Structurally graded polymeric materials and filled polymers, an integrated approach, Danish Research Councils, 1998 - 2005

The objective of the research is to study the effects of processing conditions and crystalline morphology of semicrystalline polymers and nanocomposites with polymeric matrices on their mechanical properties.   Status for 2004 1. Constitutive Equations for the Viscoplastic Response of Isotactic Polypropylene in Cyclic Tests: The Effect of Strain Rate. 2. Experimental and theoretical study of the mechanical behaviour of polymeric melts reinforced with nanofillers. Melt compounding of ABS and Nanoclay   3. Finished 2004 Push-Pull Controlled Development of Structure in Structurally graded polymeric materials and filled polymers. FEM simulation.   The aim is to continue work on: 1. The mixing and preparation of an isotactic Polypropylene system containing maleated PP and a nano-clay (MMT). New dies are designed and will be tested for the optimal processing route. 2. Manufacturing af a surfactant for ABS+clay. 3. The thermal properties and the kinetics of degradation will be studied by combining rheometry results with DSC/TGA and FTIR. This is especially relevant for correct conclusions on the time-property evolution in the composites.   Financing: Danish Research Councils and participating universities. Participants in Task B: Jesper deClaville Christiansen, Aleksey Drozdov. Contact for the programme: Programme leader Ryzard Pyrz, Department of Mechanical Engineering, AAU. For Task B: Rheology and processing of graded polymers, Jesper deClaville Christiansen, Department of Production.   (Jesper deClaville Christiansen, Department of Production, AAU)