FoamPyc Technique Determines Open Cell Volume In Foamed Materials

FoamPyc Technique Determines Open Cell Volume In Foamed Materials

Technique follows ASTM Standard D 2856 for rigid plastic.

Micromeritics has just released the FoamPyc ^TM option for the AccuPyc ^TM 1330 Density Analyzer (100cc version). The FoamPyc option lets you measure, calculate, and report the percentage of open cell volume in blocks of foamed or cellular plastic, glass, rubber, or metal.

These foamed materials have thin membranes or walls that separate internal cavities or cells. These cells can be open or interconnecting, closed or non-connecting, or a combination of open and closed. With the FoamPyc flashcard, you can determine the percentage of sample volume occupied by open cells, as well as closed cells.

A Focus on Accuracy

The FoamPyc program ensures accuracy by correcting for punctured cells caused by cutting the block of material to obtain a sample. The volume of the cells that were opened on the cut surfaces of the sample are computed and their volume deducted from the analysis results so as not to overstate the true open-cell volume of the original uncut material.

The program uses correction calculations that follow ASTM Standard D 2856. Procedure "A" factors in cell chord length for estimating cut cell volume. Procedure "B" performs a second analysis to correct for opened cells, except this time the same sample is subdivided (re-cut) to expose twice the total surface area as before. Then, the second run is subtracted from the first run using a correction calculation, V = 2(V + D) - (V +2D), where V is the true open-cell volume and D is the cut cell volume. Procedure "C" performs an AccuPyc analysis on the cut sample as is, which works well with samples that have mostly open cells.

To switch back and forth between the AccuPyc and FoamPyc programs, simply switch program flashcards. The FoamPyc Option (133-33006-00) includes the FoamPyc flashcard software and manual.