Industry/University Cooperative Research: Polyurethane and Polyurea Reaction Injection Molding

反应注射成型（RIM）是一种快速生产大型轻质塑料零件的工艺，用于汽车和飞机零件等。低粘度液体反应物（单体）混合并注入模具，在那里它们到达并形成固体交联聚合物产品。两种进料流以高速相互碰撞，从而实现良好的混合。反应进行体共聚，产生分段嵌段共聚物。提出的研究旨在阐明RIM所涉及的基本化学和物理。pi计划分六个阶段开展工作：(1)对充模和固化步骤进行建模；(2)研究聚氨酯和聚氨酯的化学性质；(3)看聚合过程中相分离在模具中的作用；(4)研究混合对模具的影响(5)获得形貌测量；(6)研究氮气注入后RIM中气泡的运动和生长过程。总体目标是为RIM流程建立一个模型。在成型周期中，共聚物必须生长成长链，并分离成硬相和软相。本项目的工作是分析流动混合、反应和传热系统中聚合动力学和相分离动力学的结合。pi都是非常高的思想和他们的实验室是最好的在这个国家的工作之一。与工业界的合作提供了一个很好的投入，以帮助保持项目朝着正确的方向发展。一项为期三年的工业大学合作研究经费建议为86财年154,682美元，87财年174,038美元，88财年164,000美元。

Reaction injection molding (RIM) is a rapid process for producing large light weight plastic parts that are used for automobile and airplane parts among others. Low viscosity liquid reactants (monomers) are mixed and injected into a mold where they reach and form a solid crosslinked polymer product. The two feed streams impinge on each other at high velocity and thus achieve good mixing. Reaction proceeds as bulk copolymerization resulting in segmented block copolyers. The proposed research is aimed at elucidating the fundamental chemistry and physics involved in RIM. The PIs plan to carry out their work in six stages: (1) Model the mold filling and curing steps; (2) Study the chemistry of polyureas and polyurethanes; (3) Look at the role of phase separation during polymerization in the mold; (4) Study the effects of mixing in the mold (5) Obtain morphology measurements; and (6) Study the bubble motion and growth process in RIM due to injected nitrogen gas. The overall goal is to build a model for the RIM process. During the molding cycle the copolymers must grow into long chains and segregate nto hard and soft phases. The work in this project is the analysis of the combination of polymerization kinetics and phase separation dynamics within a flowing mixing, reacting and heat transferring system. The PIs are all very highly thought of and their laboratory is one of the best in the country for this work. The cooperation with industry provides an excellent input to help keep the project aimed in the proper direction. A three year Industry University Cooperative Research Grant is recommended at $154,682 for FY 86, $174,038 for FY 87, and $164,000 for FY 88.