Polymer Nanocomposite Foams and Acoustics

Unlike solid polymer nanocomposites, polymer nanocomposite foams present unique advantages that have expanded their scope of applications in many areas. A new class of lightweight materials with high strength, good insulation, and multi-functional properties has been created thanks to the combination of functional nanofillers with foaming technology. A modest number of well-dispersed nanofillers in the polymer domain act as nucleation sites in their production, facilitating the bubble nucleation and formation process. The feature of foam cell structures generated in nanocomposite foam is also influenced by the foaming method and its parameters, such as temperature and pressure. This chapter discusses the fundamentals of polymer nanocomposites foams, some fabrication methods, the influence of foaming parameters on the product, the various types of blowing agents and foaming techniques, the application of polymer nanocomposite foam in acoustics, major characterization techniques, and acoustic property assessment, as well as some challenges in polymer nanocomposite foaming process.