RECYCLABLE PLASTIC STRUCTURAL ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

摘要

The plastic structural article includes an elongated tubular shell having opposed end sections, a middle section there between and an interior cavity. The interior cavity has a foam core situated therein. The foam core comprises steam expandable polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity. The bead and shell are of a similar plastic composition enabling the articles to be reground and recycled. An apparatus for forming the articles and an associated method of manufacture are also disclosed. A thermal management system includes a panel having a periphery, and a skin having a thermal bond to an in-situ foam core. The panel has a thermal transmittance u-value ranging from 0.1 to 0.17 W/m2° C.

主权项

1. A plastic structural article comprising:
an elongated tubular plastic shell formed with thermoplastic polymer having opposed end sections, a middle section therebetween and a hollow interior cavity; and a foam core comprising steam expandable thermoplastic polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity; wherein the thermoplastic polymer forming the plastic shell and the expandable thermoplastic polymer beads are both selected from one of the group of: polypropylene, polystyrene polyethylene, a thermoplastic/polyolefin/polypropylene blend, a thermoplastic elastomer/polyolefin blend, a thermoplastic vulcanizate/polyolefin blend and a heterogeneous polymer blend, thereby enabling the article to be reground and recycled without necessitating separating the shell and core materials.