The pCBT component of pCBT/clay nano-composites can undergo significant molecular weight reduction during processing. This can be problematic because the toughness of such composites becomes unacceptable if the Mw becomes too low. A size exclusion chromatography (SEC) scheme was developed to measure molecular weight distributions of pCBT. From SEC before and after processing the net extent of chain scission during processing could be estimated. The net extent of chain scission was correlated with several process variables in a designed experiment to understand the chain scission process better. Correlation of torque and temperature with molecular weight in a Haake mixing bowl allowed on-line continuous estimation of molecular weight during processing under a variety of conditions.

Root causes of molecular weight loss of poly(cyclic butylene terephthalate) in pCBT/clay nanocomposites during processing

249th National Meeting (2015)

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