In: Chemistry
1. The molecular weight between crosslinks (MC) is one of the most important parameter that describes the thermoset network structure. Describe how the MC is related to the following properties:(a) Tg, (b) modulus, (c) elongation to break, and (d) solvent resistance. How do you measure MC value?
A). Relationship between molecular weight between cross links (Mc) and Tg
Neilsen has described an empirical relationship which relates the rise in the Tg at a full conversion to network with Mc the number average molar mass between elasticity effective network junctions.
Tg= 3.9 x 104/Mc
B). Relationship between molecular weight between cross links (Mc) and Modulus
Molecular weight between crosslinks, lz;i,, was calculated using equation (1) based on rubber elasticity”. Mc, = p RT/G where p is the density, R is the gas constant, T is absolute temperature and G is the shear modulus.
c). Relationship between molecular weight between cross links (Mc) and elongation at break
The failure representation of data indicates maximum possible breaking , ebmax for the material. This is found to be well correlated with degree of cross linking, specifically with the molecular weight between crosslinks Mc, as predicted by elasticity theory
Lambda max =1+ eb max proportional to Mc 1/2
Measurement of MC value
Mc is the molecular weight between crosslinks is defined by following equation
Mc= average molecular weight between cross links
V bar= specific volume of polymer
V1= molar volume of swelling agent
V2m= polymer volume fraction in equilibrium swollen state
V2r= poilymer volume fraction in relaxed state
= no. of branches originating from cross link site