A METHOD FOR GENERATING A MICROSTRUCTURE IN A MATERIAL THAT INCLUDES THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER MOLECULES, AND RELATED SYSTEMS

摘要

A method for generating a microstructure that includes microcellular bubbles, in a material that includes molecules of a thermoplastic polymer, comprises: determining a size-index for the material that represents an average size of the thermoplastic polymer molecules included in the material, and in response to the determined size-index, setting a parameter of a process to generate a microstructure in the material that includes microcellular bubbles. The process to generate a microstructure in the material includes: 1) infusing into the material, during a first period, a gas that does not react with the material, 2) making the gas-infused material thermodynamically unstable.

主权项

1. A method for generating a microstructure that includes microcellular bubbles, in a material that includes molecules of a thermoplastic polymer, the method comprising:
determining a size-index for the material that represents a size of the thermoplastic polymer molecules included in the material; and in response to the determined size-index, setting a parameter of a process to generate a microstructure in the material that includes microcellular bubbles, wherein the process includes:
infusing into the material, during a first period, a gas that does not react with the material,making the gas-infused material thermodynamically unstable, during a second period, at a temperature close to or above the gas-infused material's glass-transition-temperature to nucleate and grow microcellular bubbles in the material, andreducing the temperature of the gas-infused material to a temperature below the gas-infused material's glass-transition-temperature to stop the growth of the microcellular bubbles in the material.