Preparation and characterization of HDPE/PA6 foam blends

Abstract

In this work, preparation and characterization of HDPE/PA6 foam blends is presented. Using a chemical blowing agent based on azodicarbonamide, foams were produced via extrusion using different concentrations of the dispersed phase PA6. Due to very different thermal and rheological properties of the polymers, good cellular structures could only be obtained by a careful selection of the temperature profile and feeding strategy of the materials. Furthermore, the use of a coupling agent was also found necessary to stabilize the blend before foaming. The final foam morphology was controlled by post-extrusion conditions and the results are discussed in terms of deformation and dimensions of foam cells and dispersed phase particles. The tensile and impact properties of the resulting foams are also reported.