Acquisition of Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer and Stress-ControlledRheometer for the Mechanical Characterization of Advanced Materials

Abstract

The Butler Polymer Research Laboratory in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida (UF) is the home to over 100 researchers in advanced polymer materials. Within this, the Polymer Chemistry Characterization Laboratory (PCCL) is a user facility that houses an extensive suite of state-of-the-art equipment for the synthesis and characterization of macromolecular and supramolecular materials. In this proposal, funding was used for purchase of instrumentation that is critical for the mechanical and thermomechanical testing of advanced materials. This included a TA Instruments Q800 Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer and a TA Instruments HR-2 Discovery Hybrid Rheometer. The instruments were purchased in May 2016 and delivered in July 2016. After some unforeseen infrastructure improvements, the instruments were installed, and training was performed, in November 2016. As a critical enhancement to our current capabilities, these tools provide the ability to monitor structural properties of novel materials. Presented here is ongoing work in the areas of (1) self-healing hydrogels, (2) cyclic polyolefins, (3) organogel characterization, and (4) functionalized polyolefins with minimal or no structural defects via ADMET polymerization. This equipment has accelerated progress of this research, and it will continue to impact research and student education for years to come.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Dec 04, 2018
Source ID
W911NF1610205

Entities

People

  • Kenneth B. Wagener

Organizations

  • Army Contracting Command
  • United States Army
  • University of Florida

Tags

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Polymer Science and Technology
  • Research Science/Academic Research