Cell growth, deformation and model establishment of micro-foamed polystyrene material

Abstract The paper uses chemical foaming method to prepare foamed polystyrene (PS) composites by a self-made visualization system. During the cell growth and deformation process, the radial response area model, the hoop tension model and cell deformation model of the resin around were established at the molecular scale, and the cell growth and deformation process of the actual injection molded and visualized expanded polystyrene (PS) composites were simulated and verified. The results show that we have established the radial response area model, the hoop tension model and cell deformation model of the surrounding resin, and the actual injection foaming process is basically consistent with the visualized simulation results of light microscope. In different foaming stages, the radial migration and circumferential stretching of the surrounding resin by the cells are different, which ultimately leads to different deformation of the cells. The growth and deformation of the cells have verified the feasibility of the radial response area model, the hoop tension model and cell deformation model during foaming process. This research work is of great significance to guide the foaming of polyolefin materials.