Simultaneously Improving the Tensile and Impact Properties of Isotactic Polypropylene with the Cooperation of co-PP and β-nucleating Agent through Pressure Vibration Injection Molding

In this article, crystalline morphology and molecular orientation of isotactic polypropylene(i PP), random copolymerized polypropylene(co-PP) and ?-nucleating agent(?-NA) composites prepared by pressure vibration injection molding(PVIM) have been investigated via polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Results demonstrated that the interaction between co-PP and i PP molecular chains was beneficial for the mechanical improvement and the introduction of ?-NA further improved the toughness of i PP. In addition, after applying the pressure vibration injection molding(PVIM) technology, the shear layer thickness increased remarkably and the tensile strength improved consequently. Thus, the strength and toughness of i PP/co-PP/?-NA composites prepared by PVIM were simultaneously improved compared to those of the pure i PP prepared by conventional injection molding(CIM): the impact toughness was increased by five times and tensile strength was increased by 9 MPa. This work provided a new method to further enhance the properties of i PP/co-PP composites through dynamic processing strategy.     

Altering the hierarchical morphology distribution of injection molded polyethylene by the introduction of crosslink network and periodical shear

High density polyethylene (HDPE) with moderate content of crosslink network (CPE) was successfully prepared through chemical method. Specimens for structural characterization have been molded by conventional injection molding (CIM) and pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM). Influence of crosslink network on hierarchical morphology distribution and mechanical properties was systematically studied. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) revealed that both CIM and PVIM PE samples have a typical “skin-core” structure and the thickness of shear layer of CIM PE and PVIM CPE samples obviously increase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that shish-kebab structures are clearly observed in shear layer of CIM CPE sample, indicating that the crosslink network can surely improve the formation of shish-kebab structures. Moreover, we suppose that shish-kebab structures emerged in shear and core layer of PVIM CPE sample. Wideangle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) confirmed that more orientation and shish-kebab structures form even in core layer of PVIM CPE sample, which demonstrated that the hierarchical morphology was apparently altered by periodical shear and crosslink network. Finally, the mechanical properties revealed that this oriented structure increase the tensile strength from 31 MPa of CIM PE sample to 46 MPa of PVIM CPE sample. However, the tensile behavior tended to change from ductile fracture to brittle fracture.     

Simultaneously improving the tensile and impact properties of isotactic polypropylene with the cooperation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-PP and <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-nucleating agent through pressure vibration injection molding

In this article, crystalline morphology and molecular orientation of isotactic polypropylene (iPP), random copolymerized polypropylene (co-PP) and β-nucleating agent (β-NA) composites prepared by pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM) have been investigated via polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Results demonstrated that the interaction between co-PP and iPP molecular chains was beneficial for the mechanical improvement and the introduction of β-NA further improved the toughness of iPP. In addition, after applying the pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM) technology, the shear layer thickness increased remarkably and the tensile strength improved consequently. Thus, the strength and toughness of iPP/co-PP/β-NA composites prepared by PVIM were simultaneously improved compared to those of the pure iPP prepared by conventional injection molding (CIM): the impact toughness was increased by five times and tensile strength was increased by 9 MPa. This work provided a new method to further enhance the properties of iPP/co-PP composites through dynamic processing strategy.     

聚乙二醇-聚L-丙交酯嵌段共聚物结晶形貌研究

用偏光显微镜和原子力显微镜对比研究了PEG-PLLA嵌段共聚物在110℃或120℃等温结晶后的结晶形貌.发现在110℃时只有PEG5000-PLLA2300和PEG5000-PLLA6300在偏光显微镜下呈现环带球晶形貌,在原子力显微镜高度图中显示明显的环带,并具有交替凸凹起伏形貌.而PEG5000-PLLA12000球晶中没有出现环带形貌而是生成了规则的环线.在120℃时,PEG5000-PLLA12000的球晶中才生成了规则的环带图案,原子力显微镜也显示了其球晶具有明显的交替凸凹起伏形貌,说明过冷度直接影响环带球晶的生成.产生周期性凸凹起伏和明暗交替消光是由片晶沿着球晶的半径方向周期性扭转造成的,片晶在凸起部分是Edge-on取向,在凹下部分是Flat-on取向.     

多流体多次注射成型HDPE制品的结晶形态

通过自主设计的多流体多次注射成型装置研究二次剪切应力场和复杂温度场对高密度聚乙烯晶体形态发展的影响.用偏光显微镜(PLM)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析了多流体多次注射成型(multi-fluid multi-injection molding,MFMIM)和传统注射成型(conventional injection ...     

Formation of new banded spherulites in polyimides

The crystalline morphology and structural development of aromatic polyimides during an optimum continuous thermal imidization procedure were examined by means of polarized optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. During thermal imidization, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride/1,3‐diaminobenzene polyimide samples formed complicated spherulites, which, in addition to zigzag Maltese crosses, also showed concentric extinction rings, which are characteristic of banded spherulites. The factors affecting the formation of banded spherulites were studied. The initial imidization conditions dramatically affected the formation of the banded spherulite morphology: slow heating (0.5 °C/min) or fast heating (20 °C/min) led to relatively small polyimide spherulites and less identifiable extinction rings. The morphological features were also affected by the molecular weight of the polyimide: higher molecular weight samples showed typical banded spherulites, whereas low‐molecular‐weight samples formed degenerated banded spherulites. In all the spherulites formed in 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride/1,3‐diaminobenzene polyimides, special zigzag Maltese crosses, instead of normal Maltese crosses, were observed. The relationship between the imidization procedure and the spherulite morphology formation was also studied. X‐ray and Fourier transform infrared together revealed that after several minutes of thermal treatment, the crystallization was nearly complete, with a 42.5% degree of crystallinity; meanwhile, only some poly(amic acid) converted to the corresponding polyimide, with a 27% degree of imidization. The crystalline morphology and structure formed in the initial stage of the imidization process were maintained during the following imidization processing at an elevated temperature. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1997–2004, 2005     

Morphology and Orientation of PP-Structural Foam Moldings

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the interaction between the macrostructure and morphology of PP-structural foam moldings made by gas-counter pressure process by egression of foamed melt from the core of the molding. The structural foam moldings, center-gated cylindrical plate “disc” (diameter 1800 mm. high 11 mm) were produced on an in-line injection molding machine KuASY 800/250, varying the shot weight and melt temperature. The polymer used was isotactic polypropylene “Buplen” 7523 with 1 wt% chemical blowing agent (azodicarbonamide) added. The morphology, orientation, and processes of non isothermal phase transition have been studied using polarized optical microscopy, SALS, DSC and birefringence. Samples were cut from the discs at different distances from the gate. The presence of a two-layered structure was observed in the solid skin: an outer smectic layer and an inner particular crystalline layer. The thickness of the smectic layer and size of spherulites from skin to the foamed core were determined. The orientation in radical and tangential direction of the flow and perpendicular to the disc surface were studied in mold filling and egression stage. The fixed orientation in final moldings is a complex picture of bubble growth, bubble orientation and shear flow. It was found that the radical orientation decreases with the distance from the gate. Maximum orientation is located in the solid skin, and minimum in the foamed core, and was shown by means of a birefringence profile.     

分子端基效应对聚(L-乳酸)球晶环带结构形成的影响

通过活性正离子开环聚合的方法,以苯甲醇或月桂胺引发L-丙交酯聚合合成了一系列分子量可控的聚(L-乳酸)(PLLA).研究发现,端基刚、柔性的变化,改变了PLLA环带球晶的生成条件和环带周期结构,因此可以通过改变端基的结构来调控PLLA所形成的环带结构.分子量相近而端基不同的PLLA,在相同温度下结晶时,刚性引发剂苯甲醇...     

Observation of banded spherulites and lamellar structures by atomic force microscopy

Spherulites are common structures of semi-crystalline polymers. It has been known that semi-crystalline polymers can form spherulites when crystallized from solution or from melt. A dark Maltese cross of a spherulite could be easily observed under the polarized optical microscopy (POM). Moreover, some spherulites show an additional alternating dark and bright concentric ring structure that is attributed to the regular twisting of the radial crystallite ribbons as they grow from the spherulit…     

Morphological changes of BTDA/m‐PDA polyimide banded spherulites: The effect of solvent on banding

BTDA/m‐PDA polyimide banded spherulites with different band spacing were observed in the same sandwiched film. Atom force microscopy (AFM) analysis suggested that the banded structure was caused by periodic twisting of radial grown lamella bundles. Based on polarizing light microscopy (PLM) and AFM observation, it was found that spherulites grown near the center of the film exhibited bigger band spacing and consisted of wider lamellae compared with those grown near the fringe, which was suggested to be caused by different solvent amount during imidization and crystallization: the more solvent existed, the wider the lamella would grow and the bigger the band spacing would be. It was further proved by changing the film thickness and PAA solution concentration. SEM observation showed that when crystallized in the solution, the lamella became ultra thick and straight, and formed small particles. Powder X‐ray diffraction revealed that crystal structures of the banded spherulite and the small particle were identical or at least very similar. Another solvent with lower boiling point was used in sample preparation, however, under the same preparation conditions, the grown features of banded spherulites did not change. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 659–667, 2008     

Morphology and mechanical behavior of isotactic polypropylene with different stereo‐defect distribution in injection molding

Large amount of work has been published on the isotacticity–properties relationship of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). However, the stereo‐defect distribution dependence of morphology and mechanical properties of iPP injection molding samples is still not clear. In this study, two different isotactic polypropylene (iPP) resins (PP‐A and PP‐B) with similar average isotacticity but different stereo‐defect distribution were selected to investigate the morphology evolution and mechanical properties (tensile and notching) of their injection molding samples using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), 2D wide angle X‐ray diffraction (2D‐WAXD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of DMA showed that the molecular movement ability of PP‐A (with less uniform distribution of stereo‐defect) was stronger than that of PP‐B, meanwhile the analysis of DSC and SEM suggested that after injection molding, smaller spherullites, and crystals with higher perfection had formed in the specimens of PP‐A. The resulting of tensile properties of PP‐A were found to be better than that of PP‐B. The results of morphology evolution by SEM observation and 2D‐WAXD showed that PP‐A is more likely to occur interspherulite deformation and can disperse the tensile stress more efficiently, and therefore, its crystal structure can withstand a greater force when tensile stress is applied. On the other hand, PP‐B has larger spherulites and boundaries, and low perfection of lamellaes, and the intraspherulte deformation tend to take place. It is easier for the crystal of PP‐B to be broken up and reoriented along the tensile direction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BTDA/m-PDA聚酰亚胺环带球晶形貌与生长影响因素的研究

综述了本课题组BTDA/m-PDA聚酰亚胺环带球晶研究的进展.通过偏光显微镜(PLM),透射电镜(TEM),和原子力显微镜(AFM),研究了球晶中片晶的生长形貌,并探讨了环带形成的机理.考察了环带球晶生长的影响因素,包括:(1)温度:在较低酰亚胺化温度下只能形成不规则的球晶,而在较高温度下形成中心环间距较大的球晶;(2)聚酰胺酸分子量:分子量较低聚酰胺酸不能形成环带球晶;(3)分子链的不对称性:通过不同比例单体共聚发现,分子链上间苯二胺和羰基的不对称性对环带的形成有着决定性的影响;(4)溶剂:随着溶剂含量的增加,环带球晶的环间距增大.     

Ring‐banded spherulites in PCL and PCL/MWCNT solution‐casting films and effect of compressed CO2 on them

The ring‐banded spherulites in poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) solution‐casting films in the absence and presence of multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) are studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), polarized optical microscopy (POM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that birefringent ring‐banded spherulites of PCL can grow from solution below 50 °C, and the temperature is much lower than that from pure PCL melt. We also find out that the presence of MWCNT apparently widen the temperature range of forming ring‐banded structure. Furthermore, the mechanism for the ring‐banded structure forming is studied, and it is attributed to the twisting of lamellae crystals, and the driving force is suggested including the deflexion of lamellae bundles. In addition, effect of compressed CO₂ on the morphology of PCL and PCL/MWCNT solution‐casting film is also investigated, and the results reveal that both PCL and PCL/MWCNT films undergo recrystallization with the treatment of compressed CO₂ and accordingly, the related properties can be adjusted. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 784–792, 2009     

Isothermal crystallization behavior and unique banded spherulites of hydroxyapatite/poly(L-lactide) nanocomposites

<正>Hydroxyapatite/poly(L-lactide)(HA/PLLA) nanocomposites were prepared by the solvent mixing method.The isothermal crystallization behavior was studied by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM).The results show that the crystallization behavior of HA/PLLA composites was strongly affected by the content of HA and crystallization temperature,and the addition of HA could promote nucleation and enhance the crystallization rate. When isothermal crystallization was carried out at 110℃,the HA/PLLA nanocomposite with 1%HA content crystallized most rapidly among all the composites and the half crystallization time was only 1.0 min.Banded spherulites were observed for the HA/PLLA composites,but no banded spherulites were seen in the crystals of PLLA under the same condition.     

Morphological varieties and kinetic behaviors of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) spherulites crystallized isothermally from thin melt film

The spherulitic morphologies of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) crystallized isothermally from thin melt film with different crystallization temperatures were observed by means of polarized optical microscopy, optical microscopy, SEM, and atomic force microscopy techniques, and the kinetic behaviors were analyzed carefully in this work. It was found that the nonbanded spherulites could be observed at lower and higher crystallization temperatures, and the banded spherulites were formed usually at an intermediate range within experimental crystallization temperatures. The competition of the crystallization rate (v _c) and the diffusion rate (v _d) of melt molecules was employed to explain the transition of the spherulitic morphologies. It was considered that the change of the ratio of v _d and v _c would result in the transition of the spherulitic morphologies. The formation and development of the banded structure were discussed in detail. It was found that the band spacing was proportional to diffusion length of melt molecules and increased with increasing of crystallization temperature. The kinetic behaviors of PHB spherulites formed from the thin melt film with different crystallization temperatures were also discussed in this work.     

Rhythmic growth of ring‐banded spherulites in blends of liquid crystalline methoxy‐poly(aryl ether ketone) and poly(aryl ether ether ketone)

Rhythmic growth of ring‐banded spherulites in blends of liquid crystalline methoxy‐poly(aryl ether ketone) (M‐PAEK) and poly(aryl ether ether ketone) (PEEK) has been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The measurements reveal that the formation of the rhythmically grown ring‐banded spherulites in the M‐PAEK/PEEK blends is strongly dependent on the blend composition. In the M‐PAEK‐rich blends, upon cooling, an unusual ring‐banded spherulite is formed, which is ascribed to structural discontinuity caused by a rhythmic radial growth. For the 50:50 M‐PAEK/PEEK blend, ring‐banded spherulites and individual PEEK spherulites coexist in the system. In the blends with PEEK as the predominant component, M‐PAEK is rejected into the boundary of PEEK spherulites. The cooling rate and crystallization temperature have great effect on the phase behavior, especially the ring‐banded spherulite formation in the blends. In addition, the effects of M‐PAEK phase transition rate and phase separation rate on banded spherulite formation is discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 3011–3024, 2007     

Crystallization and morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) blends. I. Spherulitic morphology and growth by polarized microscopy

The development of the poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) morphology in the presence of already existent poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) spherulites was studied by two‐stage solidification with two separate crystallization temperatures. PVDF formed irregular dendrites at lower temperatures and regular, banded spherulites at elevated temperatures. The transition temperature of the spherulitic morphology from dendrites to regular, banded spherulites increased with increasing PVDF content. A remarkable amount of PHB was included in the PVDF dendrites, whereas PHB was rejected into the remaining melt from the banded spherulites. When PVDF crystallized as banded spherulites, PHB could consequently crystallize only around them, if at all. In contrast, PHB crystallized with a common growth front, starting from a defined site in the interfibrillar regions of volume‐filling PVDF dendrites. It formed by itself dendritic spherulites that included a large number of PVDF spherulites. For blends with a PHB content of more than 80 wt %, for which the PVDF dendrites were not volume‐filling, PHB first formed regular spherulites. Their growth started from outside the PVDF dendrites but could later interpenetrate them, and this made their own morphology dendritic. These PHB spherulites melted stepwise because the lamellae inside the PVDF dendrites melted at a lower temperature than those from outside. This reflected the regularity of the two fractions of the lamellae because that of those inside the dendrites of PVDF was controlled by the intraspherulitic order of PVDF, whereas that from outside was only controlled by the temperature and the melt composition. The described morphologies developed without mutual nucleating efficiency of the components. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 873–882, 2003     

Structures and growth mechanisms of poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) crystallized from solution and thin melt film

The spherulitic structures and morphologies of poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) crystallized from a so- lution and a thin melt film were investigated in this study. The formation mechanisms of banded spherulites under different crystallization conditions are proposed. It was found that the formation of banded spherulites was caused by the rhythmic crystal growth of the spherulites and lamellar twisting growth for the polymer crystallization from a thin melt film and a solution, respectively.     

A light-scattering study of deformation of liquid-crystalline spherulites of poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) in an electric field

The deformation of liquid-crystalline spherulites of poly(γ-benzyl-L -glutamate) (PBLG) in an electric field was investigated by light scattering, polarized-light microscopy, and birefringence measurements. Under the polarizing microscope, the deformation was found to be dependent upon the field strength. The spherulites deformed perpendicular to the field. Above 75 V/cm in N,N-dimethylformamide or 120 V/cm in 1,1,2-trichloroethane, the deformed spherulites were transformed to rodlike textures. With increasing voltage, the rods gradually oriented parallel to the electric field. On the basis of the experimental results, models for affine deformation are proposed. With these models, light-scattering patterns are calculated. The calculated and experimental patterns agree semiquantitatively.     

剪切应力场中聚丙烯熔体在近熔点处冷却结晶的晶体结构研究

通过自主设计的动态保压注塑成型装置研究剪切应力场下聚丙烯(PP)熔体在近熔点处冷却结晶的晶体结构.用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、示差扫描量热法(DSC)和广角X射线衍射(WAXD)分析了PP试样在近熔点处冷却后从表层到剪切层的结晶结构的变化.SEM研究表明,与传统注塑成型样品(SL)和剪切力场中高熔体温度下冷却得到的试样(DH)相比,近熔点附近冷却得到的PP试样(DL)从表层到剪切层的结晶结构和形态有明显变化.DL从表层到剪切层均生成了尺寸较大的取向结晶结构,无明显的串晶产生.DSC研究表明,与SL和DH相比,DL剪切层无脊纤维晶熔融峰且晶片熔融温度较高,证明其样品内部晶片尺寸较大.WAXD进一步研究显示,DL内部主要晶面(110,040和130)的结晶尺寸与SL和DH相比并没有发生明显改变.