Micrograph of rubber-toughened polymer deformed under tension (P.-Y.B. Jar)
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(Program coordinator: Zbigniew Stachurski)
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Polymers are the materials that probably brought the greatest impact to your daily life. These man-made materials were initially considered only for replacing ivory and gutta-percha for items such as billiard balls, combs and brushes, but they are now used to make video/audio tapes, films, CDs, adhesives, tubes, gaskets, gears, propellers, etc. The desire of ultimate performance for these products increases the demand of high strength and toughness from the polymers. Research in the Department is aimed at enhancing polymer toughness through polymer blending and rubber mixing.
For polymer blending, the research is focused on miscible systems that are being regarded as a new class of commodity polymers. Due to their mechanical compatibility down to the nanometre level, blends of miscible polymers have versatility in tailoring properties for various applications. Experimental results have shown that the miscible blends are much better than the immiscible counterparts in toughness enhancement. |
Micrograph of rubber-toughened polymer deformed under tension (P.-Y.B. Jar)
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For rubber toughening, current interest is in the role of particle-matrix bonding on the toughness enhancement. The particle-matrix bonding is optimised through adjustment of molecular interaction. Effectiveness of the rubber toughening was found to depend on the test methods used for toughness evaluation. For example, a polymer system selected for our study showed a different level of toughness enhancement between K_IC (critical stress intensity factor in mode I) and Izod impact strength.
The ultimate goal of the study is to achieve profound understanding of the toughening mechanisms for polymers and to develop new tough polymers that are commercially viable. To achieve the goal, collaboration with industry and research institutions is an essential part of the research activity. |