This review starts with a brief history of the subject, then proceeds to the current situation regarding polyolefin foams. It discusses the properties required for successful foam production; the molecular structures necessary to produce the required properties; novel polymer foams; the mechanical and thermal properties of expanded polyolefins; and the end-use applications of these materials. This reference tool contains 456 abstracts from Rapra's Polymer Library database.

From the Introduction: “Olefins or `alkenes' are defined as unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Ethylene and propylene are the main monomers for polyolefin foams, but dienes such as polyisoprene should also be included. The copolymers of ethylene and propylene (PP) will be included, but not polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is usually treated as a separate polymer class. The majority of these foams have densities <100 kilograms per cubic meter, and their microstructure consists of closed, polygonal cells with thin faces...”

Rapra Review Reports contain a brief overview of the topic, followed by extensive references, with abstracts, from the Rapra database. They serve as condensed, valuable research tools for scientists, technologists, and other researchers working with rubber or plastics materials.

Target Audience: Any reader in industry or academia who is concerned with the processing, properties, and applications of polyolefin foams.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Polymers

Processing

Mechanical Properties

Thermal Properties

Applications

Market Growth

References

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abstracts from the Polymer Library Database

Index