Heat transfer in polypropylene-based foams produced using different foaming processes 

Category: Transient Plane Source

Author(s): Antonio B. Martinez, Jose Antonio de Saja, Jose Ignacio Velasco, Marcelo Antunes, Miguel-C
ngel RodrC-guez-PC)rez, Vera Realinho

Keywords: anisotropies, cellular structure, characterization, density, foaming processes, gas dissolution, heat transfer, insulating materials, polypropylene foams, russell's model, thermal conduction, thermal conductivity, thermal insulation, thermal transport properties

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) foams are commercially manufactured in four ways, with each method producing different characteristics. The aim of this paper was to examine the properties of each PP-based foam and compare their thermal behaviors and conductivities. A thermal constant analyzer was used to measure the thermal conductivity of the foam samples with the transient plane source (TPS) technique. Results showed that thermal conductivity varied for each production method, but density was the most influential variable that altered conductivity of the PP-based foams.

Reference: Advanced Engineering Materials, 11, 10 (2009) 811-817

DOI: 10.1002/adem.200900129

Access Article