The chemical modification of low molecular weight novolac oligomers and siloxane/silane-containing monomers has led to novel phthalonitrile derivatives with low glass transition temperatures, ranging from -25 to 75 ºC. Multi-functional, low molecular weight phenol-formaldehyde novolac resins were blended with these novel phthalonitrile derivatives to achieve low viscosity resin blends. Moderate temperatures and rapid curing cycles were employed (200 ºC, 1 h and 225 ºC, 4h) to produce networks with high glass transition temperatures (> 250 ºC). A decrease in the sharp band at 2230 cm⁻¹, attributed to the nitrile functionality of the phthalonitrile resin, was monitored in FTIR studies and indicated the progress of the reactions. Ninety percent conversion was achieved within ~ 30 min. Thermal analysis of siloxane-phthalonitrile/novolac networks cured for 1h at 200 ºC and 4h at 225 ºC did not exhibit glass transition temperatures below 250 ºC. In dynamic TGA studies, 5% weight loss temperatures up to 418 ºC were observed, and the materials exhibited 50 to 56 % char at 800 ºC in nitrogen. Networks prepared from a resin blend containing 50 weight% of a phthalonitrile derivative of a 260 g mol⁻¹ novolac oligomer, 50 weight% of the 260 g mol⁻¹ novolac oligomer, and 1.5 mol % triphenylphosphine (based on novolac) (NOV/NOV/TPP) cured at 200 ºC for 1h, did not exhibit a Tg below 250 ºC via DSC. These networks exhibited a 5% weight loss temperature of 350 ºC, and 70 % char at 800 ºC in TGA studies under nitrogen. This degree of char formation makes these materials appealing for use in carbon-carbon composites. Post-curing these networks at 200 ºC for 1h, and then at 225 ºC for 4h, resulted in high thermo-oxidative stability, with a 5% weight loss observed at 447 ºC and 50 % char at 800 ºC. Blending tetramethyldisiloxane phthalonitrile monomers with 260 g mol⁻¹ novolac oligomers afforded prepolymer resins with low melt viscosities, 560 mPa s at 80 ºC. Such viscosities may allow these resins to be processed via vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) at low temperatures and heated at elevated temperatures to produce flame resistant three-dimensional networks. / Master of Science

Os retardantes de chama são usados em diversos produtos, especialmente na indústria de eletroeletrônico. A irrevogável finalidade dos retardantes é proteger a vida das pessoas, reduzindo ferimentos e a destruição de propriedades. Contudo, devido à percepção dos riscos ambientais e toxicológicos presentes nas composições comerciais halogenadas e tóxicas, o seu uso está sendo proibido. Apesar da comum comercialização, novas pesquisas têm se desenvolvido visando à substituição destes retardantes, acompanhando medidas legais. Este trabalho visa estudar uma alternativa de aditivo retardante de chama livre de halogênio, tendo como matriz polimérica o copolímero de ABS, combinando aditivos: argila organofílica Cloisite 20A, argila Cloisite Na+ tratada com sal quaternário de fosfônio, polifosfato de amônio, melamina, partículas micrométricas e nanométricas de hidróxido de alumínio, dióxido de titânio e sílica formando assim um compósito. Para a caracterização foram realizados ensaios de térmicos de TGA e DSC, ensaios mecânicos de resistência à tração e resistência ao impacto Izod sem entalhe, avaliação da morfologia através de MEV e MEV-FEG, análise de difração de Raios-X (DRX), espectroscopia de infravermelho acoplado ao acessório de reflexão atenuada (FTIR-ATR), ensaios de retardância à chama com base na norma ASTM D635-10 e norma UL 94. Por meio dos resultados foi possível observar efeitos da adição dos aditivos na obtenção de compósitos de ABS com aditivos retardante de chama inertes, que atingiram classificação V-0 e V-2 na Ul 94, com redução da velocidade propagação da chama entre 18% e 80% conforme a ASTM D635. / The flame retardant are used in several products, specialty for electrical and electronics industry. The irrevocable finality from flame retardant is fires protection to help safeguard of people, reduce injury and reduce destruction of property. However, due the perception of environmental risk and toxicity in composites commercial with halogen and toxic, it has been prohibited. Despite the common commercialization news researches has been developing to substitute this flame retardant, together accompany the new position of law. This work wanted to study an alternative of additive free halogen flame retardant, with polymer matrix the ABS copolymer, combinations the additive: organoclay Cloisite 20A, organoclay Cloisite Na+ treated with quaternary phosphonium salt, ammonium polyphosphate, melamine, micrometric and nanometric particles of aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide and silica forming that a composite. To characterization was doing thermal test of TGA and DSC, mechanical test of tensile and impact Izod strength, morphologia available through of MEV and MEV-FEG, X-ray diffraction analysis(XRD), infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance accessory (FTIR-ATR), flame retardant test based the ASTM D635-10 norm and UL 94 norm. Although the result was possible to observe effects about the addition the additive to obtain the ABS composite with inert flame retardant additives, that achieved V-0 and V-2 on the Ul 94, with reduction of linear burning rate between 18% to 80% from ASTM D635.

Os retardantes de chama são usados em diversos produtos, especialmente na indústria de eletroeletrônico. A irrevogável finalidade dos retardantes é proteger a vida das pessoas, reduzindo ferimentos e a destruição de propriedades. Contudo, devido à percepção dos riscos ambientais e toxicológicos presentes nas composições comerciais halogenadas e tóxicas, o seu uso está sendo proibido. Apesar da comum comercialização, novas pesquisas têm se desenvolvido visando à substituição destes retardantes, acompanhando medidas legais. Este trabalho visa estudar uma alternativa de aditivo retardante de chama livre de halogênio, tendo como matriz polimérica o copolímero de ABS, combinando aditivos: argila organofílica Cloisite 20A, argila Cloisite Na+ tratada com sal quaternário de fosfônio, polifosfato de amônio, melamina, partículas micrométricas e nanométricas de hidróxido de alumínio, dióxido de titânio e sílica formando assim um compósito. Para a caracterização foram realizados ensaios de térmicos de TGA e DSC, ensaios mecânicos de resistência à tração e resistência ao impacto Izod sem entalhe, avaliação da morfologia através de MEV e MEV-FEG, análise de difração de Raios-X (DRX), espectroscopia de infravermelho acoplado ao acessório de reflexão atenuada (FTIR-ATR), ensaios de retardância à chama com base na norma ASTM D635-10 e norma UL 94. Por meio dos resultados foi possível observar efeitos da adição dos aditivos na obtenção de compósitos de ABS com aditivos retardante de chama inertes, que atingiram classificação V-0 e V-2 na Ul 94, com redução da velocidade propagação da chama entre 18% e 80% conforme a ASTM D635. / The flame retardant are used in several products, specialty for electrical and electronics industry. The irrevocable finality from flame retardant is fires protection to help safeguard of people, reduce injury and reduce destruction of property. However, due the perception of environmental risk and toxicity in composites commercial with halogen and toxic, it has been prohibited. Despite the common commercialization news researches has been developing to substitute this flame retardant, together accompany the new position of law. This work wanted to study an alternative of additive free halogen flame retardant, with polymer matrix the ABS copolymer, combinations the additive: organoclay Cloisite 20A, organoclay Cloisite Na+ treated with quaternary phosphonium salt, ammonium polyphosphate, melamine, micrometric and nanometric particles of aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide and silica forming that a composite. To characterization was doing thermal test of TGA and DSC, mechanical test of tensile and impact Izod strength, morphologia available through of MEV and MEV-FEG, X-ray diffraction analysis(XRD), infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance accessory (FTIR-ATR), flame retardant test based the ASTM D635-10 norm and UL 94 norm. Although the result was possible to observe effects about the addition the additive to obtain the ABS composite with inert flame retardant additives, that achieved V-0 and V-2 on the Ul 94, with reduction of linear burning rate between 18% to 80% from ASTM D635.

The effect of incorporation two clays; layered double hydroxides (LDH) and montmorillonite layered silicates (MLS) in linear low density polyethylene (PE) matrix was investigated. MLS and LDH were added of 5, 15, 30 and 60 weight percent in the PE and compounded using a Brabender. Ground pellets were subsequently compression molded. Dispersion of the clays was analyzed using optical microscopy, SEM and XRD. Both the layered clays were immiscible with the PE matrix and agglomerates formed with increased clay concentration. The thermal properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Both clays served as nucleation enhancers increasing recrystallization temperatures in the composites. Flame retarding properties were determined by using the flammability HVUL-94 system. LDH indicated better flame retarding properties than MLS for PE. The char structure was analyzed by environmental scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical properties were studied by tensile testing and Vickers microhardness testing apparatus.

Void-free phenolic networks have been prepared by the reaction of phenolic novolac resins with various diepoxides. The stoichiometric ratio can be adjusted to achieve networks with good mechanical properties while maintaining excellent flame retardance. A series of linear, controlled molecular weight, 2,6-dimethylphenol endcapped cresol novolac resins have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular weight control was achieved by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of cresol to 2,6-dimethylphenol and using an excess of formaldehyde. A dynamic equilibrium reaction was proposed to occur which allowed the targeted molecular weight to be obtained. A 2000 g/mol ortho-cresol novolac resin was crosslinked by a diepoxide oligomer and by an epoxidized phenolic oligomer in defined weight ratios and the structure-property relationships were investigated. The networks comprised of 60 or 70 weight percent cresol novolac exhibited improved fracture toughness, high glass transition temperatures, low water uptake, and good flame retardance. The molecular weights between crosslinks were also determined for these networks. The stress relaxation moduli were measured as a function of temperature near the glass transition temperatures. Crosslink densities as well as the ability to hydrogen bond affect the glassy moduli of these networks. Rheological measurements indicated that cresol novolac/epoxy mixtures have an increased processing window compared to phenolic novolac/epoxy mixtures. Maleimide functionalities were incorporated into cresol novolac oligomers, and these were crosslinked with bisphenol-A epoxy. The processability of oligomers containing thermally labile maleimides were limited to lower temperatures. However, sufficiently high molecular weight oligomers were necessary to obtain good network mechanical properties. Networks prepared from 1250 g/mol cresol novolac containing maleimide functionilities and epoxy exhibited good network properties and could be processed easily. Latent triphenylphosphine catalysts which are inert at processing temperatures (~140°C) but possess significant catalytic activity at cure temperatures 180-220°C were necessary for efficient composite fabrication using phenolic novolac/epoxy matrix resins. Both sequestered catalyst particles and sizings were investigated for this purpose. Phenolic novolac/epoxy mixtures containing sequestered catalysts exhibited significantly longer processing time windows than those containing free catalysts. The resins also showed accelerated reaction rates in the presence of sequestered catalysts at cure temperatures. Trihexylamine salt of a poly(amic acid) was sized onto reinforcing carbon fibers and the composite properties indicated that fast phenolic novolac/epoxy cure could be achieved in its presence. / Ph. D.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de synthétiser de nouveaux monomères éthers vinyliques porteurs de groupements phosphonate, dans le but d'étudier leur efficacité comme retardateurs de flamme. Les produits phosphorés s'avèrent de bonnes alternatives aux retardateurs de flamme halogénés, qui présentent des problèmes environnementaux. Dans un premier temps, nous avons réalisé la synthèse des éthers vinyliques phosphonés par transéthérification de l'éthylvinyl éther en présence d'alcools phosphonés. Ensuite, nous avons choisi la copolymérisation radicalaire (A/D) afin de préparer des copolymères à base d'éthers vinyliques phosphonés et de différents accepteurs. Des études cinétiques par Infra-Rouge en temps réel et plusieurs méthodes d'analyses ont été effectuées afin de caractériser ces copolymères. Dans un second temps, nous avons réalisé des cinétiques de photocopolymérisation radicalaire du 2-vinyloxyéthylphosphonate de diméthyle avec une série de monomères accepteurs, par exemple, les maléimides avec qui ce monomère forme des complexes forts. La photopolymérisation cationique a aussi été réalisée et offre de meilleurs résultats que la photopolymérisation radicalaire. Un bilan de tous les polymères phosphonés a été réalisé dans le but de tester leurs performances en tant que retardateurs de flamme. Les caractérisations thermogravimétriques et microcalorimétriques de ces copolymères ont montré une quantité importante de résidus et des valeurs de chaleur dégagée encourageantes en vue d'une utilisation de ceux-ci en tant que retardateurs de flamme. / The aim of this work is the synthesis of new vinyl ethers monomers bearing phosphonate groups, in order to study their efficiency as flame retardants. Phosphorus products are known to be a good alternative to halogenated flame retardants, which are involved in environmental problems. Initially, the synthesis of phosphonated vinyl ethers was performed by trans-etherification of ethylvinyl ether in the presence of phosphonated alcohols. Then, the radical copolymerization (A/D) was used to prepare copolymers based on phosphonated vinyl ether and various electron-accepting monomers. Kinetic studies by real-time Infrared and several methods of analyzes were used to characterize these copolymers. In a second step, the radical photocopolymerization of 2-dimethylvinyloxyethylphosphonate was led with a series of electron-accepting monomers, for instance maleimides which form strong complexes with vinyl ethers. The cationic photopolymerization of these phosphonated vinyl ethers is also possible and affords better results than radical photopolymerization. An assessment of all phosphonated polymers was performed in order to test their performances as flame retardants. Thermogravimetric and microcalorimetric characterizations showed good amount of released residues showing that these copolymers are good candidates as flame retardants.