A study of the characteristics of hollow glassmicrospheres reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composite foam
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Date
2015
Authors
Nzioka Mutua, Fredrick
Omollo, Edison
Khamala, Edwin
Igadwa Mwasiagi, Josphat
Ciera, Lucy
Wang, Yimin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trade Science
Abstract
Current foam materials do not meet the requirements for high performance.
Minimal research has been done on thermoplastic polyurethane
(TPU) foams fabricated by non-synthesis approach. In this study, Hollow
GlassMicrospheres (HGMS) reinforced TPU foamwas fabricated by compression
molding using TPU polymer. Interfacial adhesion between the
filler and the matrix was enhanced by surface modification of the HGMS.
The morphology of fabricated foam was studied using Scanning Electron
Microscope (SEM). Density, hardness and mechanical tests were done to
study the foam properties. Increasing the foaming agent content from 1%
to 2% led to a decrease in tensile strength of the foam by about 50%. The
tensile strength decreased by about 40% when the filler content was increased
from 0% to 3%, while the compressive strength of the composite
foam increased by about 47% when the filler content was increased from
0% to 7%. Increasing filler content led to a decrease in the density and
increase in hardness of the foam. After a 75% compressive force, SEM
observation of 7% HGMS reinforced TPU foam had a more stable structure
than 5% HGMS reinforced foam which depicts enhancement in mechanical
properties, a property desired for high impact absorption applications.
Description
Keywords
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), Hollow Glass Microspheres (HGMS), Surface modification, High speed mixing, Compression molding, Extrusion molding
Citation
Mutua, F. N., Omollo, E., Khamala, E., Mwasiagi, J. I., Ciera, L., & Wang, Y. (2015). A study of the characteristics of hollow glass microspheres reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composite foam.