Bubble-Size Evolution during Polyurethane Foam Expansion

Abstract

We are developing computational models to elucidate the expansion and dynamic filling process of a polyurethane (PMDI) foam used to encapsulate electronic components or to produce lightweight structural parts. The polyurethane of interest is a chemically blown foam, where carbon dioxide is produced via the reaction of water, a blowing agent, and isocyanate. Here, we take a careful look at the evolution of the bubble sizes during blowing. This information will help the development of subgrid models to predict bubble formation, growth, coalescence and collapse, drainage, and, hence, eventually the development of engineering models to predict foam expansion into a mold. Close-up views of bubbles at a transparent wall of a narrow, temperature-controlled channel are recorded during the foaming reaction and analyzed with image processing. Because these bubbles are pressed against the wall, the bubble sizes in the last frames after the expansion has stopped are compared to scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the interior of some of the cured samples to determine if the presence of the wall significantly changes the bubble sizes. In addition, diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) is used to determine the average bubble sizes across the width of a similar channel as the bubbles change with time. DWS also gives information about microstructural changes as bubbles rearrange upon bubble collapse or coalescence. In this paper we conclude qualitatively that the bubble size distribution is heavily dependent on the formulation of foam being tested, temperature, the height in the foam bar, the proximity to a wall, and the degree of over-packing.