Abstract
Owing to their high strength and stiffness, thermal and environmental stability, lower shrinkage, and water resistance, epoxy resins have been the preferred matrix for the development of syntactic foams using hollow glass microspheres. Although these foams are exploited in multiple applications, one of their issues is the possibility of breakage of the glass hollow microspheres during processing. Here, we present a straightforward and single-step foaming protocol using expandable polymeric microspheres based on the well-established compression molding process. We demonstrate the viability of the protocol producing two sets of nanocomposite foams filled with carbon-based nanoparticles with improved transport properties.
Highlights
Syntactic foams are a type of cellular material composed of pre-formed hollow glass microspheres, called microballoons, that are bound together with a matrix [1]
An alternative to produce epoxy foams is the use of polymeric expandable microspheres (EMSs) as foaming agents since they provide better control over the pore morphology [2,4,5]
We demonstrate the viability of the process producing two sets of nanocomposite foams filled with carbon-based nanoparticles with improved transport properties
Summary
Syntactic foams are a type of cellular material composed of pre-formed hollow glass microspheres, called microballoons, that are bound together with a matrix [1]. The outstanding properties of epoxy resins combined with the lightness of the microspheres are exploited in multiple applications, ranging from packaging materials for expensive components to core material in sandwich structures and deep-sea submersibles [3] Among their different issues is the possibility of breakage of the glass hollow microspheres during mixing and handling. An alternative to produce epoxy foams is the use of polymeric expandable microspheres (EMSs) as foaming agents since they provide better control over the pore morphology [2,4,5] These microspheres are made of a thermoplastic polymer shell, around 3–7 μm thick, encapsulating a blowing agent, usually a saturated hydrocarbon with low boiling point. Kim and Kim [4] reported the use of these
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
