Enhanced Polymer Properties Through Controlled Melt Manipulation During Processing

利哈伊大学的一个跨学科研究小组正在探索聚合物加工过程中的熔体操纵。熔体操纵在制造性能增强的基于聚合物的产品方面是很有前途的。由于可以实现性能改进，因此扩大回收材料的使用也成为可能。在熔体操纵过程中，通过在加工过程中向聚合物熔体施加振荡机械能来延长原本常规的成型周期。这会影响加工过程中发生的材料取向和松弛动力学，进而影响最终产品的内部结构和整体性能。该项目的重点是学习如何、何时以及在哪里应用这项技术以产生有益的结果。将熔体操作条件与最终产品质量属性联系起来的详细的顺序因果关系正在使用一种耦合的实验和分析方法进行探索。研究的内容集中在1)整个模具中应用的机器加工条件和局部加工条件之间的关系，2)局部加工条件和分子取向，3)局部分子取向和局部材料响应，以及4)局部材料响应和整体产品性能之间的关系。为了确保这一努力的相关性和成功，包括重要的行业参与和指导。该项目的广泛教育影响正在通过纳入来自多所学校的本科生而得到加强。此外，作为一个既定的获奖合作教育项目的一部分，来自代表性不足的少数民族人口的目标中学生群体正在接受这项研究。

An interdisciplinary research team at Lehigh University is exploring melt manipulation during polymer processing. Melt manipulation is promising for the manufacturing of polymer-based products with enhanced properties. Because property enhancements can be realized the expanded usage of recycled materials also becomes possible. During melt manipulation, an otherwise conventional molding cycle is augmented by the application of oscillatory mechanical energy to the polymer melt during processing. This affects the material orientation and relaxation dynamics that occur during processing and in-turn the internal structure and overall properties of the final product. The project is focused on learning how, when, and where to apply the technique to yield beneficial results. The detailed sequential cause and effect relationships that connect applied melt manipulation conditions to final product quality attributes are being explored using a coupled experimental and analytical approach. Components of the study are focusing on relationships between 1) applied machine processing conditions and localized processing conditions throughout the mold, 2) localized processing conditions and molecular orientation, 3) local molecular orientation and localized material response, and 4) localized material response and overall product performance. To assure the relevance and success of the effort, significant industrial involvement and guidance is included. The broad educational impact of the program is being enhanced by the inclusion of undergraduate students from a number of schools. In addition, a target group of middle school students from an under-represented minority population are being exposed to the research as part of an established and award winning cooperative education program.