Cell structure and impact properties of foamed polystyrene in constrained conditions using supercritical carbon dioxide

To obtain cellular with small cell diameter, to control cell structure and to improve impact strength of foaming materials, the quick-heating method was applied for foaming polystyrene (PS) using supercritical CO₂ (Sc-CO₂) as physical blowing agent. Then, changes of cell structure and impact strength in microcellular foamed PS materials under constrained conditions were studied. The effects of foaming processing parameters, such as foaming temperature, saturation pressure and foaming time on the cell structure and impact strength of foamed PS in the constrained conditions were studied. The results showed that the Sc-CO₂ solubility and nucleation density in the constrained conditions were not influenced compared with those under free foaming conditions. However, cells in constrained foaming process are mostly circular and independent with thick cell walls; the phenomenon of cell coalescence and collapse was effectively eliminated under constrained conditions. In addition, cell diameters in constrained foaming process decrease with increase in foaming temperature and increase with increase in the foaming time. Compared with that in free foaming conditions, the cell growth was restrained dramatically under constrained conditions which resulted in smaller cell diameter. Moreover, higher impact strength could be obtained for foamed PS as foaming time was prolonged, foaming temperature was increased or saturation pressure was enhanced.