The degradation of DGEBA/DICY under 100 keV proton irradiation

The degradation process of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)/ dicyandimide (DICY) solidified system under 100 keV proton irradiation was investigated. It was found that the proton irradiation results in mass loss, which the maximum is approximately 15.5 μg/cm², and change in surface morphology of DGEBA/DICY. The analyses of FT-IR and XPS showed that, the proton irradiation induces the debonding of the weak groups such as -CH₃, C-O, leading to formation of stable carbon-rich structure by recombination of the occurred free radicals, and chemical reaction between the free radicals with participation of proton. The degradation of DGEBA/DICY exhibits exponential variation with the proton fluence, which the degradation rate is high at the initial stage of irradiation, and becomes slow trending to constant after the proton fluence reaches 6 × 10¹⁵ /cm².     

Effect of irradiation with <200 keV electrons on AG-80 resin

AG-80 resin, namely tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM), is a new type of thermosetting matrix for advanced carbon/epoxy composites, which was irradiated with electrons of 160 keV. The results show that by increasing the fluence to 6.3×10¹⁵ cm⁻², the mass loss ratio ascends dramatically and then tends to level off. The mass loss behavior can be attributed to the combined effects of the formation of gaseous radiolytic products and a degraded layer, the surface ablation due to discharging and the skin carbon enrichment.     

Damage effect of keV proton irradiation on aluminized Kapton film

Damage effects of proton irradiation on aluminized Kapton films were investigated through ground simulation experiments, in which the energy of protons was 90 keV and the flux was 5.0×10¹¹ cm⁻² s⁻¹. Changes in surface morphology, optical properties, microhardness and microstructure of Kapton/Al were analyzed. The experimental results show that proton irradiation results in the increase of surface roughness and microhardness, and the degradation of the reflective property in the 500–1200 nm range. Raman spectra and XPS analysis demonstrate that changes in chemical structure occurred during irradiation, including the bond breaking of the part of the carbonyl and aromatic ether, ring opening reaction of cyclic imide, and the formation of some new bonds and structure.     

A thermodynamic study of the crosslinking of methyl silicone rubber

The crosslinking reaction in a two component methyl silicone rubber has been studied by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The rubber was formed from two methyl silicone prepolymers; one containing reactive hydrogens every 50 to 100 groups and the other polymer containing pendant vinyl groups at the same frequency. In the presence of a platinum catalyst above 60°C crosslinking proceeds without a loss or gain in weight. The heat of reaction, energy of activation (calculated by two methods) crosslink density and elastic modulus (Young's) were studied as a function of prepolymer concentration, dilution and swelling. A preliminary value for the heat of reaction per mole of SiH and SiCHCH₂ has been calculated. From crosslink density measurements both by hexane swelling and TMA and DSC heats of reaction a qualitative picture has been obtained of the role of entangled chains in producing effective crosslinks.     

The influence of stabilizers on the properties of silicone rubber

The influence of various stabilizers on the properties of rubber based on silicone rubber SKTV is studied. It is established that the use of the Ca/Zn stabilizer in the resin composition makes it possible to increase thermal resistance and physico-mechanical characteristics of the rubber used to make sealing elements in the automotive industry.     

Effect of conductive fillers on the cyclic stress-strain and nano-scale free volume properties of silicone rubber

The effect of carbon black(CB) and graphite(G) powders on the macroscopic and nano-scale free volume properties of silicone rubber based on poly(di-methylsiloxane)(PDMS) was studied through thermal and cyclic mechanical measurements, as well as with positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy(PALS). The melting temperature of the composites(Tm) and the endothermic enthalpy of melting(?Hm) were estimated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). Tm and the degree of crystallinity(χc) of PDMS composites were found to decrease with increasing the CB content. This can be explained due to the increase in physical cross-linking which results in a decrease in the crystallite thickness. Besides, χc was found to be dependent on the filler type. Cyclic stress-strain behavior of PDMS loaded with different contents of filler has been studied. Mullins ratio(RM) was found to be dependent on the filler type and content. It was found that, RM increases with increasing the filler content due to the increase in physical cross-linking which results in a decrease in the size of free volume, as observed through a decrease of the o-Ps lifetime τ3 measured by PALS. Moreover, the hysteresis in PDMS-CB composites was more pronounced than in PDMS-G composites. Furthermore, a correlation was established between the free volume Vf and the mechanical properties of PDMS composites containing different fillers. A negative correlation was observed between Vf and RM.     

Effect of non‐rubber components on the mechanical properties of natural rubber

Effect of the nanomatrix structure on mechanical properties of natural rubber was investigated in relation to the strain‐induced crystallization. Structure of natural rubber was analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurement and transmission electron microscopy. The nanomatrix of the non‐rubber components was found to be inevitably formed in natural rubber, in which natural rubber particles linking to fatty acids were dispersed in the nanomatrix of the proteins and phospholipids. The nanomatrix disappeared after deproteinization of natural rubber with urea. Tensile strength and modulus of natural rubber were reduced by removal of the fatty acids and the proteins, which resulted in disappearance of the nanomatrix structure. The effect of fatty acids on the crystallization of natural rubber in small particles as a dispersoid was proved by tensile test of blend of natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Research on high temperature friction properties of PTFE/Fluorosilicone rubber/silicone rubber

Silicone rubber (MVQ) has excellent heat resistance, but poor high temperature friction stability, which limits its application in the field of high temperature sealing. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is self-lubricating, but its compatibility with rubber is relatively weak. In order to improve the high-temperature friction property of silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ) was used as a compatibilizer, and PTFE was added to MVQ by mechanical blending. The friction and wear properties of PTFE/FVMQ/MVQ composites at different temperatures were studied. The results show that compared with MVQ, the mechanical properties of PTFE/FVMQ/MVQ composites was basically unchanged, the coefficient of friction was hardly affected by temperature, and the amount of wear decreased with increasing temperature. PTFE/FVMQ/MVQ composites showed excellent high-temperature abrasion resistance. The high-temperature wear mode was mainly changed from abrasive wear to adhesive wear. The molten layer formed by high-temperature friction can prevent air from directly contacting the surface rubber, which inhibited rubber surface oxidation reaction process.     

Radiation damage induced in Zircaloy-4 by 2.6 MeV proton irradiation

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Radiation damage induced in Zircaloy-4 by 2.6&nbsp;MeV proton irradiation at low doses was studied. Our aim is to emulate the effect of...     

Effects of partial replacement of silicone rubber with flurorubber on properties of dynamically cured poly(vinylidene fluoride)/silicone rubber/flurorubber ternary blends

Blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), silicone rubber (SR) and flurorubber (FKM) were prepared via peroxide dynamic vulcanization. The effect of FKM loading on the morphology, mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, rheology and dynamic mechanical properties of the PVDF/SR/FKM ternary blends was investigated. A “network” was observed in the PVDF/SR binary blends, which disappeared in the ternary blends, but a core-shell-like structure was formed. The mechanical properties were significantly improved. The Izod impact strength of PVDF/SR/FKM blend with 19 wt% FKM was 18.3 kJ/m², which was 3–4 times higher than the PVDF/SR binary blend. The complex viscosity and storage modulus of the PVDF/SR/FKM blends decreased with increasing FKM content, hence the processability was improved. The increase of FKM content seemed to show a favorable effect on the crystallization of the PVDF component. It promoted the nucleation process of PVDF, leading to increased polymer crystallization rate and higher crystallization temperature. The glass-rubber transition temperature of the PVDF phase moved to a lower temperature.     

Effects of functional graphene oxide on the properties of phenyl silicone rubber composites

Graphene oxide (GO) was treated with two types of surfactants, i.e., silane coupling agent (KH550) and 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), incorporated into phenyl silicone rubber at a low concentration (≤0.2 wt%), and cured by the room temperature vulcanized method. The effects of functional graphene oxide on the dielectric behaviour, thermal conductivity, optical transmittance and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the particle size changed after modification and that the modified GO dispersed well in the phenyl silicone rubber. The composites with MDI modified GO exhibited better electrical insulation and lower light loss in the ultraviolet–visible region than the composites with KH550 modified GO. However, composites filled with KH550 modified GO present better thermal conductivity.     

Effect of grafted methyl methacrylate on the catalytic hydrogenation of natural rubber

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto natural rubber was carried out by using a cumene hydroperoxide redox initiator. The graft copolymer was purified by extraction and then hydrogenated in the presence of OsHCl(CO)(O₂)(PCy₃)₂. The graft copolymer and hydrogenated product were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). The rate of hydrogenation was investigated using a gas-uptake apparatus. The hydrogenation was observed to be inverse first-order with respect to rubber concentration. The addition of a small amount of poly(methyl methacrylate) demonstrated a beneficial effect on the hydrogenation of the grafted copolymer.     

应用环境下耐高温硅橡胶老化性能研究

模拟硅橡胶密封件的实际使用环境,设计了压缩与非压缩条件下耐高温硅橡胶的350℃ ×24 h高温空气老化试验.结果表明压缩条件下硅橡胶老化后的硬度增加小于非压缩条件下,其力学性能也相应下降;扫描电子显微镜观测结果表明,压缩条件下硅橡胶老化后填料呈片层状析出,热氧老化更加剧烈;高温循环试验结果表明,随着循环次数增加,硅橡胶...     

Effect of electron beam irradiation on mechanical and thermal properties of waste polyamide copolymer blended with nitrile‐butadiene rubber

In the present study, the effect of electron beam irradiation on the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of waste polyamide copolymer (WPA‐66/6) blended with different contents of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) were studied. The prepared blends were subjected to irradiation doses up to 150 kGy and the structural modifications were discussed; non‐irradiated blends were used as control. Mechanical properties, namely, tensile strength (TS), yield strength, elongation at break, and hardness, were followed up as functions of irradiation dose and degree of loading with rubber content. On the other hand, the influence of irradiation dose on the thermal parameters, melting temperature, heat of fusion, ΔH_m of the recycled PA copolymer, and its blend with NBR were also investigated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of polyvinylchloride on the properties of rubber vulcanizates

Natural rubber (NR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) were compounded with polyvinylchloride (PVC). Some physico-mechanical and dielectric properties of resulting rubber vulcanizates were measured. It was found that the addition of PVC to both NR and SBR results in slight decreases in tensile strength and elongation at break but a marked increase in oil-resistance of the vulcanizates. Moreover, the addition of PVC to NR slightly increases both dielectric constant and dielectric losses while the addition of PVC to SBR loaded with 50 phr carbon black (HAF) lowers these parameters. Both rubber blends, especially NR, show a reasonable stability with ageing.     

Effect of relaxation properties on the adhesion of rubber

The adhesion to glass of rubbers with different relaxation properties but similar surface condition has been compared using the thin film peel test. At higher peeling stresses, the rubber–glass interface fractured at constant velocity and all rubbers gave the same adhesive energy values. However, at lower peel stresses, the lossy rubber appeared to adhere more strongly due to a crack-slowing phenomenon at the rubber–glass interface.     

Densities,speeds of sound,and refractive indices of the ternary mixtures (toluene + methyl acetate + butyl acetate) and (toluene + methyl acetate + methyl heptanoate) at 298.15 K

Density, ρ, speed of sound, u, and refractive index, n_D, at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure have been measured over the entire composition range for (toluene + methyl acetate + butyl acetate) and (toluene + methyl acetate + methyl heptanoate) systems. Excess molar volumes, V^E, isentropic compressibility, κ_s, isentropic compressibility deviations, Δκ_s, and changes of refractive index on mixing, Δn_D, for the above systems, have been calculated from experimental data and fitted to Cibulka, Singh et al., and Nagata and Sakura equations, standard deviations from the regression lines are shown. Geometrical solution models, Tsao and Smith, Kholer, Jacob and Fitzner, Rastogi et al. were also applied to predict ternary properties from binary contributions.     

Evaluation of antithrombogenicity of ion‐implanted silicone rubber

Ion implantations into silicone rods were performed at 150 keV with doses ranging from 1 × 10⁷ to 3 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm². The antithrombogenicity was tested by the superior vena cava (SVC) indwelling method for two days in rats with ¹¹¹In‐tropolone ‐ platelets, and by the inferior vena cava (IVC) indwelling method. Results of the SVC indwelling method showed that platelet accumulation on ion ‐ implanted specimens decreased. Macroscopic views of the ion‐implanted IVC specimens in dogs revealed little thrombus formation. In particular, SVC indwelling method revealed that O₂⁺, K⁺ and Kr⁺ (1 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm²) implantation was most effective in reducing platelet accumulation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.