Process comparison on the microstructure and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide using MuCell technology:

The MuCell process is a special injection molding process which utilizes supercritical gas (nitrogen) to create integral foam sandwiches. The advantages are lower weight, higher specific properties and shorter cycle times. In this study, a series of glass fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide foam blanks are manufactured using the MuCell injection molding process. The different variations of the process (low-pressure also known as structural foam injection molding) and high-pressure foam injection molding (also known as “core back expansion,” “breathing mold,” “precision opening,” decompression molding) are used. The sandwich structure and mechanical properties (tensile strength, bending strength, and impact behavior) of the microcellular and glass fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide foams are systematically investigated and compared to compact material. The results showed that the injection parameters (injection speed, foaming mechanism) played an important role in the relative density of microcellul...