POLYMER PROCESSING
See Discussion on Polymers and How They Deform in The Handouts
POLYMER PROPERTIES
MOLECULAR STRUCTURES
AMORPHOUS AND CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS
Characteristic Behavior of PolymersETemperatureGlassy RegimeLeathery RegimeRubbery RegimeLiquid/Melt RegimeBelow the glass transition temperature, the molecules are extremely restricted in motion due to thermal energy; i.e., they are frozen in. Most materials have limited ductility or are even brittle brittle below Tg (e.g., polystyrene), while others (mainly thermoplastics, e.g., polycarbonate) can have good ductility even below Tg. The curve is sensitive to the time of loading, and the transition points shift to the right if the rate of loading is fast. The converse occurs if the rate of loading is slow.The liquid/fluid like domain does not exist for epoxies or polyesters, which are highly cross-linked by the hardening agent or catalyst. These materials go through the leathery regime (which is quite narrow for most polymers) and then disintegrate at high temperatures). In rubbers, vulcanization can raise the plateau associated with the rubbery regime.TgTypically 1 3 GPaTypically 0.1 GPaTmelt
POLYMER CHARACTERISTICS
ELONGATION / NECKING BEHAVIOR
INJECTION MOLDING
INJECTION MOLDING OF A PART
DIE SWELLManifestation from viscoelastic behavior
COATED WIRE FABRICATION
COMPRESSION MOLDING
TRANSFER MOLDING
EXTRUSION BLOW MOLDING
INJECTION BLOW MOLDING
COMPOSITE FABRICATION
PREPREG FABRICATION IN POLYMERIC COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
PULTRUSIONBeing used for fabricating golf rods, antennas for satellites and space shuttles, etc. Many composite shapes can be fabricated in this manner.