Property Terms Links

Polymer networks such as epoxies play an increasing role as adhesives in industry. Two properties are of special importance for their application (a) a strong adhesive bond is required between the solidified adhesive and the bonded object, which is often a metal (b) the mechanical stiffness of the adhesive has to be adapted to the desired level. As a consequence, the adhesive has to be selected according to its adhesion properties as well as its mechanical properties. Several studies have shown that both properties are linked as soon as the epoxy polymer layer is sufficiently thin the contact of the polymer with the substrate may induce in the polymer a broad interphase where the morphology is different from the bulk. Roche et al. indirectly deduced such interphases, for example from the dependence of the glass transition temperature on the thickness of the polymer bonded to a metal substrate [1]. Moreover, secondary-ion mass spectroscopy or Auger spectroscopy provided depth profiles of interphases in terms of chemical composition, which showed chemical variations at up to 1 pm distance from the substrate. 

In property terms, it follows that linear polymer films will have poor resistance to solvents (present in many household articles, e.g. nail varnish). Cross-linked films will be more resistant. 

We noted above that the presence of monomer with a functionality greater than 2 results in branched polymer chains. This in turn produces a three-dimensional network of polymer under certain circumstances. The solubility and mechanical behavior of such materials depend critically on whether the extent of polymerization is above or below the threshold for the formation of this network. The threshold is described as the gel point, since the reaction mixture sets up or gels at this point. We have previously introduced the term thermosetting to describe these cross-linked polymeric materials. Because their mechanical properties are largely unaffected by temperature variations-in contrast to thermoplastic materials which become more fluid on heating-step-growth polymers that exceed the gel point are widely used as engineering materials. 

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. 

Dl A. Supercoiling. Supercoiling is a topological property of closed-circular DNA molecules. Circular DNA molecules can exist in various conformations differing in the number of times one strand of the helix crosses the other. These different isomeric conformations are called topoisomers and maybe characterized in terms of the linking number, Ek. A linear DNA molecule having Nbase pairs and h base pairs per turn of the helix, if joined end to end, has the following ... 

Fibers. The principal type of phenoHc fiber is the novoloid fiber (98). The term novoloid designates a content of at least 85 wt % of a cross-linked novolak. Novoloid fibers are sold under the trademark Kynol, and Nippon Kynol and American Kynol are exclusive Hcensees. Novoloid fibers are made by acid-cataly2ed cross-linking of melt-spun novolak resin to form a fuUy cross-linked amorphous network. The fibers are infusible and insoluble, and possess physical and chemical properties that distinguish them from other fibers. AppHcations include a variety of flame- and chemical-resistant textiles and papers as weU as composites, gaskets, and friction materials. In addition, they are precursors for carbon fibers. 

There are three generally recognized classifications for sulfur vulcanization conventional, efficient (EV) cures, and semiefficient (semi-EV) cures. These differ primarily ki the type of sulfur cross-links that form, which ki turn significantly influences the vulcanizate properties (Eig. 8) (21). The term efficient refers to the number of sulfur atoms per cross-link an efficiency factor (E) has been proposed (20). 

Very recently, people who engage in computer simulation of crystals that contain dislocations have begun attempts to bridge the continuum/atomistic divide, now that extremely powerful computers have become available. It is now possible to model a variety of aspects of dislocation mechanics in terms of the atomic structure of the lattice around dislocations, instead of simply treating them as lines with macroscopic properties (Schiotz et al. 1998, Gumbsch 1998). What this amounts to is linking computational methods across different length scales (Bulatov et al. 1996). We will return to this briefly in Chapter 12. 

Many properties of silicates can be understood in terms of the type of network lattice formed. In the one-dimensional networks, shown in Figure 17-8, the atoms within a given chain are strongly linked by covalent bonds but the chains interact with each other through much weaker forces. This is consistent with the thread-like properties of many of these silicates. The asbestos minerals are of this type. 

Cross-linking agents have been proposed for the improvement of chitin fibres in the wet state. Epichlorohydrin is a convenient base-catalysed crosslinker to be used in 0.067 M NaOH (pH 10) at 40 °C. The wet strength of the fibres was considerably improved, whereas cross-hnking had neghgible effect on the dry fibre properties. Of course, the more extended the chemical modification, the more unpredictable the biochemical characteristics and effects in vivo. Every modified chitin or modified chitosan fibre should be studied in terms of biocompatibiUty, biodegradabiUty and overall effects on the wounded tissues. 

---