Trends in Raw Materials and Technology

The rapidly expanding industrial production of gas-filled polymers is considerably affecting the structure of both production and consumption of synthetic materials. Foamed plastics are now used practically in all branches of industry, replacing traditional natural materials (wood, glass, metals) and finding novel applications  

This rapid development is explained by a favorable combination of veral technical-economical factors. In the first place, the lightness of these materials ensures a smaller consumption of polymer — along with such valuable and in many respects unique properties as buoyancy, high strength, exceUent heat, electrical and acoustic insulation. In the second place, the variety of highly efficient techniques of preparation (practically utilizing all known methods of polymer processing) allows to obtain articles of any dimension and pe both in plants and directly at the place of utilization. 

What are the trends in the polymeric foam industry The production of foamed plastics on the basis of high polymers will continue to expand mainly utilizing common raw materials (polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), polyolefins and synthetic resins). Apart from that, one should expect a strong increase in the commercial pro- 

The particular case of polymer-oligomeric compositions creates new technological possibilities such as the preparation of foamed articles directly at the place of utilization by foaming solutions or pastes at room temperature or sl tly elevated temperatures. It als) leads to a considerable reduction of enei consumption as cOTii ed to traditional processing methods (extrusion, casting and pressing). 

In the next few years one should also expect the development of such an eneigy-con rving, cheap and simple method of foaming as frothing, in particular for latex systems based on copolymers of vinyl chloride, styrene and acrylates. 

---