First approach for modelling the physical foaming of tannin-based thermoset foams
Abstract
In the present paper, the foaming process of biosourced thermoset foams was considered at
the lab scale with the aim of creating a numerical model able to simulate, for the first time,
their manufacturing process. A multi-physical model was thus generated, having as driving
force of the expansion the inner gas pressure of the foam, calculated from mass, heat and
mechanical balances. In addition, and this is another originality of our work, the study was
implemented in a 2D axisymmetric mobile mesh. The simulation was not stopped just after
the rise of temperature and the related material expansion but, instead, a complete simulation
of the whole process was offered, i.e., including cooling. Simulated and experimental data
such as temperature changes and foam growth were compared, and a fair agreement was
observed, suggesting the relevance of our approach.