posted on 2019-07-15, 08:16authored byPhilip G. Richardson, Ignacio Martin-Fabiani, Patrick Shaw, Eman Alsaffar, Emilie Velasquez, Paul Gardner, Peter Shaw, James M. Adams, Joseph L. Keddie
Poly(chloroprene) is a synthetic crystallizable polymer used in several applications, including rubber gloves. The film formation of poly(chloroprene) latex offers opportunities to define structures at length scales between the molecular and macroscopic, thereby adjusting the elastomer’s mechanical properties. However, the connections between processing and the resultant film properties are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the competition between the coalescence of latex particles to build cohesive strength and their crystallization to raise the elastic modulus. We demonstrate that when coalescence precedes crystallization, the elastomer has greater extensibility and a higher tensile strength compared to when crystallization occurs during coalescence. The mechanical properties of poly(chloroprene) were tuned by blending two colloids with differing gel contents and crystallizabilities. Heating above poly(chloroprene)’s melting temperature allows increased particle interdiffusion and builds cohesion, prior to recrystallization. We provide evidence from in situ wide-angle X-ray scattering for the strain-induced crystallization of as-cast films from particle blends.
Funding
Synthomer (UK) Ltd.
History
School
Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
Materials
Published in
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume
58
Issue
46
Pages
21031 - 21043
Citation
RICHARDSON, P.G. ... et al, 2019. Competition between crystallization and coalescence during the film formation of poly(chloroprene) latex and effects on mechanical properties. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 58 (46), pp.21031-21043.