Preparation and Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Chlorinated Polyethylene Reinforced Polypropylene Foam

The foamed polypropylene (PP) with excellent mechanical and thermal insulating properties was reinforced by blending chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), followed by compression molding foaming in cross-link. The effects of CPE on the foaming behavior, thermal and mechanical properties of the foamed PP were studied by the measurements of density, thermal conductivity, Vicat softening temperature, tensile strength, impact strength and SEM. The results showed that the foamed PP got the best properties when the weight ratio of CPE/ PP was 20wt%. The density of the obtained foamed PP was as low as 0.37 g/cm3, the impact strength was 16.5 kJ/m2, the tensile strength was 17.7 MPa, the thermal conductivity was 0.035 W/(m·K), and the Vicat softening temperature was 112 °C.