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Thesis
Toughening bimodal vinyl ester blends using bio-rubber monomers
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6067
Abstract
Vinyl ester (VE) resins are commonly used as matrix materials in the manufacture of polymer matrix composites (PMC). However, most commercial five resins are brittle and contain considerable amounts of styrene (ST) which is a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) as well as a potential carcinogen. five resins formulated using bimodal blends of vinyl ester monomers offer both an increase in fracture performance while maintaining low viscosities without the addition of extra styrene or other additives. In this work, bio-based rubber modifiers were synthesized and combined with selected bimodal blends of VE. It was found that the addition of bio-rubbers (BR) to bimodal five systems results in significant fracture toughness improvement by the generation of a rubbery dispersed second phase with characteristic dimensions less than 500 nm. For example, the G1c of a selected five bimodal blend initially containing 35 wt % styrene increased from 286 J/m2 to 773 J/m2 with the addition of 15 wt% BR. Negligible effects on the resin viscosity (~ 2300) cP were observed, the Tg remained above 100°C and styrene content was reduced to 30%. Addition of a small amount of styrene was found to reduce the viscosity of the resin to levels acceptable for liquid molding applications with minimal effects on toughness and Tg.
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Details
- Title
- Toughening bimodal vinyl ester blends using bio-rubber monomers
- Creators
- Alexander Thomas Grous - DU
- Contributors
- Giuseppe R. Palmese (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemical (and Biological) Engineering [Historical]; College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6067; 991014632220804721