Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A (대한기계학회논문집A)

The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers (대한기계학회)
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Study on Properties of EPP Bead Foam

EPP 비드폼의 특성에 관한 연구

  • 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)
  • 정동원 (제주대학교 기계공학과) ;
  • 이응기 (토론토대학교 재료과학공학과) ;
  • 박철범 (토론토대학교 기계산업공학과)
  • Received : 2010.12.13
  • Accepted : 2011.07.12
  • Published : 2011.09.01

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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