The Synthesis and Characterization of a Single Component Thermally Remendable Polymer System
Date: Feb. 5, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: 104 Textile Building
Erin Murphy
Doctoral Student, UCLA
Abstract
The Synthesis and Characterization of a Single Component Thermally Remendable Polymer System
Murphy will address the problem of microcrack formation and the recent development of remendable and self-healing polymer systems. She will discuss a novel single-component system that utilizes the reversible Diels-Alder (r-DA) reaction to achieve multiple cycles of mending.
In the field of structural materials, highly cross-linked polymeric solids are desirable due to their superior mechanical strength, durability and solvent resistance. These materials are hard, colorless and transparent at room temperatures and can be customized to fit a range of desired working temperatures. Upon exposure to constant external stress, these systems experience thermal and mechanical fatigue that results in the formation of microcracks. When left untreated, these cracks propagate and enlarge, resulting in catastrophic failure.
