calibration-procedures-for-orthogonal-superposition-rheology

Calibration Procedures for Orthogonal Superposition Rheology

Orthogonal superposition (OSP) rheology is an advanced rheological technique that involves superimposing a small-amplitude oscillatory shear deformation ...

solution-blow-spinning-polymeric-nano-composite-fibers-for-personal

Solution Blow Spinning of Polymeric Nano-Composite Fibers for Personal Protective Equipment

Light-weight, protective armor systems typically consist of high modulus (&#62;109 MPa) and high-strength polymeric fibers held in place with an elastic ...

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Texas Tech University

Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Roma Plastilina No. 1 (RP1), an artist modeling clay that has been used as a ballistic clay, is essential for evaluation and certification in standards-based ballistic resistance testing of body armor. It serves as a ballistic witness material (BWM) behind the armor, where the magnitude of the plastic deformation in the clay after a ballistic impact is the figure of merit (known as "backface signature"). RP1 is known to exhibit complex thermomechanical behavior that requires temperature conditioning and frequent performance-based evaluations to verify that its deformation response satisfies requirements. A less complex BWM formulation that allows for room-temperature storage and use as well as a more consistent thermomechanical behavior than RP1 is desired, but a validation based only on ballistic performance would be extensive and expensive to accommodate the different ballistic threats. A framework of lab-scale metrologies for measuring the effects of strain, strain rate, and temperature dependence on mechanical properties are needed to guide BWM development. The current work deals with rheological characterization of a candidate BWM, i.e., silicone composite backing material (SCBM), to understand the fundamental structure⁻property relationships in comparison to those of RP1. Small-amplitude oscillatory shear frequency sweep experiments were performed at temperatures that ranged from 20 °C to 50 °C to map elastic and damping contributions in the linear elastic regime. Large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) experiments were conducted in the non-linear region and the material response was analyzed in the form of Lissajous curve representations with the values of perfect plastic dissipation ratio reported to identify the degree of plasticity. The results show that the SCBM exhibits dynamic properties that are similar in magnitude to those of temperature-conditioned RP1, but with minimal temperature sensitivity and weaker frequency dependence than RP1. Both SCBM and RP1 are identified as elastoviscoplastic materials, which is particularly important for accurate determination of backface signature in body armor evaluation. The mechanical properties of SCBM show some degree of aging and work history effects. The results from this work demonstrate that the rheological properties of SCBM, at small and large strains, are similar to RP1 with substantial improvements in BWM performance requirements in terms of temperature sensitivity and thixotropy.

Rheological Characterization of Next-Generation Ballistic Witness Materials for Body Armor Testing.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) grafted glass fiber reinforced epoxy nanocomposites (GFRP) present a range of stiffnesses (MPa to GPa) and length scales (m to nm) at the fiber-matrix interface. The contribution of functionalized CNT networks to the local and bulk polymer dynamics is studied here by using a combination of torsion dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), and neutron scattering (NS) measurements. DMTA measurements highlight a reduction in the storage modulus (') in the rubbery region and an asymmetric broadening of the loss modulus (″) peak in the -transition region. NS measurements show a suppressed hydrogen mean-square displacement (MSD) in the presence of glass fibers but a higher hydrogen MSD after grafting functionalized CNTs onto fiber surfaces. PALS measurements show greater free volume characteristics in the presence of the functionalized CNT modified composites, supporting the view that these interface layers increase polymer mobility. While NS and DMTA are sensitive to different modes of chain dynamics, the localization of functionalized nanotubes at the fiber interface is found to affect the distribution of polymer relaxation modes without significantly altering the thermally activated relaxation processes.

Ran Tao

Material Measurement Laboratory

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Calibration Procedures for Orthogonal Superposition Rheology

Solution Blow Spinning of Polymeric Nano-Composite Fibers for Personal Protective Equipment