Effects of thermal ageing on the properties and lifetime prediction of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene

Rheological and Mechanical Characterization of 3D-Printable Solid Propellant Slurry

This study delves into the rheological and mechanical properties of a 3D-printable composite solid propellant with 80% wt solids loading. Polybutadiene is used as a binder with ammonium sulfate, which is added as an inert replacement for the ammonium perchlorate oxidizer. Further additives are introduced to allow for UV curing. An in-house illumination system made of four UV-A LEDs (385 nm) is employed to cure the resulting slurry. Rheological and mechanical tests are conducted to evaluate the viscosity, ultimate tensile strength and strain, and compression behavior. Viscosity tests are performed for both pure resin and complete propellant composition. A viscosity reduction factor is obtained for the tested formulations when pre-heating slurry. Uniaxial tensile and compression tests reveal that the mechanical properties are consistent with previous research. Results emphasize the critical role of temperature and solid loading percentage. Pre-heating resin composites may grant a proper viscosity reduction while keeping mechanical properties in the applicability range. Overall, these findings pave the way for the development of a 3D printer prototype for composite solid propellants.

Multi-Scale Model for the Aging Performance of Particle-Filled Polymer Composites

In this study, we developed a novel multi-scale model to predict the aging performance of particle-filled polymer composites (PFPCs) under thermo-oxidative aging conditions. To investigate the aging behavior, high-temperature accelerated aging tests were conducted in combination with macroscopic and microscopic characterization. At the microscopic level, the crosslinking density of the polymer matrix is calculated using the closed-loop chain reaction of polymer oxidation. In addition, the theory of polymer physics was used to determine the relationship between crosslinking density and elastic modulus. Relationships between elastic modulus and dewetting strain were analyzed at the macroscopic level. Based on the observations and analyses, a multi-scale model was developed to predict the aging performance of PFPCs. The predicted results show good agreement with the test results, which verifies the reliability of the model.

Effect of Thermal Aging on the Physico-Chemical and Optical Properties of Poly(ester urethane) Elastomers Designed for Passive Damping (Pads) of the Railway

The aim of this study consists of monitoring the effect of thermal aging on the physico-chemical and optical properties of poly(ester urethane) elastomers designed as damping materials for railways. The materials were obtained by polyaddition in two stages in melt, resulting in regular structures. The structural modifications during the thermal aging of the samples were monitored using FTIR, color changes, TGA in non-isothermal and isothermal conditions, DSC and physico-mechanical measurements. The structural regularity of the rigid and flexible segments maintained the good mechanical properties of the structures up to 200 h of thermal aging at the elevated temperatures of 40 °C, 70 °C, 100 °C and 130 °C. It was observed that at 40 °C and low exposure times, changes occur mainly to the carbonyl groups of the soft segments. At higher temperatures and longer exposure times urethane groups were affected. Extended thermal aging led to significant changes in thermo-mechanical and optical properties.

Síntese e caracterização de poliuretanos aniônicos em dispersão aquosa à base de polibutadieno líquido hidroxilado, poli(glicol propilênico) e diisocianato de isoforona

Foram sintetizados sob a forma de dispersões aquosas estáveis, com viscosidade aparente na faixa de 30 a 220 cP, poliuretanos à base de polibutadieno líquido hidroxilado (HTPB) de massa molecular numérica média 3500, poli(glicol propilênico) (PPG) de massa molecular viscosimétrica média 2490, diisocianato de isoforona (IPDI) e ácido dimetilolpropiônico (DMPA). O tamanho médio de partícula das dispersões foi determinado e as propriedades mecânicas dos filmes vazados avaliadas. As dispersões foram aplicadas em madeira formando revestimentos homogêneos cuja adesividade foi determinada. A inserção de HTPB na cadeia poliuretânica provocou um aumento no tamanho de partícula das dispersões aquosas, proporcionou uma maior resistência mecânica aos filmes e aumentou a adesividade dos revestimentos ao substrato.