Significantly Improved Foamability and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene through a Core–Shell Structure via Low Gas Pressure Foam Injection Molding

Abstract

Lightweight plays an important role in energy conservation and emission reduction. Foam injection molding (FIM) is a promising technology for the mass preparation of structural parts. But it is still a challenge to prepare foam with good cellular structure via low gas pressure foam injection molding (LGP-FIM). Polypropylene (PP) as a kind of universal plastic exhibits good mechanical properties, but its mechanical properties are notably deteriorated after foaming. In this study, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were added to PP to improve its melt strength and increase the gas diffusion rate. As a result, the cell size of the ternary blend attained was ∼2 μm, and the cell density was increased to 1010 cells/cm3. Meanwhile, the tensile toughness of ternary blend foam increased by 668% compared to PP foam. The notched impact strength of ternary blend foam increased by 178% compared to PP foam. Considering the excellent performance of PP foam and the low cost of LGP-FIM, this work presents a method for fabricating high mechanical performance foams that could be easily industrialized.