Poly matrices

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-l54-phenylene oxide). It is well estabhshed that PS and PPO are miscible in all proportions and that the mbber particles from HIPS are distributed uniformly throughout the new mixed matrix. 

Poly(anhydrides). Poly(anhydrides) are another class of synthetic polymers used for bioerodible matrix, dmg dehvery implant experiments. 

Concrete Additives. Poly(vinyl acetate) was first used in concrete in the 1940s as a thermoplastic polymer to strengthen the concrete matrix. 

In practice, 1—10 mol % of catalyst are used most of the time. Regeneration of the catalyst is often possible if deemed necessary. Some authors have advocated systems in which the catalyst is bound to a polymer matrix (triphase-catalysis). Here separation and generation of the catalyst is easy, but swelling, mixing, and diffusion problems are not always easy to solve. Furthermore, triphase-catalyst decomposition is a serious problem unless the active groups are crowns or poly(ethylene glycol)s. Commercial anion exchange resins are not useful as PT catalysts in many cases. 

The thermoplastic or thermoset nature of the resin in the colorant—resin matrix is also important. For thermoplastics, the polymerisation reaction is completed, the materials are processed at or close to their melting points, and scrap may be reground and remolded, eg, polyethylene, propjiene, poly(vinyl chloride), acetal resins (qv), acryhcs, ABS, nylons, ceUulosics, and polystyrene (see Olefin polymers Vinyl polymers Acrylic ester polymers Polyamides Cellulose ESTERS Styrene polymers). In the case of thermoset resins, the chemical reaction is only partially complete when the colorants are added and is concluded when the resin is molded. The result is a nonmeltable cross-linked resin that caimot be reworked, eg, epoxy resins (qv), urea—formaldehyde, melamine—formaldehyde, phenoHcs, and thermoset polyesters (qv) (see Amino resins and plastics Phenolic resins). 

Poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) is another semicrystalline polymer used in the composites industry. PPS-based composites are generally processed at 330°C and subsequently cooled rapidly in order to avoid excessive crystallisation and reduced toughness. The superior fire-retardant characteristics of PPS-based composites result in appHcations where fire resistance is an important design consideration. Laminated composites based on this material have shown poor resistance to transverse impact as a result of the poor adhesion of the fibers to the semicrystalline matrix. A PPS material more recently developed by Phillips Petroleum, AVTEL, has improved fiber—matrix interfacial properties, and promises, therefore, an enhanced resistance to transverse impact (see PoLYAffiRS containing sulfur). 

Polyesters. Polyesters (qv) are widely used as the matrix for conventional composites. Two resins of particular importance because of the large amounts used are (poly(ethylene terephthalate) [25038-59-9] (PET) and poly(butylene terephthalate) [24968-12-5] (PBT). Although polyesters can be made from diacids and diols by direct condensation. 

Because of the aqueous solubiUty of polyelectrolyte precursor polymers, another method of polymer blend formation is possible. The precursor polymer is co-dissolved with a water-soluble matrix polymer, and films of the blend are cast. With heating, the fully conjugated conducting polymer is generated to form the composite film. This technique has been used for poly(arylene vinylenes) with a variety of water-soluble matrix polymers, including polyacrjiamide, poly(ethylene oxide), polyvinylpyrroHdinone, methylceUulose, and hydroxypropylceUulose (139—141). These blends generally exhibit phase-separated morphologies. 

Conducting polymer composites have also been formed by co-electrodeposition of matrix polymer during electrochemical polymerization. Because both components of the composite are deposited simultaneously, a homogenous film is obtained. This technique has been utilized for both neutral thermoplastics such as poly(vinyl chloride) (159), as well as for a large variety of polyelectrolytes (64—68, 159—165). When the matrix polymer is a polyelectrolyte, it serves as the dopant species for the conducting polymer, so there is an intimate mixing of the polymer chains and the system can be appropriately termed a molecular composite. 

Fig. 19. Inlerfacial shear strengths of various fiber/matrix composites as a function of the work of adhesion as determined by IGC. 1, glass fiber-poly (ethylene) 2, carbon fiber-epoxy B 3, carbon fiber-epoxy A and 4, carbon fiber-PEEK. Redrawn from ref. [102].

Figure 12.5 Effect of shifting the time window for the ti ansfer. Operation in the SEC-GC analysis of polymer additives in a poly styene matrix, shown foi the following fractions ...

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