Modeling and Characterization of the Relationship between Cell Size and Mechanical Behavior of Microcellular PP/Mica Composites

Abstract

Abstract The microcellular foamed polypropylene (PP)/mica composites were prepared through chemical microcellular injection to investigate the relationship between the mechanical behavior and the cell size. The mechanical behavior model of the microcellular foams is built based on the elastic stress/strain field. The mechanical behavior of the microcellular composites coincides well with the theoretical model. Under loading the large and non uniform cells are in a state of plane strain, which leads to low tensile and impact strengths, whereas small and uniform cells are in a state of plane stress, which contributes to the transition from brittle to tough fracture behavior in the microcellular PP/mica composite.