As advances in solid rocket technology push rocket motors to more extreme operating speeds and temperatures, it becomes increasingly important to have well-designed material systems capable of surviving these harsh conditions. One common component in these systems is the use of a fiber- and particle-reinforced EPDM insulation layer between the motor casing and the solid fuel to shield the casing from the temperatures of the burning fuel and from the high velocity of gas particles traveling within the motor. This work studies several insulation materials to determine which exhibits the highest shear strength after being charred. Double-notch shear test specimens of three materials, ARI-2718, ARI-2719, and ARI-2750, were charred and tested to measure the failure strength of each charred material. The ARI-2750 showed the highest shear strength when loaded along the material orientation, but the ARI-2719 was strongest when transversely loaded. The strength measurements for ARI-2750 were highly sensitive to loading direction, unlike ARI-2718 and ARI-2719. Extensive scanning electron microscopy to identify correlations between shear strength and microstructure revealed that the amount of fiber orientation and amount of residual matrix material may have significant impacts on charred shear strength in these materials. / Master of Science

A geração de passivos ambientais após o término da vida útil dos materiais poliméricos é uma realidade que está sendo mudada devido a reciclagem desses materiais. A obtenção de novos materiais a partir do seu reuso traz vantagens com a diminuição de custos no produto final, já que reduz a produção da matéria prima virgem, além de minimizar a quantidade de rejeitos. Neste trabalho, a borracha EPDM vulcanizada foi reprocessada termicamente por irradiação e envelhecimento para que ocorresse a sua desvulcanização, visando obter melhor desempenho no processo de reciclagem; o polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD) foi reprocessado vinte vezes de modo a obter um termoplástico reciclado. Com esses componentes foram obtidos compósitos extrudados contendo 1 % e 5 % da borracha (com e sem tratamento térmico) dispersa na matriz reprocessada de PEAD. A compatibilização entre os componentes foi obtida testando alguns tipos de substâncias e nesse sentido, o metacrilato de glicidila (GMA) foi o que promoveu o melhor resultado. Os compósitos também foram submetidos ao processo de irradiação por feixe de elétrons nas doses de 50 kGy e 100 kGy e a comparação entre os materiais irradiados e não irradiados foi realizada a partir de análises por FTIR, TG, DSC, MEV e testes mecânicos (tração, impacto e dureza). Os compósitos apresentaram-se homogêneos e a interface entre a borracha e a matriz polimérica apresentou-se contínua. Observou-se que tanto o reprocessamento termocisalhante quanto a irradiação promovem alterações em nível molecular de modo que a reticulação e a degradação ocorrem simultaneamente. A adição de EPDM nas concentrações estudadas foi fundamental na promoção da reticulação do material. Com processo de irradiação, os compósitos apresentaram melhoria nas propriedades mecânicas. / The generation of waste after service end-life of polymeric materials is a reality that is being changed because of the recycling of these materials. Obtaining new materials from its reuse brings benefits to the reduction of costs in the final product, since it reduces the production of virgin raw material, while minimizing the amount of waste. In this work, the vulcanized EPDM rubber was thermally reprocessed by both simultaneous irradiation and oven aging to perform its devulcanization to improve performance in the recycling process; high density polyethylene (HDPE) was reprocessed twenty times so as to obtain a recycled thermoplastic. These both components were extruded to obtain composites containing 1% and 5% of rubber (with or without heat treatment) dispersed in reprocessed HDPE matrix. The compatibility between the components was obtained testing some kinds of substances and accordingly, the glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) promoted the best result. The composites were also subjected to irradiation process by electron beam at doses of 50 kGy to 100 kGy and analysis by FTIR, TG, DSC, SEM and mechanical tests (traction, impact and hardness) were carried out to compare irradiated and non-irradiated materials. The composites had become homogenous and the rubber and the polymeric matrix interface presented to be continuous. It was observed that both processes thermal-shearing and irradiation promote changes at the molecular level so that crosslinking and degradation occur simultaneously. The addition of EPDM in the studied concentrations was important to promote the material crosslinking. The composites showed improvement in mechanical properties with the irradiation process.

A geração de passivos ambientais após o término da vida útil dos materiais poliméricos é uma realidade que está sendo mudada devido a reciclagem desses materiais. A obtenção de novos materiais a partir do seu reuso traz vantagens com a diminuição de custos no produto final, já que reduz a produção da matéria prima virgem, além de minimizar a quantidade de rejeitos. Neste trabalho, a borracha EPDM vulcanizada foi reprocessada termicamente por irradiação e envelhecimento para que ocorresse a sua desvulcanização, visando obter melhor desempenho no processo de reciclagem; o polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD) foi reprocessado vinte vezes de modo a obter um termoplástico reciclado. Com esses componentes foram obtidos compósitos extrudados contendo 1 % e 5 % da borracha (com e sem tratamento térmico) dispersa na matriz reprocessada de PEAD. A compatibilização entre os componentes foi obtida testando alguns tipos de substâncias e nesse sentido, o metacrilato de glicidila (GMA) foi o que promoveu o melhor resultado. Os compósitos também foram submetidos ao processo de irradiação por feixe de elétrons nas doses de 50 kGy e 100 kGy e a comparação entre os materiais irradiados e não irradiados foi realizada a partir de análises por FTIR, TG, DSC, MEV e testes mecânicos (tração, impacto e dureza). Os compósitos apresentaram-se homogêneos e a interface entre a borracha e a matriz polimérica apresentou-se contínua. Observou-se que tanto o reprocessamento termocisalhante quanto a irradiação promovem alterações em nível molecular de modo que a reticulação e a degradação ocorrem simultaneamente. A adição de EPDM nas concentrações estudadas foi fundamental na promoção da reticulação do material. Com processo de irradiação, os compósitos apresentaram melhoria nas propriedades mecânicas. / The generation of waste after service end-life of polymeric materials is a reality that is being changed because of the recycling of these materials. Obtaining new materials from its reuse brings benefits to the reduction of costs in the final product, since it reduces the production of virgin raw material, while minimizing the amount of waste. In this work, the vulcanized EPDM rubber was thermally reprocessed by both simultaneous irradiation and oven aging to perform its devulcanization to improve performance in the recycling process; high density polyethylene (HDPE) was reprocessed twenty times so as to obtain a recycled thermoplastic. These both components were extruded to obtain composites containing 1% and 5% of rubber (with or without heat treatment) dispersed in reprocessed HDPE matrix. The compatibility between the components was obtained testing some kinds of substances and accordingly, the glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) promoted the best result. The composites were also subjected to irradiation process by electron beam at doses of 50 kGy to 100 kGy and analysis by FTIR, TG, DSC, SEM and mechanical tests (traction, impact and hardness) were carried out to compare irradiated and non-irradiated materials. The composites had become homogenous and the rubber and the polymeric matrix interface presented to be continuous. It was observed that both processes thermal-shearing and irradiation promote changes at the molecular level so that crosslinking and degradation occur simultaneously. The addition of EPDM in the studied concentrations was important to promote the material crosslinking. The composites showed improvement in mechanical properties with the irradiation process.

Orientador: Maria Isabel Felisberti / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T11:24:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lourenco_Emerson_D.pdf: 6653678 bytes, checksum: c935891da79fb2450d1f0bea1524be05 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: O poliestireno de alto impacto (HIPS) apresenta uma ampla variedade de utilização na indústria automobilística. Porém, a sua utilização é limitada, devido à degradação foto-oxidativa de sua fase elastomérica que apresenta alto grau de insaturações. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi preparar e caracterizar blendas de poliestireno com os elastômeros saturados: poli(etileno-co-propileno-co-2-etilideno-5-norboneno) (EPDM) e poli(acrilonitrila-g-EPDM-g-estireno) (AES), visando a obtenção de um material com boas propriedades mecânicas e resistente à degradação fotoquímica. As blendas foram obtidas por polimerização in situ nas temperaturas de 60 °C e 80 °C. As blendas PS/AES e PS/EPDM são imiscíveis. As blendas não injetadas preparadas neste trabalho apresentam uma morfologia que consiste em glóbulos de PS ou PS/SAN envoltos em uma fina película de EPDM para blendas de PS/EPDM e PS/AES, respectivamente. Após o processo de injeção, as blendas passam a apresentar uma morfologia de fase elatomérica dispersa (EPDM) em uma matriz rígida. A maioria das blendas PS/AES e PS/EPDM apresenta maior estabilidade térmica e termo-oxidativa do que o PS puro e a degradação destes materiais é influenciada pela composição e temperatura de polimerização. Os resultados apresentados neste trabalho evidenciam a maior resistência à degradação fotoquímica das blendas PS/AES e PS/EPDM em comparação com o HIPS comercial. Um importante resultado das blendas é que as suas propriedades pós-envelhecimento são superiores às propriedades do HIPS envelhecido. Portanto, o objetivo de preparação de um material mais resistente ao envelhecimento fotoquímico foi alcançado. / Abstract: High impact polystyrene (HIPS) shows a wide range of application in automotive industry, however its utilization is restricted by the photooxidative degradation of the elastomeric phase that contains high degree of unsaturation. In this way, the aim of this work was to prepare and characterize in situ polymerized blends of polystyrene (PS) with saturated elastomers: poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-2-ethylidene-5-norbomene) (EPDM) and poly(acrylonitrile-g-EPDM-g-styrene) (AES), aiming the preparation of a material with good mechanical properties and higher resistance to photodegradation. The blends were prepared by in situ polymerization at 60 °C and 80 °C. The PS/AES and PS/EPDM blends are immiscible. The non injected blends prepared in this work present a morphology that consists of PS or PS/SAN globes covered by a thin layer of EPDM for PS/EPDM and PS/AES blends, respectively. Whereas the injected blends show a morphology of elastomeric dispersed phase into a rigid matrix. The PS/AES and PS/EPDM show higher thermal and thermo-oxidative stability than PS, and the blend's composition and polymerization's temperature influences the degradation of these materials. The results showed in this work evidence the higher photochemical resistance PS/AES and PS/EPDM blends in comparison with commercial HIPS. An important feature of blends is that their properties after aging are superior than photoaged HIPS properties. Hence, the goal of preparing a material with higher resistance to photochemical aging than HIPS was achieved. / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutor em Ciências

Les matériaux isolants des câbles électriques des centrales nucléaires sont constitués d’élastomères ayant de bonnes capacités de résistance au vieillissement, comme les copolymères d’éthylène et de propylène (EPR, EPDM, …), car leurs conditions d’utilisation les soumettent à de faibles radiations et à des températures pouvant atteindre 50°C dans le bâtiment réacteur. L’objectif de la présente thèse est de contribuer à affiner la compréhension du vieillissement des isolants des câbles, en étudiant l’évolution de la structure et du comportement de matériaux modèles. Ces matériaux sont composés d’un EPDM amorphe réticulé au peroxyde et comprenant différent taux de charges micrométriques, constituées de trihydrate d’aluminium (ATH), utilisées pour leurs propriétés anti-feu. Aucun anti oxydant supplémentaire n’a été ajouté. L’approche utilisée dans cette étude consiste à réaliser des vieillissements thermiques accélérés dans une étuve ventilée à 130°C durant 20h, 30h et 40h, puis à caractériser l’évolution de la structure des matériaux, leur résistance à la traction et à la fissuration. La caractérisation expérimentale indique que l’oxydation, induit par le vieillissement, provoque un phénomène de rupture de chaînes prédominant, dont résulte la formation d’une quantité considérable de fraction soluble. La diminution de la densité de chaînes actives associée à l’accroissement de la partie soluble du matériau, constituée de chaînes libres devenant de plus en plus courtes durant le vieillissement, entraine une perte des propriétés mécaniques et de la résistance à la fissuration. / Insulating materials of electric cables in nuclear power plants are constituted by rubbers having good ageing resistance properties, like ethylene and propylene copolymers (EPR, EPDM …), because in service these cables are submitted to low irradiation and temperatures that could reach 50°C in the reactor building. The objective of this thesis is to contribute to improve the understanding of the ageing of cables insulating materials, by studying the evolution of the structure and the behavior of models materials. These materials are constituted an amorphous EPDM crosslinked with peroxide and including different ratio of micrometric fillers, constituted of aluminum trihydrate (ATH), used for its fire retardancy properties. Any antioxidants have been added. The approach used in this study consist to realize accelerated thermal ageing in air ventilated oven at 130°C during 20h, 30h and 40h, then characterizing the evolution of the structure of the materials, their tensile and crack propagation resistance. The experimental characterization show that the oxidation, resulted from the ageing, provoke a predominant chain scission phenomenon which leads to the formation of a large quantity of soluble fraction. The decrease of the density of active chains associated with the increase of the soluble part, constituted of free chains becoming shorter during the ageing, leads to a loss of tensile strength and crack propagation resistance.

Les travaux entrepris dans le cadre de cette thèse portent sur l’étude de la dégradation radiolytique de polymères constitutifs de l’enveloppe isolante de câbles électriques contrôle commande. Pour étudier les mécanismes de dégradation de l’isolant du câble, une approche originale à été suivie via l'utilisation de matériaux modèles, i.e un mélange réticulé non chargé à base d’EVA (Ethylène Vinyle Acétate) et d’EPDM (Ethylène Propylène Diène Monomère) et le composite correspondant chargé avec des ATH (trihydroxyde d’aluminium), ont été soumis à une irradiation gamma. Ces travaux s'inscrivent dans la perspective d'un souhait de prolongation de la période d’exploitation des centrales du parc électronucléaire français par l'exploitant EDF. Une analyse multi-échelle de la dégradation des matériaux modèles et de l’isolant a été effectuée pour comprendre l’évolution des propriétés des matériaux polymères induites par différents types de vieillissement (thermooxydatif et/ou radiooxydatif). Dans l’ensemble de ces conditions, Il a été établi que la dégradation du mélange EVA/EPDM et du composite EVA/EPDM/ATH est gouvernée par un mécanisme de coupures de chaînes, le point faible de la matrice polymère étant la partie vinyle acétate; de plus dans le cas de la radiooxydation, les processus purement radiolytiques jouent un rôle clé. À partir de courbes de corrélation, il a été montré que les propriétés physicochimiques des matériaux polymères, telles que l’évaluation par spectroscopie IR de la quantité de produits d’oxydation formés, la détermination de la fraction de gel, et les mesures d’OIT (Temps d’Induction à l’Oxydation), sont des indicateurs sensibles de vieillissement. L’évolution de ces trois critères étant plus précoce et plus progressive que la perte des propriétés mécaniques de l’isolant, on pourrait donc anticiper une perte brutale des propriétés mécaniques, voire de la fonctionnalité du câble, en faisant un suivi de leur évolution. Plus généralement, ces études soulignent l’importance de travailler à des débits de dose très faibles et à température ambiante pour que le vieillissement accéléré soit représentatif, ce qui a été fait dans le cadre de cette thèse. / This study is focused on the radiooxidative degradation of polymeric insulation of Instrument and Controle (I&C) electric cables. In order to investigate the degradation mechanisms of the insulation, an original approach has been implemented thanks to the use of model composites with ATH (Aluminium TriHydrate) filler and blends (without filler) based on a cross-linked mixture of EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) were submitted to gamma-irradiation. This work has been completed within the goal of extending the lifetime operation of French Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) by EDF. Multi-scale analysis of the model materials and insulation were performed in order to investigate de modifications and the evolution of the polymer properties induced by different kinds of ageing (thermo and/or radiooxidation). After having highlighted that whatever the ageing conditions are, degradation of polymers is governed by scission process, it is shown that purely radiolytic processes play a key role in the overall degradation scenario. These studies based on correlation curves showed that physico-chemical properties of the polymer, such as the evaluation by InfraRed of the amount of the oxidation products formed, gel fraction and Oxidation Induction Time measurements are relevant indicators of ageing. The evolution of these properties during ageing is even, in the case of the insulation, earlier than the loss of mechanical properties, which may allow to anticipate a sudden loss of mechanical properties and therefore of the functionality of the cable insulation. More generally, these studies points out the needs of using the lowest dose rates possible and room temperature, as done in this work.

EPDM and R-EPDM granules are used as infill on all of the artificial football fields in Uppsala. The aim of the study was to establish possible health risks related to the infill for players on artificial turf in Uppsala. Furthermore the aim was to investigate the possible ecotoxicological effect on surrounding waterways by the infill material. A comparative analysis concerning health and ecotoxicological effects for these materials was carried out. Eight different granules from the artificial turf in Uppsala was collected and analysed using TGA. The TGA results were modelled in two different scenarios to show possible air concentrations of 100-300 µg/m3 VOC over artificial football fields with EPDM granules. Calculations based on the tolerable daily dose of substances found in the granules were carried out. The conclusions of the study shows that the EPDM granules used today are safe from a health perspective. SBR granules from recycled tires does not constitute to any health risks either. The ecotoxicological risk for surrounding waterways is low. EPDM is less cost and energy efficient compared to SBR from recycled tires. Reduction of granular spill is very important from an environmental and cost point of view, regardless of the choice of material for artificial turf.

EPDM and R-EPDM granules are used as infill on all of the artificial football fields in Uppsala. The aim of the study was to establish possible health risks related to the infill for players on artificial turf in Uppsala. Furthermore the aim was to investigate the possible ecotoxicological effect on surrounding waterways by the infill material. A comparative analysis concerning health and ecotoxicological effects for these materials was carried out. Eight different granules from the artificial turf in Uppsala was collected and analysed using TGA. The TGA results were modelled in two different scenarios to show possible air concentrations of 100-300 µg/m3 VOC over artificial football fields with EPDM granules. Calculations based on the tolerable daily dose of substances found in the granules were carried out. The conclusions of the study shows that the EPDM granules used today are safe from a health perspective. SBR granules from recycled tires does not constitute to any health risks either. The ecotoxicological risk for surrounding waterways is low. EPDM is less cost and energy efficient compared to SBR from recycled tires. Reduction of granular spill is very important from an environmental and cost point of view, regardless of the choice of material for artificial turf.

L’entreprise Chomarat produit des feuilles en polyoléfine pour les revêtements intérieurs de voitures. Ces feuilles sont grainées afin de leur donner un aspect de surface particulier qui constitue un élément psychosensoriel important pour le consommateur. Les feuilles grainées doivent être thermoformées afin de pouvoir leur imprimer la forme de la structure rigide qui les supportera. L’étape de thermoformage se déroule à haute température et constitue de ce fait une étape critique du processus. En effet, lors de la déformation en température, l’étirement du matériau tend à déformer le grain de façon non homogène, voire à le faire disparaître. Pour obtenir des matériaux avec une bonne tenue du grain, les feuilles grainées sont partiellement réticulées. Ce travail de thèse vise à développer des formulations réticulables répondant à cette problématique. Deux voies de réticulation ont été envisagées : la réticulation par irradiation sous faisceau d’électrons et ou par insolation UV. Cette dernière méthode de réticulation est totalement novatrice dans ce domaine industriel. Les terpolymères éthylène-propylène-diène monomère (EPDM) présentent des caractéristiques favorisant la réticulation. L’effet de l’irradiation (EB ou UV) sur ces élastomères, ainsi que leurs mélanges avec du polypropylène (PP), a été étudiée. Les caractérisations ont principalement été menées par des mesures de rhéologie, des mesures de taux de gel et des calculs de densité de réticulation. Dans un premier temps, seule l’irradiation EB a été testée, sur des EPDM ainsi que sur d’autres types d’élastomères. Ensuite, les effets de l’irradiation UV ont été étudiés à travers la mise en place d’une étude modèle sur des oligomères de faibles masses choisis pour simuler le comportement des doubles liaisons des EPDM. La composition des différentes formulations étudiées comprenait donc un oligomère, un monomère multifonctionnel et un photoamorceur permettant la photoréticulation. Suite à cette étude, les meilleurs couples « photoamorceur / agent de réticulation » ont été transposés à des EPDM, d’abord en utilisant un EPDM de faible masse molaire puis un EPDM de haute masse molaire utilisé couramment dans les formulations au niveau industriel. Enfin, l’ajout du PP et en dernier lieu l’ajout de pigments et d’agents anti-UV ont été étudiés sur l’efficacité de la photoréticulation. / The Chomarat company manufactures polyolefin based sheets for automotive parts. These sheets are grained in order to give them a particular surface pattern which represents an important psycho-sensory aspect for consumers. The grained sheets must be thermoformed to give them the shape of the rigid structure on which they will be set in place. The thermoforming step is proceeded at high temperature and is therefore a critical step of this process. Indeed, while being deformed in temperature, the stretching of the material tends to distort the grained pattern in a non-homogeneous way and even to cancel it. In order to obtain materials that give an acceptable retention of the pattern after being thermoformed, the grained sheet must be partially crosslinked. This thesis work aims to develop crosslinkable formulations that are able to achieve this challenge. Two crosslinking methods have been considered: crosslinking using electron beam (EB) irradiation or UV irradiation. This last method is a pioneering crosslinking pathway in this industrial field. Terpolymers of ethylene-propylene-diene monomers (EPDM) have chemical structures that promote crosslinking. The effect of irradiation (EB or UV) on these elastomers, as well as on their blends with polypropylene (PP) have been studied. The characterisations have been mainly monitored using rheological measurements, gel contents measurements and crosslinking densities calculations. Firstly, only the effects of EB irradiation on EPDM and other types of elastomers have been investigated. Then, the effects of UV irradiation have been studied through a modelling study on low mass oligomers chosen to mimic the behaviour of EPDM double bonds. The different formulations studied were composed of an oligomer, a multifunctional monomer acting as a crosslinker and a photoinitiator allowing the crosslinking. Following this study, the best photoinitiator/crosslinking agent couples were transposed to EPDM, using firstly a low mass EPDM then a high mass one frequently used in formulations in industrial fields. At last, the effects on the photocrosslinking efficiency of adding first PP then pigments and anti-UV agents have been examined.

A steady-state mathematical model for the stripping section of an industrial EPDM rubber production process was developed for a three-tank process, and two four-tank processes. The experiments that were conducted to determine model parameters such as equivalent radius for EPDM particles, as well as solubility and diffusivity parameters for hexane and ENB in EPDM polymer are described. A single-particle multiple-tank model was developed first, and a process model that accounts for the residence-time distribution of crumb particles was developed second. Plant data as well as input data from an existing steady-state model was used to determine estimates for the tuning parameters used in the multiple-particle, multiple-tank model. Using plant data to assess the model’s predictive accuracy, the resulting three-tank and four-tank process B models provide accurate model predictions with a typical error of 0.35 parts per hundred resin (phr) and 0.12 phr. The four-tank process A model provides less-accurate model predictions for residual crumb concentrations in the second tank and has an overall typical error of 1.05 phr. Additional plant data from the three- and four-tank processes would increase the estimability of the parameter values for parameter ranking and estimations steps and thus, yield increased model predictive accuracy. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-23 21:06:05.509