A case study on the structural performance of a practical moulding in polypropylene structural foam
Carvalho Tiago (1), Silva Mariana (2), Soares Rui (3), Pouzada António S (1), Martins Carla I (1)*
(1) Institute for Polymers and Composites, I3N, University of Minho - Guimarães - Portugal, (2) Vangest - Marinha Grande - Portugal, (3) Centimfe - Marinha Grande - Portugal
Thermoplastic structural foams in combination with hybrid moulds are seen as a solution for the production of large parts in small series. A practical product for urban furniture was analysed as a case study. The material of the product is polypropylene structural foam (SF) and was moulded by injection moulding with a hybrid mould with epoxy composite moulding blocks. The morphology of the mouldings was analysed to obtain property data input in a structural analysis software. The structural performance of the product was compared with the software prediction.