Introduction to foamability study of a LDPE subjected to gamma radiation

Abstract

Nowadays, polymer foams have a wide application area due to their light weight, emphasizing resistance to impact, high thermal insulation and damping properties, among others. So, automotive, packing industry, electronic, aerospace, building construction, bedding and even medical applications are some of the fields where polymer foams are applied. Foams can be classified as open and closed: Closed-cell foam is provided with tiny and discrete pockets of gas, each one totally enclosed within polymer walls; open cell foam has tiny cells which are not completely closed. In this work, LDPE (low density polyethylene) resin foamability was investigated after exposure to ionizing radiation (gamma), at 5, 10 and 15 kGy. Characterizations included: melt flow index, melt strength and scanning electron microscopy.