Yes / Highly oriented poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends were fabricated through solid hot stretching technology in an effort to improve the mechanical properties and blood biocompatibility of PLA as blood-contacting medical devices. It was found that the tensile strength and modulus of the blends can be improved dramatically by stretching. With the increase of draw ratio, the cold crystallization peak became smaller, and the glass transition and the melting peak moved to high temperature, while the crystallinity increased, and the grain size of PLA decreased, indicating of the stress-induced crystallization during drawing. The oriented blends exhibited structures with longitudinal striations which indicate the presence of micro-fibers. TPU phase was finely and homogeneously dispersed in the PLA, and after drawing, TPU domains were elongated to ellipsoid. The introduction of TPU and orientation could enhance the blood compatibility of PLA by prolonging kinetic clotting time, and decreasing hemolysis ratio and platelet activation.

Ceramic additive manufacturing is gaining popularity with methods like selective laser sintering (SLS), binder jetting, direct ink writing and stereolithography, despite their disadvantages. Laser sintering and binder jetting are too expensive, while direct ink writing lacks resolution and stereolithography lacks scalability. The project aims to combine one of the most versatile, affordable, and readily available 3D printing methods: fused filament fabrication (FFF) with polymer derived ceramics to produce cellular ceramics to overcome the disadvantages posed by the other methods. The process uses a two-step approach. The first step is to 3D print the part using a polymer FFF 3D printer with a thermoplastic polyurethane filament and the second step is to impregnate the part in a polysilazane preceramic polymer and then pyrolyze it in an inert environment up to 1200C. The resulting product is a high-resolution cellular ceramic of the composition SiOC(N). This type of cellular ceramic can find an application in several fields such as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration, liquid metal filtering, chemical and gas filtering, catalytic converters and electric applications. The process can provide an affordable alternative to the products used in these fields currently.

No description available.

This thesis is concerned with fused filament fabrication (FFF) of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites, focusing on preliminary optimization of a processing window for 3D printing of mechanically responsive composites and the influence of temperature on mechanical adaptivity, thermal stability, and rheology. CNC thermoplastic nanocomposites are a water responsive, mechanically adaptive material that has been gaining interest in additive manufacturing for 4D-printing applications. Using a desktop FlashForge Pro 3D printer, we first established a viable processing window for a nanocomposite comprising 10 wt% CNCs in a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) matrix, formed into a filament through the combination of masterbatch solvent casting and single screw extrusion. Printing temperatures of 240, 250, and 260°C and printing speeds of 600, 1100, and 1600 mm/min instituted a consistent 3D-printing process that produced characterizable CNC/TPU nanocomposite samples. To distinguish the effects of these parameters on the mechanical properties of the printed CNC/TPU samples, a design of experiments (DOE) with two factors and three levels was implemented for each combination of printing temperature and speed. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) highlighted 43 and 66% increases in dry-state storage moduli values as printing speed increases for 250 and 260°C, respectively. 64 and 23% increases in dry-state storage moduli were also observed for 600 and 1100 mm/min, respectively, as temperature decreased from 260 to 250°C. For samples printed at 240°C and 1600 mm/min, it was determined that that parameter set may have fallen out of the processing window due to inconsistent deposition and lower dry-state storage moduli than what the slower speeds exhibited. As a result, the samples printed at 240°C did not follow the same trends as 250 and 260°C. Further analysis helped determine that the thermal energy experienced at the higher end printing temperatures coupled with the slower speeds decreased the dry-state storage moduli by nearly 50% and lead to darker colored samples, suggesting CNC degradation. Isothermal thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) demonstrated that the CNC/TPU filament would degrade at relative residence times in the nozzle for all the chosen printing temperatures. However, degradation did not eliminate the samples' ability to mechanically adapt to a moisture-rich environment. DMA results verified that mechanical adaptivity was persistent for all temperature and speed combinations as samples were immersed in water. However, for the higher temperatures and slower speeds, there was about a 15% decrease in adaptability. Optimal parameters of 250°C and 1600 mm/min provided the highest dry-state storage modulus of 49.7 +/- 0.5 MPa and the highest degree of mechanical adaptivity of 51.9%. To establish the CNC/TPU nanocomposite's use in 4D printing applications, shape memory analysis was conducted on a sample printed at the optimal parameters. Multiple wetting, straining, and drying steps were conducted to highlight 76% and 42% values for shape fixity and shape recovery, respectively. Furthermore, a foldable box was printed to serve as an example of a self-deployable structure application. The box displayed shape fixity and recovery values of 67% and 26%, respectively, further illustrating significant promise and progress for CNC/TPU nanocomposites in 4D-printed, shape adaptable structures. Further analysis of the effect of degradation during FFF of the CNC/TPU nanocomposite was conducted using rotational rheometry, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and polymer swelling experiments. A temperature ramp from 180 to 270°C showed a significant increase in complex viscosity (h*) at the chosen printing temperatures (240, 250, and 260°C). Moreover, h* of neat TPU suddenly increases at 230°C, indicating a potential chemical crosslinking reaction taking place. 20-minute time sweeps further verified that h* increases along with steady increases in storage (G') and loss (G'') moduli. From these results, it was hypothesized that crosslinking is occurring between CNCs and TPU. Preliminary characterization with FTIR was used to probe the molecular structure of thermally crosslinked samples. At 1060 and 1703 cm-1, there are significant differences in intensities (molecular vibrations) as the temperature increases from 180 to 260°C related to primary alcohol formation and hydrogen bonded carbonyl groups, respectively. The hypothesis is the disassociation of TPU carbamate bonds into soft segments with primary alcohols and hard segments with isocyanate groups. The subsequent increasing peaks at 1060 and 1703 cm-1 may indicate crosslinking of CNCs with these disassociated TPU segments. To quantify potential crosslinking, polymer swelling experiments were implemented. After being submerged in dimethylformamide (DMF) for 24 hours, CNC/TPU samples thermally aged for 15 minutes at 240, 250, and 260°C retained their filament shape and did not dissolve. The 240 and 250°C aged samples had relatively similar crosslink densities close to 900 mole/cm3. However, from 250 to 260°C, there was about a 36% increase in crosslink density. These results suggest that crosslinking is occurring at these printing temperatures because both CNCs and TPU are thermally degrading into reactive components that will lead to covalent crosslinks degradation. Additional characterization is needed to further verify the chemical structure of these CNC/TPU nanocomposites which would provide significant insight for CNC/TPU processing and 3D printing into tunable printed parts with varying degrees of crosslinking. / Master of Science / This thesis is concerned with the development of a processing window for mechanically adaptive cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites with fused filament fabrication (FFF) and, evaluating the influence of elevated temperatures on the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of said nanocomposite. CNC thermoplastic nanocomposites are a water responsive, mechanically adaptive material that has been gaining interest in additive manufacturing for 4D-printing. Using a desktop 3D-printer, an initial processing window for a 10 wt% CNC in TPU was established with printing temperatures of 240, 250, and 260°C and printing speeds of 600, 1100, and 1600 mm/min. A design of experiments (DOE) was implemented to determine the effects of these parameters on the mechanical properties and mechanical adaptability of printed CNC/TPU parts. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) suggests that combinations of higher temperatures and lower speeds result in reduced storage moduli values for printed CNC/TPU parts. However, mechanical adaptation, or the ability to soften upon water exposure, persists for all the printed samples. Additionally, there was significant discolorations of the printed samples at the higher temperature and slower speed combinations, suggesting thermal degradation is occurring during the printing process. The decrease in storage moduli and discoloration is attributed to thermal energy input, as thermogravimetric analysis indicated thermal degradation was indeed occurring during the printing process regardless of printing temperature. Using the parameters (250°C and 1600 mm/min) that displayed the superior mechanical properties, as well as mechanical adaptivity, shape memory analysis was conducted. The optimal printed part was able to hold 76% of the shape it was strained to, while recovering 42% of the original unstrained shape once immersed in water, indicating potential for shape memory and 4D-printing applications. Furthermore, a foldable box was printed with the optimal parameters and it displayed similar shape memory behavior, illustrating promise for CNC/TPU self-deployable shape adaptable structures. To further study the effect of degradation on the CNC/TPU system, melt flow properties, molecular structure, and polymer swelling were investigated. At the printing temperatures (240, 250, and 260°C), the complex viscosity of the CNC/TPU filament experienced an exponential increase, indicating potential network formation between the CNCs and TPU. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) highlighted changes in the molecular structure for the CNC/TPU filament as temperature increased from 240 to 260°C, which suggests that chemical structure changes are occurring because of degradation. The hypothesis is TPU is disassociated into free soft and hard segments that the CNCs can covalently crosslink with, which can potentially be explained by the increases in the FTIR intensities relating to TPU and CNC's chemical structure. To further quantify potential crosslinking between CNCs and TPU, polymer swelling experiments were implemented. The results from these experiments suggest that increasing printing temperatures from 240 to 260°C will lead to higher degrees of crosslinking. Further investigation could yield the validity of this crosslinking and additional optimization of FFF printing with CNC/TPU nanocomposites.

The main purpose of this thesis is the systematic, experimental investigation of how a soft interlayer affects the impact response and energy dissipation mechanisms of all-polymer multi-laminates. An instrumented, intermediate impact velocity experimental setup with strain rates on the order of 100 s-1, is used to assess the impact mechanics of three-layered samples consisting of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) front, polymer interlayer or adhesive, and polycarbonate (PC) back layer. Instrumentation of the gas gun is achieved with a shock accelerometer measuring contact force and optical displacement sensors recording deflection. Previous impact research utilizing instrumented gas guns by Levy and Goldsmith, and Delfosse et al. have measured contact force, but did not record simultaneous out-of-plane displacement. Signals acquired are temporally aligned allowing for insight into the response of the multi-laminate during impact, which is inaccessible with typical gas guns. Impact testing is completed on bonded and unbonded sample configurations, with two thermoplastic polyurethane and four polyacrylate interlayers. Quantitative metrics from force and displacement signals, along with post-impact damage observations, are used to compare impact performance between configurations and impact velocities (12 and 22 m/s). In general, the presence and bonding of an interlayer increases impact resistance by mitigating and localizing the impact load. The interlayers are characterized at various strain rates in tension, compression, and shear adhesion. In tension, all interlayers display rate dependence, non-linearity, and hysteretic behavior showing varying degrees of increasing energy dissipation with strain rate. Several trends between sample fracture and energy absorption mechanisms, quasi-static and low rate interlayer response, and metric results are established and discussed. / Master of Science

Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados poliuretanos termoplásticos (TPU) via solução em reator e via extrusão reativa em extrusora dupla rosca. Os TPUs foram obtidos com o uso de pré-polímero 4,4‟-difenilmetano (MDI) e poliol poliéster, a hidroquinona bis-2-(hidróxietil)-éter (HQEE), e o n-fenilaminopropil-POSS. Os reagentes e produtos foram caracterizados através de análises de Espectroscopia no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Calorimetria Diferencial de Varredura (DSC), análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e reometria capilar (exclusivamente para os produtos). As análises de DSC mostraram que a presença do POSS influenciou a entalpia de fusão (ΔHm) dos TPUs sintetizados via solução. As amostras polimerizadas por extrusão reativa a 80 ºC apresentam Tm comparativamente menores que as amostras sintetizadas a 90 ºC, porém com ΔHm superior, indicando que a temperatura possivelmente favorece a formação de um número maior de cristais com um tamanho médio inferior. Também foram observados fenômenos exotérmicos durante o aquecimento das amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, provavelmente devido a disponibilidade de grupos isocianato livres, detectados via FTIR, na região de ~2253 cm-1. A estabilidade térmica dos TPUs via solução também foi alterada pela adição de POSS, enquanto o polímero obtido através da extrusão reativa apresentou valores mais elevados no início da degradação. Os ensaios de TGA em isoterma apresentaram valores de perda de massa progressivamente inferiores nas amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, demonstrando que tanto o POSS quanto a temperatura de síntese influem nas propriedades do polímero. Ensaios de resistência térmica nas amostras apresentaram perdas de massa inferiores nas amostras vi8a xetrusão reativa. Em ensaios de reometria capilar, a inserção do POSS levou a um aumento progressivo da viscosidade intrínseca do polímero, indicando aumento da massa molar média do TPU sintetizado via solução. Os mesmos ensaios executados com as amostras via extrusão reativa mostraram viscosidades aparentes similares, provavelmente influenciados por processos de degradação do material na célula de carga, levando a comportamentos de viscosidade sem uma tendência observável. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-03T18:10:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Gabriel Hoyer Lopes.pdf: 2245249 bytes, checksum: 97ec28c68a7d73e9ca22b258465c50c6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-03T18:10:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Gabriel Hoyer Lopes.pdf: 2245249 bytes, checksum: 97ec28c68a7d73e9ca22b258465c50c6 (MD5) / In this work, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) were synthesized in solution process and reactive extrusion in twin-screw extruder. The TPUs were obtained with the use of pre-polymer based on 4,4´-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and a polyester functionalized polyol, the bis-2-(hidroxyethyl)ether hidroquinone and the n-phenylaminopropyl-POSS as a second chain extender. The reagents and products were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and also capillary rheometry (only for those products). The DSC analysis presence influenced the melting enthalpy (ΔHm) of the TPU synthesized by solution. The samples synthesized through reactive extrusion at 80 ºC presented a higher Tm compared to the 90 ºC TPUs, with a higher ΔHm, suggesting that the temperature favors the formation of a greater number of crystals with a lower medium size. Exothermic phenomena were observed during the heating of samples synthesized in reactive extrusion, probably due to the availability of free isocyanate groups, which were detected by FTIR in the ~2253 cm-1 region. The thermal stability of the TPUs was enhanced by the addition of POSS, while the polymers obtained through reactive extrusion presented higher onset degradation temperatures. The TGA analysis in isothermal conditions showed progressively lower mass loss values in samples obtained by reactive extrusion, demonstrating that the amount of POSS, as well the synthesis temperature, had influence in the final properties of the TPU. The thermal resistance of samples polymerized in reactive extrusion. In capillary rheometry tests, the insertion of POSS in the polymer led to a progressively higher value of intrinsic viscosity of the TPUs, indicating an increase in the mean molar mass of the TPUs obtained through solution synthesis. The same method was applied to the samples obtained through reactive extrusion, which showed similar apparent viscosities, yet the analysis was probably influenced by the degradation of the TPU inside the loading cell, leading to no measurable tendency in the viscosity of the polymer.

Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados poliuretanos termoplásticos (TPU) via solução em reator e via extrusão reativa em extrusora dupla rosca. Os TPUs foram obtidos com o uso de pré-polímero 4,4‟-difenilmetano (MDI) e poliol poliéster, a hidroquinona bis-2-(hidróxietil)-éter (HQEE), e o n-fenilaminopropil-POSS. Os reagentes e produtos foram caracterizados através de análises de Espectroscopia no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Calorimetria Diferencial de Varredura (DSC), análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e reometria capilar (exclusivamente para os produtos). As análises de DSC mostraram que a presença do POSS influenciou a entalpia de fusão (ΔHm) dos TPUs sintetizados via solução. As amostras polimerizadas por extrusão reativa a 80 ºC apresentam Tm comparativamente menores que as amostras sintetizadas a 90 ºC, porém com ΔHm superior, indicando que a temperatura possivelmente favorece a formação de um número maior de cristais com um tamanho médio inferior. Também foram observados fenômenos exotérmicos durante o aquecimento das amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, provavelmente devido a disponibilidade de grupos isocianato livres, detectados via FTIR, na região de ~2253 cm-1. A estabilidade térmica dos TPUs via solução também foi alterada pela adição de POSS, enquanto o polímero obtido através da extrusão reativa apresentou valores mais elevados no início da degradação. Os ensaios de TGA em isoterma apresentaram valores de perda de massa progressivamente inferiores nas amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, demonstrando que tanto o POSS quanto a temperatura de síntese influem nas propriedades do polímero. Ensaios de resistência térmica nas amostras apresentaram perdas de massa inferiores nas amostras vi8a xetrusão reativa. Em ensaios de reometria capilar, a inserção do POSS levou a um aumento progressivo da viscosidade intrínseca do polímero, indicando aumento da massa molar média do TPU sintetizado via solução. Os mesmos ensaios executados com as amostras via extrusão reativa mostraram viscosidades aparentes similares, provavelmente influenciados por processos de degradação do material na célula de carga, levando a comportamentos de viscosidade sem uma tendência observável. / In this work, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) were synthesized in solution process and reactive extrusion in twin-screw extruder. The TPUs were obtained with the use of pre-polymer based on 4,4´-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and a polyester functionalized polyol, the bis-2-(hidroxyethyl)ether hidroquinone and the n-phenylaminopropyl-POSS as a second chain extender. The reagents and products were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and also capillary rheometry (only for those products). The DSC analysis presence influenced the melting enthalpy (ΔHm) of the TPU synthesized by solution. The samples synthesized through reactive extrusion at 80 ºC presented a higher Tm compared to the 90 ºC TPUs, with a higher ΔHm, suggesting that the temperature favors the formation of a greater number of crystals with a lower medium size. Exothermic phenomena were observed during the heating of samples synthesized in reactive extrusion, probably due to the availability of free isocyanate groups, which were detected by FTIR in the ~2253 cm-1 region. The thermal stability of the TPUs was enhanced by the addition of POSS, while the polymers obtained through reactive extrusion presented higher onset degradation temperatures. The TGA analysis in isothermal conditions showed progressively lower mass loss values in samples obtained by reactive extrusion, demonstrating that the amount of POSS, as well the synthesis temperature, had influence in the final properties of the TPU. The thermal resistance of samples polymerized in reactive extrusion. In capillary rheometry tests, the insertion of POSS in the polymer led to a progressively higher value of intrinsic viscosity of the TPUs, indicating an increase in the mean molar mass of the TPUs obtained through solution synthesis. The same method was applied to the samples obtained through reactive extrusion, which showed similar apparent viscosities, yet the analysis was probably influenced by the degradation of the TPU inside the loading cell, leading to no measurable tendency in the viscosity of the polymer.

No description available.

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) are often secluded from society, as the condition is perceived to be a defect. These children constantly fidget, move, lose track of time, and forget to complete tasks, leading them to struggle within existing social environments. Additionally, in Qatar there is a need to educate society about ADHD. This research explores wearable solutions that alter behaviors through physical interactions and sensory engagements. In response to the challenges faced by ADHD, Qatari traditional attire has been customized to support children with time management, and communication between child, parent, and society. Additionally, these wearables challenge Qatari perspectives surrounding existing health conditions in Qatar. Design outcomes consists of clothing elements, driven and shaped by the experiences of ADHD children, their physical behavior, their senses like touch, smell and sight. It addresses the daily conduct of the ADHD child, and the relationship of the child and parent. By challenging existing norms and analyzing the Qatari traditional clothing (the Thobe, the Abaya and the Prayer Bead), design outcomes have been realized by experimenting and playing with materials, prototyping and 3D printing on fabric. Existing functions of zippers, pockets, beads, cuffs and technical construction of the outfit have been redesigned and reconstructed.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de mener une caractérisation expérimentale complète du comportement mécanique et thermomécanique d'un polyuréthane thermoplastique compact et sous forme moussée, utilisé dans la fabrication de pièces antivibratoires dans l'industrie automobile. Cette caractérisation est effectuée en s'appuyant sur des techniques d'imagerie quantitative, la thermographie infrarouge en particulier. D'un point de vue mécanique, la dépendance des différents phénomènes - effet Mullins, hystérésis mécanique, déformation résiduelle et variation de volume - à la densité initiale et à la vitesse de chargement a été établie. Sur le plan thermique et calorimétrique, la signature de ces différents phénomènes a été caractérisée et les bilans énergétiques menés ont permis d'estimer la dissipation mécanique en fonction des conditions d'essais et de la densité initiale du matériau. Les résultats de ces travaux constituent une base de données expérimentale pour l'identification de paramètres constitutifs et l'enrichissement de lois de comportement. / This PhD thesis deals with the full mechanical and thermomechanical characterization of thermoplastic polyurethane, in its compact and foam states, dedicated to antivibratory systems for automotive. This characterization has been carried out by using quantitative imaging techniques, especially infrared thermography. From a mechanical point of view, the dependency of the different phenomena involved in the material deformation - Mullins effect, mechanical hysteresis, residual deformation and volume change - on the initial density and loading rate has been established. The thermal and calorimetric signature of these phenomena has been characterized and the mechanical dissipation was estimated from energy balances. The results obtained provide an experimental database for the identification of constitutive parameters and the enrichment of behavior laws.