Studies on the fracture behaviour of polymer blends with special reference to PP/HDPE and PS/HIPS blends

Investigations on the fracture behaviour of polymer blends is the topic of this thesis. The blends selected are PP/HDPE and PS/HIPS. PP/HDPE blend is chosen due to its commercial importance and PS/HIPS blend is selected to study the transition from brittle fracture to ductile fracture.PP/HDPE blends were prepared at different compositions by melt blending at 180°C and fracture failure process was investigated by conducting notch sensitivity test and tensile test at different strain rates. The effects of two types of modifiers (particulate and elastomer) on the fracture behaviour and notch sensitivity of PP/HDPE blends were studied. The modifiers used are calcium carbonate, a hard particulate filler commonly used in plastics and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). They were added in 2%, 4% and 6% by weight of the blends.The study shows that the mechanical properties of PP/HDPE blends can be optimized by selecting proper blend compositions. The selected modifiers are found to alter and improve the fracture behaviour and notch sensitivity of the blends. Particulate fillers like calcium carbonate can be used for making the mechanical behaviour more stable at the various blend compositions. The resistance to notch sensitivity of the blends is found to be marginally lower in the presence of calcium carbonate. The elastomeric modifier EPDM produces a better stability of the mechanical behaviour. A low concentration of EPDM is sufficient to effect such a change. EPDM significantly improves the resistance to notch sensitivity of the blends. The study shows that judicious selection of modifiers can improve the fracture behaviour and notch sensitivity of PP/HDPE blends and help these materials to be used for critical applications.For investigating the transition in fracture behaviour and failure modes, PS/HIPS blends were selected. The blends were prepared by melt mixing followed by injection moulding to prepare the specimens for conducting tensile, impact and flexure tests. These tests were used to simulate the various conditions which promote failure.The tensile behaviour of unnotched and notched PS/HIPS blend samples were evaluated at slow speeds. Tensile strengths and moduli were found to increase at the higher testing speed for all the blend combinations whereas maximum strain at break was found to decrease. For a particular speed of testing, the tensile strength and modulus show only a very slight decrease as HIPS content is increased up to about 40%. However, there is a drastic decrease on increasing the HIPS content thereafter.The maximum strain at break shows only a very slight change up to about 40% HIPS content and thereafter shows a remarkable increase. The notched specimens also follow a comparable trend even though the notch sensitivity is seen high for PS rich blends containing up to 40% HIPS. The notch sensitivity marginally decreases with increase in HIPS content. At the same time, it is found to increase with the increase in strain rate. It is observed that blends containing more than 40% HIPS fail in ductile mode.The impact characteristics of PSIHIPS blends studied were impact strength, the energy absorbed by the test specimen and impact toughness. Remarkable increase in impact strength is observed as HIPS content in the blend exceeds 40%. The energy absorbed by the test specimens and the impact toughness also show a comparable trend.Flexural testing which helps to characterize the load bearing capacity was conducted on PS/HIPS blend samples at the two different testing speeds of 5mmlmin and 10 mm/min. The flexural strength increases with increase in testing speed for all the blend compositions. At both the speeds, remarkable reduction in flexural strength is observed as HIPS content in the blend exceeds 40%. The flexural strain and flexural energy absorbed by the specimens are found to increase with increase in HIPS content. At both the testing speeds, brittle fracture is observed for PS rich blends whereas HIPS rich blends show ductile mode of failure.Photoelastic investigations were conducted on PS/HIPS blend samples to analyze their failure modes. A plane polariscope with a broad source of light was utilized for the study. The coloured isochromatic fringes formed indicate the presence of residual stress concentration in the blend samples. The coverage made by the fringes on the test specimens varies with the blend composition and it shows a reducing trend with the increase in HIPS content. This indicates that the presence of residual stress is a contributing factor leading to brittle fracture in PS rich blends and this tendency gradually falls with increase in HIPS content and leads to their ductile mode of failure.

The effect of thermal conductivity of RIM moulds in kinetics cure

Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) is a moulding technology used for the production of large size and complex plastic parts. The RIM process is characterized essentially by the injection of a highly reactive chemical system (usually polyurethane) and fast cure, in a mould properly closed and thermally controlled. Several studies show that rapid manufacturing moulds obtained in epoxy resins for Thermoplastic Injection Moulding (TIM) affect the moulding process and the final properties of parts. The cycle time and mechanical properties of final parts are reduced, due to a low thermal conductivity of epoxy materials. In contrast, the low conductivity of materials usually applied for the rapid manufacturing of RIM moulds, increase the mechanical properties of final injected parts and reduce the cycle time. This study shows the effect of the rapid manufacturing moulds material during the RIM process. Several materials have been tested for rapid manufacturing of RIM moulds and the analysis of both, temperature profile of moulded parts during injection and the cure data experimentally obtained in a mixing and reaction cell, allow to determine and model the real effect of the mould material on the RIM process.

CHEMICAL MODIFICATION EFFECT on THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES of HIPS/COCONUT FIBER COMPOSITES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

SURFACE MODIFICATION of SUGARCANE BAGASSE CELLULOSE and ITS EFFECT on MECHANICAL and WATER ABSORPTION PROPERTIES of SUGARCANE BAGASSE CELLULOSE HDPE COMPOSITES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morphological, mechanical and rheological properties of nylon 6/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blends compatibilized with MMA/MA copolymers

The morphological, mechanical and rheological properties of nylon 6/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blends compatibilized with MMA-MA [poly(methyl methacrylate-comaleic anhydride)] copolymers were studied. A twin screw extruder was used for melt-blended the polymers and the injection moulding process was used to mold the samples. The main focus was on nylon 6/ ABS blends compatibilized with one MMA-MA copolymer. This copolymer has PMMA segments that appear to be miscible with the styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) phase of ABS and the anhydride groups can react with amine end groups of the nylon 6 (Ny6) to form graft copolymers at the interface between Ny6 and ABS rich phases. Tensile and impact and morphological properties were enhanced by the incorporation of this copolymer. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed that the ABS domains are finely dispersed in nylon 6 matrix and led to the lowest ductile-brittle transition temperatures and highest impact properties. It can be concluded that the MMA-MA copolymer is an efficient alternative for the reactive compatibilization and can be used as a compatibilizer for nylon 6/ABS blends.© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Análise da troca de calor em sistemas de injeção de termoplásticos – um estudo de caso: polipropileno

The purpose of this work was to define the processes through which the cooling of thermoplastics parts occur inside the mold cavity in an injection process. The plastic materials have become more widespread in the automobile industry and, among its manufacturing processes, injection moulding develops quickly, allowing the manufacturing of quality parts in great volumes. Data was collected from the injection of Volkswagen Gol NF 23X (Gol Generation 5). Using approximated methods for calculation for the heat Exchange inside the mould, in the cooling system, the required water flow was determined to properly cool the parts. Comparing the obtained value with Project specifications, it was verified that the method, in spite of incurring in some mistakes, is efficient in determining the flow of cooling fluid and serves as a verification tool for the parameters defined on project, and can be applied to simple projects. The definition of the cooling system, in practice, is dependent on innumerable variables and each case must be approached in itself, since the parameters for one product may not be ideal for another

Desenvolvimento de parafuso de interferência bioabsorvível para cirurgia de joelho em PLDL (poli ácido lático) e compósito PLDL + βTCP (beta trifosfato de cálcio)

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEB

Understanding the mechanical and biodegradation behaviour of poly(hydroxybutyrate)/rubber blends in relation to their morphology

In this work poly(hydroxybutyrate/poly(vinyl butyral)- co-(vinyl alcohol)-co(vinyl acetate) (or ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) blends were prepared by conventional processing techniques (extrusion and injection moulding). A droplet type morphology was obtained for P(3HB)/PVB blends whereas P(3HB)/EPDM blends presented some extent of co-continuous morphology. In addition, rubbery domains were much smaller in the case of PVB. These differences in morphology are discussed taking into account solubility parameters and rheological behaviours of each component. For both blends, the increase of elastomer ratio led to a decrease of Young's modulus but an increase in elongation at break and impact strength. The latter increased more in the case of P(3HB)/EPDM blends although the rubbery domains were larger. These results are explained in the light of the glass transition of the rubber and the presence of plasticizer in the case of PVB. The addition of elastomer also resulted in an increase of P(3HB) biodegradation rate, especially in the case of EPDM. It is assumed that, in this case, the size and morphology of the rubbery domains induce a geometrical modification of the erosion front which leads to an increase of the interface between P(3HB) phase and the degradation medium and consequently to an apparently faster biodegradation kinetics of PHB/rubber blends. Copyright (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Synthese und Strukturierung von funktionalisierten Oligothiophenen

AbstractIn this thesis t-BOC and methacrylate functionalisedoligothiophenes with 3 – 5 thiophene units where synthesizedby Stille coupling. The material was structured by methodslike stamping and photolithography.The polymerizability of the methacrylates was proved by thepolymerization in solution with AIBN and subsequent analysisby gel permeation chromatography and differential scanningcalorimetry. The conductivities of the doped polymer filmswere in the range published for oligothiophenes.The optical and electrochemical properties of the compoundswere measured and compared to known compounds.The cleavage of the t-BOC groups was followed bythermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The cleavagetemperature can be lowered by up to 100 °C by the use ofphoto acid generators. The cleavage is complete after 2hours annealing.The methacrylates were structured by microinjection mouldingin capillaries (MIMIC), stamping with soft silicone moulds,filling of patterned substrates and preperation of an opalreplica. By MIMIC line patterns with 5- 50 µm line widthswere obtained. The stamping succeeded in structures with 500nm line width only, on which liquid crystals wereorientated. This shows the possible application asorientation layers in LED’s with polarized emission. Withsilica opal templates the three-dimensional structuring ofthe oligomers succeeded.ZusammenfassungIn dieser Arbeit wurden neue funktionalisierteOligothiophene hergestellt und unter Anwendung verschiedenerVerfahren wie Stempeltechniken oder Photolithographiestrukturiert. Dazu wurden Oligothiophene mit drei bis fünfThiopheneinheiten durch Stille-Kupplung synthetisiert. Alsfunktionelle Gruppen wurden t-BOC-Ester undMethacrylsäureester eingeführt.Die Polymerisierbarkeit der Methacrylate wurde durch diePolymerisation mit AIBN in Lösung und anschließendeGelpermeationschromatographie und Differentialkalorimetrienachgewiesen. Die Leitfähigkeiten der dotierten Polymerfilmelagen im Bereich der für Oligothiophene bekannten Werte.Die optischen und elektrochemischen Eigenschaften derVerbindungen wurden untersucht und mit den Eigenschaftenbekannter Verbindungen verglichen. Die Abspaltung der t-BOC-Gruppen wurde thermogravimetrischund infrarotspektroskopisch verfolgt. Es wurde gezeigt, daßdie Abspaltungstemperatur durch den Zusatz einesPhotosäuregenerators um bis zu 100°C gesenkt wird und dieAbspaltung nach zweistündigem Tempern vollständig ist.Die methacrylatfunktionalisierten Verbindungen wurdenstrukturiert durch Micro Injection Moulding in Capillaries(MIMIC), Prägen mit weichen Silikonstempeln, Füllen vonstrukturierten Substraten und die Herstellung einerOpalreplika. Durch die Strukturierung mit MIMIC wurdenLinienstrukturen mit Linienbreiten von 5-50 µm erhalten.Durch Prägen wurden Strukturen mit Linienbreiten von nur 500nm erreicht, auf diesen gelang die Orientierung vonFlüssigkristallen. Dies zeigt die mögliche Anwendung alsOrientierungsschichten in Leuchtdioden mit polarisierterEmission. Durch die Verwendung von Siliziumoxidopalen alsTemplate gelang die dreidimensionale Strukturierung derOligomere.

Präzisionsguss auf Basis von RP-Matritzen

Einige mit geringen Schichtstärken arbeitende Concept Modellierer und Rapid Prototyping Anlagen können Modelle für das Feingießverfahren mit verlorenem Modell erzeugen. Verkörpern die verlorenen Modelle die Geometrie von Formeinsätzen für Spritzgießwerkzeuge, können über den Feinguss Formeinsätze aus Aluminium hergestellt werden. Untersuchungen zielten dabei auf die detailgetreue Umsetzung filigraner Teile mit Freiformgeometrien. Kleine Abmessungen im Grenzbereich zwischen klassischem Formenbau und Mikrofertigung wurden dabei realisiert. Das Fräsen dieser Formeinsätze oder Elektroden ist zum Teil nicht möglich oder führt zu erhöhtem Aufwand. Gleichzeitig konnten sehr kurze Durchlaufzeiten erreicht werden. Auf demselben Weg konnten auch Senkerodierelektroden gegossen werden, die beim Aufbau von Werkzeugen höherer Lebensdauer genutzt wurden. Werden unterschiedliche Varianten oder mehrere identische Einsätze oder Elektroden zum Beispiel für Mehrfachwerkzeuge benötigt, werden die Zeitvorteile noch deutlicher. Die Funktion beider dargestellter Wege konnte durch den Spritzguss von Versuchsserien erfolgreich demonstriert werden.

Intelligente Werkzeugtechnik- Harmonisieren der Temperatureinflüsse

Der Schlüssel zu Produktivität und Qualität in zahlreichen abformenden Prozessen ist eine optimale Temperierung, die bedingt, dass die Kühl- und Heißkanäle der Oberfläche angepasst sind. Eine Hauptrolle um Durchlaufzeiten und Werkzeugkosten zu senken und die Qualität zu steigern spielt die wirtschaftliche Erwärmung und Kühlung der Teile. Konventionelle Arten der Temperierung können diesen Anforderungen nicht gerecht werden. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit zwei neuen Prozesskombinationen: a) Intelligente Werkzeugtechnik mit erfolgreicher industrieller Anwendung, hauptsächlich für Spritz- und Druckgusswerkzeuge. b) Neue Prozessketten für Formen mit geöffnetem Formstück oder RTM (englisch: Resin Transfer Moulding) mit Verwendung der inkrementellen Blechumformung

Besonderheiten bei der Auslegung und Gestaltung lasergesinterter Bauteile

Mit der Entwicklung der losgrößenunabhängigen, additiven Fertigungsverfahren eröffnen sich vollkommen neue Wege zur Realisierung von komplexen Integralbauteilen bei niedrigen Stückzahlen. Bei der Bauteilgestaltung müssen (verglichen mit traditionellen Herstellverfahren, beispielsweise Spritzgießen) weniger Fertigungsrestriktionen beachtet werden. Dennoch ist die Gestaltungsfreiheit nicht unbegrenzt. In diesem Beitrag werden basierend auf dem Gedanken des Fertigungsgerechten Konstruierens Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen bei der Gestaltung von additiv gefertigten Bauteilen herausgestellt. Darauf aufbauend werden Potenziale aufgezeigt, wie Produktentwickler in Zukunft bei der Auslegung und Gestaltung solcher Produkte unterstützt werden können.

Intelligente Werkzeugtechnik - Harmonisieren der Temperatureinflüsse

Der Schlüssel zu Produktivität und Qualität in zahlreichen abformenden Prozessen ist eine optimale Temperierung, die bedingt, dass die Kühl- und Heißkanäle der Oberfläche angepasst sind. Eine Hauptrolle um Durchlaufzeiten und Werkzeugkosten zu senken und die Qualität zu steigern spielt die wirtschaftliche Erwärmung und Kühlung der Teile. Konventionelle Arten der Temperierung können diesen Anforderungen nicht gerecht werden. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit zwei neuen Prozesskombinationen: a) Intelligente Werkzeugtechnik mit erfolgreicher industrieller Anwendung, hauptsächlich für Spritz- und Druckgusswerkzeuge. b) Neue Prozessketten für Formen mit geöffnetem Formstück oder RTM (englisch: Resin Transfer Moulding) mit Verwendung der inkrementellen Blechumformung.

Experimental studies on the accuracy of wax patterns used in investment casting

Investment casting is often used to produce fully functional prototype components from sacrificial patterns. These patterns (prototypes) may be made using specialized rapid prototyping techniques such as stereolithography or three-dimensional printing. When multiple functional prototypes are required, interim tools for making wax patterns are employed. The objective of this research work was to determine the precision and accuracy of wax patterns produced using several prototype tools. Linear contraction was used to determine the accuracy as a function of the wax injection parameters used in low-pressure injection moulding. Wax patterns were produced using polyurethane and silicone rubber tools. It has been shown that the accuracy of patterns from both tools is similar. However, silicone tools produce patterns with much higher contraction than those produced by polyurethane tools. Unconstrained patterns dimensions contracted as much as 3.44 +/- 0.40 per cent and 1.70 +/- 0.60 per cent for silicone and polyurethane tools respectively. The constrained dimensions contracted by 2.20 +/- 0.20 per cent in the case of silicone tools and 1.40 +/- 0.20 per cent in the case of polyurethane tools.