Multifunctional Block Copolymers, Acting as Recycling Aids, by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Block copolymers utilizing oligomeric poly(pentylene-co-hexylene carbonate)diol modified with 2,4-diisocyanatotoluene and further with 2-bromo-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methylpropanamide were synthesized and utilized as Activators ReGenerated by Electron Transfer Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization macroinitiators to obtain a first generation of multifunctional recycling additives with poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) side chains, which could act as chain extenders. Then, chosen additive was reacted with a radical scavenger, 3,5-ditertbutyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), to obtain a second generation of reactive additives. Those copolymers had different numbers of epoxy groups per polymer chain, and different number of epoxides opened with DHBA, hence showed a range of properties, and were utilized as reactive modifiers for polylactide (PLA) extrusion melting. The first-generation modifiers caused an increase in PLA's blends relative melt viscosity, stabilized material properties, and enhanced impact strength, while the second-generation modifiers with more than 8 % of epoxide ring opened showed worse properties. However, they managed to suppress the UV degradation of PLA blend plates.

Mechanical Energy Absorption Ability of Titanium-Based Porous Structures Produced by Various Powder Metallurgy Approaches.

Porous materials are very efficient in absorbing mechanical energy, for instance, in combined armor, in order to improve the anti-ballistic protection characteristics. In the present study, porous titanium-based structures were manufactured via three different powder metallurgy methods using titanium hydride (TiH2) powder, which provided activated sintering, owing to dehydrogenation. The emission of hydrogen and shrinkage of powder particles on dehydrogenation also added an additional potential to control the sintering process and create desirable porosities. TiH2 powder was sintered with additions of NaCl or ammonium carbide as pore holding removable agents, while highly porous Ti-Al structures were formed via liquid phase reactive sintering of TiH2 and Al powders. The microstructures and porosities of sintered dehydrogenated titanium and Ti-Al structures were comparatively studied. Mechanical characteristics were evaluated using compression testing with strain rates varying from quasi-static to high levels. The resonant frequency method was also employed to determine damping parameters and elastic modulus of these materials. All testing methods were aimed at characterizing the energy-absorbing ability of the obtained porous structures. The desired strength, plasticity and energy-absorbing characteristics of porous titanium-based structures were assessed, and the possibilities of their application were also discussed. Based on the obtained results, it was found that porous titanium materials produced with the use of ammonium carbonate showed promising energy absorption properties.

Static Mechanical Properties of Expanded Polypropylene Crushable Foam.

Closed-cell expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam is commonly used in car bumpers for the purpose of absorbing energy impacts. Characterization of the foam's mechanical properties at varying strain rates is essential for selecting the proper material used as a protective structure in dynamic loading application. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of loading strain rate, material density, and microstructure on compressive strength and energy absorption capacity for closed-cell polymeric foams. We performed quasi-static compressive strength tests with strain rates in the range of 0.2 to 25 mm/s, using a hydraulically controlled material testing system (MTS) for different foam densities in the range 20 g/dm3 to 220 g/dm3. The above tests were carried out as numerical simulation using ABAQUS software. The verification of the properties was carried out on the basis of experimental tests and simulations performed using the finite element method. The method of modelling the structure of the tested sample has an impact on the stress values. Experimental tests were performed for various loads and at various initial temperatures of the tested sample. We found that increasing both the strain rate of loading and foam density raised the compressive strength and energy absorption capacity. Increasing the ambient and tested sample temperature caused a decrease in compressive strength and energy absorption capacity. For the same foam density, differences in foam microstructures were causing differences in strength and energy absorption capacity when testing at the same loading strain rate. To sum up, tuning the microstructure of foams could be used to acquire desired global materials properties. Precise material description extends the possibility of using EPP foams in various applications.