| Abstrakt: |
The recognized selection of a product processing method is significant in improving the efficiency and suitability of polymer product applications. In this study, the compressive properties of polyethylene (PE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam mixture (PE/EVA) using compression and rotational molding method were investigated. The sample was prepared in two steps. Firstly, PE and EVA resins, zinc oxide (ZnO) as an accelerated agent, azodicarbonamide (ADC) as a blowing agent, and other additives were mixed using single screw extrusion to form pelletized products. Furthermore, pellets was processed by compression and rotational molding into a PE/EVA foam mixture sample. The results showed that the compressive strength and the density of the sample with rotational molding method were higher than compression molding method, with a value of 0.24 MPa and 0.258 g/cm3, respectively. However, the hardness value of both methods were not significantly different. To find the affected hardness value, morphology spectroscopy of the foam was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to measure the size and homogeneity of the foam cells. The results showed that the distribution of foam cells from both methods was not uniform with a random structure. Therefore, the properties of hardness, density, and compressive strength could be determined by the uniformity of the foam cell size. Based on the results of this research investigation, comparing the three parameters of compressive strength, density, and morphology, it can be concluded that the rotational method was better used in the PE/EVA foam manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
