A microwave foaming method for fabricating glass fiber reinforced phenolic foam

In this study, a new foaming method for fabricating low-density phenolic foam that uses microwaves is developed and optimized. The effect of the viscosity of the phenolic resin and the curing speed on the foam density and uniformity is investigated. To improve the mechanical properties of the phenolic foam, a reinforcement method using chopped glass fiber was optimized with respect to the fiber length and content. The mechanical properties of the fiber reinforced foam were evaluated by measuring the tensile strengths and fracture toughnesses. Finally, the thermal conductivity of the phenolic foam fabricated by the microwave foaming method is measured.