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http://dx.doi.org/10.3795/KSME-A.2011.35.9.991

Study on Properties of EPP Bead Foam  

Jung, Dong-Won (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Jeju Nat'l Univ.)
Lee, Eung-Kee (Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Univ. of Toronto)
Park, Chul-B. (Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Univ. of Toronto)
Publication Information
Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A / v.35, no.9, 2011 , pp. 991-997 More about this Journal
Abstract
This paper deals with the basic principles and procedures involved in the steam-chest molding process used for manufacturing expanded polypropylene (EPP) bead foam. Steam-chest molding is an integral process for EPP technology. However, little research has been carried out on the processing conditions for steam-chest molding this process. The characteristics of EPP foam are energy absorption, multiple-impact protection, low weight, structural strength, and durability. In this study, the steam pressure in steam-chest molding was varied to determine the optimum conditions for manufacturing EPP foam. Moreover, annealing was performed after EPP-foam molding to prevent the shrinkage of the steam-molded product. It was possible to verify the mechanism of foam shrinkage by observing the change in weight with time at different annealing temperatures. Moreover, a tensile test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed to support these experimental results. The dimensional stability of each molded product was investigated at different steam pressures.
Keywords
EPP Bead Foam; Steam Chest Molding; Steam Pressure; Annealing; Steam Molded Product; Tensile Test; Dimensional Stability; Foam Shrinkage; SEM Analysis;
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