The Challenge of Foam Injection-Moulding – Possibilities to Improve Surface Appearance, Foam Morphology and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This paper is dealing with structural foam moulding of polypropylene (PP) thermoplastics utilising the MuCell approach to introduce the blowing agent as well as advanced moulding technologies. Till today, structural foam moulding is facing several different challenges, which are limiting a full acceptance in industrial applications. Encountering issues of those parts are the critical surface appearance, the limited density reduction and finally the mechanical properties (stiffness, strength and toughness). Here, two surface improving techniques have been evaluated according to their effectiveness and feasibility. Furthermore, in this experimental study, six different typical automotive PP compounds have been processed to structural foams with a density reduction of 50% and evaluated in regard to their morphologies and mechanical performance. The modulus and strength of structural foams can be correlated to their build-up (skin-layers, foam density), as the toughness performance is heavily dependent on molecular weight, filler-type and filler orientation.