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Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 October 2022) | Viewed by 20570

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Dr. Małgorzata Szymiczek

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Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Silesian University of Technology, 43-410 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: fatigue and aging degradation of polymeric materials; diagnostics of polymeric materials; non-destructive investigation; plastic processing; polymeric composites
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Dear Colleagues,

The development of polymer engineering, the search for new, innovative materials with often programmable properties has resulted in the expansion of the area of their application, especially in the transport, construction, military, packaging and medical industries. The application of new polymeric materials often requires a synergistic solution, combining a number of mechanical, electrical, thermal, requiring specific model approach. In this approach, the knowledge of exploitation characteristics resulting from the aging and fatigue degradation of polymeric materials is also important. Qualitative and quantitative defined degradation processes is important for both construction design and safe exploitation. The aim of this Special Issue is to exchange information about changes in the characteristics of polymeric materials and their composites during exploitation. Particular emphasis will be placed on assessing the impact of degradation factors on the exploitation properties of the tested materials and defining the mechanisms of their destruction using non-destructive testing methods.

Dr. Małgorzata Szymiczek
Guest Editor

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Keywords

aging and fatigue of polymeric materials
diagnostics of polymeric materials
non-destructive testing
modification of polymeric materials
plastics processing

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 7960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Stress Level and Fibre Volume Fraction on Fatigue Performance of Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polyester Composites

by Mahmoud Yousry Zaghloul, Moustafa Mahmoud Yousry Zaghloul and Mai Mahmoud Yousry Zaghloul

Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2662; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14132662 - 29 Jun 2022

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 3179

Abstract

Fibre-reinforced polymeric composite materials are becoming substantial and convenient materials in the repair and replacement of traditional metallic materials due to their high stiffness. The composites undergo different types of fatigue loads during their service life. The drive to enhance the design methodologies and predictive models of fibre-reinforced polymeric composite materials subjected to fatigue stresses is reliant on more precise and reliable techniques for assessing their fatigue life. The influences of fibre volume fraction and stress level on the fatigue performance of glass fibre-reinforced polyester (GFRP) composite materials have been studied in the tension–tension fatigue scenario. The fibre volume fractions for this investigation were set to: 20%, 35%, and 50%. The tensile testing of specimens was performed using a universal testing machine and the Young’s modulus was validated with four different prediction models. In order to identify the modes of failure as well as the fatigue life of composites, polyester-based GFRP specimens were evaluated at five stress levels which were 75%, 65%, 50%, 40%, and 25% of the maximum tensile stress until either a fracture occurred or five million fatigue cycles was reached. The experimental results showed that glass fibre-reinforced polyester samples had a pure tension failure at high applied stress levels, while at low stress levels the failure mode was governed by stress levels. Finally, the experimental results of GFRP composite samples with different volume fractions were utilized for model validation and comparison, which showed that the proposed framework yields acceptable correlations of predicted fatigue lives in tension–tension fatigue regimes with experimental ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials)

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18 pages, 6205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Fatigue Wear Process of Rubber-Metal Shock Absorbers

by Marcin Kluczyk, Andrzej Grządziela, Michał Pająk, Łukasz Muślewski and Adam Szeleziński

Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1186; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14061186 - 16 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2609

Abstract

Rubber and rubber-metal vibration isolators are widely used vibration isolation systems in marine applications. For naval application, shock absorber mounting systems must fulfil two functions. The first one supports the suspended mass in the absence of waving or detonation while providing isolation from vibrations and shock impact. In the second case, during the machine operation, it reduces the force of movement to an acceptable value. Moreover, it returns the insulated mass to the position output without plastic deformation or residual buckling after removing shock stresses or harmonic vibrations. The environment in which marine vibration isolators are to be used strongly influences the selection of a shock absorber. The main environmental problem is the temperature range in marine power plants, which ranges from 20 °C to 55 °C. Temperature fluctuations may cause changes in the physical properties of typical vibration/shock insulators. Both rubbers and elastomers used for shock absorbers tend to stiffen, gain low-temperature damping, and soften and lose damping at elevated temperatures. Factors such as moisture, ozone and changes in atmospheric pressure are usually ignored in shipbuilding. The main environmental factors influencing the ageing of insulators are liquid saturated hydrocarbons, i.e., oils, fuels, coolants, etc., which may come into contact with the surface of the insulators. This work presents the results of the research carried out to determine the effect of overload and the impact of petroleum products on the materials of metal-rubber shock absorbers made of three different rubbers and one polyurethane mixture. For each of the materials, shock absorbers with three different degrees of hardness were tested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials)

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16 pages, 5081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aging of 3D Printed Polymers under Sterilizing UV-C Radiation

by Catalin Gheorghe Amza, Aurelian Zapciu, Florin Baciu, Mihai Ion Vasile and Diana Popescu

Polymers 2021, 13(24), 4467; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13244467 - 20 Dec 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3691

Abstract

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortwave ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 200 nm and 280 nm (UV-C) is seeing increased usage in the sterilization of medical equipment, appliances, and spaces due to its antimicrobial effect. During the first weeks of the pandemic, healthcare facilities experienced a shortage of personal protective equipment. This led to hospital technicians, private companies, and even members of the public to resort to 3D printing in order to produce fast, on-demand resources. This paper analyzes the effect of accelerated aging through prolonged exposure to UV-C on mechanical properties of parts 3D printed by material extrusion (MEX) from common polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate-glycol (PETG). Samples 3D printed from these materials went through a 24-h UV-C exposure aging cycle and were then tested versus a control group for changes in mechanical properties. Both tensile and compressive strength were determined, as well as changes in material creep properties. Prolonged UV-C exposure reduced the mechanical properties of PLA by 6–8% and of PETG by over 30%. These findings are of practical importance for those interested in producing functional MEX parts intended to be sterilized using UV-C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed in order to assess any changes in material structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials)

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17 pages, 3890 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Strength Properties of Filling Packets in Selected Cooling Towers

by Monika Chomiak, Maciej Rojek, Józef Stabik and Małgorzata Szymiczek

Polymers 2021, 13(21), 3840; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13213840 - 06 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1738

Abstract

The operating conditions of thermoplastic polymer materials determine the changes in their functional properties. Accelerated aging tests do not give a full picture of the changes taking place in the polymer material, hence the conclusions drawn on the basis of exposure of these materials to damaging effects in real operating conditions are particularly important. The aim of the study was to determine the degree of degradation of polypropylene films used in the drainage blocks of cooling towers in a selected power plant in the Silesian voivodship, which allowed forecasting the operating time over a period of 10 years. A number of 600 mm high drip blocks were tested, on which 300 mm high blocks were mounted. The tests were carried out on films subjected to the aging process in the conditions of continuous operation of a cooling tower (almost 100% humidity). The water flow is accompanied by heat exchange, the side effect of which is deposits formation on the surface of the drip blocks, negatively affecting the operation of the cooling tower. The degree of degradation resulting from operational aging was assessed on the basis of the strength properties determined in the static tensile test, thermogravimetric analysis and FTIR spectra. Changes in properties during operation were determined on the basis of the obtained results of the strength tests, which were compared with the tensile strength and elongation at break of reference samples (not subjected to aging in the operating conditions of cooling tower drip blocks). The obtained results were related to the properties of the reference samples not subjected to the degradation process. Based on the collected data, the tensile strength and deformation at fracture after a 10-year service life were predicted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials)

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13 pages, 3692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evaluation of Simulated Environmental Degradation of Polycarbonate Filled with Inorganic and Organic Reinforcements

by Andrzej S. Swinarew, Beata Swinarew, Tomasz Flak, Hubert Okła, Marta Lenartowicz-Klik, Adrian Barylski, Magdalena Popczyk, Jadwiga Gabor and Arkadiusz Stanula

Polymers 2021, 13(20), 3572; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13203572 - 16 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1889

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the mechanical properties of polycarbonate-based composites filled with both organic and inorganic reinforcements before and after simulated environmental degradation. Series of polycarbonate-based samples were prepared in the form of thin tapes. Their rheological properties were examined. Then, the samples were exposed to artificial environmental conditions. Finally, their rheological properties were examined once more, and the results were compared with those obtained for untreated samples. This paper presents basic research on the application of inorganic fillers to polycarbonate in order to determine the influence of the filler on the behavior of the obtained material. The aim of the work was to determine the usefulness and purpose of using this type of filler in polycarbonates for applications in contact with ultraviolet radiation, especially medical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials)

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19 pages, 14857 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Behavior of Polymer Materials Exposed to Aging in the Swimming Pool: Focus on Properties That Assure Comfort and Durability

by Ivana Salopek Čubrić, Goran Čubrić and Vesna Marija Potočić Matković

Polymers 2021, 13(15), 2414; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13152414 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2826

Abstract

The degradation of polyamide (PA) and polyester (PES) polymers is under intense study due to growing concerns about the accumulation of plastics in soils and oceans. Previous studies confirm that ageing degrades PA and PES at the molecular level. However, researchers have not addressed the development of protocols for aging textile materials in swimming pools, and few data are available on the effects of aging on comfort and durability. This research addresses the development of the aging protocol for PA and PES swimwear materials, its implementation, and the evaluation of properties that assure comfort and durability after specific periods of exposure. The tests include microscopic analysis, tensile tests, determination of fluid transport phases and drying period. The results revealed changes in the surface of the material in terms of fibrillation (more pronounced after outdoor aging). There is a positive correlation between the exposure duration and the breaking force (R² ranges from 0.85 to 0.98), with a stronger correlation for the PA materials. The decrease in breaking force due to aging is up to 40%, indicating significantly reduced durability. The change in breaking force follows the changes in mass (R² = 0.867). In terms of comfort assurance, outdoor aging of materials should have a greater negative impact than indoor ageing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials)

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16 pages, 7774 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Impact of Organic Fillers on Selected Properties of Organosilicon Polymer

by Sara Sarraj, Małgorzata Szymiczek, Tomasz Machoczek and Maciej Mrówka

Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1103; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13071103 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2822

Abstract

Eco-friendly composites are proposed to substitute commonly available polymers. Currently, wood–plastic composites and natural fiber-reinforced composites are gaining growing recognition in the industry, being mostly on the thermoplastic matrix. However, little data are available about the possibility of producing biocomposites on a silicone matrix. This study focused on assessing selected organic fillers’ impact (ground coffee waste (GCW), walnut shell (WS), brewers’ spent grains (BSG), pistachio shell (PS), and chestnut (CH)) on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of silicone-based materials. Density, hardness, rebound resilience, and static tensile strength of the obtained composites were tested, as well as the effect of accelerated aging under artificial seawater conditions. The results revealed changes in the material’s properties (minimal density changes, hardness variation, overall decreasing resilience, and decreased tensile strength properties). The aging test revealed certain bioactivities of the obtained composites. The degree of material degradation was assessed on the basis of the strength characteristics and visual observation. The investigation carried out indicated the impact of the filler’s type, chemical composition, and grain size on the obtained materials’ properties and shed light on the possibility of acquiring ecological silicone-based materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Aging Degradation of Polymeric Materials)

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