Research Initiation: Fracture Characterizaton of Injection Molded Thermoplastic Elastomers

本项目涉及一种新颖的成型方法，即低 热塑性弹性体（TPE）的热惯性模具（LTIM）。 的 LTIM技术使零件表面能够加热和冷却 快速使用热电元件。 热塑性弹性体 其独特之处在于它们表现出热可逆性和橡胶性 力学性能 该项目的目标是改善 通过一个系统的， 模具温度对断裂影响的研究 能源 断裂特性将与 使用计算机处理TPE的热机械历史 康奈尔大学开发的一个名为“C-flow”的模拟软件包 大学 基于这种关系，最佳模具温度 可以规定以产生可达到的最佳断裂强度。 然后，LTIM可以通过以下方式帮助优化断裂性能： 控制凝固的动力学， 两相系统的微观结构和 模压TPE部件。

This project deals with a novel molding method, namely, low thermal inertia mold (LTIM) of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). The LTIM technique enables surfaces of the part to be heated and cooled rapidly using thermoelectric elements. The thermoplastic elastomers are unique in that they exhibit thermal reversibilities and rubbery mechanical properties. The objective of this project is to improve the fracture properties of molded TPE's through a systematic investigation of the effect of mold temperature on the fracture energy. The fracture properties will be correlated with the thermomechanical history of the processed TPE's using a computer simulation package known as 'C-flow', developed by Cornell University. Based on this correlation, the optimum mold temperature can be prescribed to yield the best fracture strength attainable. The LTIM can then aid in optimizing the fracture property by controlling the kinetics of solidification which govern the microstructure of the two-phase system and the overall anisotropy of the molded TPE part.