Cracking and Decohesion of Sol-Gel Hybrid Coatings on Metallic Substrates

Thin film coatings based on organically modified silanes were synthesized using sol-gel technology. Various mixtures of tetraethoxysilane and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane precursors were used to produce sol-gel coatings on as-received and thermally oxidised copper, aluminium and titanium substrates. The mechanical properties and adhesion behaviour of the coatings were assessed using nano-indentation and microtensile testing, respectively. The relationship between the film structure and its mechanical response is examined. It is shown that the mechanical properties (hardness and Young's modulus) of the coatings are influenced dramatically by the organic substituent and the presence of an oxide layer thermally grown on the substrate material prior to deposition plays an important role on the film/substrate adhesion behaviour.     

Film characterization of poly(styrene-butylacrylate-acrylic acid)-silica nanocomposite

To improve the present unsatisfactory UV-shielding and water-resistance properties of many emulsion-type latexes, in this study, poly(styrene-butylacrylate-acrylic acid) (PSBA)-grafted-silica (PSBA-g-silica) hybrid nanoparticles were firstly prepared by suspension-dispersion-polymerization. The resulting hybrid nanoparticles were then used to add into PSBA latex to fabricate PSBA nanocomposites. The influence of PSBA-g-silica hybrid nanoparticles on the interfacial adhesion, film morphology, thermodynamics properties, UV-shielding, water-resistance and mechanical performance of PSBA films were investigated systematically. Our results revealed that filling 1.5 wt% PSBA-g-silica hybrid nanoparticles resulted in significant improvement in interfacial adhesion properties, UV-shielding, water-resistance and mechanical properties. Fabricating the silica-based latex nanocomposite is an effective approach to develop the new emulsion-type paints and adhesives.     

Complex Adhesion Effects of Inorganic Nanofillers vs Microfillers in Polymer Composites

The adhesion parameters of fillers in composites, coefficient of wetting, interfacial free energy and work of adhesion, were calculated in order to evaluate the difference between the effects of selected microfillers vs nanofillers in polyacrylate (PA) and poly (vinyl acetate)(PVAc) matrix. The results showed that the improved fundamental adhesion, i.e. higher work of adhesion in nanocomposites resulted in the improved practical adhesion i.e. higher mechanical properties. The interfacial region was additionally modified by the controlled pre-treatment of calcium carbonate micro- and nanofillers by sodium stearate that lowered the interactions with PVAc matrix. The composite morphological and mechanical properties changed accordingly. The lowered coefficient of interactions explained the pronounced composite failure at the interphase by dewetting and finally lead to the composite weakening. The conclusion about the complex relationship between the composite properties and engineering the interphase was confirmed.     

明胶/聚乳酸复合纤维膜的制备、表征及作为角膜细胞载体的评价

利用静电纺丝技术制备了明胶与聚乳酸的复合纤维膜, 研究了组分配比对复合膜的表面性能、孔隙结构和力学性能的影响, 并以复合膜为组织工程支架进行兔角膜上皮细胞的体外培养. 采用扫描电子显微镜、免疫荧光染色和噻唑蓝四氮唑溴化物(MTT)比色法综合评价了细胞在支架表面的黏附与增殖能力. 结果表明, 纺丝溶液的组分对纤维的直径分布和表面亲水性有显著影响, 不同组分配比的复合纤维膜均具有高孔隙率的通孔结构; 以明胶为基材可维持复合膜的细胞黏附性; 与聚乳酸复合可以明显提高复合膜的力学性能.     

Reactive Core-Shell Bottlebrush Copolymer as Highly Effective Additive for Epoxy Toughening

Herein,we designed a core-shell structured bottlebrush copolymer (BBP),which is composed of rubbery poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA)core and an epoxy miscible/reactive poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) shell,as an epoxy toughening agent.The PGMA shell allows BBP to be uniformly dispersed within the epoxy matrix and to react with the epoxy groups,while the rubbery PBA block simultaneously induced nanocavitation effect,leading to improvement of mechanical properties of the epoxy resin.The mechanical properties were measured by the adhesion performance test,and the tensile and fracture test using universal testing machine.When BBP additives were added to the epoxy resin,a significant improvement in the adhesion strength (2-fold increase) and fracture toughness (2-fold increase in Klc and 5-fold increase in Glc)compared to the neat epoxy was observed.In contrast,linear additives exhibited a decrease in adhesion strength and no improvement of fracture toughness over the neat epoxy.Such a difference in mechanical performance was investigated by comparing the morphologies and fracture surfaces of the epoxy resins containing linear and BBP additives,confirming that the nanocavitation effect and void formation play a key role in strengthening the BBP-modified epoxy resins.     

Synthesis of Siloxanes Containing Vinyl and Epoxy Group and its Enhancement for Adhesion of Addition-Cure Silicone Encapsulant

Three types of siloxanes containing vinyl and epoxy group, (3-glycidoxypropyl) allyloxydimethoxysilane (GAMS), [2, 2-bis (allyloxymethyl) butoxy] (3-glycidoxypropyl) dimethoxysilane (AGMS) and [3-allyloxy-2, 2-bis (allyloxymethyl) propoxy] (3-glycidoxypropyl) dimethoxysilane (AAGMS) were prepared by the transetherification of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane with allyl alcohol, trimethylolpropane diallyl ether and pentaerythritol allyl ether, respectively. The chemical structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy. GAMS, AGMS and AAGMS were used as adhesion promoter for addition-cure silicone encapsulant (ASE) with a large amount of alumina (Al₂O₃) as thermally conductive fillers. It was found that the adhesion promoters not only greatly improved the adhesion strength of ASE but also significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of ASE. Among them, AAGMS gave the best adhesion strength and mechanical strength of ASE. The shear strength and tensile strength of ASE were increased from 0.34 and 2.23 MPa to 1.14 and 3.27 MPa with addition of 1.5 phr AAGMS, which was about 335% and 147% higher than that of ASE without adhesion promoter, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the adhesion promoters could improve the compatibility between Al₂O₃ particles and ASE matrix. Additionally, the viscosity of ASE with less than 3.5 phr AAGMS did not exceed 5000 mPa?s, which could meet the requirements of electronic encapsulation.     

Stress induced plant resistance and enzyme activity varying in cucumber

When pathogens penetrate plant cells, some chemical secretions are elicited, and the mechanical signals in plant cell may be induced by the simultaneous physical pressure to change. Based on the previous cognitions, we investigated the plant resistance and the variation of anti-disease enzyme activity in cucumber leaves after mechanical stress loading. Results showed that the appropriate mechanical stimulation could significantly improve plant resistance and alter the activity of phenylalanine ammonial lyases (PAL) and POD, leading to synthesis of lignin. However, we found that the effects of the stress on these cellular fundamental events were eliminated when the adhesion between plasma membrane and cell wall was disrupted. We speculated that mechanical signal transduction in plants depend on the adhesion of plasma membrane–cell wall.     

Lignocellulosic composite

Banana pseudostem fiber which is a lignocellulosic material, relatively inexpensive, and abundantly available was assessed in terms of its fiber‐matrix adhesion and dispersion in composites. Different types of adhesives were used. The mechanical and water absorption properties were investigated. Overall, for the produced composites, the incorporation of sawdust‐urea‐formaldehyde resin into prehydrolyzed banana fiber resulted in the best mechanical properties. Good adhesion‐fiber interaction is believed to be responsible for the good ultimate performance. The superior reinforcing characteristics of sawdust resin were shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed better fiber‐matrix adhesion. Water absorption tests revealed that the presence of the adhesives affected the amount of water absorbed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The addition of functionalized graphene oxide to polyetherimide to improve its thermal conductivity and mechanical properties

The thermal and electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of polyetherimide (PEI) containing either alkyl‐aminated (enGO) or phenyl‐aminated graphene (pnGO) oxides were studied. A solution casting method was used to prepare functionalized graphene oxide/PEI composites with different filler contents. The introduction of functionalized graphene oxide to the PEI matrix improved the thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties. The thermal conductivities of the enGO 3 wt%/PEI and pnGO 3 wt%/PEI composites were 0.324 W/mK and 0.329 W/mK, respectively, due to the high thermal conductivity of the graphene‐based materials and the strong interface adhesion due to the filler surface treatment between the fillers and the matrix. The electrical conductivities of the functionalized graphene oxide/PEI composites were larger than that of PEI, but the electrical conductivity values were generally low, which is consistent with the magnitude of the insulator. The strong interfacial adhesion between the fillers and the matrix led to improved mechanical properties. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase state effect on adhesion behavior of self-assembled monolayers

The effect of phase state of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on adhesion behavior was studied using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) methods. The phase state of SAMs was controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature. Order-to-disorder structural transitions in monolayers of n-alkyltrichlorosilanes resulted in dramatic increases in adhesion force and adhesion hysteresis, which represents the first report of alterations in adhesion properties due to phase changes of monolayers without any effect of chain length and surface heterogeneity. This increase in mechanical deformation of the disordered monolayer is understood to be caused by increases in (1) molecular contact between the AFM tip and a disordered monolayer due to the more deformable state of the latter and (2) monolayer deformation during unloading by the JKR probe lens. Adhesion hysteresis was found to have greater sensitivity toward the unloading rate for disordered monolayers. The occurrence of maximum hysteresis at faster rates proves that monolayer chain mobility increases with structural disorder, resulting in increased mechanical deformation.     

Preparation and characterization of polyamide 6/polyethylene blend-clay nanocomposites in the presence of compatibilisers and stabilizing system

Several compatibilising systems were added to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6) blends in the presence of an organically modified montmorillonite (OMM). All the blends were prepared by using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and characterized by SEM, TEM and XRD analyses. In addition, the rheological behaviour and the mechanical properties - tensile and impact - were evaluated.The presence of OMM affects the dimensions of the polymeric phases in the blend but not their mutual adhesion, granted only by the compatibilisers.TEM, SEM and XRD analyses indicated that there is a strict correlation between the compatibilisation level and the final interlayer distance achieved by OMM.Even if some filled compatibilised blends showed a fairly good morphology - in terms of phase adhesion, dispersion and dimension - the mechanical performance was not so satisfactory. These results were interpreted considering the possible thermo-oxidative degradation of the organic modifier of OMM and the subsequent interaction between and the degradation products and the compatibilising systems. In order to prevent these phenomena, a stabilizing system was added to the nanocomposite blends. In this case, an improvement of mechanical properties was achieved.     

Biocompatible,transparent, and water-resistant adhesive films with high mechanical stability derived from post-facile chemical cross-linking

Transparent surgical adhesives with excellent underwater adhesion and mechanical strength are strongly desirable for various biomedical applications such as wound closure and tissue healing. This is addressed in the present work by the development of biocompatible, transparent, and water-resistant adhesive films prepared from catechol-modified ε-poly(ʟ-lysine) and dopamine hydrochloride modified sodium hyaluronate layers successively applied using the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly method. The LbL-assembled films are easily released from substrates via a mechanical exfoliation method with a blade to obtain free-standing multilayer films. The exceptional wet adhesion properties of the catechol groups yield films with excellent underwater adhesion strength. The underwater stability and mechanical strength of the free-standing multilayer films are improved via post-facile chemical cross-linking using biocompatible N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride. The post-treated free-standing multilayer films achieve a tensile strength of 0.36 ± 0.20 MPa and an elongation at break of 180.05% in water. The free-standing multilayer films exhibit a high optical transmittance greater than 55% in the visible region.     

Polyelectrolyte multilayers with a tunable Young's modulus: influence of film stiffness on cell adhesion

Mechanical properties of model and natural gels have recently been demonstrated to play an important role in various cellular processes such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, besides events triggered by chemical ligands. Understanding the biomaterial/cell interface is particularly important in many tissue engineering applications and in implant surgery. One of the final goals would be to control cellular processes precisely at the biomaterial surface and to guide tissue regeneration. In this work, we investigate the substrate mechanical effect on cell adhesion for thin polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films, which can be easily deposited on any type of material. The films were cross linked by means of a water-soluble carbodiimide (EDC), and the film elastic modulus was determined using the AFM nanoindentation technique with a colloidal probe. The Young's modulus could be varied over 2 orders of magnitude (from 3 to 400 kPa) for wet poly(L-lysine)/hyaluronan (PLL/HA) films by changing the EDC concentration. The chemical changes upon cross linking were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). We demonstrated that the adhesion and spreading of human chondrosarcoma cells directly depend on the Young's modulus. These data indicate that, besides the chemical properties of the polyelectrolytes, the substrate mechanics of PEM films is an important parameter influencing cell adhesion and that PEM offer a new way to prepare thin films of tunable mechanical properties with large potential biomedical applications including drug release.     

Modification of Interfacial Interaction of PBT/PP Blends by Adding Main-chain Liquid Crystalline Ionomer with Sulfonic Group

A main-chain liquid crystalline ionomer(MLCI)containing sulfonic group was synthesized by an interfacial condensation reaction.The MLCI was blended with polybutylene terephthalate(PBT)and polypropylene...     

The effect of post cure temperature on fiber/matrix adhesion of T650/Cycom 5320-1 using the micro-droplet technique

The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of a specific carbon fiber/epoxy composite (T650/Cycom 5320-1) was investigated to determine how changes in post cure temperature affects the fiber/matrix adhesion. The degree of cure of the Cycom resin cured with the same post cure temperatures was also determined using a DSC technique. The mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the samples made from Cycom 5320-1 resin were also measured and related to the degree of cure. It was shown that the mechanical and viscoelastic properties changed as the curing temperature, and hence the degree of cure, increased. The results of the micro-droplet tests showed the interfacial adhesion increased with increasing the post cure temperature. This was attributed to the higher degree of cure and change in mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the resin, as well as the residual stresses as the post cure temperature increased.     

EFFECT 0F INTERFACIAL ADHESION ON CRYSTALLIZATION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY (ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)/GLASS BEAD COMPOSITES

The interfacial adhesion between poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and glass beadwas investigated by scanning electron microscope and parallel-plate rheometer. Effect ofinterfacial adhesion on the crystallization and mechenical properties of PET/glass beadcomposites was also studied by differential scanning calorimeter and mechanical testers.The results obtained indicate that the glass bead has a heterogeneous nucleation effecton the PET crystallization. Although better interfacial adhesion is advantageous to theincrease of the tensile strength of the composite, yet it is unfavorable to the crystallizationof PET. It should be pointed out that the crystallization rate of filled PET is always higherthan that of pure PET, regardless of the state of interfacial adhesion.     

Effect of low-temperature processing on dry film photoresist properties for flexible electronics

This study presents the mechanical characterization of the dry film photoresist PerMX and its adhesion properties when laminated onto Kapton® E (PI) and Melinex® ST506 (PET). Additionally, the processing temperature, the adhesion strength, and the neutral plane position are investigated and optimized. A relatively low-temperature (85 °C) process is developed to protect the integrity of the polymers with low glass transition temperature and reduce the thermal mismatch stress. Reduction in processing temperature led to a decrement in the adhesion strength. To counteract this unwanted effect, surface treatments (oxygen plasma) are performed on the polymer surface before lamination. Using the latter techniques, adhesion of PerMX to PET (hard bake: 1 h at 85 °C) is increased from 0.07 to 0.26 N mm⁻¹ (variation of 270%). Finally, the mechanical robustness is investigated and increased by tuning the position of the neutral plane, after 50,000 bending cycles and a radius of curvature of 2.5 mm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

硼酰化钴在橡胶与镀锌钢丝粘合中的应用研究

研究硼酰化钴的用量变化对丁苯橡胶／天然橡胶与镀锌钢丝粘合的影响,通过表面分析对其粘合机理进行了研究。研究表明：硼酰化钴对丁苯橡胶／天然橡胶与镀锌钢丝粘合的粘合增强作用十分明显。硼酰化钴添加2phr左右,粘合性能最佳,同时硫化胶的物理性能得到改善。X-射线光电子能谱分析表明,粘合物镀锌钢丝界面中存在ZnO、ZnS、CoS2,说明粘合时发生了Zn的硫化反应,硼酰化钴中的钴向钢丝表面迁移,继而在锌层中扩散,提高了ZnO和ZnS晶格的缺陷浓度,这两种行为的共同作用,使橡胶与镀锌钢丝的粘合强度显著提高。     

Adhesion promotion through controlled surface modifications

We present and discuss series of experiments conducted on systems controlled at the molecular level in order to identify the molecular mechanisms of polymer adhesion. A special emphasis is paid to 1) adhesion enhancement through block copolymers at an interface between two incompatible polymers (amorphous or semi‐crystalline); 2) adhesion promotion between an elastomer and a solid, by soft end grafted connector polymer molecules able to interdigitate into the elastomer. We show that surface modifications based on surface anchored polymer chains are efficient for adhesion enhancement because they allow the interface to sustain mechanical stresses. The coupling between surface and bulk stresses is finally what governs the adhesion energy and we examine how one can understand and optimize this coupling.     

F-Actin reassembly during focal adhesion impacts single cell mechanics and nanoscale membrane structure

Focal adhesions play an important role in cell spreading,migration,and overall mechanical integrity.The relationship of cell structural and mechanical properties was investigated in the context of focal adhesion processes.Combined atomic force microscopy(AFM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy(LSCM) was utilized to measure single cell mechanics,in correlation with cellular morphology and membrane structures at a nanometer scale.Characteristic stages of focal adhesion were verified via confocal fluorescent studies,which confirmed three representative F-actin assemblies,actin dot,filaments network,and long and aligned fibrous bundles at cytoskeleton.Force-deformation profiles of living cells were measured at the single cell level,and displayed as a function of height deformation,relative height deformation and relative volume deformation.As focal adhesion progresses,single cell compression profiles indicate that both membrane and cytoskeleton stiffen,while spreading increases especially from focal complex to focal adhesion.Correspondingly,AFM imaging reveals morphological geometries of spherical cap,spreading with polygon boundaries,and elongated or polarized spreading.Membrane features are dominated by protrusions of 41-207 nm tall,short rods with 1-6 μm in length and 10.2-80.0 nm in height,and long fibrous features of 31-246 nm tall,respectively.The protrusion is attributed to local membrane folding,and the rod and fibrous features are consistent with bilayer decorating over the F-actin assemblies.Taken collectively,the reassembly of F-actin during focal adhesion formation is most likely responsible for the changes in cellular mechanics,spreading morphology,and membrane structural features.