Crystallinity elastomeric networks

In the simplest study of this type, Al-ghamdi and Mark [138] studied reinforcement of PDMS by two zeolites of different pore sizes. The zeolites were a zeolite 3A (pore diameter 3 A) and a zeolite 13X (pore diameter 10 A), both with a cubic crystalline structure. They were simply blended into hydroxyl-terminated chains of PDMS which were subsequently end-linked with tetraethoxysilane to form an elastomeric network. These elastomers were studied by equilibrium stress-strain measurements in elongation at 25°C. Both zeolites increased the modulus and related mechanical properties of the elastomer, but the effect was larger for the zeolite with the larger pore size. 

Linear Elastic and Rubber Elastic Behavior. Although stiffening is quite noticeable in the glassy regime of the amorphous phase, the most spectacular effect is seen in the rubber elastic regime phase, as already evoked in the case of reinforcement by cellulose whiskers (2). The PA6-clay hybrids example presented in Table 3 is quite representative of the situation encoimtered with semi crystalline thermoplastics, but elastomeric networks benefit as well of clay layer dispersion with a two- to threefold increase in modulus for polyurethane or epoxy networks... 

The crosslinks in an elastomeric network can also be temporary or physical aggregates, for example, the small crystaUites in a partially crystalline polymer or the glassy domains in a mulhphase triblock copolymer [3,7]. Addihonal informahon on the crosslinking of chains has been provided in the following sechons. 

This mechanical differential behaviour can be easily explained by the fact that, in main-chain LSCEs, all the azobenzene molecules are part of the main polymer backbone. In this way, the generation of the bent cis isomer of the azo chromophore in the elastomeric network uptm suitable illumination not only decreases the liquid-crystalline order at the molecular level but also affects dramatically the conformation of the main polymer backbone. On the other hand, in side-chain LSCEs, the different monomers are connected to the main polymer backbone through flexible spacers, which decreases significantly the coupling between the geometrical change suffered by the azo dye upmi isomerisation and the main polymer matrix. Therefore, in side-chain LSCEs, the photo-mechanical effect is mainly due to the alteration of the ordering of the system. As a result, the photo-mechanical effect becomes less notable in side-chain LSCEs. 

The segments derived from the condensation reaction of the butanediol and the diisocyanate agglomerate into separate phases, which are hard and crystalline. The elastomeric chains are thus cross-linked to form a network similar in many ways to that given by the simple... 

The field of thermoset polymers is an area of polymer science that has not yet been widely integrated with liquid crystal polymer research. It is interesting to note that Finkelmann et al. (5) reported on the formation of crosslinked elastomeric liquid crystalline networks in 1981. Although the general concept of a... 

The ionomer which was isolated from the neutralization of sample SBD-2 was a brown-colored elastic network of moderate strength. Ionomer samples SBD-1 and SBD-2, neutralized to the stoichiometric end point using KOH, were compression molded at 140°C and examined for tensile properties. The results, as shown in Figure 16, illustrate the profound influence of crystallinity on the elastomeric inner block. The semi-crystalline material (SBD-1) behaves much like a rigid plastic, while the amorphous sample (SBD-2) is an elastomer of moderate strength. 

In the above process, the formation of crystalline domains involves consecutive insertions from one of the lateral coordination sites of the catalyst so as to give rise to isotactic sequences, whereas consecutive insertions at the other site (2) give rise to atactic amorphous sequences. Interconversion between these two states must occur within the lifetime of a given polymer chain in order to generate a physically cross-linked network and is believed to occur via occasional isomerizations of the polymer chains (i.e., interconversion at the metal center). Preparation of an oscillating catalyst that yields an elastomeric polypropylene was also reported by others [441]. 

The general picture of the stress-strain response in the melt-spun synthetics is thus one of elastomeric extension of a rubbery network, which is constrained by being tied to the crystallites, as well as by internal bonding, up to stresses that cause a plastic disruption of the structure by further yielding of crystalline regions. 

In the phrase liquid-crystalline, the crystalline adjective refers to the faa that these materials are sufSdentiy ordered to diffract an X-ray beam in a way analogous to that of normal crystalline materials. On the other hand, the liquid part specifies that there is frequently sufSdent disorder for the material to flow like a liquid. liquid crystals can be divided into thermotropic, that exhibit a phase transition with change of temperature, and lyotropic, that exhibit phase transition as a function of both temperature and concentration of the LC molecules in a solvent. Both low molecular wdght materials and polymers " can show liquid crystallinity. In the case of polymers, it frequently occurs in very stiff chains such as the Kevlars and other aromatic polyamides. It can also occur with flexible chains, however, and it is these flexible chains in the elastomeric state that are the focus of the present discussion. LC networks of flexible chains have the following three properties (1) they can be extensively deformed (as described for elastomers throughout this book), (2) the deformation produces alignment of the chains, and (3) alignment of the chains is central to the formation of LC phases. Elastomers of this type have been the subject of numerous studies, as described in several detailed reviews. ... 

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