Low density cellular plastics: Physical basis of behaviour

Density reduction of cellular materials can be directly converted into cost savings and consequently commercially produced foams are being driven towards their lowest possible density for a given application. However, as densities become even lower, the control and optimization of the cellular structure and physical properties becomes more complex and a better understanding of the fundamental relationships between composition, cellular structure, matrix morphology and the physical properties is required. To facilitate this understanding, a world-wide group of authors from industry and academia at the forefront of research have been brought together. The fundamental basis of the formation and the physical behaviour of low density cellular polymers are described and analyzed and they report, explain and quantify, using empirical data, phenomenological modelling and mathematical analysis; the current understanding of fundamental issues concerning foam formation and physical behaviour. Current model representations of physical behaviour are critically reviewed and model predictions compared with experimental data. Unlike other books on polymeric foams, which concentrate on the chemistry and process technology of foams, it focuses on the essential material science issues of the quantification and mathematical modelling of physical behaviour whether it be mechanical, pneumatic, thermal or acoustic. In addressing fundamental issues concerning the physics of low density cellular plastics, the reader's attention is directed to the many possibilities in foam development which have potential for commercial exploitations. This book should be of interest to senior undergraduates, graduates and researchers working in the plastics field; those working in the plastics industry.

Table of Contents:
1 Physical behaviour of polymeric foams — an overview.- 1.1 General.- 1.2 Foam formation.- 1.3 Cell structure.- 1.4 Matrix polymer morphology.- 1.5 Thermal behaviour.- 1.6 Stress—strain behaviour.- 1.7 Energy management.- 1.8 Final comments.- References.- 2 Polyurethane flexible foam formation.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Reaction chemistry.- 2.3 Morphology development.- 2.4 The cell opening mechanism.- 2.5 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 3 Characterizations of polymeric cellular structures.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Background.- 3.3 Quantitative characterization.- 3.4 Stereology.- 3.5 Difficulties associated with measurement.- 3.6 Optical microscopy.- 3.7 Final comments.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 4 The morphology of flexible polyurethane matrix polymers.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 The dynamics of phase separation.- 4.3 The morphological characterization of foams.- 4.4 Summary.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 5 Heat transfer in foams.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Conduction heat transfer.- 5.3 Radiative heat transfer.- 5.4 Gas conduction.- 5.5 Overall conductivity.- Acknowledgements.- Appendix A: Lower limit analysis.- Appendix B: List of symbols.- References.- 6 Thermal ageing.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Theory and modelling.- 6.3 Experimental methods.- 6.4 Different testing methods.- Appendix: List of symbols.- References.- 7 The elastic behavior of low-density cellular plastics.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Elastic behavior of perfectly ordered two-dimensional foams.- 7.3 Elastic behavior of three-dimensional foams.- 7.4 Future directions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 8 Hysteresis and energy loss in flexible polyurethane foams.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Mechanical response.- 8.3 Definitions and relationships.- 8.4 Mechanisms.- 8.5 Static hysteresis.- 8.6Dynamics hysteresis.- 8.7 Ball rebound resilience.- 8.8 Conclusions.- Appendix: List of symbols.- References.- 9 Impact response.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Macroscopic deformation geometry.- 9.3 Cell geometry and deformation mechanisms.- 9.4 Impact properties.- 9.5 Relation of impact properties to microstructure.- 9.6 Packaging design.- 9.7 Complex impacts.- 9.8 Discussion.- References.- 10 Acoustic characteristics of low density foams.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Single-wave approximation for foams with a low flow resistivity.- 10.3 Acoustic properties of foams of medium and high flow resistivity.- 10.4 Matrix representation of layered porous materials.- 10.5 Conclusion.- Appendix A: Matrix elements.- References.

Review :
The book will be of major interest to polymer or materials scientists concerned with properties and applications of low density cellular polymers. Polymer International