Mechanical Properties of Polymers

VI. Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

 Polymers exhibit a variety of properties. They can behave brittle or

they can show a well-defined yield point. Several polymers are
elastomers and can exhibit very high amount of elastic deformation

Fig.6.1. The mechanical

behaviour exhibited by
polymers

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Examples:
 7 MPa elastic modulus for an elastomer
 4 GPa for stiff polymer
 48 GPa - 410 GPa range for metals.

 σ max 100 MPa for polymers

 σ max 4100 MPa for metals

 %Elongation for polymers can exceed %1000

 %Elongation for metals %100

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

 In previous chapters, the long chain molecules of the polymers are

discussed.
 According to the theory polymers also exhibit semi-crystallinity: At
definite regions, molecule chains fold back and forth on themselves
forming small crystal-like structures.
 The degree of Crystallinity is measured as
“%Crystallinity”

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Fig.6.2. The
amorphous and
crystalline regions
in polymer chains
Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel
Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

 The density of a crystalline polymer will be higher than the

amorphous one. Molecular chains are more closely packed.
 If ρA is the density of 100% amorphous polymer and if ρ C is the
density of 100% crystalline polymer, then:
%Crystallinity is found using the ratios of these values.
Most of the polymers are 10%-30% crystalline.

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

 The degree of crystallinity of a polymer depends on the rate of

cooling during solidification: Slower cooling rates enhance %
crystallinity
 The molecular chemistry and chain configuration also effect %
crystallinity: Chemically simple polymers can be crystallized much
more easily (E.g. linear polymers)

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Viscoelastic Behaviour of Polymers

Fig.6.3. The change in elastic modulus of polymers with temperature

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Viscoelastic Behaviour of Polymers

Fig.6.5. The viscoelastic behaviour of polymers

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel
Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Factors Influencing the

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Molecular Weight
 Mn is average molecular weight and A is constant

 UTS
∞ is the UTS of the polymer at infinity molecular weight
 UTS of a given polymer is:

 UTS = UTS
∞ – (A/Mn)
 Therefore UTS of a polymer increases when Mn increases

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Factors Influencing the

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Degree of Crystallinity
 As %Crystallinity increases, UTS increases.
 This is due to that in amorphous regions, atomic bonding is weaker

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 11

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Factors Influencing the

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Fig.6.6. The change in mechanical properties of polymers with %crystallinity and molecular weight
Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel
Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Factors Influencing the

Mechanical Properties of Polymers
Cross-Linking
 Reduces relative chain motion
 As a result, strength increases

Pre-deformation by Drawing
 Similar to metals, when polymers are permanently deformed, their
strength increase >> called drawing.
 Drawing increases the strength 2x to 5x. (Eg. Fishing strings)

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Factors Influencing the

Mechanical Properties of Polymers
 Below a definite temperature, a glassy, brittle behaviour is
observed. The mechanical properties of polymers depend on
temperature

Fig.6.7. The mechanical propertie plexiglass with respect to temperature

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Factors Influencing the

Mechanical Properties of Polymers
 Melting of a polymer takes place in a temperature range (due to
differences in bond energies)
 The sequence is as follows:
 A solid, brittle polymer >> A rubbery polymer >> Liquid
 The processing of polymers carried out in Tm-Tg range
Tg Tm
Polyethylene -110C 115C
Teflon -97C 327C
Polypropylene 100C 240C
PVC 87C 212C

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Thermosets and Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic Polymers
 Thermoplastic polymers turns to a liquid when heated and freezes to
a glassy state when cooled: The process is reversible
 Most thermoplastics are high-molecular-weight polymers those
chains associate through weak Van der Waals forces.

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Thermosets and Thermoplastics

Thermoset Polymers
 Thermoset, is polymer material that irreversibly cures. The cure
may be done through heat (generally above 200 °C), through a
chemical reaction or irradiation.
 Vulcanized rubber, Bakalite, Polyester ar examples of thermoset
polymers. After vulcanization, rubber becomes more durable.

 PET is a type of polyester. Is it thermoset or thermoplastic?

 Are both thermoplastic and thermoset polymers recyclable?

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Elastomers

 They have rubbery elasticity

 Molecules are highly twisted and coiled >> When loaded >> They
become uncoiled, untwisted
 In order to have high elasticity
1. They must not be crystalline but amorphous
2. The chains must not slip through each other: So cross-linking
must be applied (cross-linking anchors the molecule)
 Most elastomer research is for developing synthetic rubber
(Polyisoprene, Butadiene-styrene copolymer)

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study

3 Polyethylene Molecule – but 3 Different Characters

 Polyethylene molecule is known for nearly 70 years. However, in

recent years new PE types emerge for the market. Only a little
change in the molecule chain cause important differences in
properties which make PE more popular.

 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
 UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 19

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study
Polyethylene molecule can be synthesized
in different forms.
 It can be in linear chain form or
 It can be branched.
 The branching of a PE chain can be
minimized by using appopriate catalysts
(E.g. Ziegler-Natta catalysts  )

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 20

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study
 In linear chain, the molecules are closer to each other and the
intermolecular forces are much higher.

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 21

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study
HDPE

 In HDPE, the polymer chain does not contain branches, or the

branches are very short.
 Linear polymer chains can approach more closely to each other. As
a result the density of HDPE changes in the range 0,93 to 0,97
gm/cc
 Although the density change is not significant, the molecules are
closer to each other and the intermolecular forces are much higher
(Van der Waals Bonding)
 The result is:
 High tensile strength
 Resistance to many solvents (higher corrosion resistance)
 Can be easily injection moulded
 But generally opaque

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 22

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study
HDPE Applications: Dizayn grup

 Plastic Bottles
 Food containers
 Chemical resistant Piping
 Fuel tanks for vehicles

envisionplastics.files.wordpress.co
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Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 23

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 24

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study
LDPE

 In LDPE, the polymer chain contain branches. Despite competition

from more modern polymers, LDPE continues to be an important
plastic grade.
 The density of LDPE changes in the range 0,91 to 0,94 gm/cc
 Due to the presence of branches its density is lower. Branches also
effect the intermolecular forces which are weaker and results in low
strength values.
 The result is:
 Low tensile strength
 Impact resistant at a large temperature range -40C to +90C
 Low cost

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 25

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study

LDPE Applications:

 Very flexible material. Therefore, excellent for plastic films.

 Plastic Bags
 Shrink film for books
 Milk cartoon linings
 Frozen food containers

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 26

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 27

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 28

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study
UHMWPE

 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene has extremely long chains.

(in the range 3.5 and 7.5 million amu).
 Due to the high intermolecular forces, the UHMWPE is a very tough
material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic
presently made.
 When formed to fibers, the polymer chains can attain a parallel
orientation and a level of crystallinity as high as 70%.

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 29

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Case Study

 So where can we use UHMWPE?

 It has a very low coefficient of friction; and is highly resistant to
abrasion. The wear resistance of UHMWPE is 10 times higher than
carbon steel. The slurry pipes in mining are now made of UHMWPE.
 In fiber form it has a yield strength of around 2 GPa ! When its
density (0,97gm/cc) is taken into consideration, its specific strength
is 10-15 times higher than that of steel. What is specific strength?

 Armours
 Climbing equipments
 High performance sails
 Paragliding
 Piping
 Fishing lines etc.
Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 30
Mechanical Properties of Polymers

http://www.pprweldingmachines.com/

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 31

Mechanical Properties of Polymers

 Bgb b

Prof.Dr. Bilgehan Ögel 32