Decreasing miscibility with greater heterogeneity in ternary polymer blend: poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate), poly(α‐methyl styrene) and poly(4‐methyl styrene)

A ternary blend system comprising poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCHMA), poly(α‐methyl styrene) (PαMS) and poly(4‐methyl styrene) (P4MS) was investigated by thermal analysis, optical and scanning electron microscopy. Ternary phase behaviour was compared with the behaviour for the three constituent binary pairs. This study showed that the ternary blends of PCHMA/PαMS/P4MS in most compositions were miscible, with an apparent glass transition temperature (T_g) and distinct cloud‐point transitions, which were located at lower temperatures than their binary counterparts. However, in a closed‐loop range of compositions roughly near the centre of the triangular phase diagram, some ternary blends displayed phase separation with heterogeneity domains of about 1 µm. Therefore, it is properly concluded that ternary PCHMA/PαMS/P4M is partially miscible with a small closed‐loop immisciblity range, even though all the constituent binary pairs are fully miscible. Thermodynamic backgrounds leading to decreased miscibility and greater heterogeneity in a ternary polymer system in comparison with the binary counterparts are discussed. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copolymerization of bromophenylmaleimide with ethyl or butyl methacrylate

N‐p‐Bromophenylmaleimide (BrPMI) does not polymerize in solution by conventional free radical mechanism. However, it readily polymerized in bulk when mixed with a free radical initiator and heated in a microwave oven for 7–8 min. Copolymerization of ethyl methacrylate or butyl methacrylate with BrPMI was conducted in dioxane. The copolymers were characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated by a non‐linear least‐square analysis. Thermal analysis indicated a great improvement in thermal stability of the copolymers compared with the methacrylate homopolymers. BrPMI was also polymerized in bulk in the DSC pan, which allowed the calculation of the activation energy of its polymerization. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Possibilities and extension of XRD material response analysis in failure research for the advanced evaluation of the damage level of Hertzian loaded components

Due to clearly distinguishable damage symptoms, it is differentiated between the surface and sub‐surface failure mode of rolling bearings. Material states red out by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) residual stress measurements point to a variety of loading conditions especially at raceway surfaces that are associated with several competing failure mechanisms. The corresponding lifetime reduction can range from the lower fatigue strength region to material ratcheting in extreme cases. Relevant position of the microstructural changes and nature of the failure mechanisms are characterized. The time alteration of the XRD material parameters measured at or near the surface and at the depth of the maximum equivalent stress correlates, in a different manner, with the statistical parameter of the 10 % bearing life. Both failure modes are illustrated by concrete examples. Contaminated lubricant and boundary lubrication, which represent practically important surface‐induced failures, are discussed in more detail. Gray staining, i.e. shallow pitting, often occurs without distinct indication of global material aging by means of XRD characteristics. Here, scanning electron microscopy observations and electron microprobe analyses point to corrosion fatigue as acting surface failure mechanism. The interaction between material and lubricant under complex loading regimes particularly of mixed friction and corrosion opens further failure research areas in the field of tribology.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(siloxane-urethane)s

A series of polyurethane block copolymers based on hydroxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane and poly(propylene glycol) soft segments of molecular weights 1818 and 2000, respectively, were synthesized. The hard segments consisted of 4,4′-diphenylnethane diisocyanate and 1,4-butanediol as the chain extender. Samples with different molar ratios were prepared. We tried to synthesize polydimethylsiloxane-based polyurethanes (PDMS-PU) containing a hard block as major fraction and a soft block as minor fraction for preparing toughened rigid systems. After a study of the pure polydimethylsiloxane-based polyurethane and poly(propylene glycol)-based polyurethane (PPG-PU), (mixed polyol)-based block copolymers and blends of PDMS-PU and PPG-PU were synthesized, and characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry, tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy. In (mixed polyol)-based copolymers and lower hard-segment content blends, macro-phase separation occurred, but blends with higher hard-segment contents showed significant reduction in amounts of phase separation.     

Phenol novolac/poly(4- hydroxyphenylmaleimide) blend hardeners for DGEBA-type epoxy resin

Phenol novolac/poly (4-hydroxyphenylmaleimide) (PHPMI) blends were used as an epoxy resin hardener. The curing behavior of the above system and the thermal and mechanical properties of the cured epoxy resin were studied. It was not necessary to use a curing accelerator for this system, because PHPMI caused acceleration of the curing reaction. The curing mechanism of this system was investigated by using model compounds. Test pieces from the neat resins and the glass fiber reinforced resins were evaluated in terms of thermal and mechanical properties, respectively. It was found that heat resistance and mechanical properties were improved by increasing the amount of PHPMI in the hardener.     

In-chain functionalization by alternating anionic copolymerization of styrene and 1-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-1-phenylethylene

Anionic copolymerizations of styrene (M₁) with excess 1-(4-dimethyl-aminophenyl)-1-phenylethylene (M₂) were conducted in benzene at 25°C for 24h, using sec-butyllithium as initiator. Narrow molecular weight distribution copolymers with M?;_n = 16.1 × 10³ g/mol (M?_w/M?_n = 1.04) and 38.2 × 10³g/mol (M?_w/M?_n = 1.05), and 24 and 38 moles of M₂ per macromolecule, respectively, were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and DSC. The monomer reactivity ratio, r₁ = 5.6, was obtained from the copolymer composition at complete consumption of M₁, assuming that the rate constant k₂₂ =0,i.e. r₂ =0. The polymers exhibited T_g values of 128 and 119°C, respectively, which correspond to an estimated T_g = 217°C for the hypothetical homopolymer of M₂.     

Multi‐layered flat‐surface micro‐optical components directly molded on an LCD panel

Abstract— We have developed a process to fabricate optical components, such as a lens, prism, or diffuser, directly on to a glass substrate. Processes include precision mastering by diamond cutting and multi‐layer photopolymer (2P) molding to realize flat surfaces and the integration of multiple components with an alignment within a few micrometers.     

Complexity of the color appearance of objects with nonuniform illumination

An inversion relationship is clarified between lightness and brightness, and also between chroma and colorfulness under nonuniform illumination with different illuminance levels (high and low) within the same visual field. Brightness (or colorfulness) of object color with low lightness (or chroma) under high illuminance level is perceived higher than that of another object color with high lightness (or chroma) under low illuminance level. Two color images are given for showing the inversion phenomena on brightness–lightness and colorfulness–chroma between object colors under different illuminance levels. These color images are useful for making researchers on color understand the differences in concept between brightness and lightness, and also between colorfulness and chroma. In particular, the concept of colorfulness is important, but difficult to understand. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 372–377, 2007