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At least 721 records · Page 40

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1974

Ultraviolet and thermally stable polymer compositions

A class of polymers is provided, namely, poly(diarylsiloxy) arylazines. These polymers have a basic chemical composition which has the property of stabilizing the optical and physical properties of the polymer against the degradative effect of ultraviolet light and high temperatures. This stabilization occurs at wavelengths including those shorter than found on the surface of the earth and in the absence or presence of oxygen, making the polymers of the present invention useful for high performance coating applications in extraterrestrial space as well as similar applications in terrestrial service. The invention also provides aromatic azines which are useful in the preparation of polymers such as those of the present invention.

Reinisch, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Solubilization and spore recovery from silicone polymers

A non-sporicidal technique for solvent degradation of cured silicone polymers was developed which involves chemical degradation of cured silicone polymers by amine solvents at room temperature. Substantial improvements were obtained in the recovery of seeded spores from room temperature cured polymers as compared to the standard recovery procedures, which indicates that the curing process is not sufficiently exothermic to reduce spore viability. The dissolution reaction of cured silicone polymers whith amine solvents is proposed to occur by bimolecular nucleophilic displacement. The chemical structure of silicone polymers was determined by spectroscopic methods. The phenyl to methyl ratio, R/Si ratio, molecular weight, and hydroxyl content of the silicone resins were determined.

Hsiao, Y. C.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Ultraviolet and thermally stable polymer compositions

A new class of polymers is provided, namely, poly (diarylsiloxy) arylazines. These novel polymers have a basic chemical composition which has the property of stabilizing the optical and physical properties of the polymer against the degradative effect of ultraviolet light and high temperatures. This stabilization occurs at wavelengths including those shorter than found on the surface of the earth and in the absence or presence of oxygen, making the polymers useful for high performance coating applications in extraterrestrial space as well as similar applications in terrestrial service. The invention also provides novel aromatic azines which are useful in the preparation of polymers such as those described.

Reinisch, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A model for the pyrolysis of unfilled and filled polymers and comparisons with NBS smoke-density chamber data

This paper considers a model for the pyrolysis of polymers for use in mass loss and smoke density predictions in a fire situation. It is based on the fundamental postulate that the overall rate-limiting reactions are in the relatively low temperature condensed phase; the rate limiting step is the polymer degradation to a vaporizable state. The state of the polymer (chain length) at the surface is specified by the vapor pressure equilibrium criterion. For the case of polymers with inert fillers, like alumina trihydrate, the further assumption is made that the linear regression rate of the material is identical to the unfilled material's at the same surface temperature. The fraction of polymer mass loss converted to smoke is inferred from the literature. The smoke density in the NBS-smoke density chamber is predicted for a polyester and the same polyester with two different loads of alumina trihydrate filler. Diffusional effects in the smoke spreading are considered in an elementary manner. The comparisons with experimental data are encouraging. The overall fire characteristics are predicted using only the fundamental physicochemical property values of ingredients.

Kumar, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Origin of organic matter in the early solar system. VII - The organic polymer in carbonaceous chondrites

Degradation techniques, including pyrolysis, depolymerization, and oxidation, were used to study the insoluble polymer from the Murchison C2 chondrite. Oxidation with Cr2O7(2-) or O2/UV led to the identification of 15 aromatic ring systems. Of 11 aliphatic acids identified, three dicarboxylic acids presumably came from hydroaromatic portions of the polymer, whereas eight monocarboxylic acids probably derive from bridging groups or ring substituents. Depolymerization with CF3COO4 yielded some of the same ring systems, as well as alkanes (C1 through C8) and alkenes (C2 through C8), alkyl (C1 through C5) benzenes and naphthalenes, and methyl- or dimethyl -indene, -indane, -phenol, -pyrrole, and -pyridine. All these compounds were detected below 200 C, and are therefore probably indigenous constituents. The properties of the meteoritic polymer were compared with the properties of a synthetic polymer produced by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. It is suggested that the meteoritic polymer was also produced by surface catalysis.

Hayatsu, R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Toxicity of pyrolysis gases from some cellular polymers

Various samples of cellular polymers were evaluated for toxicity of pyrolysis gases, using the screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco. The cellular polymer samples included polyimide, polymethacrylimide, polybismaleimide, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, polyethylene, polychloroprene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polysiloxane, and polyphosphazene. The cellular polymers exhibited varying levels of toxicity under these test conditions. Among the rigid cellular polymers, times to death were shortest with the imide type foams and longest with polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene. Among the flexible cellular polymers, times to death were shortest with polyimide and polyester, and longest with polychloroprene and polysiloxane. Increased char yield was not necessarily associated with reduced toxicity.

Hilado, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Thermal rearrangements of unsaturated polymers

Thermal anaerobic uncatalyzed cyclizations and cis-trans isomerizations observed in unsaturated hydrocarbon polymers are surveyed. Three main types of cyclizations are described. Type I is a radical reaction which is caused by chain rupture and gives rise to six-membered rings; this reaction occurs during pyrolysis of polymers with double bonds in a 1,5- or 1,6-diene configuration. Type II is a (2 + 2) thermal cycloaddition of double bonds in certain polymers with a 1,6-diene structure; bicycloheptane structures result. Type III is an intramolecular ene reaction. Many polymers containing a double bond linking CH units display thermal cis-trans isomerization. The common activation energy is approximately 130 kJ/mol, and the initial rate constants are lower, for homologous polymers, the greater the separation of the carbon-carbon double bonds.

Golub, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Incorporation of metal related materials into electrically neutral polymers

Developments in the field of metal-containing polymers are reviewed with emphasis on neutral polymers incorporating dissolved metal salts, metal complexes, organometallic compounds, and metals. Polymer systems discussed include: polyamides, polyimides, polyalcohols, polyesters, polyacetylene, polyethylene, and polysiloxane. Most of the studies focus on the modification of polymer properties such as adhesive properties, thermal behavior, electrical conductivity, polymer flammability, and mechanical properties.

St. Clair, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Characterization and measurement of polymer wear

Analytical tools which characterize the polymer wear process are discussed. The devices discussed include: visual observation of polymer wear with SEM, the quantification with surface profilometry and ellipsometry, to study the chemistry with AES, XPS and SIMS, to establish interfacial polymer orientation and accordingly bonding with QUARTIR, polymer state with Raman spectroscopy and stresses that develop in polymer films using a X-ray double crystal camera technique.

Buckley, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Monte Carlo lattice models for adsorbed polymer conformation

The adhesion between a polymer film and a metal surface is of great technological interest. However, the prediction of adhesion and wear properties of polymer coated metals is quite difficult because a fundamental understanding of the polymer surface interaction does not yet exist. A computer model for the conformation of a polymer molecule adsorbed on a surface is discussed. The chain conformation is assumed to be described by a partially directed random walk on a three dimensional simple cubic lattice. An attractive surface potential is incorporated into the model through the use of a random walk step probability distribution that is anisotropic in the direction normal to the attractive surface. The effects of variations in potential characteristics are qualitatively included by varying both the degree of anisotropy of the step distribution and the range of the anisotropy. Polymer conformation is characterized by the average end to end distance, average radius of gyration, and average number of chain segments adsorbed on the surface.

Good, B. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Cell Partition in Two Polymer Aqueous Phases

Partition of biological cells in two phase aqueous polymer systems is recognized as a powerful separation technique which is limited by gravity. The synthesis of new, selective polymer ligand conjugates to be used in affinity partition separations is of interest. The two most commonly used polymers in two phase partitioning are dextran and polyethylene glycol. A thorough review of the chemistry of these polymers was begun, particularly in the area of protein attachment. Preliminary studies indicate the importance in affinity partitioning of minimizing gravity induced randomizing forces in the phase separation process. The PEG-protein conjugates that were prepared appear to be ideally suited for achieving high quality purifications in a microgravity environment. An interesting spin-off of this synthetic work was the observation of catalytic activity for certain of our polymer derivatives.

Harris, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Characterization and measurement of polymer wear

Buckley, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Tribological properties of polymer films and solid bodies in a vacuum environment

The tribological properties of ten different polymer based materials were evaluated in a vacuum environment to determine their suitability for possible lubrication applications in a space environment, such as might be encountered on the proposed space station. A pin-on-disk tribometer was used and the polymer materials were evaluated either as solid body disks or as films applied to 440C HT stainless steel disks. A 440C HT stainless steel hemispherically tipped pin was slid against the polymer materials. For comparison, similar tests were conducted in a controlled air atmosphere of 50 percent relative humidity air. In most instances, the polymer materials lubricated much better under vacuum conditions than in air. Thus, several of the materials show promise as lubricants for vacuum applications. Friction coefficients of 0.05 or less and polymer material wear rates of up to 2 orders of magnitude less than in air were obtained. One material showed considerable promise as a traction drive material. Relatively high friction coefficients (0.36 to 0.52) and reasonably low wear rates were obtained in vacuum.

Fusaro, Robert L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Polymer precursors for SiC ceramic materials

Work on precursor polymers to SiC was performed, concentrating on polymers made from decamethyl cyclohexasilyene units. The initial approach was to synthesize mixed diphenyl decamethyl cyclohexasilane, dephenylate, and polymerize. This produced polymers which had yields of up to 50 percent SiC. (Theoretical yield is 75 percent). The present approach is to make the polymer through the intermediate trans-1,4-diphenyl decamethyl cyclohexasilane. This should produce a crystalline polymer and high strength fibers. These will be thermally decomposed to SiC fibers. This requires new chemistry which is currently being studied.

Litt, Morton H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Tribological properties of polymer films and solid bodies in a vacuum environment

The tribological properties of ten different polymer based materials were evaluated in a vacuum environment to determine their suitability for possible lubrication applications in a space environment, such as might be encountered on the proposed Space Station. A pin-on-disk tribometer was used and the polymer materials were evaluated either as solid body disks or as films applied to 440C HT stainless steel disks. A 440C HT stainless steel hemispherically tipped pin was slid against the polymer materials. For comparison, similar tests were conducted in a controlled air atmosphere of 50 percent relative humidity air. In most instances, the polymer materials lubricated much better under vacuum conditions than in air. Thus, several of the materials show promise as lubricants for vacuum applications. Friction coefficients of 0.05 or less and polymer material wear rates of up to 2 orders of magnitude less than in air were obtained. One material showed considerable promise as a traction drive material. Relative high friction coefficients (0.36 to 0.52) and reasonably low wear rates were obtained in vacuum.

Fusaro, Robert L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Addition polymers from 1,4,5,8-tetrahydro-1,4;5,8-diepoxyanthracene and Bis-dienes. 2: Evidence for thermal dehydration occurring in the cure process

Diels-Alder cycloaddition copolymers from 1,4,5,8-tetrahydro-1,4;5,8-diepoxyanthracene and anthracene end-capped polyimide oligomers appear, by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), to undergo dehydration at elevated temperatures. This would produce thermally stable pentiptycene units along the polymer backbone, and render the polymers incapable of unzipping through a retro-Diels-Alder pathway. High resolution solid 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of one formulation of the polymer system before and after heating at elevated temperatures, shows this to indeed be the case. NMR spectra of solid samples of the polymer before and after heating correlated well with those of the parent pentiptycene model compound before and after acid-catalyzed dehydration. Isothermal gravimetric analyses and viscosities of the polymer before and after heat treatment support dehydration as a mechanism for the cure reaction.

Meador, Mary Ann B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Molecules with enhanced electronic polarizabilities based on defect-like states in conjugated polymers

Highly conjugated organic polymers typically have large non-resonant electronic susceptibilities, which give the molecules unusual optical properties. To enhance these properties, defects are introduced into the polymer chain. Examples include light doping of the conjugated polymer and synthesis, conjugated polymers which incorporate either electron donating or accepting groups, and conjugated polymers which contain a photoexcitable species capable of reversibly transferring its electron to an acceptor. Such defects in the chain permit enhancement of the second hyperpolarizability by at least an order of magnitude.

Beratan, David N.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A review of properties and potential aerospace applications of electrically conducting polymers

An overview of current research in conducting polymers is presented. Emphasis is placed on development of materials useful for aeronautic and space applications. Research on organic conducting polymers began in the early 1970s with the discovery of polyacetylene. Since then, many polymers which share structural characteristics with polyacetylene have been prepared which conduct electricity, especially when they are doped with suitable agents. Problems with environmental instability, difficult processing, poor mechanical properties and high cost have slowed the development of conducting polymers. However, practical use of these materials is imminent, based on recent refinements in understanding how polymers conduct, more systematic approaches to the development of new materials, and significant improvements in both the processing and properties.

Meador, Mary Ann B.↗