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Abstract
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In this study, we synthesized styrene–methyl methacrylate copolymer particles by suspension
polymerization process to study the foaming dynamics via visual batch foaming
apparatus. The weight ratio of styrene–methyl methacrylate was 53–47. The foaming
system consisted of a self-sealing observation cell equipped with two glass windows and
a stereo microscope attached with a high-speed digital camera as well as a pressure and
temperature controller. The required pentane pressure was supplied by heating a small
pentane flask. The synthesized copolymer particles impregnated by pentane and then
the foaming dynamics were recorded after a rapid pressure release. The effect of different
foaming conditions, such as temperature, impregnation time, and impregnation
pressure on the expansion ratio of styrene–methyl methacrylate copolymer was investigated.
It was concluded that impregnation pressure, time, and temperature have
different effects on the foaming ratio at impregnation pressures lower and higher
than 4 bar.
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