Mechanical properties polyethylene oxide

Gilbert JL, Merkhan 1. Rate effects on the microindentation-based mechanical properties of oxidized, crosslinked, and highly crystalline ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene. J Biomed Mater Res 2004 71A(3) 549-58. 

Chlorosulfouated polyethylene (Hypalou) 250 Excellent resistance to oxidizing chemicals, ozone, weathering. Relatively good resistance to oils, grease. Poor resistance to aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons. Good mechanical properties. 

From the analyses of NMR and electron-spray ionization mass (ESI-MS) spectroscopy, the polymers obtained from the polymerization of cyclic disulfides were found to be a cyclic structure [202], The cyclic structure consisting of poly(DT) is assumed to be formed by a backbiting reaction of propagating species [203]. Thermal and mechanical properties of the polymers, and decomposition behaviors of the polymers demonstrate that the polymers obtained from thermal polymerization of cyclic disulfides include a polycatenane structure. From polymerization of cyclic disulfides in the presence of cyclic polyethylene oxide), a polycatenane consisting of two different cyclic polymers was obtained [199]. Thus, poly(DT) contains spatial entanglements of cyclic polymers with each other (a polycatenane structure was presumed) (Fig. 61). 

Polyethylene oxide) (PEO) is a semicrystalline water-soluble polymer [64, 65], with a crystallinity that is very sensitive to the thermal history of the sample, making this property interesting as an indicator of degradation. Because it is biodegradable and biocompatible, PEO is a good candidate for environmental and medical applications [66-68]. The mechanisms of thermo- and photo-oxidation of PEO have already been investigated [69, 70] on the basis of IR identification of the oxidation products and are summarized in Scheme 10.1. 

Non-ionic polymers are less dependent on parameters such as pH levels and electrolyte concentration of the surrounding fluids. The main mechanism of mucoadhesion seems to be just physical by interpenetration and subsequent chain entanglement. Some of the polymers such as polyethylene oxide can additionally form hydrogen bonds, but still play only a minor role in macro-molecular drug delivery due to less pronounced mucoadhesive properties than the above-described charged polymers. 

To further explore the influence of silica material properties (morphology, surface area, silanol concentration, and surface treatment) on the silica flame-retardant properties, various types of silicas (silica gel, fumed silicas, and fused silica) were investigated.50 51 Material properties of the various silicas are summarized in Table 8.6. These different types of silicas were added to polypropylene and polyethylene oxide to determine their flame-retardant effectiveness and mechanisms. Polypropylene was chosen as a non-char-forming thermoplastic, and polyethylene oxide was chosen as a polar slightly char-forming thermoplastic. Flammability properties were measured in the cone calorimeter and the mass loss rate was measured in the radiative gasification device in nitrogen to exclude any gas phase oxidation reactions. 

In contrast to stabilizers, fire retardants must be added in much higher concentrations, which affect thermal and mechanical properties as well as cost. Sherr and co-workers report that novel derivatives of phosphine oxides, phosphonic acids, phosphinic acid, and phosphonium halides may be used generally in concentrations as low as 2.5-5 p.p.h. to be effective fire retardants in polyethylene and poly (methyl methacrylate). 

Ionically conducting polymers and their relevance to lithium batteries were mentioned in a previous section. However, there are several developments which contain both ionically conducting materials and other supporting agents which improve both the bulk conductivity of these materials and the properties of the anode (Li)/electrolyte interface in terms of resistivity, passivity, reversibility, and corrosion protection. A typical example is a composite electrolyte system comprised of polyethylene oxide, lithium salt, and A1203 particles dispersed in the polymeric matrices, as demonstrated by Peled et al. [182], By adding alumina particles, a new conduction mechanism is available, which involved surface conductivity of ions on and among the particles. This enhances considerably the overall conductivity of the composite electrolyte system. There are also a number of other reports that demonstrate the potential of these solid electrolyte systems [183],... 

Especially above room temperature many polymers degrade in an air atmosphere by oxidation that is not light-induced (heat ageing). A number of polymers already show a deterioration of the mechanical properties after heating for some days at about 100 °C and even at lower temperatures (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(oxy methylene) and poly(ethylene sulphide)). 

Muratoglu, O.K. Bragdon, C.R. O Connor, A.S. Jasty, M. Harris, W.H. A novel method of cross-linking ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene to improve wear reduce oxidation, and retain mechanical properties. J. Arthoplasty 2001, 16, 149-160. 

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