Nanoclay foaming process

Quadrini et al. developed a solid-state process to yield epoxy foams with different contents of nanoclay (up to 10%wt) [86]. They demonstrated excellent shape memory properties for the nanocomposite foams with low filler loadings and were able to control porosity by varying the solid precursors during the foaming process. 

Lee SY, Xu YX, Hanna MA (2007) Tapioca starch-poly (lactic acid)-based nanocomposite foams as affected by type of nanoclay. Int Polym Process 22(5) 429-435 Lee B-H, Kim H-S, Lee S, Kim H-J, Dorgan JR (2009) Bio-composites of kenaf fibers in polylactide role of improved interfacial adhesion in the carding process. Compos Sci Technol 69 2573-2579... 

The fracture surfaces of the NCRSF specimens containing 0.75 wt% and 1 wt% nanoclay were examined using SEM (see Figure 2.18) to elucidate the toughening mechanisms responsible for the fracture behavior of nanoclay-reinforced syntactic foams. The three characteristic fracture regions, namely precrack (A), process or crack initiation zone (B), and the fast fracture region (C), are clearly visible in... 

FIGURE 2.18 Overall fracture surface of a syntactic foam reinforced with (a) 0.75 wt% nanoclay, (b) Crack process zone of syntactic foam reiirforced with 0.75 wt% nanoclay, (c) Fast fracture zone of a syntactic foam reinforced with 0.75 wt% nanoclay, (d) Crack initiation zone of a syntactic foam reinforced with 1.0 wt% nanoclay (low magnification), (e) Crack initiation zone of a syntactic foam reinforced with 1.0 wt% nanoclay (high magnification), (f) Step structures generated by agglomerated nanoclay. 

Lorenzetd, A., D. Hrelja, S.Besco, M.Roso, andM. Modesti. 2010. Improvement of nanoclays dispersion throngh microwave processing in polynrethane rigid nanocomposite foams. J.Appl. Polym. Set 115 3667-3674. 

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