[:en]How effective are bonding agents? Fraunhofer LBF uses liquid chromatography for characterization for the first time[:]

[:en]How effective are bonding agents? Fraunhofer LBF uses liquid chromatography for characterization for the first time[:]

[:en]

Functionalized polyolefins are of great economic importance as bonding agents between polyolefins and polar surfaces. Despite years of effort, up to now there has never been any analytic method that could provide a comprehensive understanding of these materials to enable their effectiveness to be quickly assessed, for instance as part of incoming goods controlling. Now, a chromatographic method developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF makes it possible to develop systematic structure-property relationships for these materials for the first time. This is very useful for the development of more efficient functionalization processes. In addition, this analytic information is highly relevant for material development and for understanding material failure.

Due to their properties, which can be broadly adjusted, and because they are manufactured from inexpensive raw materials, polyolefins are the most frequently used synthetic polymers. However, their low surface energy, poor compatibility with polar polymers, and low adhesion to polar materials do represent limits to how they are used. Many of these problems can be solved by introducing polar functions, for instance through grafting them with appropriate polar monomers. The molar mass distribution (MMD) and chemical composition distribution (CCD) then determine the application characteristics for a given total composition.

Previously established methods could not be used to determine the distribution of the chemical composition. That is why scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute developed a fast and selective method for characterizing functionalized polyolefins with an approach based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This allowed them to separate functionalized polyolefins, such as polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) into polar and non-polar fractions.

This allows them to quickly and easily identify the fraction of the sample active as a bonding agent (functionalized), and then determine the effectiveness of the grafting process. The scientists further developed the HPLC approach to obtain information on the degree of functionalization of polymer chains of different lengths (different molar mass), i.e. the relationship between MMD and CCD. Combining HPLC with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) made it possible to separate PP-g-MA samples based on their chemical composition and then on their molar mass. First, this method made it possible to determine the actual active content of functionalized polypropylene in a quantitative way for the first time. Second, it could be used to show that the functionalized material had a lower molar mass than the non-functionalized fraction.

About Fraunhofer LBF’s plastics research division

Fraunhofer LBF’s plastics research division, which evolved out of the German Plastics Institute (Deutsches Kunststoff-Institut DKI), provides its customers with advice and support along the entire added value chain from polymer synthesis to the material, its processing and product design through to the qualification and verification of complex safety-critical lightweight construction systems. The research division specializes in the management of complete development processes and advises its customers at all stages of development. High-performance thermoplastics and compounds, duromers, duromer composites and duromer compounds as well as thermoplastic elastomers play a key role. The plastics division is an identified skills center for questions regarding additivation, formulation and hybrids. It has extensive expertise in analyzing and characterizing plastics and the changes in their properties during processing and in use, and also in developing methods for time-resolved processes.

On behalf of customers, Fraunhofer LBF in Darmstadt develops, assesses and implements customized solutions for mechanical engineering components and systems, especially for safety-related components and systems. This is carried out in the performance fields of Vibration Technology, Lightweight Design, Reliability and Polymer Technology and includes solutions ranging from product design to verification – customized for you, for each individual client. In addition to the evaluation and optimized design of passive mechanical structures, the Institute designs active, mechatronic-adaptronic functional units and implements them as prototypes. In parallel it develops appropriate forward-looking numerical and experimental methods and testing techniques. Customers come mainly from automotive and commercial vehicle construction, shipbuilding, aviation, machine and plant construction, power engineering, electrical engineering, construction, medical engineering, the chemical industry and other industries. They benefit from the proven expertise of some 400 employees and cutting-edge technology accommodated in more than 11,560 square meters of laboratory and experimental space at locations in Bartningstrasse and Schlossgartenstrasse.

Editorial office:
Anke Zeidler-Finsel
Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF
Institute Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Melz
Bartningstraße 47
64289 Darmstadt
Telephone +49 6151 705-268
www.lbf.fraunhofer.de
anke.zeidler-finsel@lbf.fraunhofer.de

Further press contact:
Peter Steinchen
PR-Agentur Solar Consulting GmbH
79110 Freiburg
Telephone +49 761 38 09 68-27
steinchen@solar-consulting.de

Scientific contact:
Dr. Robert Brüll
Telephone +49 6151 705-8639
www.lbf.fraunhofer.de
robert.bruell@lbf.fraunhofer.de[:]

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