Module 6 None-Metallic Materials Objective Three Flashcards
(41 cards)
Thermoplastic polymers
formed through chain growth polymerization
covalent bonds along length of chain
adjacent bonds are weak
low melting range- soft and deformable-molecules slide past each other
Glass transition temperatures (Tg)
low temp threshold where polymers exhibit a drop in impact toughness
above Tg polymer chains can slide past each other
below Tg polymers are more brittle, slide is more difficult
Copolymers
mixtures of different monomers within long chains
Polyethylene PE
uses: clear sheets, bottles, tubing, cups, packaging, electrical insulation
Polyvinyl Chloride PVC
uses: floors, fabrics, films, hoses, wire coating
Polypropylene PP
uses: sheet, pipe, coverings
same uses as PE except its less dense
Polstyrene
uses: containers, styrofoam, molded products, packaging
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ABS
uses: pipe, luggage, telephones
Acrylics (Polymethylmethacrylate, Lucite, Plexiglass)
uses: windows, transparent sheet, aircraft windows
Polycarbonates (Lexan, Makrolon)
uses: DVD, laminated bullet proof windows, eyeglasses
Increasing Chain Lengths
significantly changes the properties of a polymer chain
greater number of carbon atoms in the chain, the more rigid the chain
Degree of polymerization
the larger (n) number of carbon atoms in the chain the greater the n value, the greater the strength/ stiffness and melting point of the polymer
Branching
adding side chains during polymerization
increases strength and stiffness as individual molecules become intertwined and bonded
Crosslinking
enhances polymer strength by linking chains with strong covalent bonds
ex: vulcanization
PE crosslinking: Peroxide
peroxides are heat-activated chemicals that generate free radicals for crosslinking (Engel Process)
PE crosslinking: Moisture-cured Vinyl Silane
a reactive silane molecule is grafted to the backbone of the polyethylene, the silane becomes reactive with the addition of water, and crosslinking occurs across silicon and oxygen molecules to form the bridge
PE crosslinking: Beta Irradiation
PE is subjected to high energy electrons, knocks off individual hydrogen atoms, and underlying carbon bonds with neighbouring chain (PEX-C)
PE Crosslinking: Chain Stiffening
similar to branching, adding large pendent groups like benzene to the polymer backbone, which prevents flexing and increases stiffness
PE Crosslinking: Polar Groups
increase the electrostatic charge between chains, by adding electronegative side groups (things like Cl, which forms vinyl)
PE Crosslinking: Add fillers
creates a composite, by adding wood fibers, glass fiber, etc, increases hardness
PE Crosslinking: Increase Crystallinity
stretches the polymer, which lines the molecules in the stretching direction, increases strength along the stretch, but can split easily along the other directions
Polyamides
occurs when an acid reacts with an amine (condensation copolymer)
ex: Nylon, Kevlar
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon)
Non-reactive due to the replacement of hydrogen atoms by fluorine atoms in a ethylene molecule
Thermosetting Polymers
formed by step growth polymerization. All the bonds between monomers are primary covalent bonds in a network configuration. They become hard rigid and brittle when heated, don’t soften