Structure-property relationship of polyurethane ionomer

Polyurethane (PU) ionomers were prepared using various types of polyol (PTAd, PCL, PTMG, and PPG) and isocyanate (MDI, HDI, and IPDI), together with different extender (DMPA) contents, degree of neutralization, and number average molecular weight (M _n) of polyol. Modulus (E), strength (_b), and glass transition temperature (T _g) significantly increased with the increased amount of extender and extender neutralization. Among three of the iocyanate used, PU from MDI gave the highest modulus, strength, andT _g. With regard to theM _n of PTAd (600, 1000, 2000), PU from PTAd 600M _n gave the highest modulus, strength, andT _g, due probably to the highest hard segment content and phase mixing. On the other hand, PU from PTAd 2000M _n gave significantly improved strength over PTAd 1000M _n, and the highest elongation. The results were interpreted in terms of soft-segment crystallization, and soft-hard phase separation, which was concluded from the lowered softT _g.     

Viscoelastic properties of polyacrylonitrile particles stabilised by a poly-2-vinylpyridine/polytert butylstyrene block copolymer

The viscoelastic properties of a dispersion of polyacrylonitrile particles stabilised by a block copolymer poly-2-vinylpyridine/polytert butylstyrene dispersed in solvesso have been measured as a function of particle concentration and frequency at ambient temperatures. At low volume fraction of particles it was found that the loss modulus of the dispersions was larger than the storage modulus, whilst at volume fractions > 0.40 the storage modulus dominates the rheology. This is attributable to there being a steric repulsion between the particles as a result of an increasing concentration of particles and the resultant reduction in interparticle separation in the dispersion. In addition the observed exponential increase of the storage modulus with increasing particle volume fraction mirrors the exponential increase in force with decreasing surface separation of the same type of polymers adsorbed to mica.     

Investigations of the influence on the phase morphology of PP-EPDM-blends on their mechanical properties

This work covers the dependence of the mechanical properties of polymer blends on their composition and their phase morphology. Blends of EPDM-elastomers and polypropylene were prepared covering the whole concentration range. The phase morphology was varied strongly by employing different mixing techniques and its morphology was characterized by means of electron microscopy and light microscopy, as well as by x-ray scattering and calorimetry.Mechanical properties such as the complex shear modulus, the tensile modulus as well as the stress strain behavior were investigated as a function of the composition of the blends and their phase morphology. The experimental finding is that the complex modulus, the tensile modulus, the yield stress, and the ultimate stress are rather insensitive with respect to the phase morphology and vary continuosly with the composition. The elongation at break, on the other hand, as well as the impact strength were found to depend on the phase morphology and to vary discontinously with the composition. One conclusion to be drawn is that one is not always forced to control the phase morphology tightly during processing in order to obtain materials with sufficiently good mechanical properties. Rather, simple theoretical approaches, neglecting details of the phase morphology are frequently able to satisfactorily predict mechanical properties of multiphase blends.     

Ringing gels: Their structure and macroscopic properties

The phase diagram of the ternary surfactant system which consists of dimethyltetradecylaminoxide, hydrocarbon, and water contains a highly elastic gel phase which borders on the micellarL ₁-phase. This gel phase is transparent, optically isotropic, and shows the ringing phenomena when it is excited to mechanical vibrations. From SANS and light-scattering measurements it is shown that this phase consists of the same spherical microemulsion droplets which are present in the adjacent micellar solution. Even in the micellar solution the droplets are fairly monodisperse and in the SANS scattering functions a second scattering maximum was observed. Both the light scattering and SANS data can be described quantitatively on the basis of hard sphere interactions between the particles. Furthermore, it is shown that elasticity and shear modulus of the gel phase, which were determined experimentally, correlate with the compressibility modulus as calculated from the scattering data. The elasticity modulus and hence the osmotic compressibility modulus are related to the Laplace pressure inside the globules. For the calculation of this pressure it is possible to take the interfacial tension, which is obtained from a dilute micellar solution against the hydrocarbon which is used for the system. The radius of the particles and the hydrocarbon content in the system can be increased when some of the dimethyltetradecylaminoxide is replaced by dimethyltetradecylphosphinoxide.     

Mechanical properties and molecular mobility in oriented polyolefines

The static modulus of elasticity (E) and the correlation time of rotation ( _c ) of 2,-2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl are studied as a function of the temperature (210<T <350°K) for oriented films of isotactic polypropylene and polyethylene of high and low density.E and _c change both upon heating and polymer orientation; this result indicates that sample properties are influenced by the microstructure of the amorphous phase where probes are localized.     

Strength of fibers from wholly aromatic polyesters

A theory of the strength (or the tenacity) of highly oriented Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) fibers was developed, and its results were compared with existing tensile strength data of fibers of a copolymer of 1,4-oxybenzoate and 6,2-oxynaphthoate. A basic premise of the theory is that the mechanical load transfer between polymer chains is through intermolecular interaction which acts in a manner similar to that of shear stress, and that the fiber strength is primarily governed by the intermolecular adhesion strength. The theory also incorporates the effects of MW, MW distribution, and the chain orientation distribution. Analysis of the experimental tenacity data demonstrates that the present theory can quantitatively describe the variation of the tenacity of LCP fibers with MW both in the as-spun and in the heat-treated states. The theory further predicts that the predominant factor governing the tenacity of LCP fibers is primarily due to MW increase due to solid-state polymerization. It is also demonstrated that the intermolecular adhesion between LCP chains is relatively weak and does not improve with heat treatment. The absence of factors that limit the MW increase (i.e, imbalanced end-groups and side reactions of end groups) is a prerequisite for fast heat treatment of a LCP fiber to a high tenacity.Symbols A _f the cross-sectional area of a single polymer chain - E _f the theoretical modulus of a polymer chain - G _m the shear modulus of fiber - h(l) the chain length distribution function - l the chain length - l the number average chain length - l _c the length of chain units that are bonded to adjacent polymer chains - n ² 4G _m/CE_f - N _c the number of polymer chains per unit area perpendicular to the fiber axis - P _b the probability that a chain does not have a chain end in the fracture zone - P _e the probability that a chain has, at least, a chain end in the fracture zone - q _e,q _b the probability of finding an ending and a bridging polymer chain, respectively, in the fracture zone - l the length of fracture zone - the elongation of a polymer chain - the chain orientation angle - _f the normal stress that acts on a polymer chain - _fu the fiber tenacity - _e the shear stress that acts on a polymer chain surface Dedicated to Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfgang Hilger, Chairman of Hoechst A.G. in honor of his 60th birthday     

Relation between syneresis and rheological properties of particle gels

The relation between the tendency to exhibit syneresis of rennet (pH 6.65) and acid (pH 4.6) skim-milk gels and the rheological properties of these gels is discussed. Based on the syneresis model for milk gels of Van Dijk and Walstra [1, 4, 14, 19] it is reasoned that the average lifetime of the protein-protein bonds in the casein strands forming the gel network, the fracture force of these strands, and their flexibility are the main mechanical properties of importance. It is argued that the ratio of the loss modulus to the storage modulus (tan δ) as a function of the time scale of the measurement in dynamic experiments is a good measure of the first property. Results are given for rennet skim-milk gels at 25, 30, and 40°C and for an acid skim-milk gel at 30°C. Moreover, the stress strain relation and fracture behavior of both gels were assessed in creep measurements as a function of the duration of the applied stress. Rennet skim-milk gels have a lower fracture stress σ _f and therefore probably a lower fracture force per strand and a higher tan δ over long time periods than acid gels, while tan δ increases with temperature. As predicted, low fracture stresses and high tan δ correlated with an increased tendency to exhibit syneresis.     

Thermotropic gelation of ovalbumin 1. Viscoelastic properties of gels as a function of heating conditions and protein concentration at various pH values

A study has been undertaken of stress relaxation in ovalbumin thermotropic gels with a concentration of 8–20%, depending on time and temperature of heating (respectively, 20–60 min, 70°–110°C), at pH 2.5–10.0. In all instances, the dependence of the initial gel elasticity modulus on heating has a single maximum. Gelation conditions corresponding to this maximum are considered optimal. Optimal gelation time is 30 min, regardless of pH. On the other hand, the optimal heating temperature depends on pH. To the right and left of the isoelectric point of protein (2.5pH<4.0 and 5.5G) of gels on heating conditions, pH and protein concentration (X ₁,X ₂,X ₃,X ₄), as well as on time of relaxation (t) may be generally described asG(X ₁,X ₁,X ₁,X ₁,t)=G _e(X ₁,X ₂,X ₃,X ₄)f(t), whereG _e is the equilibrium value of the elasticity modulus, and f(t) the relaxation function. Thus, a change in the parameters only affects the value of the equilibrium elasticity modulus, and exerts no effect on the relaxation time spectrum. For this reason, all the relaxation curves obtained may be transformed into two normalized relaxation functions:f(t)=f(t)/f(1)=G(X ₁,X ₂,X ₃,X ₄,t)/G(X ₁,X ₂,X ₃,X ₄, 1)Each of these normalized functions corresponds to one of the homologous groups. Rheological similarity of gels in each homologous group evidently points to their structural similarity. Invariance of the gel relaxationproperties with regard to protein concentration, leads to a concentration dependence of the equilibrium modulus at various pH values. These dependences are curvilinear on a double logarithmic scale. The slope of the curve exceeds 2 in the entire concentration interval studied. In other words, the dependences obtained cannot be described by the usual law of squares. On the other hand, they adequately match Hermans theoretical relation for a network formed by random association of identical polyfunctional particles without cyclization. This simple model evidently gives a true picture of the major regularities of thermotropic gelation for ovalbumin. An agreement between this theory and experiment was achieved for a protein concentration ofC ^*=6.0±1.0% at the gel point regardless of pH. Invariance of gelpoint position with regards to pH demands further confirmation.List of symbols T _h,t _h heating temperature and time - T _h ^* ,t _h ^* optimal heating temperature and time - C protein concentration - C ^* protein concentration in gel-point - G relaxation modulus - G _e equilibrium modulus - f(t) relaxation function - t time of relaxation - f(t) normalized relaxation function - fT _A (t), f _B (t) normalized relaxation functions of groups A and B - G ₁ T _h,t _h-reduced modulus - G ₂ T _h,t _h, pH-reduced modulus - G ₃ C-reduced modulus - b ₁ T _h, t_h reduction parameter of modulus - b ₂ pH reduction parameter of modulus - b ₃ C reduction parameter of modulus - W_g gel-fraction     

Conformational changes of polyglutamic acid adsorbed on cationic polystyrene as characterized by microelectrophoresis technique

Polypeptides (polyglutamic acid in sodium form) of three different polymerization degrees have been adsorbed on cationic polystyrene latex. The electrokinetic behavior of the complex PG/PS has been studied by microelectrophoretic mobility. The effect of ionic strength and pH on electrokinetic properties of the complex PG/PS have also been studied. It has been found that the appearance of maximum inu _e -logc curves is related to coverage degree of polystyrene surface and the polymerization degree of polypeptides chains. Likewise, the form of such curves depends markedly on pH. An attempt has been made to explain the data in terms of conformational changes of the adsorbed polypeptides chains.Presented at the NATO Advanced Study Institut on Polymer Colloid, Strasbourg (France), July 1988.     

An interlayer model for the complex dielectric constant of composites

The complex dielectric constant of a composite with an interlayer was studied as a function of the volume fractions and the properties of the filler, the interlayer, and the matrix. The theoretical approach is analogous to the calculation of the shear modulus, the bulk modulus, and the termal expansivity of particulate filled polymers using the interlayer model (IM).An analytical expression describing the influence of an interlayer on the generalized dielectric constant of the composite as a function of the volume fraction and interlayer properties is derived.In the case of a composite with non-conductive constituents, the equations for static and oscillatory electric fields are similar. When conductive constituents are present, the complex dielectric constants have to be replaced by the generalized complex dielectric constants.For a composite of non-conductive materials, without interlayer, the obtained relation reduces to the classical Rayleigh equation. In the case of a composite with conductive constituents, also without interlayer, the complete solution of Wagner's theory is found. Special attention has been paid to the case of a water interlayer in a glass-bead filled non-conductive matrix material.     

Refraction effects and structural changes of hard elastic polypropylene (HEPP) during stretching

Small angle X-ray diffraction from hard elastic polypropylene 5M-45B (HEPP) of Celanese shows a sharp long streak along the equator indicating total reflection and refraction effects equivalent to 2000 Å long cylindrical parts within the fibre. The well known amorphous phase therefore does not exist in high modulus fibres similar to 11-times stretched samples of PE with fully extended chains. A new method is described which explains the observed scattering by means of shape functions. One term depends on the lamellae, the other one on the fibrils, whilst the third takes care of the correlations between terms 1 and 2. The latter does not interfere with the calculation because it is simply another well separated component of the equatorial scattering analysis previously described by Guinier. Fibrils exist between the lamellae for extensions greater than= 40%. Below this value the diffuse equator scattering is explained by 100 Å long gaps between the chain molecules; from 5 vol. % packing density at =0 % they increase to about 50 vol. % at=40 %. Here the gaps change their functions to become the surroundings of the fibrils. This thermodynamically-induced metamorphosis explains the metastable nature of the lamellae, the gaps and the fibrils, observed at=40 %. The pseudo-Hook domain disappears gradually during iterated strain-relaxation operations after 100 cycles. The stress-strain curve is similar, then, to that of a sulphur vulcanized natural rubber except that theE-modulus is now 100 times larger. The small angle scattering changes according to these phenomena: The number of lamellae becomes smaller and their mean distance increases to 2000 Å or more along the chain direction.     

Adhesive effect of high density polyethylene gels on polyethylene moldings

Adhesive effect of polyethylene moldings by use of high density polyethylene gels in organic solvents such as decalin, tetralin, ando-dichlorobenzene was investigated by shearing tests, electron microscope, and DSC measurements. All of the gels showed such a strong adhesive strength over 36 kg/cm² that polyethylene plates of 3 mm in thickness gave rise to necking sufficient for practical use, when heated at 120 °C for 2 h. In particular, the gel in tetralin showed a strong adhesive strength when heated at 110 °C. It was found that adhesive strength increases with the heating temperature; the temperatures at which adhesive strength begins to increase differ depending on the type of polyethylene sample and solvent. It is apparent that polyethylene gels exhibit an adhesive effect when they are heated at higher temperatures than the gel melting temperatures, and that the closer the SP values of solvents used for the gelation are to the molded polyethylene, the stronger the adhesion of the polyethylene molding.     

Radiation-induced crosslinking: III. Effect on the crystalline and amorphous density fluctuations of polyethylene

Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to determine density fluctuation in radiation-induced crosslinked polyethylene of varying degrees of crystallinity. Density fluctuation FL decreases with increasing crystallinity, while it increases linearly with increasing radiation dose or degree of crosslinking. By means of extrapolation, density fluctuations in the crystalline and the amorphous phasesFL _c andFL _a were obtained. At a given dose,FL _a is greater thanFL _c . The increase inFL _a with radiation is found to be much greater than that ofFL _c compared with the initial values at 0 Mrad,FL _c showing only a negligible increase event at 312 Mrad. The present findings suggest that crosslinks are not introduced within the crystalline phase; they take place primarily in the noncrystalline phase, in agreement with the conclusions reached previously on the basis of changes in crystalline and amorphous densities in irradiated polyethylene.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. W. Pechhold on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Micellization and surface activity ofn-alkyldimethylaminopropanesulfonates in aqueous solutions

Surface tension experiments were performed on severaln-alkyldimethylaminopropanesulfonate aqueous solutions at 15°, 25°, and 35°C. The critical micellar concentrations have been obtained and the surface properties calculated. The enthalpic and entropic contributions to either micellization and adsorption processes have been discussed. The observed properties have been related to the zwitterionic character of these surfactants.     

The properties and behavior of supermolecular formations in aging aqueous poly (vinyl alcohol) solutions

The structure of supermolecular formations and the interparticle interaction in aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions aging at different concentrations were investigated. Integral light scattering was used to determine the single particle scattering functionP(K), the structure functionS(K), and hence the radial distribution functiong(r). Nonrandom arrangement of the supermolecular formations in solutions under study is much less intensive than that of particles in polymer latices.     

Studies on cross-linkable copolyimides

Some new flexible and cross-linkable copolyimides containing rubbery unsaturated aliphatic chain moiety (CPLA) were prepared by low temperature polycondensation betweenm-phenylene diamine,bis- 3(4 carboxy phthalimido) benzene, and liquid, bis [2-(4 piperazinyl) ethyl aminocarbonyl] poly-(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) (ATBN) in (DMAC) solution. The effect of rubbery aliphatic moiety in these copolyimides on the polymer properties has been reported. A comparative study on the properties of these copolyimides (CPLA) with the mixture of ATBN and a low molecular-weight cross-linkable copolyimide possessing the same molecular structure as the aromatic moiety of CPLA polymers has been made.     

The orientational state of uniaxially stretched PMMA

Uniaxially stretched samples of PMMA were investigated by Brillouin Spectroscopy (BS). From the velocity of hypersound we could determine most of the elastic constants. Using a recently developed analysis [1] it is demonstrated that the properties of this polymer can be well described by the aggregate model. This result offers the possibility of mapping the mechanical properties by birefringence measurements. The dependence of the fourth momentP ₄ on the second momentP ₂ is identical with that determined for PC [2] and follows, in the measured range, that of an affine orientational state. Nevertheless, the dependence on the stretching ratio differs for different molecular weights. Thus the partition of the deformation into an orientational and an elongational contribution, as has been proposed [3], seems to be well founded.The partition depends on the stretching conditions.     

Changes in electrokinetic properties of natural rubber latex after surface chemical modifications

High-ammonia latex concentrate prepared from doubly-concentrifuged fieldHevea latex was exhaustively dialyzed to remove any residual water-soluble non-rubber constituents. The specially purified latex was then treated with specific chemical reagents to modify the surface ionogenic groupings originally present on the latex particle surface. The electrophoretic mobility of the modified latexes was investigated as a function of pH. The change in electrokinetic properties of the surface-modified latex was explained in terms of chemical modification to the ionogenic groups of the adsorbed layer of proteins and long chain fatty acid soaps on the latex particle surface, the negative charges of which are primarily responsible for the colloidal stability of the latex. For comparison direct extraction of the long-chain fatty acid soaps from the specially purified latex by solvent was also carried out. Present results indicate that the number of carboxyl groups from the adsorbed long-chain fatty acid soaps plays a major role in the stabilization of the latex concentrate. In comparison the contribution of negative charges from the adsorbed proteins towards the stability of the latex is of less importance.     

Adhesive effect of low-density polyethylene gels on polyethylene moldings

Adhesive effect of low density polyethylene (LDPE) gels in organic solvents such as decalin, tetralin, ando-dichlorobenzene on high density polyethylene (HDPE) moldings has been investigated by shearing tests, electron microscopy, and DSC measurements. When heated at 110°C for 2 h, all of the gels showed strong adhesive strengths around 30 kg/cm², which is sufficiently strong for practical uses. It has been found that the adhesive strength increases with the heating temperature and that the temperature at which the heated gel begins to exhibit the adhesive effect depends upon solvents and is about 30° lower than that of the HDPE gels.