Effect of temperature on the optical and electro-optical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/E7 polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composites

Experiments on the effect of temperature on the optical and electro-optical behaviors of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) are considered. Composite films composed of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and the nematic-type liquid crystal (LC) E7 were prepared by solvent casting in chloroform. The PDLC film contained droplets of E7 from 10 to 80 wt % in a PMMA matrix. Morphological studies illustrated the formation of isolated droplets of LC due to phase separation, and their homogeneous distribution increased with increasing E7 content. Thermo-optical studies showed an increase in the nematic–isotropic transition temperature of composites, which indicated preferential solvation during the phase-separation process. The electro-optical characteristics were studied under the conditions of an externally applied square wave electric field with a He–Ne laser (λ = 632.8 nm) as a light source. The responses improved as the E7 content in PMMA increased. Semipermanent memory effects were noticed in composites at higher temperatures. Changes in the transmittance due to thermal variations provided the possibility of using such a device as a temperature sensor. The results obtained indicate that under these experimental conditions, the output can be controlled to the desired level by the selection of a suitable loading of LC to prepare PDLC electro-optically active composite films with a response time on the order of only a few milliseconds. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Intercalated clays from pentaerythritol stearate for use in polymer nanocomposites

Smectite clays treated with quaternary ammonium salts have been utilized for decades in paints, greases, cosmetics, and personal care products as rheological modifiers. They have also been used in industrial wastewater treatment extensively. In more recent times these surface modified clays have demonstrated benefits in polymer/clay nanocomposites. The use of quaternary ammonium modifiers limits the usefulness of these composites in food packaging because they are not approved for direct food contact. It would be advantageous to have surface modifying chemicals acceptable for direct food contact in these composites. This article reports research conducted on a promising surface modifier pentaerythritol stearate (PS), which is approved by the FDA for inclusion in food as a preservative. The surface modification of montmorillonite with PS is reported in detail as well as the production of nanocomposites with selected polymers made with the modified clay. Molecular modeling and purification of commercial PS samples indicate that the mono‐ and diesters are the critical surface modifiers, although the as received commercial material works well in forming intercalated clay complexes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Water absorption properties of phosphate glass fiber‐reinforced poly‐ϵ‐caprolactone composites for craniofacial bone repair

The moisture uptake of polymers and composites has increasing significance where these materials are specified for invasive, long‐term medical applications. Here we analyze mass gain and the ensuing degradation mechanisms in phosphate glass fiber reinforced poly‐?‐caprolactone laminates. Specimens were manufactured using in situ polymerization of ?‐caprolactone around a bed of phosphate glass fibers. The latter were sized with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane to control the rate of modulus degradation. Fiber content was the main variable in the study, and it was found that the moisture diffusion coefficient increased significantly with increasing fiber volume fraction. Diffusion, plasticization, and leaching of constituents appear to be the dominant aspects of the process over these short‐term tests. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Sheet molding compound characterization using spiral flow

Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a fiber‐reinforced polymeric composite. It is often used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications over other materials because of its high strength to density ratio, resistance to corrosion, and low cost. There is a demand in the SMC industry to be able to characterize SMC processability. This is particularly true for heavy truck body panels, one of the fastest growing applications of SMC. Because of their large size and high strength requirement, the molding forces have a major influence in the molding cycle. Also because of the long flow paths involved, the ability of the paste to carry glass needs to be properly characterized when developing new SMC materials. In this article, we demonstrate the benefits of using spiral flow as a processability tester. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Time and temperature effect on the linear–nonlinear viscoelastic transition threshold of a polymeric system

In the present study, the transition of a polymeric material from the linear to the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior and the determination of the nonlinearity stress threshold variation with time and temperature are investigated. For this purpose a systematic experimental program consisted of thermal and mechanical characterization of certain polymeric material followed by isothermal creep tests at different stress levels and temperatures was conducted. Through isochronal curves that occurred from creep tests, the nonlinearity threshold dependence on both time and temperature is presented. The reported results provide information that is critical for the design and development of polymer structures and components. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

聚烯烃/纳米SiO2复合材料研究进展

论述了纳米SiO2的表面处理方法、复合材料的制备技术及其力学和光学性能。表明纳米SiO2分散于聚烯烃(PP、HDPE)中,可以提高基体的韧性、强度和模量。以纳米SiO2作为填料的聚乙烯棚膜,呈现优良的红外线吸收性能和可见光透过性能。为此,纳米SiO2可作为一种聚乙烯农膜的新型保温剂。     

一种中温C/C复合材料抗氧化涂层的制备及其性能

制备了一种工作温度约1 173 K的C/C复合材料抗氧化复合涂层,它由磷酸盐过渡层和陶瓷相阻挡层构成,通过与单一陶瓷相涂层的对比试验研究了它的抗氧化机理。涂覆有该复合涂层的C/C复合材料试样,在空气中1 173 K时氧化10 h的失重率为11.25％,氧化失重率为9.84×10~(-5)g/(cm~2·min),而且其氧化失重率随氧化时间延长而降低;4 h内经过30次从1 173 K至室温急冷急热循环后,失重率为6.38％,涂层基本完好,说明涂层在温度不超过1 173 K时具有良好的抗氧化性和抗热震性。该种涂层适合于中温下C/C复合材料的抗氧化保护。     

聚酰亚胺的改性

本文介绍了旨在克服聚酰亚胺某些性能缺陷的改性产品 ,其中包括可溶型、透明型、低热膨胀型、共缩聚型、功能型、高粘接型、加成型聚酰亚胺和聚酰亚胺 /无机纳米复合材料等品种的研究动向 ,指出目前应重点研究聚酰亚胺 /无机纳米复合材料     

固体火箭发动机喷管用C/C复合材料的研究进展

C/C复合材料已成为固体火箭发动机(SRM)最理想的喷管材料。综述了国内外SRM喷管用C/C复合材料的研究进展、应用状况以及烧蚀性能的研究状况,展望了今后C/C复合材料喷管的发展趋势。