The Effect of Strain on the Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers (TPEs).

Abstract

The research discussed herein entails an investigation of the effect of strain on polymer morphology. Model thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPEs) were subjected to tensile strains between 100% and 400% elongation and aged for varying lengths of time at ambient and elevated temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to investigate the changes in morphology that occurred as a result of strain elongation. The effect of aging was also related to the TPE's mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance. DSC results indicate that the polymer undergoes morphology changes due to strain, resulting in some degree of phase mixing. DMA data suggest that strain aging causes a minor change in the glass transition temperature (Tg) but a significant change in the peak magnitude of E" and tan delta.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA337927

Entities

People

  • Alan R. Teets
  • Dawn M. Crawford

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abrasion
  • Amorphous Materials
  • Block Polymers
  • Elastomers
  • Glass Transition Temperature
  • Macromolecules
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Properties
  • New York
  • Polymers
  • Polyurethanes
  • Resistance
  • Tensile Properties
  • Tensile Strain
  • Tensile Strength
  • Transition Temperature
  • Wear Resistance

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Powder metallurgy of Titanium alloys.
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.