Solid-State Shear Pulverization (SSSP):
An Investigation into Thermoplastic Types and Properties
Author:
Tyler Will (Graduate Student)Co-Authors:
Yiran LuFaculty Mentor(s):
Dr. Katsuyuki Wakabayashi, Chemical EngineeringFunding Source:
ACSPRFAbstract
Solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP) is an alternative polymer processing technique based on twin screw extrusion with a continuous cooling system. In SSSP, low temperature- mechanochemistry modifies the macromolecular architecture and morphology, which in turn leads to physical property changes in the material. While a wide range of homopolymers, polymer blends, and polymer (nano)composites have been previously developed with SSSP, fundamental understanding of how the mechanochemistry affects polymer chain architecture and structure, and in turn, material properties, have not been elucidated. This paper conducts a systematic, processing-structure-property relationship investigation of ten thermoplastic polymers with varying properties, as they are subjected to consistent SSSP mechanochemical pulverization and nanocomposite compounding. Structural, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of the neat polymers are correlated to their response to SSSP, by way of process covariants. Further, the multiple processing SSSP parameters dictate structural changes such as molecular weight reduction and filler dispersion level, which in turn dictate system properties like melt viscosity and thermal stability.