Elongation-at-break property

Standstrom [3] improved the elongation at break properties of tires by blending 70% di-poly(l,4-isoprene) with 30% poly(butadiene) containing a high trans content. The latter was prepared using barium di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether, tri-octyl aluminum, and n-butyllithium as the reaction catalyst mixture. 

Several polymers combine excellent ultraviolet resistance with good tensile and elongation at break properties as illustrated in Table 8.6. 

Several polymers combine excellent ultraviolet resistance with good tensile and elongation at break properties (Table 11.3). The storage modulus, alpha relaxation, and creep in polymers are influenced by electron irradiation. Thus, the creep of some polymers increased upon exposure to electron beam irradiation below 4 Mrad. Neutron/gamma irradiation also had an adverse effect on some polymer properties. Thus, some glass fiber-reinforced plastics lose 20%-40% of their flexural strength after exposure to neutron/gamma irradiation doses above 1 x 10 Gy [3]. 

Polyolefins. Interest has been shown in the plasticization of polyolefins (5) but plasticizer use generally results in a reduction of physical properties (12), and compatibiHty can be achieved only up to 2 wt %. Most polyolefins give adequate physical properties without plasticization. There has been use of plasticizers with polypropylene to improve its elongation at break (7) although the addition of plasticizer can lower T, room temperature strength, and flow temperature. This can be overcome by simultaneous plasticization (ca 15 wt % level) and cross-linking. Plasticizers used include DOA. 

Fig. 41. Typical stress—strain curve. Points is the yield point of the material the sample breaks at point B. Mechanical properties are identified as follows a = Aa/Ae, modulus b = tensile strength c = yield strength d = elongation at break. The toughness or work to break is the area under the curve.

Cured sihcone LIM mbber can be fabricated with physical properties equivalent to heat-cured mbber (385). Shore A hardness can range from 30 to 70, depending on formulations. Typical physical properties include tensile strengths as high as 9.7 MPa (1400 psi), 500—775% elongation at break, and tear strength of >30 N/mm (180 Ib/in.). Compression sets of less than 10% can be achieved if the material is baked after processing. 

Mamzen Oil Co. has developed various Ziegler-Natta catalysts that can produce poly(butadiene-i //-prop5iene) (PBR) (78). PBR shows tack (self-adhesion) and green (unvulcanized) dynamic properties superior to those of BR and EPDM. Carbon black-loaded vulcanizates can be compounded to give high strength and elongation at break (79,80). PBR can also be covulcanized with SBR, BR, and EPDM. 

Fig. 3. Elastomer properties as a function of monomer composition, butyl acrylate (BA), ethyl acrylate (FA), and methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA). (a), (—) glass-transition temperature (------------) swelling in ASTM No. 3 oil (b) (-) residual elongation at break, %, after heat aging.

An important appHcation is for filament-wound glass-reinforced pipe used in oil fields, chemical plants, water distribution, and as electrical conduits. Low viscosity Hquid systems having good mechanical properties (elongation at break) when cured are preferred. These are usually cured with Hquid anhydride or aromatic-amine hardeners. Similar systems are used for filament-win ding pressure botdes and rocket motor casings. 

Figure 12.20. Effect of change of plasticiser on the properties of polyvinyl chloride compounds. (a) Tensile strength, (b) Cold flex temperature, (c) BS softness number, (d) Elongation at break, (e) 100% modulus. (The Distillers Company Ltd.)...

As with other plastics materials, temperature has a considerable effect on mechanical properties. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 13.5 in the case of stress to break and elongation at break. Even at 20°C unfilled PTFE has a measurable creep with compression loads as low as 3001bf/in (2.1 MPa). 

Vulcanization changes the physical properties of rubbers. It increases viscosity, hardness, modulus, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and decreases elongation at break, compression set and solubility in solvents. All those changes, except tensile strength, are proportional to the degree of cross-linking (number of crosslinks) in the rubber network. On the other hand, rubbers differ in their ease of vulcanization. Since cross-links form next to carbon-carbon double bonds. 

Flexural modulus — 960 Ksi Tensile properties — 2860 psi Elongation at break — 4%... 

Compatibility and various other properties such as morphology, crystalline behavior, structure, mechanical properties of natural rubber-polyethylene blends were investigated by Qin et al. [39]. Polyethylene-b-polyiso-prene acts as a successful compatibilizer here. Mechanical properties of the blends were improved upon the addition of the block copolymer (Table 12). The copolymer locates at the interface, and, thus, reduces the interfacial tension that is reflected in the mechanical properties. As the amount of graft copolymer increases, tensile strength and elongation at break increase and reach a leveling off. 

Tests by Gatenholm et al. [8,10] on PHB-HV copolymers containing cellulose fibers (for example, the tradenamed Biopol) show that the mechanical properties of these systems are determined by the fiber and the fiber matrix interface on the one hand, and on the other hand by the composition of the matrix, that is, of HV proportion in the matrix. At an increased proportion of HV, the stiffness of the composite is reduced up to 30%, whereas elongation at break increases until about 60%. 

Epoxidized oils were also used to modify PLA Ali et ah (2009) reported that its use as a plasticizer to improve flexibility. Thermal and scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that epoxidized soybean oil is partially miscible with PLA. Rheological and mechanical properties of PLA/epoxidized soybean oil blends were studied by Xu and Qu (2009) Epoxidized soybean oil exhibited a positive effect on both the elongation at break and melt rheology. Al-Mulla et al. (2010b) also reported that plasticization of PLA (epoxidized palm oil) was carried out via solution casting process using chloroform as a solvent. The results indicated that improved flexibility could be achieved by incorporation of epoxidized palm oil. 

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