Curing density

Using simple laboratory equipment, it is possible to detect variations of the density of the order of 1 kg m-3 therefore, density measurements would be useless for diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and diamino diphenyl methane (DGEBA-DDM), because both components have close Ma values. They would be moderately sensitive for unsaturated polyesters of maleate/ phthalate (1/1) of propylene glycol crosslinked by styrene (36 wt%), and relatively sensitive for DGEBA cured by diamino diphenyl sulphone (DDS) or phthalic anhydride (PA), for which relative variations of the molar ratio y of about 5% could be detected. In certain cases, where some comonomer (PA or styrene) can be lost by evaporation during the cure, density measurements can constitute a simple and efficient method of control way (e.g., for non-filled materials). 

Laboratory batches of compounded rubber samples were obtained from either Smithers Laboratories of Akron, Ohio, or Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Proper cure conditions were determined for each compound as per ASTM D 20845-79 through the use of a Monsanto lOOS oscillating disk rheometer. Samples used for experimental purposes were cured to 90% of optimum cure. Density was determined by Archimedes method. 

Vibrationai Resonance frequency and damping factor Modulus of elasticity, geometry, degree of cure, density, reinforcement ratio, porosity, damage accumulation, delamination... 

SjDD - stress at 100, 200, 300% elongation [MPa], TS - tensile strength [MPa], Eb - relative elongation at break [%], - curing density of vulcanizates calculated using the... 

Propellants cast into rockets are commonly case-bonded to the motors to achieve maximum volumetric loading density. The interior of the motor is thoroughly cleaned, coated using an insulating material, and then lined with a composition to which the propellant binder adheres under the environmental stresses of the system. The insulation material is generally a mbber-type composition, filled with siUca, titanium dioxide, or potassium titanate. SiUca-filled nitrate mbber and vulcanizable ethylene—propylene mbber have been used. The liner generally consists of the same base polymer as is used in the propellant. It is usually appHed in a thin layer, and may be partially or fully cured before the propellant is poured into the rocket. 

During the vulcanization, the volatile species formed are by-products of the peroxide. Typical cure cycles are 3—8 min at 115—170°C, depending on the choice of peroxide. With most fluorosihcones (as well as other fluoroelastomers), a postcure of 4—24 h at 150—200°C is recommended to maximize long-term aging properties. This post-cure completes reactions of the side groups and results in an increased tensile strength, a higher cross-link density, and much lower compression set. 

Urea.—Forma.IdehydeResins. Cellular urea—formaldehyde resins can be prepared in the following manner an aqueous solution containing surfactant and catalyst is made into a low density, fine-celled foam by dispersing air into it mechanically. A second aqueous solution consisting of partially cured urea—formaldehyde resin is then mixed into the foam by mechanical agitation. The catalyst in the initial foam causes the dispersed resin to cure in the cellular state. The resultant hardened foam is dried at elevated temperatures. Densities as low as 8 kg/m can be obtained by this method (117). 

A typical resin has an initial molecular weight of 150 to perhaps 1500. For systems of unsubstituted phenols, the final cross-link density is 150—300 atomic mass units (amu) per cross-link. In other words, 25—75% of the ring-joining reactions occur during the cure phase. 

Foam. PhenoHc resin foam is a cured system composed of open and closed ceUs with an overall density of 16—800 g/cm. Principal appHcations are in the areas of insulation and sponge-like floral foam. The resins are aqueous resoles cataly2ed by NaOH at a formaldehyde phenol ratio of ca 2 1. Free phenol and formaldehyde content should be low, although urea may be used as a formaldehyde scavenger. 

A mixture of PhenoHc MicrobaUoons and resin binder has a putty-like consistency. It can be molded to shape, troweUed onto surfaces, or pressed into a core. Curing gives a high strength, low density (0.144 g/cm ) foam free of voids and dense areas, and without a brittle skin. Syntactic foams are used in widely diverse appHcations, including boat flotation aids stmctural parts in aircraft, submarines, and missiles stmctural cores for waU panels and ablative heat shields for reentry vehicles and rocket test engines. 

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). 

The compression set of sihcone mbber is similar to organic types of mbber at low (0—50°C) temperatures, ranging from 5 to 15% (380). Above 50°C, sihcone mbber is superior, but compression set increases with time and temperature. Sihcone mbber is more tear-sensitive than butyl mbber, and the degree of sensitivity is a function of filler size and dispersion, cross-link density, and curing conditions. The electrical properties of sihcone mbber are generally superior to organic mbbers and are retained over a temperature range from —50 to 250°C (51). Typical electrical values for a heat-cured sihcone mbber are shown in Table 9. 

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