Cross-linking dynamic

Other PDMS—sihca-based hybrids have been reported (16,17) and related to the ceramer hybrids (10—12,17). Using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and saxs, the microstmcture of these PDMS hybrids was determined to be microphase-separated, in that the polysiUcate domains (of ca 3 nm in diameter) behave as network cross-link junctions dispersed within the PDMS oligomer-rich phase. The distance between these... 

The volatile content of the treated paper is important because moisture acts as a temporary plasticizer to promote resin flow during early stages of pressing (9). Dynamic mechanical analysis of the treated paper is a very useful means to study the initial flow stages of a resin and the cure time required to complete cross-linking (10). 

During the press operation, which is actually a form of compression mol ding, the resin-treated laminate pHes are heated under pressure and the resins cured. The initial heating phases cause the resin to melt and flow into voids in the reinforcing ply and bond the individual pHes together. The appHed heat simultaneously causes the resin to polymerize and eventually to cross-link or gel. Therefore, resin viscosity reaches a minimum during the press cycle. This is the point at which the curing process becomes dominant over the melt flow process. Dynamic mechanical and dielectric analyses (11) are excellent tools for study of this behavior. 

In general, however, the vulcanizates suffer from poor low temperature crystallization performance compared to a conventional sulfur cure, and also have inferior tensile and tear properties. Urethane cross-linking systems (37), eg, Novor 950 (see Table 3) are also extremely heat resistant, but exhibit inferior tensile and dynamic properties compared to conventional sulfur-cured vulcanizates. One added virtue is that they can be used in conjunction with sulfur systems to produce an exceUent compromise according to the ratios used (38). 

The more important grades of thermoplastic natural mbber, which fall into the olefinic class of thermoplastic elastomers, are prepared with the natural mbber phase partially cross-linked during blending, a process known as dynamic vulcanization. The hardness of the soft blends is controlled by the natural mbber content, and typical properties of those of 50—90 hardness (Shore A) are shown in Table 7. 

In addition to the above techniques, inverse gas chromatography, swelling experiments, tensile tests, mechanical analyses, and small-angle neutron scattering have been used to determine the cross-link density of cured networks (240—245). Si soHd-state nmr and chemical degradation methods have been used to characterize cured networks stmcturaHy (246). H- and H-nmr and spin echo experiments have been used to study the dynamics of cured sihcone networks (247—250). 

B = Blend of the two components (27) DV = dynamically vulcanized product in which the elastomer has been cross-linked during mixing (30). 

The production of the hard polymer/elastomer combinations is more simple. The two components are mixed together under conditions of intensive shear. In some cases, grafting may occur. In a variation of this technique, the elastomer can be cross-linked while the mixing is taking place, a process described as dynamic vulcanization (32). 

The soft phase is dynamically vulcanized, ie, cross-linked during mixing (32). 

Krulis et al. [27] also described the dynamic cross-linking as a route to improve the mechanical properties. 

Finer dispersion of silica improves the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of the resultant composites. Figure 3.11a and b compares the tensile properties of the acrylic copolymer and terpolymers in the uncross-hnked and cross-linked states, respectively. 

A more detailed study has looked at the stmctural model of cross-linked E-plastomers. The purpose of this study was to develop correlations between dynamic properties such as the hysteretic loss and compression set of E-plastomers with key microstmctural variables such as density and molecular weight. 

Elastomeric composition for dynamic application of cross-linked E-plastomers has been made with filer-reinforced systems which contain a metal salt (typically zinc) of an alpha, beta unsaturated acid. These additives improve the tensile and tear strength of the elastomer and are cured with a peroxide cure system. These cross-linked articles are suitable for dynamic loading applications such as belting, including power transmission and flat belting. 

Both dynamic permanent set and oil swell resistance are improved on addition of Perkalink 900, indicative of the greater thermal and mechanochemical strength of the cross-links formed from Perkalink 900 compared to sulfidic cross-links. Data are shown in Figures 14.25 and 14.26. 

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