RESUMEN
For delayed crosslinking of waterborne epoxy varnishes, dicyandiamide (DICY) is often used as a latent curing agent. While, for amine-based curing agents such as diaminoethane (DAE), chemical interactions with metal oxides are well described, so far, no studies have been performed for DICY and waterborne epoxy varnishes. Hence, in this work X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to investigate reactions of DICY and varnishes with technical surfaces of Al, Zn, and Sn. To directly study the reaction of DICY with metal oxides, immersion tests in a boiling solution of DICY in pure water were performed. A clear indication of the formation of metal-organic complexes was deduced from the change in the N1s peak of DICY. To understand the interfacial interaction and consequently the interphase formation during coating of waterborne epoxy varnishes, advanced cryo ultra-low-angle microtomy (cryo-ULAM) was implemented. Interestingly, a comparable reaction mechanism and the formation of metal complexes were confirmed for varnishes. The coatings exhibited a pronounced enrichment of the DICY hardener at the metal oxide-polymer interface.
RESUMEN
Encapsulants based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) or polyolefin elastomers (POE) are essential for glass or photovoltaic module laminates. To improve their multi-functional property profile and their durability, the encapsulants are frequently peroxide crosslinked. The crosslinking kinetics are affected by the macromolecular structure and the formulation with stabilizers such as phenolic antioxidants, hindered amine light stabilizers or aromatic ultraviolet (UV) absorbers. The main objective of this study was to implement temperature-rise and isothermal dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) approaches in torsional mode and to assess and compare the crosslinking kinetics of novel UV-transparent encapsulants based on EVA and POE. The gelation time was evaluated from the crossover of the storage and loss shear modulus. While the investigated EVA and POE encapsulants revealed quite similar activation energy values of 155 kJ/moles, the storage modulus and complex viscosity in the rubbery state were significantly higher for EVA. Moreover, the gelation of the polar EVA grade was about four times faster than for the less polar POE encapsulant. Accordingly, the curing reaction of POE was retarded up to a factor of 1.6 to achieve a progress of crosslinking of 95%. Hence, distinct differences in the crosslinking kinetics of the UV-transparent EVA and POE grades were ascertained, which is highly relevant for the lamination of modules.
RESUMEN
To assess the potential use of polyamide (PA) for solar-thermal systems applications, the effect of water with varying chlorine content on the fatigue crack growth (FCG) resistance of two PA formulations differing in their stabilizer packages was investigated at 80 °C. A commercial PA containing 30 wt % glass fibers and a standard stabilization package (PA-0) was used as the reference material. For the other formulation, the reference material PA-0 was compounded with two additional stabilizers (PA-S1). Keeping the specimen geometry and initial loading conditions the same, the total number of cycles to ultimate specimen failure was found to be reduced with an increase in chlorine content for both materials. As to the effect of the chlorine content on crack growth kinetics, the most pronounced effect in enhancing the crack growth rates or decreasing the FCG resistance was determined between 0 ppm and 1 ppm chlorine content. When comparing the relative change of FCG resistance in chlorinated water (10 ppm) to the FCG resistance in non-chlorinated water (0 ppm), the additional stabilization in the material PA-S1 appears beneficial over the stabilization in the reference material PA-0.
RESUMEN
Polyamide 66 (PA 66) and short glass fiber reinforced versions of PA 66 are widely used for solar-thermal applications, in which thermal and environmental loading of components is from high importance. In this study, the influence of crosslinking via electronic beam irradiation on the morphology and mechanical behavior of unreinforced PA 66 and two types of short glass fiber reinforced PA 66 (30 wt % glass fiber content, 35 wt % glass fiber content) was investigated. In total, five different electronic beam irradiation doses in the range of 0 and 200 kGy were applied. Besides experiments with unconditioned specimens, also preconditioned specimens saturated with water at 80 °C for seven days were investigated. It was found that irradiation causes a shift to lower melting temperatures and lower melting enthalpies, while simultaneously leading to higher glass transition temperatures (TG), increasing small strain modulus values and higher tensile strengths. Also, as expected, preconditioning samples in water at 80 °C to water uptake saturation leads to a shift to lower TG values ('plasticization' effect). In terms of tensile behavior at room temperature, water saturated specimens (being above TG at room temperature) exhibited lower modulus and tensile strength values compared to quasi-dry specimens (being below TG at room temperature).
RESUMEN
We used high-resolution Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry for a comprehensive analysis of carbon black-filled polyethylene ski base grades at processing stages from the raw material to the structured ski base. Based on Raman mapping, we assessed the applicability of an advanced evaluation procedure for amorphous, disordered, and crystalline phase fractions of polyethylene for polyethylene extrusion and sinter grades. For sinter grades, a sufficient segregation between carbon black and polyethylene was confirmed, allowing for a comprehensive Raman spectroscopic morphological analysis. Significant morphological changes in polyethylene due to processing from the raw material to the semi-finished film and to the structured ski base were identified. Throughout the processing chain, we observed a decrease in crystallinity and an increase in the amorphous phase fraction. Although the raw material and the sintered semi-finished film exhibited a different but uniform polyethylene morphology, the morphological changes due to structuring of the ski base are limited to the top surface layer. The highest amorphous phase fractions were detected in the surface of the structured ski bases.