An experimental study on the micro- and nanocellular foaming of polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend composites

Abstract

Abstract Polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) blends in 80:20, 50:50, and 20:80 ratios with and without calcium carbonate nanoparticles were prepared. n-Pentane was then used to foam the samples in an autoclave. After the diffusion of n-pentane gas into the polymer matrix, the samples and the gas were simultaneously cooled to obtain the liquid n-pentane phase. Phase change to liquid provided the required pressure drop for cell nucleation and consequent cell growth. The solubility of n-pentane in the samples was measured. Liquid n-pentane trapped inside created micro- and nanopores, forming a foam with closed cells. Experiments were carried out in different compositions of the materials, with and without nanoparticles, and the cell morphologies were characterized. The results of this work show that nanocellular structures can be achieved when calcium carbonate nanoparticles are added to PS/PMMA blends.