Plasticization and Processing of Polymeric Materials with High-Pressure Fluids

Abstract

Subcritical and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂), as an alternative solvent, is one of the unique fluids playing an important role in the development of environmentally favorable technologies. It acts as not only a good solvent to dissolve many low molecular substances, but also a good plasticizing agent for polymeric materials. Plasticization is the underlying principle in various polymer processing technologies with high-pressure CO₂, such as low-temperature molding, polymer foaming, impregnation and surface modification. The purpose of this article is to review recent advances in polymer processing using CO₂ fluid.