Structural properties of batch foamed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/nanoclay nanocomposites

Background: Present study investigates the effect of adding nanoclay particles and foaming conditions on cellular properties of ABS/Nanoclay nanocomposite foams. Methods: For this purpose, first nanocomposite components are mixed using a twin-screw extruder. The amount of added nanoclay is considered 2 and 4 percentage by weight. Also, poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) with the percentages of 2 and 4 wt% are used as the compatibilizer. Distribution of nanoclay particles in ABS matrix is examined using X-ray diffraction test. Then, nanocomposite samples are produced using injection molding process and foamed using batch foaming process. CO2 gas is used as the physical blowing agent of the foaming process. The saturation time of samples and the effect of adding of nanoclay on CO2 sorption/desorption rate was assessed by gravimetric method prior to foaming experiments. Then, nanocomposite samples are foamed under different process conditions according to a Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. Results: The obtained results reveal that adding nanoclay increases the cell density and decreases both foam density and cell size of ABS/nanoclay composite foams compared to the pure ABS foams. Conclusions: Results show that the structural properties of nanocomposite foams depend on both processing parameters and percentage of nanoclay in the nanocomposite specimens.