Oscillatory shear measurements on polystyrene melts in the terminal region

Oscillatory shear measurements have been made on a range of anionic polystyrene melts of molecular weights 1000--500,000. For M < 5000 the polymer chain is too short to act as a Gaussian coil and hence the compliance of the melt is very low. For 10,000 < M < 100,000 the compliance of the melt follows the Rouse model of the elasticity of isolated polymer molecules. It is necessary to use the Ferry, Landel and Williams extension of the Rouse theory for M > 40,000 to allow for the effect of entanglements on the complex modulus. For M > 200,000 the entangelment network dominates the compliance and the Rouse theory is no longer applicable.     

New developments and directions in the area of elastomers and rubberlike elasticity

There are number of important developments in the area of elastomeric polymers, including (i) network chains of controlled stiffness, (ii) model elastomers (including dangling-chain networks), (iii) fluorosiloxane elastomers, (iv) new thermoplastic elastomers, (v) other new elastomers, (v) bimodal network chain-length distributions, (vi) cross linking in solution or in a state of deformation, and (vii) gel collapse. Interesting elastomeric composites include those with (i) in-situ generated ceramic-like particles, (ii) ellipsoidal fillers, (iii) clay-like layered fillers, (iv) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) particles, (v) porous fillers, (vi) elastomeric domains modifying ceramics, and (vii) controlled interfaces. New characterization techniques are being developed for elastomers, and there have been new developments in elasticity theory and in elastomer processing. Some examples of societal aspects of relevance are (i) synthesis of elastomers in environmentally-friendly solvents, (ii) biosynthesis, (iii), recyclability, (iv) improved adhesion to tire cords, and (v) better barrier properties in anti-terrorism clothing. Educational topics include curriculum development, and mobile laboratories for elastomer experiments and demonstrations.     

Mechanical structures in polymer melts. I. Measurements of melt strength and elasticity

The standard methods of measuring the elastic properties of polymer melts are briefly reviewed and a method of measuring another combination of viscoelastic properties, the melt strength, is described. Data are presented on the melt strength of various types of polyethylene resins and on ionomer resins. The effects on various viscoelastic properties of branching or of the addition of fine fibrils of Teflon perfluorocarbon resin are reported.     

The chain length dependence of self-diffusion in melts of polyethylene and polystyrene

The self-diffusion coefficients in melts of polyethylene fractions and polystyrene standards were measured by the NMR pulsed field gradient technique and compared with those measured by other techniques. The data agree very well if one takes into account the molar mass distribution of the samples and the free volume of the matrix. For molar masses much higher than the critical molar massM _c, reptation is confirmed,D M ^–2 holds. BelowM _e=M_c/2 the self-diffusion coefficients corrected for constant free volume show approximately the dependenceD M ^–1 confirming Rouse-like diffusion. This result was also obtained by investigating the self-diffusion of the molecules with different molar masses of a polyethylene fraction with a rather broad molar mass distribution aroundM _e andM _c, i. e. diffusion in a constant matrix. In the molar mass region betweenM _c and about 3 ·M _c the observed molar mass dependence of self-diffusion can be explained by tube formation. The constraint release model of Graessley seems to slightly overestimate the self-diffusion coefficients.     

Reactive blending: inhomogeneous interface grafting in melts of maleinated polystyrene and polyamides

To be competitive, most blends need compatibilizers, usually copolymers with a blocky architecture, the chains of which cover the interfaces between the blend phases, refining the phase morphology and improving the interface strength. When the blend components are suitably functionalized, such copolymers can be conveniently generated in situ, in processes of reactive blending. Normally, graft copolymers are created. The polymer–polymer coupling proceeds exclusively in the interfaces. This interface grafting is (i) pivotal in the design of modern blend systems and (ii) an interesting route towards novel copolymers. The complex kinetics of interface grafting in blend melts have so far attracted little attention. In a model study, amino terminated polyamide 12 (PA) was grafted in the melt onto heavily maleinated polystyrene (SMA; S: styrene and MA: maleic anhydride). Anhydride and amino functions react at high temperatures fast and irreversibly by imide condensation. A series of SMA/PA blends differing in composition and PA chain lengths was investigated, with the aim of driving the grafting to high conversions so a pure graft copolymer SMAgPA would result, instead of an SMA/PA/SMAgPA blend. However, a pure copolymer was never obtained. The grafting remained incomplete, except with very short-chained PA and only at equal weight fractions of SMA and PA. More importantly, the SMA chains were never grafted evenly. Instead, “overgrafted” and “undergrafted” chains SMAgPA coexisted in one and the same product. It appears that the SMAgPA chains form an auto-inhibitory barrier in the interfaces that prevents random grafting. Grafting proceeds to high conversion only in SMA/PA blends with a co-continuous phase morphology where the interfaces are constantly torn apart and renewed, during melt blending, so the reaction is constantly reactivated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies of orientation and structure of crazed matter in polystyrene. I. Optical measurements

The optical birefringence and refractive index have been measured for crazes grown in specimens of varying thickness. The birefringence was found to consist of the sum of a small negative orientation term and a large positive form term. The latter term could be altered by filling the craze with liquids of various different refractive indexes. Two crazes, which showed a relatively constant width as the specimen thickness changed, could be described by a model with craze having a constant refractive index and birefringence but with impervious dense skins on either side. The numerical value of the form birefringence was approximately 0.6 of that predicted from a model of parallel rods which is not surprising as crazes have a networklike structure. The values of craze refractive index were in good agreement with other measurements. The existence of skins, of thickness approximately 300 nm, places some doubt on the relevance of thin-film electron microscope observations to the situation in the bulk. Other crazes which tapered in width were found to show both varying skin thickness and refractive index along their length.     

Properties of cellulose acetate in solution. II. Light scattering and elasticity measurements on gels in benzyl alcohol

Kinetic studies are reported for the light scattering and elasticity of thermally reversible gels of cellulose acetate in benzyl alcohol over a range of temperature and polymer concentration. The small-angle light scattering data are found to be described by exponential correlation functions, and it is concluded that the scattering has its origin in the nonrandom character of the crosslinking in the gels studied. The elasticity is discussed in terms of the density of crosslinks in the gels. Thus, the kinetics studied by light scattering and elasticity measurements are independently related to temperature and polymer concentration.     

Studies of orientation and structure of crazed matter in polystyrene. II. Electron diffraction measurements

The technique of selected area electron diffraction in the transmission electron microscope is used to examine the degree of orientation of crazed matter. The theories of electron and x-ray diffraction are compared and it is shown experimentally, by comparison with published x-ray results, that it is possible to obtain electron diffraction patterns from uncrazed polystyrene that are reasonably free of both radiation damage and multiple scattering problems. Electron diffraction patterns from crazes show a considerable degree of orientation but otherwise are very similar to those from uncrazed material, showing that crazes have no structure different from that of bulk material. Diffraction patterns are also obtained from thin films drawn to draw ratios of 4.5 and 6 at 90°C. These agree well with published x-ray results from oriented polystyrene but show less anisotropy than the craze diffraction patterns.     

Unusual contributions of molecular architecture to rheology and flow birefringence in hyperbranched polystyrene melts

With the increase in sophisticated synthesis methods, it appears that polymer architecture may be a tunable property. Therefore, the role of architecture in rheological and processing properties has received renewed attention, mainly because of dendrimer synthesis and metallocene‐catalyst technology. Linear polymers and hyperbranched polymers represent two ends of branching complexity. Some previous studies have suggested that hyperbranched polymers may behave like unentangled polymers, whereas others have proposed that they exhibit the properties of soft colloids. In an effort to compare the responses of linear and hyperbranched polymers, we synthesized starlike hyperbranched polystyrenes (HBPSs) of various branch lengths and numbers of branches. The HBPSs used in this study were unentangled or weakly entangled, allowing us to study the effect of branch density more readily. Two linear polystyrene (L‐PS) melts and two HBPSs were studied. Using a custom‐built rheooptical apparatus, we characterized the rheology and flow birefringence of these materials. To our knowledge, these are the first flow birefringence measurements on highly branched polymer melts. Our results suggest that the flow behavior of HBPS is significantly different from that of L‐PS: (1) HBPS shows nonterminal behavior in the low‐frequency rheological response; (2) when the stress‐optical rule (SOR) holds, the stress‐optical coefficient of HBPS is much lower than those of analogous linear polymers; and (3) when the branch density is high and the branch length is sufficiently low, the SOR fails for these homopolymer melts. A significant increase in the birefringence for a given amount of stress in the low‐frequency region suggests that there may be a soft core in these materials due to the strong preferential radial orientation of chain segments near the center of a molecule versus those near the periphery. The predominantly elastic response of the soft structures may be responsible for the enhanced form birefringence. Our preliminary results indicate that these materials may exhibit both polymeric and soft‐colloid natures. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2562–2571, 2001     

Problems and results of zeta-potential measurements on fibers

A survey is given on both theoretical background and methodical details of zeta-potential measurements on fibers. Electro-osmosis and streaming potential/streaming current measurements can be used in order to obtain correct zeta-potentials. Both measuring principles yield the same values for zeta-potential if the errors due to resistance measurements are avoided. This agreement as well as the independence of zeta-potential of applied voltage (in the case of electro-osmosis) and hydrostatic pressure (in the case of streaming potential/streaming current) point out that the Stern-potential at the boundary immobile/diffuse layer can be determined. Electrophoresis and measurement of other electrokinetic phenomena give values related to but not identical with the zeta-potential. Applications of electrokinetic measurements for investigating fiber problems in production, processing and finishing are reviewed. Parameters determining the zeta-potential of fibers are discussed.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. E. R. Schwarzl with congratulations for his 60th birthday.     

The combined effect of photodegradation and stress cracking in polystyrene

This work aims to analyze the effects of photodegradation on the stress cracking resistance of polystyrene. Injection moulded samples were exposed to the ultraviolet light for various times in the laboratory prior to solvent contact. The bars were then stressed in a tensile testing machine under the presence of butanol. During this period the stress relaxation was monitored and the ultimate properties were evaluated after selected periods of stress cracking. Complementary tests were done by size exclusion chromatography and by scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that butanol causes significant modification in polystyrene, with extensive surface crazing as well as reduction in mechanical properties. This is intensified under higher mechanical stress. The previous degraded samples showed a higher level of stress relaxation and a greater loss in tensile strength in comparison to the undegraded ones. The synergist action of photodegradation and stress cracking in polystyrene may be a consequence of the chemical changes caused by oxidation like the formation of polar chemical groups and the reduction in molecular weight.     

Nonlinear stress relaxation of an entangled linear polystyrene in single step‐strain flow: A quantitative theoretical investigation

The nonlinear stress relaxation of a nearly monodisperse, moderately entangled polystyrene solution (i.e., roughly seven entanglements per chain at equilibrium) in single step‐strain flow is investigated quantitatively by a detailed comparison of an existing set of experimental data with a simulation based on the tube model. The proposed simulation enables the effects of primary nonlinear relaxation mechanisms other than chain retraction to be identified more clearly and investigated individually. Two peculiar nonlinear relaxation behaviors are observed in this experiment. One is concerned with an apparent enhancement in the stress relaxation at short times, and the other is responsible for a seeming slowdown of the stress relaxation at long times. These findings are discussed within the tube model, in view of the effects of convective constraint release, partial strand extension, and nonaffine deformation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1281–1293, 2003     

Effect of junction constraints on rubber elasticity in multiaxial states of stress

The strains obtained in an amorphous polymer network subject to multiaxial states of stress are calculated according to a recent molecular theory which takes account of constraints on junctions in real networks. Experimental measurements for biaxial states of stress, for pure shear superposed on tension, and for combined torsion and simple extension, are seen to compare favorably with the predictions of the theory.     

Effect of temperature and molecular weight on the rate of spreading of polystyrene melts on plane soda lime glass surfaces

The effect of temperature T and weight-average molecular weight M?_w on the rate of spreading of polystyrene melts on plane solid surfaces has been examined. The activation energy E of spreading was estimated to be 25.2 ± 3 kcal/mole, which is of the same magnitude as the activation energy for flow of polystyrene melts. The rate of spreading was found to be inversely proportional to M?_w raised to the 1.5 power. This rate of spreading, measured as the time rate of increase in the liquid–solid contact area, dA/dt, could be expressed as where γ_1v is the melt surface tension and θ_d and θ_s are the dynamic and static contact angles, respectively. The numerical value of K has been calculated to be (6.025 ± 3.693) × 10^?14 in the temperature range of 110–260°C and for the values of M?_w from 2000 to 37000.     

Self-diffusion of polystyrene in solution 2. Discussion of experimental results on the basis of the reptation mechanism and entanglements

The expressions for polymer self-diffusion in semidilute solutions, theoretically derived from the reptation mechanism, the blob concept and scaling considerations, are discussed and compared against experimental data from the authors' investigations and the literature. In the nonentangled (from viscoelastic data) semidilute solution, the experimentally observed concentration and molar mass exponents are in fair agreement with those derived theoretically. However, a quantitative estimation shows that the experiments cannot be explained by reptation. Experiments with polymer mixtures also give strong evidence against reptation. It is concluded, that in the nonentangled semidilute solution, the polymer self-diffusion is more complicated than simple reptation. This is also supported by recently observed long-range density fluctuations or cluster formation in this concentration region detected by scattering techniques and NMR-PFGT. In the entangled semidilute solution, the self-diffusion data are in accordance with the reptation mechanism; reptation being within a tube having approximately 20 blobs between entanglements.     

Effect of photooxidation of polystyrene on its dielectric properties. II. Use of dielectric loss measurements to study photooxidation

Dielectric loss measurements have been applied to study the short-wave (λ = 254 nm) and long-wave (λ > 300 nm) photooxidation of polystyrene which had been prepared using both free radical and anionic initiator. The high-frequency loss peak, attributable to carbonyl products of oxidation is a sensitive monitor of the rate of oxidation, the sensitivity being greater than that of manometric measurements. The data are specific to carbonyl compounds and the technique is particularly suitable for studying the surfaces, on which most of the above photooxidation occurs with polystyrene. Effects of radiation intensity and oxygen pressure were also studied. The measurements have permitted a more detailed study of the long-wave photooxidation process than has previously been undertaken, and the results emphasize differential reactivities of radically and anionically prepared polymers. Results are interpreted in terms of initiation by both impurities and charge-transfer complexes.     

Simultaneous measurements of stress and infrared dichroism on polymers

Summary In order to obtain informations on the molecular nature and mechanism of rheological processes on polymers, simultaneous measurements of stress and infrared dichroism were made of polychloroprene (Neoprene Type AC) films during the course of continuous elongation at the constant rate 25%/min and of stress relaxation at 400% elongation. The time dependence of the infrared dichroism was obtained by measuring the intensity change at fixed wavenumbers of absorption band maxima on the differential polarized infrared spectra. Both the degree of crystallinity of sample films and the orientation function of transition moments were calculated from the results of the infrared dichroic measurements under the assumption of uniaxial orientation, which was confirmed to be the case by X-ray diffraction and birefringence measurements.In the continuous elongation experiments, it was found that the orientation functions for crystalline-sensitive bands showed maxima at 25% elongation and then decreased rapidly, changing their signs from positive to negative. There also appeared the yield point in the stress-strain curve and the beginning of sharp decrease of crystallinity at the same degree of elongation 25%. These facts were interpreted in terms of the orientation of the crystalline phase followed by the degradation of crystallites and drawing out of the molecular chain from the crystallites. In the stress relaxation experiments, moderate changes in the orientation functions were found for various characteristic absorption bands. Little difference was observed between changes in the orientation functions for the amorphous and crystalline-sensitive bands. This makes a contrast with the previous results for vulcanized natural rubber, where the orientation of the crystalline phase was completed almost immediately after elongation, while in the amorphous phase the molecular chains were oriented gradually during the course of stress relaxation.

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Zusammenfassung Um Informationen über die molekulare Natur und den Mechanismus rheologischer Prozesse von Polymeren zu erhalten, wurden gleichzeitige Messungen der Spannung und des Infrarot-Dichroismus an Polychloropren-Filmen (Typ AC-Neopren) während der kontinuierlichen Verstreckung bei konstanter Verstreckungsgeschwindigkeit von 25%/min und während der Spannungsrelaxation bei 400% Verlängerung durchgeführt. Die Zeitabhängigkeit des Infrarot-Dichroismus wurde aus der Intensitätsänderung im festen Wellenzahlbandmaximum eines Kristallisationsbandes mit einem differenz-polarisierten Infrarot-Spektrographen festgestellt. Beide, der Kristallanteil der Probe und die Orientierungsfunktion für die Übergangsmomente lassen sich aus den Resultaten unter Annahme einachsiger Orientierung auswerten. Letztere, die einachsige Orientierung, wurde mit Röntgenbeugung und Doppelbrechung sichergestellt.In den Experimenten mit kontinuierlicher Verlängerung zeigten die Orientierungsfunktionen der Kristallempfindlichen Banden bei 25% Verlängerung ein Maximum. Danach sanken sie rasch unter Wechsel ihres Vorzeichens von positiv nach negativ ab. Der Fließpunkt in der Spannungs-Dehnungs-Kurve und der Beginn des scharfen Abfalls der Kristallinität zeigen sich vom gleichen Verlängerungsgrad 25% ab.Diese Tatsachen werden aufgrund der Orientierung der kristallinen Phase erklärt, gefolgt von einem Abbau der Kristallite und einem Herausziehen der Molekülketten aus den Kristalliten. In den Spannungsrelaxationsversuchen wurden gewisse Änderungen der Orientierungsfunktionen für die verschiedenen charakteristischen Absorptionsbanden gefunden. Es ergaben sich geringe Differenzen in der Änderung der Orientierungsfunktionen für die amorphen und kristallempfindlichen Banden. Das steht im Gegensatz zu früheren Resultaten an vulkanisiertem Naturkautschuk. Bei letzteren war die Orientierung der Kristallphase beinahe unmittelbar nach der Dehnung vollständig, während in der amorphen Phase die molekularen Ketten nach und nach im Laufe der Spannungsrelaxation orientiert wurden.

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With 8 figures in 9 details and 1 table     

Simultaneous measurements of stress and infrared dichroism on polymers

Summary A method for simultaneous measurements of stress and infrared dichroism as time-dependent behavior of polymer films was devised by using a double beam infrared spectrometer. The film sample held between clamps of a stretching device was placed just in front of the entrance slit of the spectrometer where the sample and reference beams came alternately. Two polarizers were used, one in the sample beam and the other in the reference beam. Thus the sample and reference beams were polarized to have the electric vectors parallel and perpendicular to the stretching direction of the sample, respectively. With this arrangement the spectrometer responded only to the difference in the transmittance of the two beams. Setting the spectrometer at one of the wavenumbers of the absorption band maxima, we could record continuously the change in its dichroism during mechanical treatments which gave rise to the molecular orientation in the sample. The stress was recorded automatically by means of a couple of strain gages pasted on the cantilever beam of the stretching device.By theoretical considerations, a simple relationship was found to exist between the quantity recorded on the spectrometer by this method and the orientation function of transition moment of a vibrational absorption band with respect to the stretching direction.The method was applied to the stress relaxation experiments of vulcanized natural rubber carried out at different elongations less than 600% and at the room temperature. Changes of infrared dichroism were measured for five absorption bands at 1664, 1380, 1361, 1129, and 844 cm^–1, of which the last one is a crystalline band. From the results of this study, it was concluded that the stress relaxation observed was ascribed mainly to the amorphous orientation rather than to the crystalline orientation, which was completed almost immediately after elongation.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Methode für gleichzeitige Messungen von Spannungs-und Infrarot-Dichroismus von Polymerenfolien in AbhÄngigkeit von der Zeit wurde unter Verwendung eines Zweistrahlen-Infrarotspektrometers entwickelt. Die Filmproben, zwischen Klemmen in einer Verstreckungsanordnung gehalten, sind am Ort des Eintrittsspaltes des Spektrometers justiert, an dem der die Probe durchlaufende und der Referenzstrahl alternierend eintreten. Zwei Polarisationen, eine im Probestrahl, die andere im Referenzstrahl, wurden verwendet. So sind der Probe-und Referenzstrahl mit dem elektrischen Vektor parallel bzw. senkrecht zur Streckrichtung der Probe polarisiert. Mit dieser Anordnung am Spektrometer wird nur die Differenz der DurchlÄssigkeit der Probe für beide Strahlen gemessen. Wenn man das Spektrometer auf die Wellenzahl eines Absorptionsmaximums der Probe einstellt, lÄ\t sich also kontinuierlich unmittelbar die Änderung des Dichroismus wÄhrend der mechanischen Verformung verfolgen, die aus molekularer Orientierung in der Probe resultiert. Die Spannung wurde automatisch mit Hilfe von Verlagerungsaufnehmern aufgezeichnet.Theoretische Betrachtungen lassen eine einfache Beziehung zwischen den Spektrometerkurven und der Orientierungsfunktion für die verschiedenen Absorptionsbanden in Bezug auf die Streckrichtung finden.Die Methode wurde auf Spannungsrelaxation in vulkanisiertem Naturkautschuk für verschiedene Strekkungen kleiner als 600% bei Raumtemperatur angewendet. Die Messungen der Änderung des InfrarotDichroismus fanden für die 5 Absorptionsbanden bei 1664, 1380, 1361, 1129 und 844 cm^–1 statt, wobei die letztere eine kristalline Bande ist. Aus den Ergebnissen wird geschlossen, da\ die beobachtete Spannungsrelaxation in der Hauptsache Orientierung im Amorphen und nicht einer Kristallit-Orientierung zuzuordnen ist. Letztere ist offensichtlich schon unmittelbar nach der Streckung fast vollstÄndig ausgebildet.

     

Origins and measurements of internal stress in plastics

The term ‘internal stress’ is given various meanings in the literature and these are listed and discussed. The origin of deformation-induced internal stress is considered, and the development of residual (moulding) stresses in a number of polymer processing operations is described.

The deformation-induced internal stress can be investigated by stress relaxation procedures, and has been found to be sensitive to the state of ageing or annealing, although no quantitative interpretation has been developed to date.

The layer removal process for determining residual stress distribution is described in some detail and examples of applications are presented, including a full biaxial treatment. The results of this technique are quite revealing and some of the practical implications are indicated.