Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Strain rate and loading modes in DMTA experiments on ethylene/propylene block copolymers

  • Published:
Mechanics of Time-Dependent Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A broad experimental programme using Dynamical–Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) was carried out on ethylene/propylene block copolymers (EPBC). The samples were subjected to frequency scans to evaluate the dependence of stored modulus on frequency. Tests were conducted on similar samples using different loading modes such as single cantilever, dual cantilever and tension configurations. If the stored modulus is plotted versus the test frequency, a different trend corresponding to each loading mode is obtained. Similar conclusions can be drawn regarding the glass transition temperature. In this work, strain rate, instead of frequency, is used to compare results provided by different loading modes. If the strain rate is used as the reference variable, a unique trend is observed despite the loading modes used to perform the experiment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arranz-Andrés, J., Benavente, R., Peña, B., Pérez, E., Cerrada, M.L.: Toughening of a propylene-b-(ethylene-co-propylene) copolymer by a plastomer. J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. Ed. 40, 1869–1880 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arranz-Andrés, J., Benavente, R., Pérez, E., Cerrada, M.L.: Structure and mechanical behavior of the mesomorphic form in a propylene-b-poly(ethylene-co-propylene) copolymer and its comparison with other thermal treatments. Polym. J. 35, 766–777 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avella, M., dell’Erba, R., Martuscelli, E., Ragosta, G.: Influence of molecular mass, thermal treatment and nucleating agent on structure and fracture toughness of isotactic polypropylene. Polymer 34, 2951–2960 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doshev, P., Lach, R., Lohse, G., Heuvelsland, A., Grellmann, W., Radusch, H.J.: Fracture characteristics and deformation behavior of heterophasic ethylene-propylene copolymers as a function of the dispersed phase composition. Polymer 46, 9411–9422 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkinson, J.M., Savadori, A., Williams, J.G.: A fracture mechanics analysis of polypropylene rubber blends. J. Mater. Sci. 18, 2319–2336 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karger-Kocsis, J.: Polypropylene: Structures, Blends and Composites, Copolymers and Blends, vol. 2. Chapman and Hall, London (1995)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Karger-Kocsis, J., Kuleznev, V.N.: Dynamic mechanical and impact properties of polypropylene/EPDM blendsOriginal. Polymer 23, 699–705 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karger-Kocsis, J., Kiss, L., Kuleznev, V.N.: Mechanical loss peaks of poly-propylene/EPDM blends in relation to their fracture toughness and impact strength. Acta Polym. 33, 14 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karger-Kocsis, J., Kalló, A., Kuleznev, V.N.: Phase structure of impact-modified polypropylene blends. Polymer 25, 279–286 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, G.M., Michler, G.H., Gahleitner, M., Fiebig, J.: Relationship between morphology and micromechanical toughening mechanisms in modified polypropylenes. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 60, 1391–1403 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J.X., Cheung, W.L., Chan, C.M.: On deformation mechanisms of beta-polypropylene 2. Changes of lamellar structure caused by tensile load. Polymer 40, 2089–2102 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menard, K.P.: Dynamic Mechanical Analysis. A Practical Introduction, 2nd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton (1999)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, E.P. Jr.: Polypropylene Handbook—Polymerization, Characterization, Properties, Processing, Applications. Hanser, Munich (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nitta, K., Kawada, T., Yamahiro, M., Mori, H., Terano, M.: Polypropylene-block-poly(ethylene-co-propylene) addition to polypropylene/poly(ethylene-co-propylene) blends: morphology and mechanical properties. Polymer 41, 6765–6771 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prabhat, K., Donovan, J.A.: Tearing inestability in polypropylene. Polymer 26, 1963–1970 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sugimoto, M., Ishikawa, M., Hatada, K.: Toughness of polypropylene. Polymer 36, 3675–3682 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, Z., Yu, F.: SEM study on fracture behaviour of ethylene/propylene block copolymers and their blends. Macromol. Chem. Phys. 192, 1439–1445 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, Z., Yu, F., Qi, Y.: Characterization, morphology and thermal properties of ethylene propylene block copolymers. Polymer 32, 1059–1064 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teh, J.W., Rudin, A., Keung, J.C.: A review of polyethylene—polypropylene blends and their compatibilization. Polym. Adv. Technol. 13, 1–23 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Wal, A., Nijhof, R., Gaymans, R.J.: Polypropylene-rubber blends: 2. The effect of the rubber content on the deformation and impact behavior. Polymer 40, 6031–6044 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama, Y., Ricco, T.: Toughening of polypropylene by different elastomeric systems. Polymer 39, 3675–3681 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zamfirova, G., Lorenzo, V., Benavente, R., Pereña, J.M.: On the relationship between modulus of elasticity and microhardness. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 88, 1794–1798 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors are indebted to Ministerio de Educación of Spain for their financial support through Project MAT2009-14294 and to REPSOL for the materials supply.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Tecnología Mecánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n 28935, Madrid, Spain

    A. Rico, A. Salazar & J. Rodríguez

  2. Departamento de Química Fisica de Polímeros, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de polímeros ICTP-CSIC, C/Juan de la Cierva 3 28006, Madrid, Spain

    P. R. Outón & R. Benavente

Authors
  1. A. Rico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. R. Outón
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Salazar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Benavente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Rodríguez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Rico.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rico, A., Outón, P.R., Salazar, A. et al. Strain rate and loading modes in DMTA experiments on ethylene/propylene block copolymers. Mech Time-Depend Mater 18, 407–422 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11043-014-9234-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11043-014-9234-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation