Influence of Shape-Forming Elements on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties in Coextruded Thermoplastic Composites
Rebecca Olanrewaju, Yuefang Jiang, Thao Nguyen, David Kazmer
TL;DR
This paper explores how shape-forming elements in coextrusion can improve the mechanical properties of polymer composites.
Contribution
The introduction of shape-forming elements inspired by fractals to control interfacial architecture in coextruded composites.
Findings
Shape-forming elements improve tensile modulus and stress at break with high correlation to draw ratio.
Discrepancies between simulations and experiments were attributed to material incompatibility and moisture-induced defects.
Abstract
The immiscibility of most polymers leads to poor interfacial adhesion in blends, a critical challenge that often limits the mechanical performance of polymer composites. This research introduces shape-forming elements (SFEs), a novel class of coextrusion dies designed to create additional geometric complexity and control over interfacial architecture. Specifically inspired by Julia Set and T-Square fractals, SFEs were simulated, prototyped, and found to be effective in coextrusion of different-colored polymer clays. The SFEs were employed to coextrude architected composites consisting of a liquid crystalline polymer (Vectra A950) and a cycloaliphatic polyamide (Trogamid CX7323). Mechanical testing revealed a strong positive correlation between the draw ratio and both the tensile modulus (adjusted R2 = 0.94) and tensile stress at break (adjusted R2 = 0.84). However, experimental…
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Taxonomy
TopicsPolymer crystallization and properties · Rheology and Fluid Dynamics Studies · Polymer Nanocomposites and Properties