FOAMING AND SHAPING PROCESS FOR A THERMOPLASTIC SHEET, AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS AND SHAPED FOAMED THERMOPLASTIC SHEET

    公开(公告)号:EP4116058A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-11

    申请号:EP21184715.7

    申请日:2021-07-09

    摘要: A method of foaming and shaping a thermoplastic sheet comprising a poly(phenylene ether), a polyetherimide, or a combination thereof includes foaming the thermoplastic sheet with supercritical carbon dioxide to form a foamed thermoplastic sheet, and shaping the foamed thermoplastic sheet to form a shaped foamed thermoplastic sheet. The shaping step includes compressing the foamed thermoplastic sheet between a first metal plate and a second metal plate, each of which has a grooved surface facing the thermoplastic sheet. The first metal plate and the second metal plate are connected by a flexible, compressible linkage capable. When the flexible, compressible linkage is in its uncompressed state, only the second (lower) metal plate is in contact with the shaped foamed thermoplastic sheet. When the flexible, compressible linkage is in its compressed state, both the first (upper) and second (lower) metal plates are in contact with the shaped foamed thermoplastic sheet.