The MIT-Industry Microcellular Plastics Consortium
part of the Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity
This page is under construction.
During the last few years, researchers at MIT have developed a new technology called Microcellular Plastics. These unique plastics are characterized by extremely small cell size (on the order of 10 microns) and high cell density (on the order of 10 billion cells per cubic centimeter) which enhances physial, thermal, and electrical properties while reducing material consumption and cost. In addition, Microcellular Plastics are produced using environmentally safe gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, rather than hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, or hydrochlorofluorocarbons, making their production technology an attractive alternative to current plastic foam processes. The research will open new frontiers in science and technology which can result in new and innovative products and processes.
The advantages of microcellular plastics can be summarized as the following:
- Higher strength-to-weight ratio than original material
- Lower density material with little decrease in specific strength
- Significant increases in the toughness of some polymers
- Increase in thermal stability compared with original material
- Increase in thermal and elctrical insulation properties
- Up to 95% reduction of material cost
- Reduction of pollutants through the use of environmentally safe gases rather than CFC blowing agents
Basic Mechanism of Microcellular Processing
Microcellular plastics processing consists of three basic elements: creating a gas/polymer solution, inducing a thermodynamic instability to nucleate billions of microvoids, and controlling the diffusional growth of stable nuclei. Microcellular Plastics can be made of nearly all polymers and fiber reinforced polymers including thermosetting, amorphous, semi-crystalline, elastomeric, and liquid crystalling polymers.
Research Objectives
The objectives of the resarch that has been conductedand that which is still in progress in two-fold:
(1) To advance the science of Microcellular Plastics and gas/polymer solutions.
(2) To develop industrially viable technologies and processes.
Principle Sponsor
Precision Interconnect
Microcellular Plastics Company (not directly affiliated with MIT MCP)
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