Composite Flashcards
Accelerator
Substance that facilitates decomposition of an initiator.
Initiator
Substance capable of decomposing into free radicals that initiate polymerization.
Rheology
Science of the deformation and flow of matter.
Addition Polymerization
polymerization process involving free radicals in which no by-product is formed as the chain grows.
Condensation Polymerization:
polymerization process in which a by-product, such as water or alcohol, is formed as the chain grows.
Copolymer
polymer consisting of two or more different types of monomers (mers) or units joined together.
Crazing
Minute surface cracks on polymers; precursors to crack growth and subsequent failure of the material.
Cross-linking agent
monomer having two or more groups per molecule capable of polymerization (for example, a dimethacrylate). When polymerized, each active group is capable of incorporation in a growing polymer chain, causing either a loop in the chain or a cross-link between two chains.
Degree of Conversion or Polymerization
percentage change in the number of methacrylate (C=C) groups which have polymerized and converted into units (-C-C-) of the polymer system. The total number of mers in one polymer molecule.
Glass-Transition Temperature (Tg)
(softening temperature) The temperature at which the polymer ceases to be a glass (ie, fractures in a brittle manner) and becomes a rubber or leather (ie, tends to permanently deform under a load too small to cause fracture).
Glassy polymer:
amorphous polymer (those with irregular molecular arrangements, i.e. non-crystalline molecular arrangements) that behaves as a brittle solid.
Molecular weight:
sum of the molecular weights of the mers (monomers) of which the polymer is made.
Oligomer
polymer made up of two, three, or four monomer units.
Polymer
molecule made up of thousands or millions of repeating units. Polymers may be linear, branched, or cross-linked.
Polymerization
process by which monomers unite to form a polymer.
Thermoplastic
polymer that softens upon heating and rehardens upon cooling
Thermoset
polymer that is not able to undergo softening upon heating.
Free Radical
Free radicals are compounds with a free electron.
Monomer
molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer.
Characteristics of THERMOPLASTIC Polymers:
o 1) Linear or branched polymers o 2) Weak bonds break with heat o 3) Bonds reform on cooling o 4) Can be molded with heat 6,6 Nylon
Characteristics of THERMOSET Polymers:
o 1) Crosslinking between chains o 2) Strong covalent bonds o 3) One big macromolecule o 4) Cannot be softened by heat PMMA, BisGMA/TEGDMA
The chemical stages of polymerization are:
o 1) Initiation by activation of monomer
o 2) Propagation by chain growth
o 3)Termination by reaction completion
The polymerization of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is
ADDITION polymerization (Free radical initiation); No by-product formed. o Free radical à acting on C double bonds o We see shrinkage
Free radical polymerization can be initiated by:
o 1) Heat (thermal decomposition of an initiator like BPO)
o 2) Light energy (Visible light energy absorbed by CQ and accelerated by an amine)
o 3) Chemical [chemical reaction between an initiator (BPO) and chemical accelerator (an amine)