This book is intended to be a source of practical information on all types of plastic foams (cellular plastics) in use, including the new structural plastic foams. Elastomer (rubber-like) foams are also considered. The book is intended primarily for those who require a non-theoretical, authoritative, easy-to-use handbook in the subject area. 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. The book is organized in such a way that information on a desired subject can be found rapidly. An unusual feature is a comprehensive listing of all known standardization documents (test methods, practices, and specifications), including some international standards. Each document includes a brief description of its contents.

This Handbook reviews the chemistry, manufacturing methods, properties and applications of the synthetic polymer foams used in most applications. In addition, a chapter is included on the fundamental principles, which apply to all polymer foams. There is also a chapter on the blowing agents used to expand polymers and a chapter is on microcellular foams - a relatively new development where applications are still being explored.

The use of polymer foams is extremely widespread. Indeed, it is hard to think of any industries where polymer foams do not have a part to play. They can be found for example in sports and leisure products, in military applications, in vehicles, in aircraft, and in the home. Most people will encounter polymer foams every day in one form or another, whether it be in furniture, in packaging, in their car, in refrigerator insulation, or in some other common application. Although naturally occurring polymer foams have been known for a long time, (e.g., sponges, cork), synthetic polymer foams have only been introduced to the market over the last fifty years or so. The development of a new polymer has usually been quickly followed by its production in an expanded or foam form owing to the unique and useful properties, which can be realised in the expanded state. This handbook reviews the chemistry, manufacturing methods, properties and applications of the synthetic polymer foams used in most applications. In addition, a chapter is included on the fundamental principles, which apply to all polymer foams. There is also a chapter on the blowing agents used to expand polymers, blowing agents having undergone considerable change and development in recent years in order to meet the requirements of the Montreal Protocol in relation to the reduction and elimination of chloroflurocarbons (CFC) and other ozone depleting agents. A chapter is also included on microcellular foams - a relatively new development where applications are still being explored. Most chapters have references to facilitate further exploration of the topics. The chapters are all written by experts in the field. This book will be of interest to those just embarking upon an exploration of the subject of foams, whether in industry or academia. But this will be equally useful to those already working in the field, who need to know about different types of foam.

From crash helmets to packaging, this is the complete guide to understanding, selecting, processing and working with polymer foams.

Handbook of Foaming and Blowing Agents, Second Edition includes the most current information on foaming technology, guiding users on the proper selection of formulation, which is highly dependent on the mechanisms of action of blowing agents and foaming agents, as well as dispersion and solubility. The book includes properties of 23 groups of blowing agents and the typical range of technical performance for each group, including general properties, physical-chemical properties, health and safety, environmental impact, and applications in different products and polymers. All information is illustrated by chemical reactions and diagrams. Chapters in the book look at foaming mechanisms with the use of solid blowing agents, which are decomposed to the gaseous products by application of heat, production of gaseous products by chemical reaction, and foaming by gases and evaporating liquids. Introduces the fundamental mechanisms of action of blowing agents and foaming Includes best practice guidance to help engineers and technicians improve the efficiency of their existing foaming processes Enables practitioners to select blowing agents and foaming methods more effectively, thus reducing the risk of poor specification Introduces useful analytical techniques for foaming Discusses the environmental impact of foaming processes

An outstanding and thorough presentation of the complete field of plastics processing Handbook of Plastic Processes is the only comprehensive reference covering not just one, but all major processes used to produce plastic products-helping designers and manufacturers in selecting the best process for a given product while enabling users to better understand the performance characteristics of each process. The authors, all experts in their fields, explain in clear, concise, and practical terms the advantages, uses, and limitations of each process, as well as the most modern and up-to-date technologies available in their application. Coverage includes chapters on: Injection molding Compression and transfer molding Sheet extrusion Blow molding Calendering Foam processing Reinforced plastics processing Liquid resin processing Rotational molding Thermoforming Reaction injection molding Compounding, mixing, and blending Machining and mechanical fabrication Assembly, finishing, and decorating Each chapter details a particular process, its variations, the equipment used, the range of materials utilized in the process, and its advantages and limitations. Because of its increasing impact on the industry, the editor has also added a chapter on nanotechnology in plastics processing.

This report describes the state of the art of all types of cellular materials particularly those of a polymeric nature (plastics and elastomers). The report is organized in the form of a handbook and has an Introduction and sections on Types of Foams (Cellular Materials), Methods of Manufacture, Foam Properties, Solvent Cementing, and Adhesive Bonding of Foams, Methods of Making Foams Conductive, and Applications. There are two Appendices, one on Standardization Documents (Test Methods, Practices and Specifications) and the other on Definitions. A list of 57 references cited in the text is included.