Eco-friendly TPA510/6 polyamide elastomer foams: Unveiling exceptional mechanical and thermal properties for advanced insulation applications

Bio-based polyamide elastomers, known for their excellent mechanical properties, represent a promising environmentally friendly material with significant potential. In this study, we synthesized TPA510/6(short for polyamide 510/6 elastomer, the main components of which are 1.5-Pentanediamine, sebacic acid, caprolactam and polyetheramine), a polyamide elastomer with a high bio-based content, outstanding low-temperature resistance, and superior mechanical performance. Additionally, microcellular elastic foams with pore sizes below 10 nm were fabricated by foaming with supercritical carbon dioxide. These TPA510/6 foams demonstrated remarkable tensile strength, compressive strength, low-temperature resistance, and friction resistance. Furthermore, simulations of the thermal insulation properties of the foams under real-world conditions revealed low thermal conductivity, highlighting their excellent insulation performance. As a result, the bio-based polyamide elastomer foams developed in this study show significant promise for applications in areas such as building insulation, sports protection, and thermal camouflage.