| Abstract: | The properties and processing characteristics of open-celled foams produced by leaching small NaCl particles from high density polyethylene has been investigated. In a random dispersion of salt particles in the polymer matrix a minimum volume loading of 40 percent was required to produce an open-celled foam. The time required to remove this quantity of salt with 50°C water was 100 min. The maximum porosity of the foam is limited to the maximum packing fraction of the salt. For randomly dispersed isotropic particles the maximum packing fraction is approximately 0.64. Because the composite rapidly loses melt strength as the filler content nears the maximum packing fraction, the practical upper limit of extruded foam porosity is approximately 0.60. |
