Rheological effects on foam processing in rotational molding

Rheological properties of several polypropylene polymers were measured and the foam processing of these materials using chemical blowing agent was studied. Foaming was carried out in monolayer and skin-foam layer moldings. The uniaxial extensional viscosity was quantified and the foam characterized based on bulk density, bubble size, and bubble concentration. It was found that the foam processing window is determined and bounded by melt viscosity and melt elasticity. Melt strength and strain-hardening can substantially improve the foaming performance and play significant role in determining the developed morphological structure.