Chlorohydrin water swellable rubber compatibilized by an amphiphilic craft copolymer. I. Synthesis and characterization of compatibilizer PVA-g-PBA

The graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate onto poly(vinyl alcohol) with eerie ammonium nitrate as redox initiator in a aqueous medium has been investigated. The formation of graft copolymer was confirmed by means of IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The percentage of mononer conversion and percentage of grafting varied with concentrations of initiator, nitric acid, monomer, macromolecular backbone (X-n = 1750, M = 80 000), reaction temperature and reaction time. Some inorganic salts and organic solvents have a great influence upon grafting. The reaction mechanism has been explored, and rate equations for the reaction are established. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Cure processing modeling and cure cycle simulation of epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) .3. Determination of the time of pressure application

The curing temperature, pressure, and curing time have significant influence on finished thermosetting composite products. The time of pressure application is one of the most important processing parameters in the manufacture of a thermosetting composite. The determination of the time of pressure application relies on analysis of the viscosity variation of the polymer, associated with curing temperature and curing time. To determine it, the influence of the time of pressure application on the physical properties of epoxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether ketone) (E-PEK)-based continuous carbon fiber composite was studied. It was found that a stepwise temperature cure cycle is more suitable for manufacture of this composite. There are two viscosity valleys, in the case of the E-PEK system, associated with temperature during a stepwise cure cycle. The analysis on the effects of reinforcement fraction and defect content on the composite sheet quality indicates that the width-adjustable second viscosity valley provides a suitable pressing window. The viscosity, ranging from 400 to 1200 Pa . s at the second viscosity valley, is the optimal viscosity range for applying pressure to ensure appropriate resin flow during curing process, which enables one to get a finished composite with optimal fiber volume fraction and low void content. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.