Characteristics

Foamed components and especially moulded parts from particle foam materials such as EPP (polypropylene particle foam material) are finding increasing application in the field of transport packaging and thermal insulation of buildings, and also increasingly in the automobile sector. The development of new foamed materials, as well as foam compounds, enables the properties of these products, for example temperature resistance, energy absorption or recyclability, to be optimised.

One research focus at the Fraunhofer ICT is the development of foamed materials with tailored properties. Current topics are the development of expandable polymer compounds - based on sustainable raw materials - in the extrusion process, and the targeted application of nano-scale reinforcement materials. In the field of process technology, emphasis is placed on the development of new process concepts for the synthesis of material compounds - via the combination of foamed substances and fibre composite materials - and on mould and process optimisation, with a view to saving energy.

Service / facilities and equipment

The Fraunhofer ICT covers the complete process chain for foam development and particle foam processing. This includes:

• Material development and optimisation of the foam structure in the extrusion process
• Development of foamed granulates, or granulates containing aerating agents, via underwater granulation
• Investigation into the foaming of granulates to foamed particles in the laboratory prefoamer
• Investigations into processing in steam chest moulding machines.