April 7 - 11, 2025
Seattle, Washington
Symposium Supporters
2025 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit
SF05.04.09

Tuning Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly in Epoxy Thermosets for Improved Static and Dynamic Properties

When and Where

Apr 9, 2025
11:45am - 12:00pm
Summit, Level 3, Room 347

Presenter(s)

Co-Author(s)

Brad Jones1,Kylie Van Meter1,Francesca C'deBaca1,Erin Nissen1,Angela Ku1,Michael Ford2,Jennifer Jordan3

Sandia National Laboratories1,Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory2,Los Alamos National Laboratory3

Abstract

Brad Jones1,Kylie Van Meter1,Francesca C'deBaca1,Erin Nissen1,Angela Ku1,Michael Ford2,Jennifer Jordan3

Sandia National Laboratories1,Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory2,Los Alamos National Laboratory3
Polymer thermosets are frequently modified via polymerization-induced self-assembly, wherein the addition of secondary or higher order components that organize during the polymerization is intended to improve a specific property. Generally speaking, it is challenging to control the characteristic self-assembled length scale in such materials beyond a limited range. This presentation will describe an approach to self-assembly in epoxy thermosets that enables the length scale to be tuned over a broad range, from nanoscale to macroscale. The key element of this approach is a balance of multiple reactive species that simultaneously favor and disfavor phase separation. Consequently, the glass transitions, modulus profiles, coefficients of thermal expansion, and curing- and thermal-induced residual stresses are profoundly impacted by seemingly subtle changes in the epoxy formulation. This presentation will also cover the dynamic response of these materials under high deformation rates. Of particular note, we have observed anomalous shockwave propagation characteristics in specific microstructures that differ significantly from the response of conventional, homogeneous epoxies. This work offers the opportunity to design epoxy thermosets with increased performance based on an improved understanding of the relationships between self-assembly behavior and the physical properties manifested.

Keywords

polymer | self-assembly

Symposium Organizers

Kristen Fichthorn, The Pennsylvania State University
Ben Zhong Tang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Xin Zhang, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Ting Han, Shenzhen University

Symposium Support

Bronze
Protochips

Session Chairs

Ting Han
Zijie Qiu

In this Session