Influence of 1-butene content on mechanical, thermal, and cushioning properties of propylene/1-butene copolymer foamed by supercritical carbon dioxide

• Published in: The Journal of supercritical fluids Vol. 165; p. 104987
• Main Authors: Wen, Shibao, Yu, Leilei, Phule, Ajit Dattatray, Zhao, Yue, Zhang, Xin, Zhang, Zhen Xiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Cushion energy-absorbing material; Microcellular foam material; Propylene/1-butene copolymer; Supercritical CO2; Microcellular foam material; Cushion energy-absorbing material; Supercritical CO2; Propylene/1-butene copolymer
• ISSN: 0896-8446; 1872-8162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2020.104987

[Display omitted] •A PPB material with a high 1-butene content as a high-rate foaming material.•Improved impact strength of PPB foam from 3834.3 MJ/m2 to 6699.65 MJ/m2.•Tm of PPB material is significantly reduced and the melting window was broadened.•The temperature window for foaming was widened with higher 1-butene content.•PPB-18 foam with lower density material exhibited a better cushioning properties. Propylene/1-butene (PPB) copolymer foam materials are successfully prepared by supercritical CO2 and the effects of different 1-butene content on the mechanical, crystallization, foaming, and cushioning properties of prepared PPB foam material are investigated. The decrease in hardness value (from 90 to 67), tensile strength (from 37.8 MPa to 32.5 MPa), and bending strength (from 40.6 MPa to 34 MPa) of PPB materials along with the enhanced impact strength (from 3834.3 MJ/m2 to 6699.65 MJ/m2) are a result of high 1-butene content. The increased foaming ratio and broadened foaming temperature window of PPB materials achieved with increased 1-butene content. Energy absorption efficiency has enhanced (from 0.678 to 0.847), and ideal parameters also improved significantly (from 0.242 to 0.303) at the same density along with the cushioning performance of PPB foaming materials. Low-density, high 1-butene content PPB materials have a better energy absorption effect with a lower permissible stress.