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Elastomers based on α,ω‐dihydroxy‐polydimethylsiloxane/polystyrene blends: Morphology and mechanical properties
Author(s) -
Dong Jian,
Liu Zonglin,
Cao Xiaoqun,
Zhang Changjun
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.23921
Subject(s) - polydimethylsiloxane , elastomer , materials science , polystyrene , scanning electron microscope , vulcanization , composite material , polymerization , benzoyl peroxide , polymer , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , natural rubber , engineering
α,ω‐Dihydroxy‐polydimethylsiloxane/polystyrene (PDMS/PS) blends were prepared by the bulk polymerization of styrene (St) in the presence of α,ω‐dihydroxy‐polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. The PDMS/PS blends obtained by this method are a series of stable, white gums, which were vulcanized to elastomers at room temperature with methyl‐triethoxysilicane (MTES). The MTES dosage was much larger than the amount necessary for end‐linking hydroxy‐terminated chains of PDMS, with the excess being hydrolyzed to crosslinked networks, which were similar to SiO 2 and acted as filler. Investigations were carried out on the elastomeric materials by extraction measurement and scanning electron microscopy. The extraction data show that at each composition the sol‐fraction is less than expected. Scanning electron microscopy observation demonstrates that the elastomer has microphase‐separated structure consisting of PS domains within a continuous PDMS matrix, and the extracted material exhibits a porous structure. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the elastomers were studied in detail. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2565–2572, 2006