Foaming of thermoplastics is an area of significant research interest. The substitution of any solid polymer with its foamed counterparts not only results in the lowering of material and fuel consumption but also enhances the scope of tailoring of properties for new applications. The key to manufacturing a useful foam is to achieve the desired morphology and volume expansion ratio as per the product requirements. In addition, other properties may become important, depending on the applications. Open‐cell structure, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and cytocompatibility are required in scaffolds. The ease with which a polymeric material can be foamed to achieve the desired properties depends on material characteristics, processing conditions, and the blowing agent. This article reviews key literature related to factors affecting foamability and ways of enhancing the foamability of various polymeric materials. Other highlights of this review include studies on degradation kinetics of biodegradable foams, special morphology development for scaffolds, packaging, and acoustic applications as well as cell seeding studies in scaffolds. In summary, this review is expected to provide direction for future developments in the field of microcellular processing to advance the technology and applications of thermoplastic foams as sustainable materials.

中文翻译：

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微孔热塑性聚合物的发泡性和特殊应用：最近的进展和未来方向的回顾

热塑性塑料的发泡是一个重要的研究领域。用其发泡的对应物替代任何固体聚合物，不仅可以降低材料和燃料消耗，而且还可以扩展针对新应用的性能调整范围。制造有用泡沫的关键是根据产品要求实现所需的形态和体积膨胀率。另外，取决于应用，其他性能可能变得很重要。支架需要开孔结构，生物相容性，生物降解性和细胞相容性。可以使聚合物材料发泡以达到所需性能的难易程度取决于材料特性，加工条件和发泡剂。本文回顾了与影响起泡性的因素以及增强各种聚合物材料起泡性的方法有关的关键文献。这篇综述的其他重点包括可生物降解泡沫的降解动力学研究，支架，包装和声学应用的特殊形态发展以及支架中的细胞播种研究。总而言之，该综述有望为微孔加工领域的未来发展提供方向，以促进热塑性泡沫作为可持续材料的技术和应用。声学应用以及支架中的细胞播种研究。总而言之，该综述有望为微孔加工领域的未来发展提供方向，以促进热塑性泡沫作为可持续材料的技术和应用。声学应用以及支架中的细胞播种研究。总而言之，该综述有望为微孔加工领域的未来发展提供方向，以促进热塑性泡沫作为可持续材料的技术和应用。