A nanocomposite based on a styrene-acrylate copolymer and organically modified montmorillonite 2. Barrier and thermal properties

The results of an investigation into the barrier and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites prepared by blending a styrene-acrylate copolymer solution with a suspension of organically modified montmorillonite are presented. The influence of organomontmorillonite content on the barrier properties of the nanocomposite is investigated with the example of water vapor permeability. The experimental values of the permeability coefficient are compared with those calculated by using a model taking into account the increased path of diffusing water molecules caused by the shielding effect of plate like particles. The thermograms of differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range from −40 to 130°C are presented. The results of a thermogravimetric analysis for specimens heated in air to 800°C are also reported. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 503–516, July–August, 2006.     

A nanocomposite based on a styrene-acrylate copolymer and native montmorillonite clay 2. Modeling the elastic properties

A variant of stepwise determination of the elastic characteristics of quasi-isotropic polymer-silicate nanocomposites with randomly oriented platelike filler particles is considered. First, the elastic constants of transversely isotropic structural elements with coplanarly placed filler particles are obtained, and then they are averaged over all spatial directions by using the orientational averaging method. The characteristic features of the hierarchical structure of exfoliated and intercalated nanocomposites are also considered. The concentration dependences of elastic constants of a nanocomposite based on a styrene-acrylate copolymer and native montmorillonite clay are modeled, and the results obtained are compared with experimental data. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 235–246, March–April, 2006.     

A biodegradable polymer nanocomposite: Mechanical and barrier properties

The preparation of an environmentally friendly nanocomposite based on plasticized potato starch and unmodified montmorillonite clay is described. Data on the influence of montmorillonite concentration on the mechanical properties of the materials obtained are reported. The effective elastic constants of the nanocomposites are calculated. The calculation results are compared with experimental data. The influence of montmorillonite content on the moisture permeability is also investigated. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 61–76, January–February, 2008.     

Elasticity of composites with irregularly oriented shape-anisotropic filler particles

A variant of determining the elastic characteristics of composites containing irregularly oriented shape-anisotropic filler particles of two types (short fibers and thin platelets) is considered. The effective elastic constants of the composites are calculated by using the method of orientational averaging of elastic characteristics of isolated transversely isotropic structural elements reinforced with unidirectionally oriented short fibers or coplanarly arranged thin platelets. The superposition of elastic properties of the irregularly oriented structural elements, with account of their orientational distribution in the composite material, is accepted. The calculation results are compared with experimental data for the effective elastic moduli of polymeric composites reinforced with short glass fibers and of polymeric nanocomposites containing the platelet-type particles of organically modified montmorillonite. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 285–300, May–June, 2006.     

A fractal model of reinforcement of elastoplastic nanocomposites

Within the framework of fractal analysis and percolation theory, an alternative model of reinforcement of filled polymers is offered. Practically, this model can be used only to describe the reinforcement of nanocomposites, because, according to the treatment considered, a pronounced reinforcement can be reached only at ratios of filler particle diameter to the statistical segment length of about 10 and less. A theoretical calculation showed a good qualitative and quantitative agreement with experiments. The type of reinforcement mechanism of composites is determined by the type of the space (fractal or Euclidean) in which the structure of the polymeric matrix is formed. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 797–802, November–Decem ber, 2006.     

Local near-surface buckling of a system consisting of an elastic (viscoelastic) substrate,a viscoelastic (elastic) bond layer,and an elastic (viscoelastic) covering layer

Within the framework of a piecewise homogenous body model and with the use of a three-dimensional linearized theory of stability (TLTS), the local near-surface buckling of a material system consisting of a viscoelastic (elastic) half-plane, an elastic (viscoelastic) bond layer, and a viscoelastic (elastic) covering layer is investigated. A plane-strain state is considered, and it is assumed that the near-surface buckling instability is caused by the evolution of a local initial curving (imperfection) of the elastic layer with time or with an external compressive force at fixed instants of time. The equations of TLTS are obtained from the three-dimensional geometrically nonlinear equations of the theory of viscoelasticity by using the boundary-form perturbation technique. A method for solving the problems considered by employing the Laplace and Fourier transformations is developed. It is supposed that the aforementioned elastic layer has an insignificant initial local imperfection, and the stability is lost if this imperfection starts to grow infinitely. Numerical results on the critical compressive force and the critical time are presented. The influence of rheological parameters of the viscoelastic materials on the critical time is investigated. The viscoelasticity of the materials is described by the Rabotnov fractional-exponential operator. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 771–788, November–December, 2007.     

Deformation behavior and strength of unidirectional carbon fiber laminates

The elastic deformation behavior and the load-carrying capacity of unidirectional carbon fiber laminates under static loading at room and cryogenic (down to 77 K) temperatures are investigated. The possible ways of predicting their elastic and strength characteristics proceeding from the volume content and mechanical parameters of fibers and matrix are analyzed. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 583–598, September–October, 2006.     

On the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of low-density polyethylene/ethylene-α-octene copolymer blends

Blends of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) were obtained. The effect of EOC content and absorbed radiation dose on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of LDPE/EOC blends are investigated. Particular attention is given to a tensile stress-strain analysis and the “form-memory” effect of the blends. With growing LDPE content, the elastic modulus, the yield stress, and the thermorelaxation and residual stresses of the blends increase, but the ultimate elongation at break decreases, which is caused by the higher crystallinity of polyethylene. As a result of radiation-induced cross-linking, the elastic modulus, the yield stress (at a 1% strain), the ultimate yield strength, and the thermorelaxation and residual stresses increase, while the ultimate elongation at break and the melt flow-behavior index decrease, which is confirmed by the growing gel fraction in the blend. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 279–286, March–April, 2008.     

Effect of anisometry of a platelike nanofiller on the elastic constants of a transversely isotropic composite

Analysis results for the elastic properties of a composite with a small amount of coplanarly arranged platelike filler particles are presented. The geometrical form of the particles is described by an oblate ellipsoid of revolution. The calculations are performed by formulas obtained by using the Eshelby approach for media with a low concentration of inclusions. The effect of anisometry of the ellipsoidal particles and of the ratio between the elastic moduli of the filler and matrix on the effective elastic constants of the composite is discussed. Calculation results are compared with experimental data for the elastic moduli of a nanocomposite containing completely exfoliated particles of an unmodified montmorillonite. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 493–504, July–August, 2008.     

Influence of the concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the thermophysical properties of epoxy/CNT nanocomposites at low temperatures

The influence of the content of carbon nanofillers (multi-and single-wall nanotubes) on the thermophysical properties of epoxy nanocomposites was investigated on the temperature range from −150 to 150°C. A “plateau” was found to exist in the concentration dependence of thermal conductivity on the concentration interval from 0.1 to 1.0 wt.% carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The thermal conductivity of the CNT composites exceeded that of pure epoxy resin by about 40%. A further increase in CNT content de creased the conductivity, owing to increasing interfaces between the two phases and the additional thermal resistance caused by phonon scattering on them. It is found that the temperature interval of transition of the composite from a glassy to a viscoelastic state greatly depends on the filler type and concentration. There exists a critical concentration at which a drop in the glass-transition temperature by 30% can be observed. The reason is the undercure of binder as a result of interaction between CNTs and epoxy macromolecules, which reduces the cross-linking density of structure of the polymer. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 697–708, September–October, 2008.     

Buckling of stepped composite columns

The stability of elastic columns subjected to axial pressure is studied. An elastic multistepped column with rectangular cross sections are considered assuming that at the re-entrant corners of the column stable cracks are located. The influence of a crack on the loss of stability of the column is described by means of local flexibility and the function of compliance coupled with the stress intensity factor, which is known from the linear elastic fracture mechanics. A column with a single step is studied in more detail. The influence of crack location and length on the buckling load is assessed numerically. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 87–100, January–February, 2006.     

Numerical modeling of deformation and fracture of a multiphase polymer concrete

A numerical method for predicting the deformational and strength characteristics of a calcite-quartzitic polymer concrete from the known properties of its components is developed based on the finite-element method. Components of the material are assumed elastic and isotropic, and the filler particles are modeled by round inclusions perfectly bonded to the polymer matrix. The size distribution of the inclusions correspond to that of actual fillers. The destruction process of the components is simulated by sequentially excluding the particles in which the maximum principal stress has achieved the ultimate value for this component. A comparison of calculated and experimental characteristics of the polymer concrete showed errors of 2–4% for the elastic modulus and about 10% for the ultimate strength if the finite-element cell included not less than 20–30 average-size particles and 2–5 large ones. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 817–824, November–December, 2006     

Structure-stress relaxation relationship in polystyrene/fluorohectorite micro-and nanocomposites

Sodium fluorohectorite (FH) was incorporated into polystyrene (PS) in amounts of 4.5 and 7 wt.% by melt mixing, with and without latex precompounding. The latex precompounding was used for the latex-mediated predispersion of FH particles. The related masterbatch was produced by mixing PS latex with the water-swellable FH, followed by drying. The dispersion of FH in PS was studied by transmission-, scanning electron-, and atomic force microscopy techniques (TEM, SEM, and AFM, respectively). The stress relaxation in the PS composites was determined in short-term isothermal tests. The latter were performed at various temperatures between 25 and 75°C. The direct melt mixing of FH with PS resulted in microcomposites, whereas the masterbatch technique gave rise to nanocomposites. The master curves (relaxation modulus vs. time), constructed by applying the time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP), showed that the Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equation, the Maxwell model, and the Findley power law were fairly applicable to the experimental results obtained. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 709–722, September–October, 2008.     

Moisture permeability of a polymer nanocomposite containing unmodified clay

Results of an investigation into the kinetics of moisture sorption by an unfilled styrene-acrylate copolymer and a nanocomposite containing unmodified montmorillonite clay are reported. The sorption tests were performed at 25°C and different levels of the relative humidity of air up to 80%. The moisture diffusivity was calculated using Fick's equation for one-dimensional diffusion. Data on the influence of montmorillonite concentration on the coefficients of diffusion, solubility, and permeability are obtained. The experimental values of the permeability coefficient are compared with those calculated by using a model taking into account the increased path of a diffusing water molecule caused by the shielding effect of plate like filler particles. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 723–736, September–October, 2008.     

Identifying the elastic moduli of composite plates by using high-order theories

The study aims to predict the elastic and damping properties of composite laminated plates from measured dynamical characteristics. The elastic constants and damping properties of a laminated element are determined by using experimental data and the results of a multilevel theoretical approach. Solution examples for particular problems are given. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 35–50, January–February, 2008.     

Strength and deformation characteristics of poly(ethylene terephtalate)/elastomer blends

Changes in the toughness of crystalline poly(ethylene terephtalate) upon addition of two elastomers — ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer and ethylene-α-octene copolymer — are investigated. Blends with increasing elastomer content (up to 30 wt.%) were obtained and modified by γ-radiation up to a 300-kGy absorbed dose. The interrelation between the toughness and certain tensile characteristics (elastic modulus, yield stress, ultimate stress, elongation at break, and specific fracture energy) of the blends, with various structural features of components (crystallinity and the degree of cross-linking) and morphology of the blends, is discussed. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 521–534, July–August, 2008.     

Description of the elastic deformation and degradation of elastic properties of dispersedly failing isotropic materials

A model is put forward for describing the elastic deformation of a quasi-homogeneous isotropic material capable of accumulating scattered microdamages during loading, which eventually leads to its total failure. The degree of damage of the material at a point is characterized by a centrosymmetric scalar function on the unit sphere, named the damage function, whose values depend on a dimensionless equivalent stress. This function is approximated by a fourth-rank tensor, which is used to construct a constitutive relation between stresses and strains in a differential form. By way of example, the elastic deformation of concrete and the degradation of its linearly elastic properties are described, and the basic three-dimensional sections of the corresponding strength surface are constructed. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 193–208, March–April, 2006.     

Deformation of a composite plate on an elastic foundation by local loads

Bending of an elastic annular composite plate with a light filler lying on an elastic foundation is considered. The plate is subjected to local loads. To describe the kinematics of the package, asymmetric across its thickness, the hypotheses of broken normal is accepted. The reaction of foundation is described based on the Winkler model. A system of equilibrium equations is constructed, and its exact solution in displacements is found. Numerical solutions for a metal-polymer sandwich plate are presented. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 109–120, January–February, 2007.     

Pressure of an elastic half space on a rigid base with rectangular hole in the case of a liquid bridge between them

A model of contact between an elastic half space and a rigid base with a shallow surface rectangular hole is proposed. The hole contains an incompressible liquid and gas. The liquid occupies the middle part of the hole and forms a capillary bridge between the opposite surfaces. The remaining volume of the hole is filled with gas under a constant pressure. The liquid completely wets the surfaces of the bodies. The pressure drop at the liquid–gas interface caused by the surface tension is defined by the Laplace formula. The corresponding plane contact problem for the elastic half space is essentially nonlinear because the pressure of the liquid and the length of the capillary in the contact-boundary conditions are not known in advance and depend on the external load. The problem is reduced to a system of three equations (a singular integral equation for the function of height of the hole and two transcendental equations for the length of the capillary and the height of the meniscus). An analytic-numerical procedure for the solution of these equations is proposed. Dependences of the length of the capillary and the pressure drop at the liquid–gas interface on the external load, volume of liquid, and its surface tension are analyzed. Translated from Matematychni Metody ta Fizyko-Mekhanichni Polya, Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 150–156, January–March, 2008.     

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) nanocomposites for extreme mechanical and tribological loads

Nano-zinc sulfide (ZnS)- and nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites for use under extreme mechanical and tribological loads were developed and investigated systematically. The nanocomposites were manufactured with particle concentrations of 1 to 15 vol.% by using an optimized twin-screw extrud er technology. A simultaneous increase in the strength and elastic modulus of PEEK and an improvement in the tribological properties of PEEK/ZnS compounds were observed. Also, the specific wear rate decreased with increasing ZnS content, reaching its minimum at 3 vol.%. This minimum corresponded to a 60% reduction in the wear rate com pared with that of the neat PEEK. A wear map was re corded for the 3 vol.% composite, which depicted the in fluence of the sliding speed and the normal force on the wear rate over a wide range of parameters. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 289-298, March-April, 2009.