Morphology of Rigid-Rod Molecular Composites: An Overview

1988 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Morphological Characterization ◽  
High Ratio ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Chain Polymer ◽  
Specific Strength ◽  
Composite Systems ◽  
Molecular Composites ◽  
Rigid Rod

ABSTRACTRigid-rod molecular composites are a new class of high performance structural polymers which have high specific strength and modulus and also high thermal and environmental resistance. A rigid-rod, extended chain polymer component is used to reinforce a matrix of a ductile polymer with the intent of achieving a “composite” on the molecular level. After synthesis, the key to producing a molecular composite is to control morphology to disperse the reinforcing rod molecules as finely as possible in the matrix polymer. Individual rod molecules or bundles of molecular rods must have dimensions which result in a high ratio of length to width (aspect ratio) for efficient reinforcement. To achieve this, the reinforcing rod component must not phase separate at any stage of processing. Morphological characterization techniques, which can measure the orientation and dispersion (or, conversely, the degree of phase separation) of rod molecules provide the tools for correlating theoretically predicted and experimentally observed mechanical properties. Various morphological techniques which have been applied to molecular composite systems will be reviewed, including wide angle x-ray scattering and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Structure-property correlations for molecular composite systems will be discussed with regard to models for mechanical properties. Application of new morphological techniques will also be discussed.

Recent Advances in Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Rigid-Rod Molecular Composites

1989 ◽  
Vol 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Krause ◽  
Wen-Fang Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Orientation Distribution ◽  
Short Fiber ◽  
Chain Polymer ◽  
Structural Applications ◽  
Molecular Composites ◽  
Rigid Rod ◽  
Aromatic Heterocyclic

ABSTRACTRigid-rod molecular composites are a new class of high performance structural polymers which have high specific strength and modulus and also high thermal and environmental resistance. The concept of using a rigid-rod, extended chain polymer to reinforce a ductile polymer matrix at the molecular level has been demonstrated with morphological and mechanical property studies for aromatic heterocyclic systems, but new materials systems and processing techniques will be required to produce thermoplastic or thermoset molecular composites. Improved characterization and modeling will also be required. In this regard, new results on modeling of mechanical properties of molecular composites are presented and compared with experimental results. The Halpin-Tsai equations from ‘shear-lag’ theory of short fiber composites predict properties reasonably well when using the theoretical modulus of rigid-rod molecules in aromatic heterocyclic systems, but newer matrix systems will require consideration of matrix stiffness, desired rod aspect ratio, and rod orientation distribution. Application of traditional and newer morphological characterization techniques are discussed. The newer techniques include: Raman light scattering, high resolution and low voltage SEM, parallel EELS in TEM, synchrotron radiation in X-ray scattering, and ultrasound for integrity studies. The properties of molecular composites and macroscopic composites are compared and it is found that excellent potential exists for use of molecular composites in structural applications including engineering plastics, composite matrix resins, and as direct substitutes for fiber reinforced composites.

Morphology of High-Performance Rigid-Rod Polymer Fibers and Molecular Composites

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 338-339
Author(s):  
W.W. Adams ◽  
S. J. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Tensile Modulus ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Molecular Composites ◽  
Rigid Rod

Rigid-rod polymers such as PBO, poly(paraphenylene benzobisoxazole), Figure 1a, are now in commercial development for use as high-performance fibers and for reinforcement at the molecular level in molecular composites. Spinning of liquid crystalline polyphosphoric acid solutions of PBO, followed by washing, drying, and tension heat treatment produces fibers which have the following properties: density of 1.59 g/cm3; tensile strength of 820 kpsi; tensile modulus of 52 Mpsi; compressive strength of 50 kpsi; they are electrically insulating; they do not absorb moisture; and they are insensitive to radiation, including ultraviolet. Since the chain modulus of PBO is estimated to be 730 GPa, the high stiffness also affords the opportunity to reinforce a flexible coil polymer at the molecular level, in analogy to a chopped fiber reinforced composite. The objectives of the molecular composite concept are to eliminate the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the fiber and the matrix, as occurs in conventional composites, to eliminate the interface between the fiber and the matrix, and, hopefully, to obtain synergistic effects from the exceptional stiffness of the rigid-rod molecule. These expectations have been confirmed in the case of blending rigid-rod PBZT, poly(paraphenylene benzobisthiazole), Figure 1b, with stiff-chain ABPBI, poly 2,5(6) benzimidazole, Fig. 1c A film with 30% PBZT/70% ABPBI had tensile strength 190 kpsi and tensile modulus of 13 Mpsi when solution spun from a 3% methane sulfonic acid solution into a film. The modulus, as predicted by rule of mixtures, for a film with this composition and with planar isotropic orientation, should be 16 Mpsi. The experimental value is 80% of the theoretical value indicating that the concept of a molecular composite is valid.

scholarly journals Structure, Mechanical Performance, and Dimensional Stability of Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) Scrimbers

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jinguang Wei ◽  
Fei Rao ◽  
Yuxiang Huang ◽  
Yahui Zhang ◽  
Yue Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
Dimensional Stability ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Water Resistance ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Specific Strength ◽  
Shearing Strength

Natural wood has certain advantages such as good processability and high specific strength and thus has been used for millennium as a structural material. But the mechanical performance and water resistance, particularly for fast-growing species, are unsatisfactory for high-end applications. In this study, the “new-type” scrimber technology was introduced to radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) scrimbers. The structure, mechanical properties, and dimensional stability of the scrimber panels were investigated. Results showed that OWFMs as basic units of scrimber had been very even in size and superior permeability. The scrimbers exhibited a three-dimensional porous structure, and the porosity had a decrease with increasing density. Both OWFMs and densification contributed to the high performance in terms of mechanical properties and water resistance. The flexural, compressive, and short-beam shearing strength were significantly enhanced with increasing density. As the density was 0.80 g cm−3, the flexural strength (MOR) was approximately 120 MPa, much larger than many selected wood-based panels. Moreover, the water resistance and dimensional stability also were closely related to the density. At the density of 1.39 g cm−3, the water absorption rate and thinness swelling rate of the panels in boiled water were only 19% and 5.7%, respectively.

scholarly journals Quantifying High-Performance Material Microstructure Using Nanomechanical Tools with Visual and Frequency Analysis

Scanning ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Sandoz-Rosado ◽  
Michael R. Roenbeck ◽  
Kenneth E. Strawhecker
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Organization Strategy ◽  
Stiffness Scanning

High-performance materials like ballistic fibers have remarkable mechanical properties owing to specific patterns of organization ranging from the molecular scale, to the micro scale and macro scale. Understanding these strategies for material organization is critical to improving the mechanical properties of these high-performance materials. In this work, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to detect changes in material composition at an extremely high resolution with transverse-stiffness scanning. New methods for direct quantification of material morphology were developed, and applied as an example to these AFM scans, although these methods can be applied to any spatially-resolved scans. These techniques were used to delineate between subtle morphological differences in commercial ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers that have different processing conditions and mechanical properties as well as quantify morphology in commercial Kevlar®, a high-performance material with an entirely different organization strategy. Both frequency analysis and visual processing methods were used to systematically quantify the microstructure of the fiber samples in this study. These techniques are the first step in establishing structure-property relationships that can be used to inform synthesis and processing techniques to achieve desired morphologies, and thus superior mechanical performance.

Electron microscopy of rod/coil molecular composites

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
S. J. Krause ◽  
W. W. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Critical Factor ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Chain Polymer ◽  
New Class ◽  
Reinforced Composite ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Molecular Composites ◽  
Flexible Coil ◽  
Rigid Rod

Molecular composites are a new class of structural polymers which are lightweight, high-strength, high-modulus, and environmentally resistant. A rigid-rod, extended chain, polymer is used to reinforce a matrix of flexible, coil-like polymer with the intent of achieving a composite on the molecular level which is analagous to a macroscopic chopped-fiber reinforced composite. The critical factor in making a molecular composite is that the rod-like reinforcing molecules be well dispersed and not phase separate from the matrix polymer to insure that the aspect ratio (ratio of length to width) of the reinforcing phase has a high value. This paper reports the first transmission electron microsopy (TEM) study of phase separation in molecular composites.

Electron microscopy of a triblock copolymer molecular composite

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 790-791
Author(s):  
T. Haddock ◽  
S. J. Krause ◽  
W. W. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Triblock Copolymer ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Fiber Spinning ◽  
Chain Polymer ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Molecular Composites ◽  
Polymer Component ◽  
Flexible Coil ◽  
Rigid Rod

Molecular composites are a new class of structural polymers which are high-strength, high-modulus, thermally stable, and environmentally resistant. A rigid-rod, extended chain polymer component is used to reinforce a matrix of flexible, coil-like polymer component with the intent of achieving a composite on the molecular level. The critical factor in processing a molecular composite is that the rod-like reinforcing component be well dispersed and not phase separate from the matrix component. We previously reported on the morphology of a molecular composite from a physical blend of rigid-rod and flexible-coil homopolymers. In this paper we are reporting on the morphology of a rigid-rod, flexible-coil, triblock copolymer processed by vacuum casting or fiber spinning from a dilute solution.

Processing, Properties and Structure of Bulk Poly(P-Phenylene Benzobisthiazole)/Poly(Ether Ether Ketone) Molecular Composites

1988 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Wang ◽  
S. J. Bai
Keyword(s):  
Consolidation Process ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Composite Systems ◽  
X Ray Scattering ◽  
Ether Ether Ketone ◽  
Poly Ether Ether Ketone ◽  
Molecular Composites ◽  
Rigid Rod ◽  
Ether Ketone ◽  
Processing Properties

ABSTRACTThe wet-state-consolidation process was used to fabricate bulk rigid-rod/thermoplastic molecular composites of poly(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) and poly(ether ether ketone). The composites were molded into bar-shaped specimens. The morphology of those specimens was studied throughout the entire process using X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy to correlate processing conditions and properties. The mechanical properties of the bulk composites were comparable to those of other rigid-rod/thermoplastic molecular composite systems.

Polycarbodiimide and polyimide/cyanate thermoset in situ molecular composites

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1840-1847 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Wiff ◽  
G. M. Lenke ◽  
P. D. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Phase Separation ◽  
Molecular Mechanics ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Molecular Composites ◽  
Rigid Rod ◽  
Composite Reinforcement

The synthesis of polycarbodiimide and polyimide in a cyanate resin precursor was achieved. A unique procedure for achieving a high molecular weight of the molecular composite reinforcement molecules was demonstrated. In spite of phase separation being present during the processing, the final cured composites were transparent. The enhanced mechanical properties and the presence of a single Tg, which increases with rigid rod content, were indications that a molecular composite was achieved. The agreement between measured mechanical properties and those predicted using molecular mechanics simulations CERIUS2 software was encouraging.

Mechanical Behavior of Rigid Rod Polymeric Fibers

1988 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Allen ◽  
Richard J. Farris
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Tensile Modulus ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Polymeric Fibers ◽  
Shear Moduli ◽  
Structure Property Relationships ◽  
Secondary Interactions ◽  
Rigid Rod

ABSTRACTPoly-(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) fibers provide a model system for the evaluation of structure-property relationships in extended-chain polymeric fibers. Owing to the poorly developed lateral order in as-spun fibers, the enhancement of structural perfection and of mechanical properties may be examined through heat treatment processing more readily than with more crystalline fibers. High tensile modulus (to 300 GPa) and high tensile strength (3 GPa) have been obtained from heat treatment processing of the fibers. The development of tensile modulus and tensile strength depends directly on the enhancement of overall axial molecular orientation. Tensile strength is additionally dominated by the development of stronger lateral molecular interaction. The mechanical properties mimic the inherent chain anisotropy arising from strong primary bonding along the chain and much weaker secondary interactions between chains. Tensile to shear moduli ratios of 200:1, tensile to shear strength ratios of 50:1 and tensile to compressive strength ratios of 10:1 are observed.

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