Structural silicone sealants after exposure to laboratory test for durability assessment

During the service life of structural sealant glazing (SSG) facades, the load-bearing capacity of the silicone bonds needs to be guaranteed. Laboratory tests can assess the durability of SSG-systems based on mechanical characteristics of the bond after simultaneous exposure to both climatic and mechanical loads. This article studies how the material characteristics of two common structural sealants are affected by laboratory and field exposure. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirms a reduction in the dynamic modulus of exposed silicone samples. Results from thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle X-ray scattering/wide-angle X-ray scattering show differences between the two sealants and indicate no/minor changes in the composition and morphology of the laboratory and field exposed sealants. Mechanical characterization methods, such as DMA, and tensile and shear testing of the structural bond, are shown to be sensitive toward the combined climatic and mechanical loadings, and are hence suitable for studying degradation mechanisms of structural sealants.     

Improved compatibility of PET/HDPE blend by using GMA grafted thermoplastic elastomer

ABSTRACT

Herein, graft-modified ethylene-1-octene copolymer (POE-g-GMA) and styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBS-g-GMA) were found to be excellent reactive compatibilizers for immiscible poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blends via in-situ reaction compatibilization. With increase in compatibilizer amount, uniform phase morphology was observed in all the blends. Thus, exhibiting enhanced mechanical properties, especially, the notched Izod impact strength. In comparison with SBS-g-GMA, compatibilizer POE-g-GMA demonstrated greater impact on the compatibility. The addition of 15% POE-g-GMA produced blends with best mechanical properties. Besides, both POE-g-GMA and SBS-g-GMA enhanced the melt viscosity of PET/HDPE blends.     

New ways to improve the damping properties in high‐performance thermoplastic vulcanizates

The incorporation of viscoelastic materials represents an effective strategy to reduce the vibratory level of structural components. Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are a special type of viscoelastic material that combines the elastomeric properties of rubbers with the easy processing of thermoplastics. In the present work, we propose innovative ways to improve the damping properties of high‐performance TPVs by using rubbers with carboxylic functionalities. For that, TPVs from physical blends of carboxylated hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (XHNBR) and polyamide 6 (PA6) were prepared. The chain dynamics of different mixed crosslink systems containing peroxide, metal oxides and hindered phenolic antioxidants were investigated in order to find the most suitable strategy to design a high‐performance TPV system with upgraded damping properties. The results indicate that the damping performance of the TPV system can be tailored by controlling the type and magnitude of the bonding interactions between the mixed crosslink system and the XHNBR rubber phase. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of TPV systems containing carboxylic rubbers as high‐performance damping materials. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermoplastic and low dielectric constants polyimides based on BPADA-BAPP

ABSTRACT

The thermoplastic and low dielectric constants polyimides were introduced. The polyimides were prepared by pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) or 4,4?-(4,4?-Isopropylidenediphenoxy)diphthalic anhydride (BPADA) as anhydride monomer and 4,4?-oxydianiline (ODA) or 2,2-bis(4-(4-aminephenoxy)phenyl)propane (BAPP) as amine monomer. The polyimides were well characterized by FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic thermomechanical analysis, dielectric measurement, and tensile test. The dielectric constants were 2.32–2.95 compared with 3.10 of ODA-PMDA polyimide, while partly polyimides were thermoplastic. The results indicated anhydride monomers, containing lateral methyl groups, made polyimides become thermoplastic. The results of molecular simulations via Materials Studio also proved this conclusion.     

Effect of temperature on the performance of laterally constrained dielectric elastomer actuators with failure modes

This article analytically investigates the temperature influence on the performance of laterally constrained dielectric elastomer actuators. The effects of both temperature and stretches on the permittivity are taken into consideration. The governing equations of state are established by modeling the actuator as a thermodynamic system of three degrees of freedom. Various failure modes, including electromechanical instability, electric breakdown, loss of tension, and tensile rupture are considered to restrict the operation state and to determine the region of allowable state. Numerical calculations are performed to depict the variations of some important physical quantities with generalized coordinates and to gain insight on the influence of temperature on the critical curves of failures. It is shown that the temperature has obvious effects on the operation state and the allowable region. The present results can be used for designing and optimizing an actuator, and the present approach can be extended to other kinds of dielectric elastomer actuators with complex geometries.     

Amide-containing segmented copolymers

This review highlights the synthesis, physical properties, and emerging technologies of state-of-the-art segmented copolymers containing amide hydrogen bonding sites. Amide hydrogen bonding plays a crucial role in the physical properties associated with amide-containing segmented copolymers. Amide hard segments are accessible in many different forms from amorphous alkyl amides to crystalline aramids and greatly influence copolymer morphology and mechanical properties. Variations in copolymer structure allow for the fine tuning of physical properties and the ability to predict mechanical performance based upon structural modifications. This review includes various synthetic methods for producing well-defined amide-containing segmented copolymers as well as common applications. Also, the morphological and mechanical properties associated with modifications in copolymer structure are discussed.     

Electro-Thermal model of thermal breakdown in multilayered dielectric elastomers

Energy transduction of dielectric elastomers involves minute electrical and mechanical losses, both of which potentially increase the temperature within the elastomer. Thermal breakdown of dielectric elastomers occur when heat generated therein cannot be balanced by heat loss on the surface, which is more likely to occur in stacked dielectric elastomers. In this article an electro-thermal model of a multilayered dielectric elastomer able to predict the possible number of layers in a stack before thermal breakdown occurs is presented. Simulation results show that point of breakdown is greatly affected by an increase in surrounding temperature and applied electric field. Furthermore, if the stack diameter is large, thermal insulation of the cylindrical surface is a valid approximation. Two different expressions for the electrical conductivity are used, and it is concluded that the Frank-Kamenetskii expression is more conservative in prediction of point of breakdown than the Arrhenius expression, except at high surrounding temperature. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 859–864, 2019