A novel polymer blend was developed by a new concept of applying supramolecular network into polyamide (Nylon). Polyamide is a commonly used engineering plastic having a wide range of applications. Polyamides find such a wide variety of applications such as in automotive, electrical, and sports industries due to its excellent heat and chemical resistance coupled with good mechanical properties. In recent times, there has been demand for higher properties and functions because more and more metal-based products are being substituted with engineering plastics like polyamides.<br/>We recently developed a new polyamide polymer blend combining with polyrotaxane which is a typical supramolecular polymer. Generally, in crystalline polymer like polyamide the applied force usually concentrates on the weakest part of the polymer chain leading to failure. The movable crosslinked structure in polyrotaxane provides a pulley movement which prevent the stress concentration. The polymer blend which includes the movable crosslinked structures shows remarkable improvements of ductility and energy absorbance in higher speed impact fracture testing. To demonstrate the enhanced mechanical property, the high-speed impact testing was performed using mold pieces (see figures). The blend mold piece showed high stiffness before impact, but it absorbed huge impact energy and were deformed like rubber. Additionally, the blend exhibited more than twenty times cyclic fatigue resistance. Based on the same principle using movable crosslinked structure, we also developed carbon and glass fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP and GFRP). We found that this polymer provided excellent performance even when it is combined with inorganic fibers. These materials are expected to be applied to structures of automobiles that are crucial for impact absorption.

Polyrotaxane blend toughened by movable crosslinked structure

256th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.