Schneider K, Kleffel T, Drummer D (2023)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2023
Book Volume: 15
Article Number: 3950
Journal Issue: 19
Due to its chemical structure and the resulting dielectric properties, the processing of the commonly used particle foam material, expanded polypropylene (ePP), is limited. Processing within the radio-frequency welding process is therefore only possible with the use of processing aids. In this paper, a new approach for the use of a solid and dielectric heatable coating for the production of three-dimensional welded components out of ePP is presented. For this purpose, three different types of water-soluble polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were analyzed as potential coating materials. The thermal and dielectric properties of the coating were further adjusted by a modification with glycerol. The maximum amount of glycerol tested was 25% by volume. It influences both the temperature development in the radio-frequency (RF) welding process as well as the adhesive bond between the ePP foam particles. It is shown that the 120 °C approach in the RF welding process resulted in a cohesive bond between the coating layers. In this way, bonded plates can be produced. In mechanical tests with compression of 20%, the manufactured plates show sufficient load capacity. Furthermore, it can be shown that a separation of PVA and ePP by type, and thereby a separation of the foam particles, is possible with the use of hot water. This might open a new way for recycling of particle foams.
APA:
Schneider, K., Kleffel, T., & Drummer, D. (2023). RF Welding of Dielectric Lossless Foam Particles by the Application of a Dielectric Heatable Coating with High Recycling Potential. Polymers, 15(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15193950
MLA:
Schneider, Kevin, Tobias Kleffel, and Dietmar Drummer. "RF Welding of Dielectric Lossless Foam Particles by the Application of a Dielectric Heatable Coating with High Recycling Potential." Polymers 15.19 (2023).
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