Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites

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Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polymer
Nanocomposites

• December 7, 2001
• Georgina B. Higginbotham
• Dr. Richard Chung, Advisor

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OVERVIEW

• Introduction
• Statement of Problem
• Project Objectives
• Methodology
• Experiments
• Time Table
• Safety Concerns
• Impact
• Cost Analysis
• Conclusion

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INTRODUCTION

• Nanocomposites are one of the rapid growing areas
  in nanotechnology fields
• Nanocomposite - defines as a two-phase material
  in which one of the phases has a dimension in the
  nanometer range
• Nanomaterials differ from their identical
  chemically conventional counterparts because of a
  breakdown of scaling laws

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INTRODUCTION (contd)

• Key Terms
• Montmorillonite is a crystalline layered
• clay mineral
• Exfoliated structures consist of well separated
  clay layers and that are individually dispersed
  in the polymer matrix
• Intercalated structures consist of limited
  dispersion of polymer chain within in the clay
  layers

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INTRODUCTION (contd)

• Nanocomposites are made of inorganic particles
  dispersed in a polymer matrix

Kornmann, Xavier, Polymer-layered silicate
nanocomposites, www..instmat.co.ulc/iom/organisat
ions/escm/nanocomposites.pdf
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INTRODUCTION (contd)

• Inorganic particles can significantly improve
  properties of original material
• Manipulation of a material at the nano-scale
  creates new design opportunities for material
  properties

Kornmann, Xavier, Polymer-layered silicate
nanocomposites, www.instmat.co.ulc/iom/organisati
ons/escm/nanocomposites.pdf
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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

• Operating conditions of processes are proprietary
• Limited resources available
• Provide a working manufacturing process to
  produce a polymer nanocomposite that can be
  utilized as a platform for further development

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PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Conduct an extensive study on existing
  manufacturing processes
• Simulate two processes using thermosetting epoxy
  matrix and thermoplastic polypropylene matrix
• Optimize a process by which thermoset and
  thermoplastic nanocomposites can be produced
• Evaluate material properties such as
  decomposition temperature, chemical composition,
  glass transition (Tg), hardness and toughness

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METHODOLOGY

• Four methods are currently used
• - solution polymerization dissolving both
  polymer
• and inorganic particles in solvent
• - in-situ polymerization polar monomer
  solution,
• clay particles swell in monomer
• - melt intercalation blends molten
  thermoplastic
• and inorganic particles, shear force used
  to
• maximize interactions
• - in-situ formation hydrothermal
  crystallization of
• silicate layers in an aqueous polymer gel

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METHODOLOGY (contd)

• Two methods were chosen for study based on
  literature review and available equipment at
  SJSU laboratories
• -melt intercalation
• -in-situ polymerization
• Two phases will be conducted during this study

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PHASE I

• Tasks Accomplished
• - Completed literature review on manufacturing
• processes
• - Ordered materials
• Tasks In Progress
• - Experimentally simulating the two processes
• Tasks To Be Accomplished
• - Optimize a manufacturing process
• - Produce samples
• - Measure material properties

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PHASE II

• Evaluation of properties
• - Hardness
• - Glass transition temperature
• - Decomposition temperature
• - Chemical composition
• - Toughness
• Data collection
• Analysis
• - Weight percent
• - Type of matrix
• - Manufacturing parameters

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EXPERIMENTS

• Materials
• Inorganic Clays
• - Nanocor I.30.E modified montmorillonite
• on the scale of 1.5 nm
• - Cloisite 15A natural montmorillonite
  modified with
• a quaternary ammonium salt on the scale of
  3.2nm
• Polymers
• - EPON 862 resin Bisphenol F
• - EPICURE W curing agent
• - Polypropylene

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EXPERIMENTS (contd)

• Coupling Agent
• -Polybond 3150 aids in bonding between
• non-compatible components
• Equipment
• -Single screw extruder
• -Hot plate
• -Magnetic stir rod
• -Blue M oven
• -Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC)

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCESSES
Thermoset Epoxy Nanocomposite
Nanocor I.30E
Mix at 40-60oC Add Curing Agent W
EPON 860 Epoxy
Cast
Heat to121oC over 30 min Hold 2hrs
Cool from 177oC to Ambient over 2hrs
Heat to177oC over 30 min Hold 2hrs
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EXPERIMENTAL PROCESSES (contd)
Thermoplastic Polypropylene Nanocomposite
Melt PP beads at 175oC
Mix in Inorganic Particles
Place in Extruder
Verify Dispersion
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TIME TABLE

• Time frame for Phase I has been extended
• Process simulation and sample production have
  been extended into the winter session

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TIME TABLE (contd)
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SAFETY CONCERNS

• SJSU Laboratory Production
• Chemicals used to produce epoxy
• Fine inorganic particles
• Respirator will be necessary
• Full Scale Production
• Exothermic reaction from epoxy
• Fine particles- ventilation considerations
• Extruder operator safety

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IMPACT

• Stepping-stone for further understanding
  creating of new polymer nanocomposites
• Provide a working manufacturing process that will
  be used to develop a polymer nanocomposite
• To be used as a platform for further development

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COST ANALYSIS
Costs for full scale operation would be much
greater Equipment costs would need to be
considered
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CONCLUSION

• Simulation Optimization of a manufacturing
  process for evaluation of polymer nanocomposite
  materials is feasible
• Adjustments had to be made to schedule
• Progress has been made in Phase I
• Literature review conducted
• Materials ordered
• Parameters determined for processes
• Process simulation started
• Phase II will determine if Phase I is successful

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THANK YOU!