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Wang J, Wang M, Zhang X, Han Y, Wu Y, Wang D, Qin X, Lu Y, Zhang L. Quantification Characterization of Hierarchical Structure of Polyurethane by Advanced AFM and X-ray Techniques. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:45388-45398. [PMID: 37705159 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) with microphase separation has garnered significant attention due to its highly designable molecular structure and a wide range of adjustable properties. However, there is currently a lack of systematic approaches for quantifying PU's microphase separation. To address this research gap, we utilized an atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanomechanical mapping technique along with Gaussian fitting to recolor and quantitatively analyze the evolution of PU's microphase separation. By varying the ratios of the chain extender to cross-linking agent, we observed the changes in the hydrogen bonding between the soft and hard segments. As the ratio of the chain extender to cross-linking agent decreases, the strength of the hydrogen bonding weakens, resulting in a reduction in the quantity and phase percentage of hard segment (HS) domains. Consequently, the degree of microphase separation between the soft and hard segments decreases, leading to specific alterations in the material's mechanical properties and dynamic viscoelasticity. To further investigate the hierarchical structure of PU, we employed various techniques, such as X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and AFM-based infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR). Our findings reveal a spherulite pattern composed of lamellae within the HS domains, with the cross-linking density gradually increasing from the center to the periphery. Overall, our comprehensive characterization of PU provides valuable insights into its hierarchical structure and establishes a quantitative framework to explore the intricate relationship between the structure and properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiadong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yingxue Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xuan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yonglai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Liqun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Engineering Research Center of Elastomer Materials Energy Conservation and Resources, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
- Institute of Emergent Elastomers, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China
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2
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Liparoti S, Sorrentino A, Speranza V. Morphology-Mechanical Performance Relationship at the Micrometrical Level within Molded Polypropylene Obtained with Non-Symmetric Mold Temperature Conditioning. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:462. [PMID: 33572694 PMCID: PMC7867022 DOI: 10.3390/polym13030462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The control of the structural properties of a polymeric material at the micro and nano-metrical scale is strategic to obtaining parts with high performance, durability and free from sudden failures. The characteristic skin-core morphology of injection molded samples is intimately linked to the complex shear flow, pressure and temperature evolutions experienced by the polymer chains during processing. An accurate analysis of this morphology can allow for the assessment of the quality and confidence of the process. Non-symmetric mold temperature conditions are imposed to produce complex morphologies in polypropylene parts. Morphological and micromechanical characterizations of the samples are used to quantify the effects of the processing conditions on the part performance. Asymmetric distribution of temperatures determines asymmetric distribution of both morphology and mechanical properties. The inhomogeneity degree depends on the time that one side of the cavity experiences high temperatures. The spherulites, which cover the thickest of the parts obtained with high temperatures at one cavity side, show smaller values of elastic modulus than the fibrils. When the polymer molecules experience high temperatures for long periods, the solid-diffusion and the partial melting and recrystallization phenomena determine a better structuring of the molecules with a parallel increase of the elastic modulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Liparoti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | - Andrea Sorrentino
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB-CNR), Via Previati, 1/C, 23900 Lecco, Italy
| | - Vito Speranza
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
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3
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Gojzewski H, Guo Z, Grzelachowska W, Ridwan MG, Hempenius MA, Grijpma DW, Vancso GJ. Layer-by-Layer Printing of Photopolymers in 3D: How Weak is the Interface? ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:8908-8914. [PMID: 31961120 PMCID: PMC7033657 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b22272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Additive manufacturing or, as also called, three-dimensional (3D) printing is considered as a game-changer in replacing traditional processing methods in numerous applications; yet, it has one intrinsic potential weakness related to bonding of layers formed during the printing process. Prior to finding solutions for improvement, a thorough quantitative understanding of the mechanical properties of the interface is needed. Here, a quantitative analysis of the nanomechanical properties in 3D printed photopolymers formed by digital light processing (DLP) stereolithography (SLA) is shown. Mapping of the contact Young's modulus across the layered structure is performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a submicrometer resolution. The peakforce quantitative nanomechanical mapping (PF-QNM) mode was employed in the AFM experiments. The layered specimens were obtained from an acrylate-based resin (PR48, Autodesk), containing also a light-absorbing dye. We observed local depressions with values up to 30% of the maximum stiffness at the interface between the consecutively deposited layers, indicating local depletion of molecular cross-link density. The thickness values of the interfacial layers were approximately 11 μm, which corresponds to ∼22% of the total layer thickness (50 μm). We attribute this to heterogeneities of the photopolymerization reaction, related to (1) atmospheric oxygen inhibition and (2) molecular diffusion across the interface. Additionally, a pronounced stiffness decay was observed across each individual layer with a skewed profile. This behavior was rationalized by a spatial variation of the polymer cross-link density related to the variations of light absorption within the layers. This is caused by the presence of light absorbers in the printed material, resulting in a spatial decay of light intensity during photopolymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Gojzewski
- Materials
Science and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
- Faculty
of Materials Engineering and Technical Physics, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
- E-mail:
| | - Z. Guo
- Department
of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - W. Grzelachowska
- Materials
Science and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
- Faculty
of Chemical Technology, Poznan University
of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
| | - M. G. Ridwan
- Materials
Science and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
- Petroleum
Engineering Department, Bandung Institute
of Technology, Jl. Ganeca No. 10, Bandung 40135, Republic of Indonesia
| | - M. A. Hempenius
- Materials
Science and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - D. W. Grijpma
- Department
of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - G. J. Vancso
- Materials
Science and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
- School of
Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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4
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Gojzewski H, Obszarska J, Harlay A, Hempenius MA, Vancso GJ. Designer poly(urea-siloxane) microspheres with controlled modulus and size: Synthesis, morphology, and nanoscale stiffness by AFM. POLYMER 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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5
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Maaskant E, Gojzewski H, Hempenius MA, Vancso GJ, Benes NE. Thin cyclomatrix polyphosphazene films: interfacial polymerization of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with aromatic biphenols. Polym Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8py00444g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyclomatrix polyphosphazene films have been synthesized by interfacial polymerization of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with a variety of biphenols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Maaskant
- Films in Fluids Group - Membrane Science and Technology cluster
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology
- University of Twente
- 7500 AE Enschede
| | - Hubert Gojzewski
- Materials Science and Technology of Polymers
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology
- University of Twente
- 7500 AE Enschede
| | - Mark A. Hempenius
- Materials Science and Technology of Polymers
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology
- University of Twente
- 7500 AE Enschede
| | - G. Julius Vancso
- Materials Science and Technology of Polymers
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology
- University of Twente
- 7500 AE Enschede
| | - Nieck E. Benes
- Films in Fluids Group - Membrane Science and Technology cluster
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology
- University of Twente
- 7500 AE Enschede
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6
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Check C, Imre B, Gojzewski H, Chartoff R, Vancso GJ. Kinetic aspects of formation and processing of polycaprolactone polyurethanes in situ from a blocked isocyanate. Polym Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c7py02006f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
To produce segmented polyurethanes that can be processed readily into elastomeric thin films, a thermally labile blocking agent was used to synthesize an isocyanate prepolymer. The final product was formed by bulk thermal polymerization. The resulting polymer morphology imparted enhanced mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Check
- University of Oregon
- Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon (CAMCOR)
- Eugene
- USA
| | - Balazs Imre
- Oregon State University
- School of Chemical Biological and Environmental Engineering
- Corvallis
- USA
| | - Hubert Gojzewski
- University of Twente
- Materials Science and Technology of Polymers
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- 7522 NB Enschede
- The Netherlands
| | - Richard Chartoff
- Oregon State University
- School of Chemical Biological and Environmental Engineering
- Corvallis
- USA
| | - G. Julius Vancso
- University of Twente
- Materials Science and Technology of Polymers
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- 7522 NB Enschede
- The Netherlands
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7
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Control of the structure and properties of SEBS nanocomposites via chemical modification of graphene with polymer brushes. Eur Polym J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Imre B, Gojzewski H, Check C, Chartoff R, Vancso GJ. Properties and Phase Structure of Polycaprolactone-Based Segmented Polyurethanes with Varying Hard and Soft Segments: Effects of Processing Conditions. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201700214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Balazs Imre
- School of Chemical Biological and Environmental Engineering; Oregon State University; Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Hubert Gojzewski
- Materials Science and Technology of Polymers; Faculty of Science and Technology; University of Twente; Drienerlolaan 5 7522 NB Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Casey Check
- Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon (CAMCOR); University of Oregon; Eugene OR 97403 USA
| | - Richard Chartoff
- School of Chemical Biological and Environmental Engineering; Oregon State University; Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - G. Julius Vancso
- Materials Science and Technology of Polymers; Faculty of Science and Technology; University of Twente; Drienerlolaan 5 7522 NB Enschede The Netherlands
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9
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Liparoti S, Speranza V, Sorrentino A, Titomanlio G. Mechanical Properties Distribution within Polypropylene Injection Molded Samples: Effect of Mold Temperature under Uneven Thermal Conditions. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 9:E585. [PMID: 30965891 PMCID: PMC6418651 DOI: 10.3390/polym9110585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The quality of the polymer parts produced by injection molding is strongly affected by the processing conditions. Uncontrolled deviations from the proper process parameters could significantly affect both internal structure and final material properties. In this work, to mimic an uneven temperature field, a strong asymmetric heating is applied during the production of injection-molded polypropylene samples. The morphology of the samples is characterized by optical and atomic force microscopy (AFM), whereas the distribution of mechanical modulus at different scales is obtained by Indentation and HarmoniX AFM tests. Results clearly show that the temperature differences between the two mold surfaces significantly affect the morphology distributions of the molded parts. This is due to both the uneven temperature field evolutions and to the asymmetric flow field. The final mechanical property distributions are determined by competition between the local molecular stretch and the local structuring achieved during solidification. The cooling rate changes affect internal structures in terms of relaxation/reorganization levels and give rise to an asymmetric distribution of mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Liparoti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
| | - Vito Speranza
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
| | - Andrea Sorrentino
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB-CNR), Via Previati, 1/C, 23900 Lecco, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Titomanlio
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
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10
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Martinez-Rubi Y, Ashrafi B, Jakubinek MB, Zou S, Laqua K, Barnes M, Simard B. Fabrication of High Content Carbon Nanotube-Polyurethane Sheets with Tailorable Properties. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:30840-30849. [PMID: 28829567 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b09208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We have fabricated carbon nanotube (CNT)-polyurethane (TPU) sheets via a one-step filtration method that uses a TPU solvent/nonsolvent combination. This solution method allows for control of the composition and processing conditions, significantly reducing both the filtration time and the need for large volumes of solvent to debundle the CNTs. Through an appropriate selection of the solvents and tuning the solvent/nonsolvent ratio, it is possible to enhance the interaction between the CNTs and the polymer chains in solution and improve the CNT exfoliation in the nanocomposites. The composition of the nanocomposites, which defines the characteristics of the material and its mechanical properties, can be precisely controlled. The highest improvements in tensile properties were achieved at a CNT:TPU weight ratio around 35:65 with a Young's modulus of 1270 MPa, stress at 50% strain of 35 MPa, and strength of 41 MPa, corresponding to ∼10-fold improvement in modulus and ∼7-fold improvement in stress at 50% strain, while maintaining a high failure strain. At the same composition, CNTs with higher aspect ratio produce nanocomposites with greater improvements (e.g., strength of 99 MPa). Electrical conductivity also shows a maximum near the same composition, where it can exceed the values achieved for the pristine nanotube buckypaper. The trend in mechanical and electrical properties was understood in terms of the CNT-TPU interfacial interactions and morphological changes occurring in the nanocomposite sheets as a function of increasing the TPU content. The availability of such a simple method and the understanding of the structure-property relationships are expected to be broadly applicable in the nanocomposites field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadienka Martinez-Rubi
- Security and Disruptive Technologies, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Behnam Ashrafi
- Aerospace, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael B Jakubinek
- Security and Disruptive Technologies, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shan Zou
- Measurement Science and Standards, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kurtis Laqua
- Aerospace, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Barnes
- Security and Disruptive Technologies, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benoit Simard
- Security and Disruptive Technologies, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Feng L, Yu Z, Bian Y, Lu J, Shi X, Chai C. Self-healing behavior of polyurethanes based on dual actions of thermo-reversible Diels-Alder reaction and thermal movement of molecular chains. POLYMER 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Liparoti S, Sorrentino A, Speranza V, Titomanlio G. Multiscale mechanical characterization of iPP injection molded samples. Eur Polym J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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13
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Nanoscale Young’s modulus and surface morphology in photocurable polyacrylate/nanosilica composites. Eur Polym J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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14
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Micromechanical Characterization of Complex Polypropylene Morphologies by HarmoniX AFM. INT J POLYM SCI 2017. [DOI: 10.1155/2017/9037127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper examines the capability of the HarmoniX Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) technique to draw accurate and reliable micromechanical characterization of complex polymer morphologies generally found in conventional thermoplastic polymers. To that purpose, injection molded polypropylene samples, containing representative morphologies, have been characterized by HarmoniX AFM. Mapping and distributions of mechanical properties of the samples surface are determined and analyzed. Effects of sample preparation and test conditions are also analyzed. Finally, the AFM determination of surface elastic moduli has been compared with that obtained by indentation tests, finding good agreement among the results.
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