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Polymers & Composites

Polymer molecules: 1. Most polymeric material are composed of very large molecule chains with side groups of various atom (O, Cl etc) or organic groups such as methyl, ethyl, or phenyl groups. 2. These macro molecules are composed of repeats units, smaller structure entities, which are repeated along the chain.

The chemistry of polymer molecules 1. A homopolymer is 1 for which all of the repeated units are the same type. The chains for copolymers are composed of two or more kinds of repeated units. 2. Repeated units are classified according to the number of the active bonds (i.e functionality): -For bio-functional, a two dimensional chainlike structure results from a monomer that has 2 active bonds. -Tri-functional monomers have three active bonds, from 3 dimensional network structure form.

MME 2501 - Engineering Materials

Molecular shape 1. Molecular entanglement occur when the assume twisted, coiled, and kinked shapes or contour as a consequence of chain bond rotations. 2. Rotational flexibility is diminished when double chain bonds are present and also when bulky side groups are part of the repeat unit. Molecular structure 4 different polymer chain structures are possible: (a) Linear (b) Branched (c) Cross-linked (d) network
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Molecular configurations 1. For repeat units that have more than 1 side atom or groups of atoms bonded to the main chain: - Head to head and head to tail configurations are possible. - Different in spatial arrangements of these side atoms or groups of atoms lead to isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic stereoisomers. 2. When a repeat unit contains a double chain bond, both sis and trans geometrical isomers are possible.

Thermoplastic & thermosetting polymer 1.With regard to the behavior at elevated temperatures, polymers are classified either TP or TS. 2. TP: have linear & branched structures, there soften when heated & harden when cooled. TS: once harden, will not soften upon heating; their structure are cross-linked and network. copolymers -random -alternating -block -graft

Composites Materials

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Influence of fiber orientation & fiber length


1. On the basic of fiber length & orientation, 3 types of fiber

reinforced composite are: - Continues & aligned (Fig a): mechanical properties are highly anisotropic. In the alignment direction, reinforcement & strength are a maximum; perpendicular to the alignment. - Discontinuous & aligned (Fig b): significant strengths & stiffnesses are possible in longitudinal direction. - Discontinuous & randomly oriented (Fig c): despite some limitations on reinforcement efficiency, properties are isotropic.

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The fiber phase: 1. On the basis of diameter & material type, fiber reinforcement are classified as follows:
- whiskers-extremely strong single crystals that have very

small diameters - Fibers- normally polymers or ceramics that may be either amorphous or polycrystalline - Wires- metals/alloys that have relatively large diameters

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The matrix phase 1. Although all 3 basic material types are use for matrices, the most common are polymers & metals. 2. The matrix phase normally performs 3 functions: - It binds the fibers together and transmits an externally applied load to the fibers. - It protects the individual fibers from surface damage. - It prevents the propagation of crack from fiber to fiber. 3. Fibrous reinforced composite are sometimes classified according to matrix type: polymer-, metal-, ceramic-matrix

PMC

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4. polymer-matrix composite: may reinforced with glass, carbon or aramid fiber 5. metal-matrix composite: service temperature are higher for MMC than PMC.

6. Ceramic matrix composite - Can improvise fracture toughness. This is achieved by interactions between advancing cracks and dispersed phase particles. - These martial are expensive & used in application requiring high strength and stiffness.
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PQ 2 : group task Compute repeat unit molecular weights for the following: -poly(vinyl chloride) -polyethylene terepthalate -polycarbonate -polydimethylsiloxane 2. The number average molecular weight of polypropylene is 1000000 g/mol. Compute the degree of polymerization. 14.4 3. Sketch portions of linear polystyrene molecule that are a) syndiotactic b) atactic, c) isotactic. 14.11 4. Explain briefly why the tendency of a polymer to crystallize decreases with increasing molecular weight. 14.2 5. High density polyethylene maybe chlorinated by inducing the random substitution of chlorine atoms for hydrogen. 14.8 -Determine the concentration of CI (in wt%) that must be added if this substitution occurs for 8% of all the original hydrogen atoms. -In what ways does this chlorinated polyethylene differ from poly(vinyl chloride)
MME 2501 - Engineering Materials 16

Quiz 1: individual task 1. What is distinction between cement and concrete? Cite 1 similarity and 2 differences between precipitation hardening and dispersion strengthening. 16.4 2. A continues and aligned glass fiber-reinforced composite consist of 40 vol% of glass fibers having a modulus of elasticity of 69 GPa and 60 vol% of a polyester resin that, when hardened display a modulus of 3.4 Gpa. Example 15.1 0r 16.1 PLEASE SUBMIT PQ 2 & Q 1 BY 4 OCT 2013 (FRIDAY).

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