Polymeric syntactic foams are composites made from the mixture of Hollow Glass Microspheres (HGM) and polymer matrices. One of their main characteristics is their low density and the production of these composites using a matrix derived from renewable sources potentiates their development without neglecting sustainability. In this paper , the properties of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/HGM syntactic foams containing 1% and 5% w/w HGM and 5% w/w of a compatibilizer are assessed. The composites were prepared by two processing routes: single screw extruder and twin screw extruder. The morphology and mechanical properties (tensile and impact) of the syntactic foams thus manufactured were ascertained. Morphological analysis indicated that matrix/filler adhesion was poor for all samples and that the best HGM dispersions were obtained in twin screw extruded samples. Mechanical properties were affected by the processing route adopted and by the content of hollow glass microspheres added. Elastic modulus, tensile strength and strain were reduced by 20, 10 and 23%, respectively, in systems processed in a twin screw extruder. Impact strength was the exception, with an increase of more than 300%. Higher contents of hollow glass microspheres led to reductions in mechanical strength of the syntactic foams, varying from 5% for the elastic modulus to 50% for strain.

Hot tensile and creep data were obtained for 2.25Cr-1Mo steel, ASTM A387 Gr.22CL2, at the temperatures of 500-550-600-650-700 °C. Using the concept of equivalence between hot tensile data and creep data, the results were analyzed according to the methodology based on Kachanov Continuum Damage Mechanics proposed by Penny, which suggests the possibility of using short time creep data obtained in laboratory for extrapolation to long operating times corresponding to tens of thousands hours. The hot tensile data (converted to creep) define in a better way the region where β=0 and the creep data define the region where β=1, according to the methodology. Extrapolation to 10,000 h and 100,000 h is performed and the results compared with results obtained by other extrapolation procedures such as the Larson-Miller and Manson-Haferd methodologies. Extrapolation from ASTM and NIMS Datasheets for 10,000 h and 100,000 h as well as data from other authors on 2.25Cr-1Mo steel are used for assessing the reliability of the results.