Design and validation of experimental methods for probing foam formation dynamics and cellular structure
The present thesis focuses on the development of new experimental techniques to study the process-structure-properties relationship in polymeric foams. To achieve this objective rigid polyurethane (RPU) foams were studied. Methodologies have been developed to investigate the synthesis of RPU foams f...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis doctoral |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2021 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de Valladolid |
| Repositorio: | UVaDOC. Repositorio Documental de la Universidad de Valladolid |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:uvadoc.uva.es:10324/59923 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doi.org/10.35376/10324/59923 https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/59923 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Polimeros y polimerización Foams Espumas Polymers Polímeros Cellular Materials Materiales Celulares 2210.90 Química-Física de Polímeros |
| Sumario: | The present thesis focuses on the development of new experimental techniques to study the process-structure-properties relationship in polymeric foams. To achieve this objective rigid polyurethane (RPU) foams were studied. Methodologies have been developed to investigate the synthesis of RPU foams from complementary rheological, physicochemical and structural points of view. To validate the potential of the methods, the effect of different catalyst and blowing agent concentrations on the synthesis of these foams has been systematically studied. As a result of this research, new methods of characterisation of the synthesis process have been obtained at laboratory level, these are based on Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Shear Rheology, as well as X-ray tomography and X-ray radioscopy. Furthermore, the development and application of these techniques has allowed to understand the effect of micrometric Silica Aerogel particles on the synthesis, cellular structure and thermal insulation properties of RPU foams reinforced with these particles. The joint evaluation of the reaction kinetics, polymer matrix development and cell structure of RPU foams has identified new ways for the future improvement and optimisation of RPU-Aerogel composite materials with great potential to replace traditional thermal insulators. The present thesis is part of the research activities carried out in the CellMat Laboratory of the Department of Condensed Matter Physics of the University of Valladolid and has been supervised by Prof. Dr. Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pérez, director of this laboratory and professor at the University of Valladolid. This thesis has been written as a compendium of eight publications, five of which have already been published in international journals. In addition, this thesis meets the requirements to be accredited with an International Mention. |
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