Foams from high performance thermoplastic PEN/PES blends with expanded graphite

High performance thermoplastic blends based on PEN, PES and nanometric expanded graphite have been investigated to couple the foamability of the first polymer to the extended service temperatures of the second one. The thermo-mechanical behavior of blends was related to their composition and processing parameters for the production of foams have been explored through solid state foaming technique. The role of expanded graphite nanoparticles, of the blend composition and of the temperature was investigated to maximize the specific performances and improve the cellular morphology. © 2014 American Institute of Physics.