Mechanical properties of Epon 826/DEA epoxy

Polymers are becoming increasingly used in aerospace structural applications, where they experience complex, non-static loads. Correspondingly, the mechanical properties at high strain rates are of increasing importance in these applications. This paper investigates the compressive properties of Epon 826 epoxy resin cured with diethynolamine (DEA) across strain rates from 10⁻³ to 10⁴ s⁻¹. Specimens were tested using an Instron mechanical testing machine for static loading, traditional split Hopkinson pressure bars (SHPBs) for high strain rates, and a miniaturized SHPB for ultra-high strain rates. Additionally, the material was tested using dynamic mechanical analysis to determine the effects of time and temperature equivalences on the strain rate behavior of the samples. The experimental data is used to fit the Mulliken-Boyce model, modified for one-dimension, which is able to capture the compressive mechanical properties over a range of strain rates.     

Quasistatic and dynamic crushability of polymeric foams in rigid confinement

An approach was developed for investigating the crushability behavior of epoxy-based, low-density structural polymeric foam (initial bulk density 0.81 g/cm³ was used for test illustration) under quasistatic and high strain rate conditions in rigid confinement. Quasistatic crushability tests were conducted in a steel confinement cell using an MTS material testing system and the high strain rate (dynamic) crushability behavior was investigated by placing a foam specimen in a steel confinement tube and then loading the specimen using two different split Hopkinson pressure bar systems, namely, a magnesium bar and steel bar. The dynamic deformation characteristics were obtained using a multi-step incremental loading procedure. It was found that these foams exhibited large uniform inelastic deformation during the confined loading. It is verified that multi-step incremental loading can be used to construct the complete stress–strain response curve for the specimens under both quasistatic and dynamic loading conditions. A phenomenological constitutive model was then applied to parametrically describe the crushability response and to determine the rate sensitivity of the foams. The rate sensitivity of yield stress was found to be around three under rigid confinement.     

Application of moisture activated dry granulation (MADG) process to develop high dose immediate release (IR) formulations

Moisture activated dry granulation (MADG) method was used to develop IR tablets with cohesive, fluffy and high dose drugs. To evaluate this approach, three drugs: metformin hydrochloride, acetaminophen and ferrous ascorbate were selected as model compound along with three binders: maltodextrin DE16, PVP K 12 and HPC. The granules were generated using MADG method and tablets were prepared using rotary tablet press. The granules and tablets were characterized for particle size analysis, flow properties, tablet hardness, friability, moisture content, dissolution study, disintegration time and stability study. All results were found to be within acceptable limits. Development of all formulation tablets were found as best fitted for an immediate release of Metformin hydrochloride, acetaminophen and ferrous ascorbate. MADG delivered a robust manufacturing process for generation of granules with excellent flowability. The tablets prepared using this method were found to show better content uniformity, good compactability and low friability. Use of this approach aids to lower the amount of excipients used to overcome physiochemical limitation of the drug substances and there side effects. Both drying and milling steps in wet granulation were not required for MADG process. MADG became a cost effective process which could lead to reduced total tablet size and also save time.     

Poly(acrylic acid) + zinc diacetate composites: High temperature service and electric conductivity

Poly(acrylic acid) + zinc diacetate hybrid composites have been prepared by precipitation from aqueous solutions and drying. The lowest glass transition temperature T_g determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is 392°C, providing a service temperature range unusually large for polymer-based materials (PBMs). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that thermal decomposition begins some 10–20 K above each T_g. The alternating current impedance was determined in the nitrogen atmosphere from 370°C to 530°C. Dynamic dielectric measurements were performed between 20°C and 350°C, also under nitrogen. In contrast to typical PBMs, there is evidence of ionic conduction in some of the composites. The dynamic dielectric properties depend on the composition. The materials obtained are usable in medical applications and as high durability low friction coatings. Received: 19 February 1999 / Reviewed and accepted: 13 March 1999