MICROCELLULAR POLYMERS - NOVEL MATERIALS FOR THE 21ST-CENTURY

Microcellular polymer's produced by gas nucleation, refer to closed ce ll thermoplastic foams with a very large number of very small cells-ty pically 10(8) or more cells per cm3 of order 10mum in diameter. First produced in the early 1980's with the objective of reducing the amount of polymer used in mass produced items, these novel materials have th e potential to revolutionize the way thermoplastic polymers are used t oday. Microcellular plastics have been produced from a number of polym ers ranging in relative density from 0.1 to 1.0, containing 10(8) to 1 0(11) cells per cm3, offering the engineer a new range of properties f or design. The microcellular polymers appear to possess improved fatig ue life and energy absorption characteristics as well as a higher spec ific strength. This paper reviews recent progress in this emerging tec hnology and discusses the areas where this technology is likely to mak e an impact in the future.