PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.3390/polym17192713
Jindong Zhang, Kun Yu, Yunfeng Luo, Weidong Li, Xiangyu Zhong, Gang Liu, Jianwen Bao, Chunhai Chen
{"title":"Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics and Their Effect on the Molding Process and Mechanical Properties of PAEK and PEEK.","authors":"Jindong Zhang, Kun Yu, Yunfeng Luo, Weidong Li, Xiangyu Zhong, Gang Liu, Jianwen Bao, Chunhai Chen","doi":"10.3390/polym17192713","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192713","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The crystallization behavior of poly(aryletherketone) (PAEK) determines its applicable molding process and profoundly affects its mechanical properties. However, research on the crystallization behavior of new PAEKs and their impact on performance is still insufficient. In this work, the isothermal crystallization behavior of a novel PAEK was studied and compared with that of standard poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK). The influence of molding temperatures on the mechanical properties of thermoplastics was revealed by controlling the crystallization temperatures and analyzing the crystallization behavior. The results indicate that due to the disruption of the molecular structure regularity of PAEK, its melting temperature for primary crystallization is generally about 30 °C lower than that of PEEK, which is beneficial for its molding at lower temperatures. At the same undercooling level, the crystallization rate of PAEK is lower than that of PEEK, making it easier to control the crystallinity of PAEK through process parameters. The crystallinity of the thermoplastics increases with the increase in soaking time, thereby improving their tensile strength and modulus. The maximum crystallinity of PAEK is approximately 20.5%, which is lower than PEEK's value of 31.8%. Therefore, under the same undercooling condition, the tensile strength and modulus of PEEK increase by up to 29.5% and 17.1%, respectively, compared to PAEK. Therefore, by precisely controlling the molding process parameters of PAEK, their crystallization behavior can be managed, enabling the achievement of various properties as needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.3390/polym17192716
Patricia Isabela Brăileanu, Marius-Teodor Mocanu, Tiberiu Gabriel Dobrescu, Dan Dobrotă, Nicoleta Elisabeta Pascu
{"title":"Structure-Property-Performance Relationships in Thermoplastic Polyurethane: Influence of Infill Density and Surface Texture.","authors":"Patricia Isabela Brăileanu, Marius-Teodor Mocanu, Tiberiu Gabriel Dobrescu, Dan Dobrotă, Nicoleta Elisabeta Pascu","doi":"10.3390/polym17192716","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the structure-property-performance (SPP) relationships of two thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), FILAFLEX FOAMY 70A and SMARTFIL<sup>®</sup> FLEX 98A, manufactured by fused filament fabrication (FFF). Disc specimens were produced with varying gyroid infill densities (10-100%) and Archimedean surface textures, and their tribological and surface characteristics were analyzed through Ball-on-Disc tests, profilometry, and optical microscopy. SMARTFIL<sup>®</sup> FLEX 98A exhibited a sharp reduction in the coefficient of friction (μ) with increasing infill, from 1.174 at 10% to 0.371 at 100%, linked to improved structural stability at higher densities. In contrast, FILAFLEX FOAMY 70A maintained a stable but generally higher coefficient of friction (0.585-0.729) across densities, reflecting its foamed microstructure and bulk yielding behavior. Surface analysis revealed significantly higher roughness in SMARTFIL<sup>®</sup> FLEX 98A, while FILAFLEX FOAMY 70A showed consistent roughness across infill levels. Both TPUs resisted inducing abrasive wear on the steel counterpart, but their stress-accommodation mechanisms diverged. These findings highlight distinct application profiles: SMARTFIL<sup>®</sup> FLEX 98A for energy-absorbing, deformable components, and FILAFLEX FOAMY 70A for applications requiring stable surface finish and low adhesive wear. The results advance the design of functionally graded TPU materials through the controlled tuning of infill and surface features.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526991/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.3390/polym17192710
Yu Zhao, Lili Wu, Yujiao Xu, Dongfeng Cao, Yundong Ji
{"title":"Development of Low-Smoke Epoxy Resin Carbon Fiber Prepreg.","authors":"Yu Zhao, Lili Wu, Yujiao Xu, Dongfeng Cao, Yundong Ji","doi":"10.3390/polym17192710","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192710","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The smoke toxicity of epoxy resin limits the application of its carbon fiber composites in marine interior structures. To address this issue, a novel epoxy resin (EZ) was synthesized by grafting phenyl propyl polysiloxane (PPPS) onto ortho-cresol novolac epoxy resin (EOCN), building upon the group's earlier work on polysiloxane-modified epoxy resin (EB). The results confirmed successful grafting of PPPS onto EOCN, which significantly enhanced the thermal stability and char residue of EZ. Specifically, the peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), peak smoke production rate (PSPR), and total smoke production (TSP) of EZ were reduced by 68.5%, 35%, 73.1%, and 48.3%, respectively, attributable to the formation of a stable and compact char layer that suppressed smoke generation. By blending EZ with EB resin, a low-smoke epoxy system (LJF-2) was developed for prepreg applications. Carbon fiber composites (LJF-CF) prepared from LJF-2 exhibited minimal smoke emission and a unique bilayer char structure: a dense inner layer that hindered smoke transport and a thick outer layer that provided thermal insulation, delaying further resin decomposition. Silicon was uniformly distributed in the char residue as silicon oxides, improving its stability and compactness. Without adding any flame retardants or smoke suppressants, LJF-CF achieved a maximum smoke density (Ds,max) of 276.9, meeting the requirements of the FTP Code for ship deck materials (Ds,max < 400). These findings indicate that LJF-CF holds great promise for use in marine interior components where low smoke toxicity is critical.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526551/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.3390/polym17192714
Kai Liu, Wenchao Li, Tianlong Ling, Bo Huang, Meihong Zhou
{"title":"Bonding Performance at the Interface of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Anchors and Polymer Concrete.","authors":"Kai Liu, Wenchao Li, Tianlong Ling, Bo Huang, Meihong Zhou","doi":"10.3390/polym17192714","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192714","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Currently, resin polymer anchoring agents are widely used for bolting support in coal mine roadways to anchor the bolts to the surrounding rock mass. However, due to the relatively low strength of the resin anchoring agent itself, the required anchoring length tends to be excessively long. Based on this, this paper proposes the use of resin concrete as a replacement for resin. Compared to resin anchoring agents, resin concrete offers greater mechanical interlocking force with anchor rods, which can reduce the theoretical anchoring length. To systematically investigate the influence of factors such as the diameter and anchorage length of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bolt on the bond behavior between GFRP bolts and resin concrete, 33 standard pull-out tests were designed and conducted in accordance with the CSA S807-19 standard. Taking the 18 mm-diameter bolt as an example, when the bond lengths were 2D, 3D, 4D, and 5D, the average bond strengths were 41.32 MPa, 39.18 MPa, 38.84 MPa, and 37.44 MPa, respectively. This represents a decrease of 5.18%, 6.00%, and 9.39% for each subsequent increase in bond length. The results indicate that the bond strength between GFRP anchors and resin decreases as the anchorage length increases. Due to the shear lag effect, the average bond strength also decreases with increasing anchor diameter. Taking a 5D (where D is the anchor diameter) anchorage length as a reference, the average bond strengths for anchor diameters of 18 mm, 20 mm, 22 mm, and 24 mm were 37.44 MPa, 33.97 MPa, 32.18 MPa, and 31.50 MPa, respectively. The corresponding reductions compared to the 18 mm diameter case were 9.27%, 14.05%, and 15.87%. Based on the experimental results, this paper proposes a bond-slip constitutive model between the bolt and resin concrete, which consists of a rising branch, a descending branch, and a residual branch. A differential equation relating shear stress to displacement was established, and the functions describing the variation in displacement, normal stress, and shear stress along the position were solved for the ascending branch. Although an analytical solution for the differential equation of the descending branch was not obtained, it will not affect the subsequent derivation of the theoretical anchorage length for the GFRP bolt-resin concrete system, as structural components in practical engineering are not permitted to undergo excessive bond-slip.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526801/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Eco-Friendly Biopolymer Composite Sheet Derived from Water Hyacinth Reinforced with Cassava Chip: Optimal Conditions for Mixing, Blending, and Forming.","authors":"Praepilas Dujjanutat, Woravut Suwanrueng, Pakawadee Kaewkannetra","doi":"10.3390/polym17192709","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192709","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The persistence of the synthetic plastic waste problem makes it one of the most pressing environmental challenges. Sustainable material is an alternative approach to reduce petroleum plastics. In this research, our work aims to convert two biomaterials, water hyacinth (WH) and cassava chip (CC), into value-added biopolymer composite sheets (BCS). The raw materials of both WH and CC were prepared and characterized using physical and chemical treatments. Alkali treatments and chemical modifications were applied to remove lignin, protein, lipid, and other inhibiting components. After that, the two main raw materials of the WH and CC components were varied (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40, respectively) to investigate the optimal conditions for mixing, blending, and forming processes. Finally, mechanical properties (tensile strength), physical properties (surface morphology using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), crystalline structure by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and water solubility were also evaluated. The results obtained obviously revealed that the BCS reached an optimal ratio of 80:20 and exhibited outstanding properties. We were successful in exploring the potential use of a combination of two kinds of biopolymers under optimal conditions to produce an effective and environmentally friendly BCS in a manner that promotes a sustainable bio-circular economy and zero-waste concepts.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526615/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cyclopentadienyl-Silsesquioxane Titanium Complexes in the Polymerizations of Styrene and L-Lactide.","authors":"Joan Vinueza-Vaca, Shoaib Anwar, Salvatore Impemba, Ilaria Grimaldi, Gerardo Jiménez, Carmine Capacchione, Vanessa Tabernero, Stefano Milione","doi":"10.3390/polym17192715","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192715","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this contribution, two silsesquioxane-cyclopentadienyl titanium complexes featuring one or two chloride ancillary ligands, [Ti(η<sup>5</sup>-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>4</sub>SiMeO<sub>2</sub>Ph<sub>7</sub>Si<sub>7</sub>O<sub>10</sub>-<i>κ</i>O)Cl<sub>2</sub>] (<b>1</b>) and [Ti(η<sup>5</sup>-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>4</sub>SiMe<sub>2</sub>OPh<sub>7</sub>Si<sub>7</sub>O<sub>11</sub>-<i>κ</i><sup>2</sup>O<sub>2</sub>)Cl] (<b>2</b>), were synthesized and evaluated in the Ziegler-Natta polymerization of styrene and the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide, respectively. Complex <b>1</b>, activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), catalyzed the syndiotactic polymerization of styrene with turnover frequencies up to 28 h<sup>-1</sup>, affording polymers with narrow dispersity, low number-average molecular weights (<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> = 5.2-8.2 kDa), and high stereoregularity, as confirmed by <sup>13</sup>C NMR. Complex <b>2</b>, in combination with benzyl alcohol, promoted the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide in solution at 100 °C, achieving conversions up to 95% with good molecular weight control (<i>M</i><sub>n</sub> close to theoretical, <i>Đ</i> = 1.19-1.32). Under melt conditions at 175 °C, it converted up to 3000 equiv. of monomer within 1 h. Kinetic analysis revealed first-order dependence on monomer concentration. The results highlight the ability of these complexes to produce syndiotactic polystyrene with narrow molecular weight distributions and to catalyze controlled ROP of L-lactide under both solution and melt conditions. Computational studies provided insight into key structural and energetic features influencing reactivity, offering a framework for further catalyst optimization. This work broadens the application scope of silsesquioxane-cyclopentadienyl titanium complexes and supports their potential as sustainable and versatile catalysts for both commodity and biodegradable polymer synthesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526836/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.3390/polym17192712
Matija Nabergoj, Janez Urevc, Miroslav Halilovič
{"title":"Modelling of Mechanical Response of Weldlines in Injection-Moulded Short Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Components.","authors":"Matija Nabergoj, Janez Urevc, Miroslav Halilovič","doi":"10.3390/polym17192712","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192712","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Short fibre-reinforced polymers (SFRPs) are increasingly used in structural applications where mechanical integrity under complex loading is critical. However, conventional modelling approaches often fail to accurately predict mechanical behaviour in weldline regions formed during injection moulding, where microstructural anomalies and pre-existing damage significantly degrade performance. This study addresses these limitations by extending a hybrid micro-macromechanical constitutive framework to incorporate localised initial damage at weldlines. Calibration and validation of the model were conducted using directional tensile tests on dumbbell-shaped polyamide 66 specimens reinforced with 25 wt% glass fibres, featuring controlled weldline geometry. Digital image correlation (DIC) was employed to capture strain fields, while injection moulding simulations provided fibre orientation distributions and weldline positioning. Results demonstrate that incorporating initial damage and its independent evolution for the cold weld region significantly improves prediction accuracy in weldline zones without compromising model efficiency. The proposed approach can be integrated seamlessly with existing finite element framework and offers a robust solution for simulating SFRP components with weldlines, enhancing reliability in safety-critical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526842/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.3390/polym17192711
Armando Costa Ferreira, Haroldo Jorge da Silva Ribeiro, Douglas Alberto Rocha de Castro, Marcelo Costa Santos, Caio Campos Ferreira, Fernanda Paula da Costa Assunção, Sérgio Duvoisin, Luiz Eduardo Pizarro Borges, Nélio Teixeira Machado, Lucas Pinto Bernar
{"title":"Process Analysis of PMMA Dental Waste Depolymerization in Semi-Batch Reactors.","authors":"Armando Costa Ferreira, Haroldo Jorge da Silva Ribeiro, Douglas Alberto Rocha de Castro, Marcelo Costa Santos, Caio Campos Ferreira, Fernanda Paula da Costa Assunção, Sérgio Duvoisin, Luiz Eduardo Pizarro Borges, Nélio Teixeira Machado, Lucas Pinto Bernar","doi":"10.3390/polym17192711","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192711","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the chemical recycling of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dental waste in semi-batch fixed-bed reactors via pyrolysis, aiming to convert this waste into the valuable monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA). First, the effect of temperature is analyzed in a laboratory-scale (30 g) semi-batch reactor at 350, 400 and 450 °C. In order to visualize the combined effect of temperature and increase in bed volume, experiments conducted at 350 °C in the laboratory (30 g) and on a pilot scale (20 kg) are compared. Experiments conducted at 475°C on technical and pilot scales are also compared to elucidate this behavior. A detailed process analysis is presented, considering different experiments conducted in a semi-batch technical-scale reactor. Experiments were conducted in a 2 L reactor at temperatures of 425 °C, 450 °C and 475 °C to understand the effects of heating rate and temperature on product yield and composition. The results show that at 425 °C, MMA was the primary liquid component, with minimal by-products, suggesting that lower temperatures enhance monomer recovery. Higher temperatures, however, increased gas yields and reduced MMA yield due to intensified thermal cracking. This study also highlights that char formation and non-condensable gases increase with the reactor scale, indicating that heat transfer limitations can influence MMA purity and yield. These findings emphasize that for effective MMA recovery, lower temperatures and controlled heating rates are optimal, especially in larger reactors where heat transfer issues are more prominent. This research study contributes to scaling up PMMA recycling processes, supporting industrial applications to achieve efficient monomer recovery from waste.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526683/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.3390/polym17192706
Luka Šimunović, Luka Brenko, Antun Jakob Marić, Senka Meštrović, Tatjana Haramina
{"title":"Rheology of Dental Photopolymers for SLA/DLP/MSLA 3D Printing.","authors":"Luka Šimunović, Luka Brenko, Antun Jakob Marić, Senka Meštrović, Tatjana Haramina","doi":"10.3390/polym17192706","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192706","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vat photopolymerization 3D printing, including stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and masked SLA (mSLA), has transformed dental device fabrication by enabling precise and customizable components. However, the rheological behavior of photopolymer resins is a critical factor that governs the printability, accuracy, and performance of printed parts. This review surveys the role of viscosity, shear-thinning, and thixotropy in defining the \"printability window\" of dental resins and explores the relationship between these properties and the formulation and final material performance. Rheological characterization using rotational rheometry provides key insights, with shear rate sweeps and thixotropy tests quantifying whether a resin behaves as Newtonian or pseudoplastic. The literature shows that optimal printability typically requires resins with low to moderate viscosity at shear, moderate thixotropy for stability, and formulations balanced between high-strength oligomers and low-viscosity diluents. The addition of fillers modifies the viscosity and dispersion, which can improve reinforcement but may reduce print resolution if not optimized. Thermal and optical considerations are also coupled with rheology, affecting the curing depth and accuracy. In conclusion, controlling resin rheology is essential for bridging material formulation with reliable clinical outcomes, guiding both resin design and printer process optimization in modern dental applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526929/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PolymersPub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.3390/polym17192704
Syed Khaliq Shah, Ying Gao, Abdullah I Almansour
{"title":"Rheological and Microstructural Characterization of Novel High-Elasticity Polymer Modifiers in Asphalt Binders.","authors":"Syed Khaliq Shah, Ying Gao, Abdullah I Almansour","doi":"10.3390/polym17192704","DOIUrl":"10.3390/polym17192704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the rheological, thermal, and microstructural performance of three novel high-elasticity polymer modifiers (HEMs) incorporated into asphalt binders. The modifiers were evaluated at their recommended dosages using a multi-scale framework combining rotational viscosity, dynamic shear rheometry (frequency sweeps, Cole-Cole plots, Black diagrams, and master curves), bending beam rheometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fluorescence microscopy (FM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results show that HEM-B achieved the highest values of the superpave rutting parameter (G*/sinδ = 5.07 kPa unaged, 6.73 kPa aged), reflecting increased high-temperature stiffness but also higher viscosity, which may affect workability. HEM-C exhibited the lowest total enthalpy (1.18 W·g<sup>-1</sup>) and a glass transition temperature of -7.7 °C, indicating improved thermal stability relative to other binders. HEM-A showed the greatest increase in fluorescent area (+85%) and the largest reduction in fluorescent number (-60%) compared with base asphalt, demonstrating more homogeneous phase dispersion despite higher enthalpy. Comparison with SBS confirmed that the novel HEMs not only meet but exceed conventional performance thresholds while revealing distinct modification mechanisms, dense cross-linking (HEM-B), functionalized thermoplastic compatibility (HEM-C), and epoxy-tackified network formation (HEM-A). These findings establish quantitative correlations between rheology, thermal stability, and microstructure, underscoring the importance of dosage, compatibility, and polymer network architecture. The study provides a mechanistic foundation for optimizing high-elasticity modifiers in asphalt binders and highlights future needs for dosage normalization and long-term aging evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":20416,"journal":{"name":"Polymers","volume":"17 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12526575/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145302867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}