1st Edition

Filled Polymers Science and Industrial Applications

By Jean L. Leblanc Copyright 2010
    444 Pages 230 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The idea of mixing single available materials into compounds to fulfill a set of desired properties is likely as old as mankind. Highly sophisticated polymer applications would simply be impossible without the enhancement of some of their properties through addition of fine mineral particles or synthetic or natural short fibers. Many filled polymers, either thermoplastics or vulcanizable rubbers, have different chemical natures but exhibit common singular properties. An understanding of why they do so is likely to be the source of promising scientific and engineering developments—and Filled Polymers: Science and Industrial Applications thoroughly explores the question.

    Based on the author’s 30 years of research, engineering activities, and teaching in the field of complex polymer systems, this comprehensive survey of polymer applications illustrates their commonalities and the scientific background behind their many industrial uses. The text analyzes theoretical considerations which explain the origin of the singular properties of filled polymers, and it includes appendices which feature a selection of calculation worksheets that offer numerical illustrations of several of the theoretical considerations discussed in the book.

    Our understanding of polymer reinforcement remains incomplete because any progress in the field is strongly connected with either the availability of appropriate experimental and observation techniques or theoretical views about polymer-filler interactions, or both. This book presents tools—such as equations tested with familiar calculation software—to clarify these concepts and take understanding to the highest possible level.

    Introduction

    Scope of the Book

    Filled Polymers vs. Polymer Nanocomposites

     

    Types of Fillers

     

    Concept of Reinforcement

     

    Typical Fillers for Polymers

    Carbon Black

    White Fillers

    Short Synthetic Fibers

    Short Fibers of Natural Origin

    Appendix

    Carbon Black Data

    Medalia’s Floc Simulation for Carbon Black Aggregate

    Medalia’s Aggregate Morphology Approach

    Carbon Black: Number of Particles/Aggregate

     

    Polymers and Carbon Black

    Elastomers and Carbon Black (CB)

    Thermoplastics and Carbon Black

    Appendix

    Network Junction Theory

    Kraus Deagglomeration–Reagglomeration Model for Dynamic Strain Softening (DSS)

    Ulmer Modification of the Kraus Model for Dynamic Strain Softening (DSS): Fitting the Model

    Aggregates Flocculation/Entanglement

    Model (Cluster–Cluster Aggregation (CCA) Model, Klüppel et al.)

    Lion et al. Model for Dynamic Strain Softening (DSS)

    Maier and Göritz Model for Dynamic Strain Softening (DSS)

     

    Polymers and White Fillers

    Elastomers and White Fillers

    Thermoplastics and White Fillers

    Appendix

    Adsorption Kinetics of Silica on Silicone Polymers

    Modeling the Shear Viscosity Function of Filled

    Polymer Systems

    Models for the Rheology of Suspensions of Rigid Particles,

    Involving the Maximum Packing Fraction Φm

    Assessing the Capabilities of Model for the Shear

    Viscosity Function of Filled Polymers

    Expanding the Krieger–Dougherty Relationship

     

    Polymers and Short Fibers

    Generalities

    Micromechanic Models for Short Fibers-Filled Polymer

    Composites

    Thermoplastics and Short Glass Fibers

    Typical Rheological Aspect of Short Fiber-Filled

    Thermoplastic Melts

    Thermoplastics and Short Fibers of Natural Origin

    Elastomers and Short Fibers

    Appendix

    Short Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Minimum Fiber Aspect Ratio

    Halpin–Tsai Equations for Short Fibers Filled Systems: Numerical Illustration

    Nielsen Modification of Halpin–Tsai Equations with Respect to the Maximum Packing Fraction: Numerical Illustration

    Mori–Tanaka’s Average Stress Concept: Tandon–Weng

    Expressions for Randomly Distributed Ellipsoidal (Fiber-Like) Particles: Numerical Illustration

    Shear Lag Model: Numerical illustration

     

    Index

    Biography

    Jean L. Leblanc is the director of the Polymer Rheology and Processing Laboratory at the University P & M Curie in Paris. He has published more than 120 scientific papers and two books, contributed chapters in several collective books, made numerous presentations in international conferences, and has given seminars in Brazil, Canada, Thailand, the USA, and several European countries.