Polymeric Foams Structure-Property-Performance: A Design Guide is a response to the design challenges faced by engineers in a growing market with evolving standards, new regulations, and an ever-increasing variety of application types for polymeric foam. Bernard Obi, an author with wide experience in testing, characterizing, and applying polymer foams, approaches this emerging complexity with a practical design methodology that focuses on understanding the relationship between structure-properties of polymeric foams and their performance attributes. The book not only introduces the fundamentals of polymer and foam science and engineering, but also goes more in-depth, covering foam processing, properties, and uses for a variety of applications. By connecting the diverse technologies of polymer science to those from foam science, and by linking both micro- and macrostructure-property relationships to key performance attributes, the book gives engineers the information required to solve pressing design problems involving the use of polymeric foams and to optimize foam performance. With a focus on applications in the automotive and transportation industries, as well as uses of foams in structural composites for lightweight applications, the author provides numerous case studies and design examples of real-life industrial problems from various industries and their solutions.

A one-of-a-kind exploration of the fundamentals of functional polymer foams, including their fabrication and a variety of their most common applications In Functional Polymer Foams: Green Fabrication Methods, Performance and Applications, distinguished researcher Dr. Hao-Yang Mi delivers an up-to-date and incisive discussion of the fundamentals of functional polymer foams, as well as their fabrication methods and a diverse set of applications. The author covers a variety of the material’s applications, including energy absorption, acoustic absorption, superhydrophobic materials, tissue engineering scaffolding, flexible sensors, and solar steam generation. Readers will find comprehensive summaries of the mechanisms, fabrication methods, and relative performance of various polymer foams, as well as: A thorough introduction to functional polymer foams, including the fundamentals of SCF foaming Comprehensive explorations of energy absorbing polymer foams, including mechanisms of action, testing, and characterization Practical discussions of functional polymer foams used in thermal insulation, including their fabrication Complete treatments of acoustic absorption polymer foams and superhydrophobic foams, including advanced applications Perfect for polymer chemists, materials scientists, and researchers working in the sensor industry, Functional Polymer Foams will also benefit sensor developers and electronics engineers with an interest in the fabrication methods and applications of functional polymer foams.

This handbook explores the applications of polymer foams, and the properties that make them suitable for so many applications, in the detail required by postgraduate students, researchers and the many industrial engineers and designers who work with polymer foam in industry. It covers the mechanical properties of foams and foam microstructure, processing of foams, mechanical testing and analysis (using Finite element analysis). In addition, it uniquely offers a broader perspective on the actual engineering of foams and foam based (or foam including) products by including nine detailed case studies which firmly plant the theory of the book in a real world context, making it ideal for both polymer engineers and chemists and mechanical engineers and product designers.*Complete coverage of the mechanical and design aspects of polymer foams from an acknowledged international expert: no other book is available with this breadth making this a plastics engineer's first choice for a single volume Handbook*Polymer foams are ubiquitous in modern life, used everywhere from running shoes to furniture, and this book includes nine extensive case studies covering each key class of application, including biomechanics*Offers a rigorous mechanical and microstructure perspective, plus a computer based chapter: Essential for engineers and designers alike.

Advancements in polymer nanocomposite foams have led to their application in a variety of fields, such as automotive, packaging, and insulation. Employing nanocomposites in foam formation enhances their property profiles, enabling a broader range of uses, from conventional to advanced applications. Since many factors affect the generation of nanostructured foams, a thorough understanding of structure–property relationships in foams is important. Polymer Nanocomposite Foams presents developments in various aspects of nanocomposite foams, providing information on using composite nanotechnology for making functional foams to serve a variety of applications. Featuring contributions from experts in the field, this book reviews synthesis and processing techniques for preparing poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite foams and discusses strategies for toughening polymer foams. It summarizes the effects of adding nanoclay on polypropylene foaming behavior and describes routes to starch foams for improved performance. The books also reviews progress in achieving high-performance lightweight polymer nanocomposite foams while keeping desired mechanical properties, examines hybrid polyurethane nanocomposite foams, and covers polymer–clay nanocomposite production. The final chapters present recent advances in the field of carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposite aerogels and related materials as well as a review of the nanocomposite foams generated from high-performance thermoplastics. Summing up the most recent research developments in the area of polymer nanocomposite foams, this book provides background information for readers new to the field and serves as a reference text for researchers.

This book is the inaugural volume a series entitled Polymeric Foams: Technology and Applications. Generally, thermoplastic and thermoset foams have been treated as two separate practices in industry. Polymeric Foams: Mechanisms and Materials presents the basics of foaming in general build a strong foundation to those working in both thermoplastic a

Foaming of polymeric materials enables weight reduction, which is very important from the economic point of view, but most of all, it should be considered as an excellent means to provide new properties to various polymeric materials. Permanent developments in foaming technologies allow manufacturing of foams with micro- and even nano-sized pores, expanding the already very wide range of their applications. Except for the most conventional applications, which include damping materials, thermal and acoustic insulation, packaging materials or absorbents, applications in catalysis, fuel cells, tissue engineering, and electromagnetic shielding, often associated with nanocellular structures, have become more and more popular. Moreover, having in mind the ongoing trends and law regulations, it is important to remember the environmental impact of polymeric foams. Recent technological developments often involve biodegradability of foams, application of environmentally friendly raw materials, and innovative recycling methods. Because of the richness of potential innovations and future developments, the Editors are pleased to present the Structure, Properties and Applications of Polymeric Foams book, a collection of papers from Materials Special Issue dealing with the structure, performance, and applications of polymeric foams.