Effect of the nature of the solvent on the mechanical and adhesion properties of atactic polystyrene

The effect of the supermolecular structure on the internal stresses and adhesion of coatings obtained from solutions of atactic polystyrene has been investigated. The structure of the coatings depends on the nature of the solvent and is nonuniform with respect to the morphology, size, distribution, and state of order of the structural elements. The greatest strength and adhesion correspond to fibrillar structures.Kucherenko Central Scientific Research Institute of Building Structures, Moscow; Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 5, pp. 793–797, September–October, 1969.     

Effect of the nature of the filler surface on the properties of phenol-formaldehyde molding powders

The physicomechanical properties and microstructure of phenolic molding powders containing fillers with different surface energies have been investigated. It has been found that an increase in filler surface energy leads to an increase in the density of the resin around the filler particles and hence to an improvement in the physicomechanical properties of the molding powder. A parallel investigation of a molding powder containing a lubricant shows that adsorption of the lubricant on the filler surface reduces the density of the resin, which is accompanied by a deterioration in the properties of the material.Scientific-Research Institute of Precision Engineering Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 677–681, July–August, 1968.     

Effect of quartz sand filler on the mechanical and thermophysical properties of alkyd and epoxy coatings

The effect of a filler on the mechanical and thermophysical properties of polymer coatings has been investigated. It is shown that quartz sand particles are centers of structure formation in alkyd and epoxy coatings. It has been found that a denser, oriented, and stressed polymer structure, much exceeding the size of the individual macromolecules, is formed around the filler particles. The size of the spheres around the filler particles depends on the nature of the film-former, on the filler surface, and on the filler content. It is postulated that secondary supermolecular structures, and not individual polymer macromolecules, are adsorbed on the surface of the filler particles.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 507–510, 1967     

Experimental study on thin three-layer rings with a pliable filler

The bearing capacity of thin three-layer rings containing a pliable filler and exposed to internal and external stresses has been studied experimentally. The deformation and strength properties of the filler have been examined. The initial stresses in the rings examined have been determined by application of three methods; their effect on the bearing capacity has been estimated.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 6, pp. 1032–1037, November–December, 1974.     

Effect of the molecular weight of polystyrene on the viscosity of concentrated solutions

The viscosity of solutions of polystyrene of various molecular weights (from 1.04 · 10² to 3.8 · 10⁵) in a poor solvent (decalin) and a good solvent (ethylbenzene) has been measured at temperatures from 15 to 70°C over a broad range of shear stresses from 10² to 10⁶ dyne/cm². The nature of the solvent has a considerable influence on the critical molecular weight and the absolute value of the viscosities of the solutions over the entire range of molecular weights and on the form of the flow curves of decalin solutions of polystyrene as a function of temperature. The heat of activation of viscous flow increases with increase in molecular weight and shear stress on the interval 20–80°C. The results obtained are explained in terms of the effect of the molecular weight of the polymer, the nature of the solvent, stress and temperature on structure formation in the solution and on the orientation of the macromolecules and structures in the flow process.Ural Gor'kii State University, Sverdlovsk. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 5, pp. 920–926, September–October, 1970.     

Effect of the molecular weight of the polystyrene matrix on the physicomechanical properties of impact polystyrene

The effect of the molecular weight of the polystyrene on the properties of impact polystyrene obtained by mechanical mixing of polystyrene and rubber has been investigated. As the molecular weight of the polystyrene increases, the physicomechanical properties of the impact polystyrene improve and its rheological properties deteriorate. There is a definite correlation between the physicomechanical properties of the polystyrene and those of the impact polystyrene.Scientific-Research Institute of Synthetic Rubber, Kralupy-on-Vltava, Czechoslovakia. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 545–546, May–June, 1971.     

Mass-spectrometric investigation of solid lubricating coatings subjected to friction in a deep vacuum

The life of solid lubricating coatings of the VNII NP type, based on molybdenum disulfides and various binders, has been experimentally investigated under deep vacuum conditions (10^–8–5 · 10^–9 torr) together with the composition of the gas released in the friction process. It is shown that both under atmospheric conditions and in a deep vacuum the life of the coatings depends on the chemical nature of the film-former. The depth of the vacuum also has an important influence on the life of the coatings, both the mechanism and the end result of this effect depending to a large extent on the physicochemical properties of the bind. On the interval 10^–1–10^–2 torr there is a sudden change in the life of the coating.Physicotechnical Institute of Low Temperatures, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Khar'kov. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 6, pp. 1070–1075, November–December, 1970.     

Experimental determination of the influence of periodic shear deformation and filling on the effective viscosity of solutions of synthetic rubber

The influence of periodic shear deformation on the effective viscosity of filled solutions of synthetic rubber has been studied. The study was carried out on an amplitude-frequency viscosimeter developed by the authors. It has been established that during periodic deformation a linear region exists in which the effective viscosity is independent of the vibration rate, and a nonlinear region where the effective viscosity of the solutions decreases with increase in amplitude of the speed of relative deformation.Presented at the IV Symposium on Rheology of Polymers at the A. V. Topchiev Institute for Petrochemical Synthesis, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow, May 27–30, 1969.Institute for Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, 514–520, May–June, 1970.     

Creep of linear unoriented polymers in tension,compression, and torsion

The creep of polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and polyethylene in tension, compression, and torsion has been investigated over a broad interval of temperature below the glass transition point. It is shown that the creep criterion changes depending on the temperature. This is associated with changes in molecular mobility.A. F. Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 1, pp. 24–28, January–February, 1970.     

Wear resistance of steel and brass in friction against filled polyethylene

The wear resistance of a shaft in friction against polyethylene filled with abrasive filler particles (fiberglass, SiO₂) has been investigated. Compositions containing fiberglass can be successfully employed in combination with steel, but are not recommended in combination with brass. Compositions containing SiO₂ cause considerable wear of the steel shaft.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 5, pp. 940–942, September–October, 1969.     

Internal stresses in crystallizing polymer coatings

The effect of crystalline structure on the internal stresses in polyethylene coatings has been studied. An equation for the internal stresses in crystallizing polymer coatings has been derived. The important role of orientation processes is demonstrated.Leningrad Lensovet Technological Institute. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 992–996, November–December, 1968.     

Fracture mechanism of amorphous polystyrene

The degradation products of polystyrene film specimens have been recorded and their accumulation kinetics in the presence of uniaxial tensile stresses have been studied at various temperatures. It is shown that the accumulation kinetics satisfy the Arrhenius equation for reactions in a mechanical field. The equation for the rupture life can be written in terms of the corresponding parameters of the mechanical degradation reactions. It is concluded that the rupture life and strength of polystyrene depend on the kinetics of mechanical degradation of the polymer chains.A. F. Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 541–544, May–June, 1975.     

Mechanical properties of carbon fibers coated with refractory carbides

The internal friction method has been used to investigate the protective function of barrier coatings of silicon and zirconium carbide. The effect of the thickness of the coating on the mechanical characteristics of carbon fibers and their oxidation resistance is examined. The optimal coating thickness is established. A surface hardening effect of the coatings has been detected.Voronezh Polytechnic Institute, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 536–538, May–June, 1976.     

The acoustic properties of polymers with an asymmetric potential barrier at liquid-helium temperatures

The pulse-phase compensation method has been used to measure the propagation velocities of longitudinal and shear waves in polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, and polystyrene at frequencies of 1 and 5 MHz on the temperature interval 2.1–240°K. It has been established that as the temperature falls to 2.1°K the speed of ultrasound in these polymers monotonically increases, the dispersion (frequency dependence) of the speed of sound being preserved over the entire temperature interval. Two possible causes of the viscoelastic relaxation observed in the investigated polymers in the region of helium temperatures are considered.Scientific-Research Institute of Plastics, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 749–751, July–August, 1973.     

Viscosity,rubber elasticity,and viscoelasticity of concentrated polymer solutions

The results of a comparative investigation of the effect of the nature of the polymer and the solvent on the viscosity, rubber elasticity, and viscoelasticity of concentrated polymer solutions in the region of linear mechanical behavior are presented. It is established that in the case of nonpolar polymers the solvent affects only the free volume of the solution, whereas for polar polymers it also affects the entanglement network. This leads to the equality of the viscosities of solutions of nonpolar polymers in different solvents when compared in corresponding states (relative to the glass transition temperature) and to the dependence of the shear modulus of solutions of polar polymers on the nature of the solvent and temperature. It is shown that there is a universal relaxation spectrum in the flow zone for solutions of different polydisperse polymers after normalization with the shear modulus and the natural relaxation time determined as the ratio of the viscosity to the shear modulus.A. M. Gor'kii Ural State University, Sverdlovsk, A. V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 729–736, July–August, 1973.     

Effect of fillers on the hardness and structural order of polymers

The effect of various finely dispersed filler particles differing in size, structure, and the chemical nature of the surface, on the hardness of one crystalline (polycaproamide) and two amorphous (polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate) polymers has been experimentally investigated. The observed changes in hardness are related with a change in the structural order of the polymer under the influence of the filler and with the formation of structures of different strength by the fillers in the polymer.Kiev Shevchenko State University. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 1077–1081, November–December, 1968.     

Effect of fillers on the viscosity and viscoelasticity of low-density polyethylene melts. Communication 1

An investigation of low-density polyethylenes filled with up to 30% by volume dispersed particles, has shown that for both the matrix and the composites the apparent viscous flow activation energy does not depend on the shear stresses and increases starting from a certain filler concentration at which the conformation range in the matrix is depleted. The dependence of the relative viscosity of the compositions on the volume filler content is satisfactorily described by an equation that contains the reduced filler concentration, defined as the ratio of the nominal filler concentration to the limiting concentration at which the adsorption layers on the particles extend throughout the matrix. The thickness of the polymer layer adsorbed on the particles must be determined from the specific exterior particle surface, with allowance for the volume of the polymer in the sorption space of the porous filler.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 478–486, May–June, 1976.     

Adhesion bond and temperature stresses at the polymer - filler interface in polyethylene composites

The temperature stresses in polyethylene composites with fibrous fillers have been estimated. It is shown that they do not represent a threat to the adhesion bond or the cohesion strength of the components of the systems investigated. Model experiments have revealed the presence of an adhesion interaction between the filler and the matrix in the composite itself and have made it possible to estimate the actual threat posed by the temperature stresses. The mechanism of action of the filler particles on the thermal expansion of the composite is explained.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 6, pp. 1049–1056, November–December, 1970.     

Natural and parametric vibrations of a cylindrical shell-filler system with tangential interaction taken into account

Conclusions 1. The spectrum of the eigenfrequencies and dynamical instability regions of a shell-filler system breaks up into two infinite spectra for each mode of wave formation; the first of them is determined by the shear modulus of the filler material, and the second — by the volume deformation modulus. The second spectrum is absent for incompressible fillers.2. It has been shown that taking tangential interactions into account has a strong effect on the arrangement and width of the dynamical instability regions belonging to the first spectrum and hardly changes the arrangement and widths of the regions of the second spectrum.3. As a result of the limiting transition as the frequency of the driving force tends to zero, expressions are obtained from the formulas of this paper for calculating the static stability of a shell with an incompressible filler. The numerical results obtained for this case correspond to results given in the literature.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. P. Stuchki Latvian State University, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 503–509, May–June, 1977.     

Mechanism by which tension on the fibrous filler affects the structure and the strength of wound glass-plastics

Conclusions 1. We have studied how the structure of glass-plastics wound with twisted threads is affected by tension on the fibrous filler. The trend of changes in fiber content and porosity, as well as an increasingly nonuniform distribution of the reinforcing filler over the thickness, has been established.2. The effect of a nonuniform filler distribution over the thickness on the tensile strength has been evaluated. The calculated and the experimental curve of strength as a function of the tension have been compared, the former taking into account variable porosity, fiber content, and nonuniformity of fiber distribution over the thickness.3. It has been demonstrated that the change in the strength characteristics of a wound glass-plastic as a function of the tension on the reinforcing filler during winding is due to a combined complex effect of such factors as the overall fiber content and porosity, a nonuniform fiber distribution over the thickness, the fiber orientation, and the degree of mechanical damage in threads due to their interaction with the active components of the winding machine.Report presented at the Third All-Union Conference on Polymer Mechanics. Riga, November 10–12, 1976.Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 439–444, May–June, 1977.