Polymer Blends Polymer blend is a simple physical combination of two or more incompatible polymers. For ‘example,wood is a natural blend of more than one polymer. Properties- [Link] properties of polymer blends are closely related to the properties of individual polymer ‘[Link] example ,a blend of PMMA(poly methyl meth acrylate an amorphous polymer) w PVDF(polyvinyldiene fluride a crystalline polymer) is amorphous, if the PVDF proportions is below 40%. 2. Blending usually improves the properties like processability ,impact strength, flame retardness abrasion resistance etc. 3. Sensitive component of a blend may be protected from degradation by [Link] example PMMA is degraded by gama radiation. However its blend with styrene acrylonitrile copolymer ($ reduces the rate of degradation. Polymer Blends lame of Blend med (ens ‘crylonitrle-styrene with High impact strength, high In automobile industry for making Butadiene -styrene rubber(ABS) softening temprature and anels,door cover,door band mouldability [Link] ABS is used for reflectors and name plates. Polycarbonate with For making electrical housing and ‘crylonitrle-butadiene-styrene ‘machine parts. \ylon 6 with Polycarbonate High toughness, For making sports equipments and transport container Polyamide with Polyphenylene High processibility and high {As an insulator and electrical sulphide temprature resistance. connector Polydimethylenephenylene with Low water absorption low In electrical industries automobile polystyrene moulding shrinkage,resistance to _parts,radio and television parts hydrolysis,good dielectric properties over a wide range of ‘temprature Polymer Alloy + Polymer alloy is a compatible mixture of two or more polymers,which interact chemically in presence of compatibilisers under specific conditions of composition,temprature and pressure. upose of compatibiliser is to provide physical links between semi compatible polymeric mate: and to form polymeric [Link] or co polymers are used as [Link] Polysulphonat polyethene. (amne Properties ‘ABS-PC High softening temprature,good impact strength flame retardness ‘ABS-PVC Good surface In making electronic gloss dimensional ‘switches,T. [Link] boards stabilitycreep of passenger cars,truck [Link] can be cabsetc. painted,screen printed aLiquid Crystal Polymers(LCPs) * Liquid crystal polymers are a unique class of partially crystalline aromatic polyesters that provide previously unavailable high performance properties. They are thermoplastic based or p-hydroxibenzoic acid and related monomers. * LCPs are capable of forming regions of highly ordered structure in the molten state, however the degree of order is lesser than that of regular solid structures. Due to its highly crystalline structure it has outstanding dimensional stability, high strength, stiffness, chemical and solvent resistance, high resistance to fire and ease moldability. Processing of LCps from liquid crystal phases(or mesophases) give fibre and injected materials having high mechanical properties. LCPs exhibits a highly ordered structure in both the melt and solid states due to this LCPs can replace material such as ceremics, metals, composites and other plastics because of its outstanding strength at extreme temperature and resistance of all chemicals, weathering, radiation and burning. * The example of LCPs is the commercial aramid known as Kevlar. Liquid Crystal Polymers(LCPs) Applications- * LCPs are useful for electrical and mechanical parts, food containers, and any other applications requiring chemical inertness and high strength. * LCP is particularly good for microwave frequency electronics due to low relative dielectric constants, low dissipation factors, and commercial availability of laminates. * Packaging microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is another area that LCP has recently gained more attention. * The superior properties of LCPs make them especially suitable for automotive ignition system components, heater plug connectors, lamp sockets, transmission system components, pump components, coil forms and sunlight sensors and sensors for car safety belts. * LCPs are also well-suited for computer fans, where their high tensile strength and rigidity enable tighter design tolerances, higher performance, and less noise, albeit at a significantly higher cost. * They are used in all kinds of display devices including computer monitors and laptop screens, TVs, clocks, visors, and navigation systems.COMPOUNDING OF PLASTICS 1) Binders hold the other constituents together during manufacture. Usually natural or synthetic resins or cellulosic derivatives are used as binders, which are high molecular weight substances. Binders influence the properties of plastics. The type of the treatment during moulding operation also depends upon binders. if binder used has comparatively low molecular weight, then plastic article gets moulded easily and vice versa. 2) Fillers or Extenders impart better tensile strength hardness of plastic material, finish workability opacity etc. They reduce shrinkage and brittleness. They also reduce cost of the plastic per unit weight. The fillers may be of organic or inorganic [Link] fillers which are added only to improve the mechanical strength of the plastic are called as reinforcing fillers. Example: Carborundum (silicon carbide), Quartz/ mica improve hardness of plastic material whereas, barium salts help to make the plastic impervious to x-rays. The heat and corrosion resistance can be improved by adding asbestos. + Other examples are Wood flour, cotton pulp, paper pulp, carbon black, graphite, powdered rubber, COMPOUNDING OF PLASTICS 3) Pigments / dyes / Colouring matter imparts desired colour to plastic. Organic dyestuffs and inorganic pigments are used for this purpose in small proportion. 4) Catalyst or accelerators are used to increase the rate of polymerisation of fusible resin binder to form cross linked infusible form during moulding operations. Generally thermosetting plastics involve use of catalyst normally an acidic or basic catalyst expending upon the type of thermosets. The catalyst is added small quantities. _ Commonly used catalysts are hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, metallic oxides etc. COMPOUNDING OF PLASTICS 5} Plasticizers help to increase the plasticity of the plastics. The adequate quantity of plasticizer also|[Link] to soften the plast\c at comparatively lower temperature. [Link] of plasticizers are to Enhance flexbility or plasticity. decrease brittleness. reduce the viscosity of resins so that they can be moulded even at high temperature and pressure. lower softening temperature. lower moulding or remoulding temperature. Plasticizers are not used in thermosets, they are added in thermo softening * They reduce intermolecular attraction and thereby increases tendency of slidin or moving. Thus the plastics which are plasticized possess high percentage o| flexibility. The commonly used plasticizers resins only. * Plasticizers occupy the position with uniform distribution between the polymer molecules. This type of dispersal of plasticizers reduces the forces are lubricants, camphor, alkyl phosphates, vegetable oils, fatty acids and some phosphates {tricresyl’ phosphate, triphenyl phosphate). They are added to the extent of 8-10 of the total bulk of plastic.Meu aes These are long chain linear polymers formed say peas Ree These have linear and branched structure These have three-dimensional network st - number of cross links Se ota Sth tN They have high molecular weight as com Se Me ie thermo softening plastics Se eee ae ee a They are usually hard, strong and-more brittle’ Due to strong bonds and cross links, theyarel They are usually soluble in some organic solvents in all organic solvents. Se tS ee aed The crosslinks and bonds retain their strength on Se ere eee cL heating and hence, they do net soften on heating. ‘They retain their shape and structure even on heating. = Hence, they cannot be reshaped and reused.TRANSFER MOULDING It is a method which uses the principle of injection molding and is used for thermosetting material when relatively intricate designs are required of fabricated products This transfer mou! is a combination of injection and compression molding, In this molding powdered resins are placed in heated chamber, maintained at a minimum temperature due to which the powdered resins just begins to become plastic. This plastic material is then injected through orifice into the mould by plunger, working at high pressure. Due to which high friction develops at the orifice, the temperature of the material at the of ejection from the orifice rises to such an extent that moulding powder becomes almost liquid, consequently it flows quickly into the mould, it is heated upto the curing temperature. The moulded article is nsfer moulding of plastic then ejected TRANSFER MOULDING Advantages; *[Link] shapes not attainable by compression moulding can readily be produced. *[Link] produced is free from flow mark. * [Link] thick pieces cure almost completely and uniformly. * [Link] cost of fabricated article is almost entirely eliminated. *[Link] is almost eliminated, since air and excluded gases are expelled in the plasticizing | chamber itself. * 6. Mould cost is less, since it involves very low abrasive action. *[Link] wires and glass fibres can be inserted into the mould. Applications: Wind turbine blades, Integrated circuits , plugs, connectors, wires. Polymer show a behavior in between elastic solids and flowy liquids. TI depend on temperature and time duration .As elastic solids rest removal of external forces ,while in case of viscous liquids there is no hence when external forces are applied it flows out irreversibly Visco have elements of both these properties .Viscoelasticity is moleculai Under stress polymer chains change position (creep) and polymer An amorphous polymers behave. like glass at lower temperature intermediate temperature and a viscous liquid at higher temperature. F te temperature the state is rubbery solid. That exhibits the combined properties extremes of solid and liquid ,the condition is called as viscoelasticity . This exhibits both viscous and elastic characteristics . * Viscous material like honey resist strain linearly with time when stress is applic materials strain instantaneously when stretched and quickly return to thei state once the stress is removed. iEXTRUSION MOULDING It is mainly used for continuous manufacturing articles with uniform cross sectional area of thermoplastic [Link] example tubes,rods,strips,insulated cable materials. In this method dry moulding powder is first fed through hopper into the heated chamber which has a revolving screw. the screw is rotated the molten material is forward through the small orifice of the die to continuous uniform shaped articles. When it leaves the orifice, it is allowed to pass through water for solidification of plastic material. Applications: Pipe, tube, window frame, weather stripping fencing,deck railing Blown Film Extrusion Moulding * It is used to produce thin film hollow tubes. * As material is excluded, air is forced through the center of die, causing the material to expand to th diameter. + Mould is open at the end, and the material is continously taken up on rollers. * During the take-up process, the wall on the tubes may be seamed welded and perforated Heater ae LIT AAA Ah Plasticizing/Feed screwMarks Questions of Polymer Explain polymer blend with some examples. Explain polymer alloy with some examples, What are smart polymers and where are they used? oe What are liquid crystal polymers and what are their applications? What are the functions of plas sizers? Write examples of plasticizers. What is the role of fillers during moulding operation? Which substances are used as fillers? Distinguish between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastic. Why is the transfer moulding betier than compression moulding Explain in brief blown film extrusion moulding, | Questions of Module “Composite Materials” hat do you mean by viscoelasticity of polymers?