Foam extrusion characteristics of thermoplastic resin with fluorocarbon blowing agent. I. Low-density polyethylene foam extrusion

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the foam extrusion characteristics of low-density polyethylene resin. For the study, we used dichlorotetrafluoroethane and dichlorodifluoromethane as blowing agent and talc as nucleating agent. In the study, we investigated the effects of processing and material variables on the foam extrusion characteristics, namely extrudate swell behavior, foam density, and cell morphology. It was found that an inverse relationship exists between the extrudate swell ratio and the foam density. Also investigated was the effect of die geometry (theL/D ratio, DR/D ratio, and entrance angle) on the foam extrusion characteristics of low-density polyethylene resin. Suggestions are made on the experimental technique that may be useful in selecting resins for foam extrusion operation. Also suggested are guidelines for selecting an optimum die geometry that would produce good quality foams of low-density polyethylene.