Abstract
The footwear market is addressing eco-sustainable solutions to the continuous demand for materials that at the same time show lighter weight with higher comfort. Toward this aim, a biodegradable matrix, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), was used to obtain foams through an eco-sustainable methodology based on high speed mixing, without the use of chemical blowing agents. Moreover, considering that good thermoregulating performance in terms of heat transfer and perspiration is required for good quality shoes, microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) were incorporated into PVA foams. Foam morphologies investigated by SEM reveal that PCMs are finely dispersed through the PVA matrix. Mechanical properties of foams were analyzed in terms of compression behavior and shape memory recovery, triggering the dimensional changes by both temperature and relative humidity. The thermoregulating properties confirm that the presence of microcapsules affects the heat transfer phenomenon, since part of the heat provided by the source is involved in the wax phase transition.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
