenetrating polymer networks (I PNs) which consist of at least two crosslinked polymer networks, or a pseudo- or semi-1 PN formed from a combination of at least one or more linear polymers with crosslinked polymers not linked by means of covalent bonds. Other solid phases may be present in the foam in the form of fillers, either fibrous or other shaped fillers which may be of inorganic origin, e.g., glass, ceramic or metallic, or they may be polymeric in nature. Foams may be flexible or rigid, depending upon whether their glass- transition temperatures are below or above room temperature, which, in turn, depends upon their chemical composition, degree of crystallanity, and degree of crosslinking. Intermediate between flexible and rigid foams are semi-rigid or semi- flexible foams. The cell geometry, i.e., open vs. closed cell, size and shape, greatly affect the foam properties. This book is intended to be a source of practical up-to-date information on all types of plastic foams (cellular plastics) in current use, including the newer structural plastic foams. Elastomeric (rubber-like) foams are also considered. The book is intended primarily for those who require a nontheoretical, authoritative, easy-to-use handbook in the subjectarea. It should be of value to materials engineers, plastics fabricators, chemists, chemical engineers, and students. Recognized authorities have written several chapters and parts of chapters in their fields of expertise. TheLandrock, Arthur H. is the author of 'Handbook of Plastic Foams Types, Properties, Manufacture and Applications' with ISBN 9780815513575 and ISBN 0815513577.