This article introduces one of the research studies conducted by Professor Kenzo Fukumori from the Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Aichi Institute of Technology.
Professor Fukumori conducts research on polymer materials. IMADA has been supporting his research by lending force measurement instruments with a thermostatic chamber since 2022. IMADA’s products were used in some of the tests in the following research papers.
- “Mechanical Properties of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersion-controlled Olefin-based Dynamically Crosslinked Thermoplastic Elastomers”, Seikei Kakou, 36 (3), 121-127 (2024).
- “Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Olefin Thermoplastic Elastomers by Controls of Phase Structure and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersion”, NIPPON GOMU KYOKAISHI, 97 (5), 112-118, No.5 (2024).
*Both research papers are co-authored by graduate student Hirose Takehito and Professor Kenzo Fukumori.
In the above papers, the development and mechanical property evaluation of a novel thermoplastic elastomer dispersed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are conducted. IMADA’s force measurement instruments are used in tensile testing to calculate the tensile strength (true stress at break) and the break stretch ratio (strain at break+1).
In general, crosslinked rubbers exhibit rubber elasticity, characterized by both high extensibility and reversible deformation. By incorporating several tens of percent of carbon black (CB), a conventional reinforcing filler, their mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, tensile strength, and others are significantly enhanced for practical products. However, due to their three-dimensional network structure, crosslinked rubbers are considered difficult to recycle as materials. Recently, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which have a phase-separated structure composed of about 80% of the crosslinked rubber phase exhibiting rubber elasticity dispersed at a size of several micrometers in a thermoplastic continuous phase with high modulus and strength, have been steadily applied as alternative materials to crosslinked rubbers. TPEs exhibit mechanical properties comparable to those of crosslinked rubbers with excellent recyclability.
Professor Fukumori has been focusing on research into the dispersion control of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs *1), aiming to localize them within the crosslinked rubber phase for reinforcement with a small amount of MWCNTs, thereby increasing the use and application of TPE products. Previous studies have shown that refining the crosslinked rubber dispersed phase in TPEs to several hundred nanometers and localizing MWCNTs within this phase can significantly enhance mechanical properties, even with the incorporation of 0.5% MWCNTs
*1 MWCNTs: a highly functional nanoparticle consisting of multiple layers of graphene sheets rolled into a cylindrical structure, where carbon atoms are bonded in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice.
Thermoplastic elastomers are materials that possess rubber elasticity while also being able to flow when heated, making them easy to remold. This ease of remolding allows for efficient recycling, and their use as an alternative to crosslinked rubber is gradually increasing. For further expansion of their use, it is necessary to improve their mechanical properties without losing recyclability.
Professor Fukumori is also engaged in research on bio-based elastomers, and he adopts IMADA products in this research as well. The instruments used in the research presented in this article are different from the lending measurements equipment. (The experiments using the lending instruments are currently underway.) However, we would like to contribute to environmental protection through supporting the research.
We would like to thank Professor Fukumori for his cooperation in interviews and photo shooting for this article. We would like to express our deepest gratitude once again for the many insights he provided, not only related to the article but also to other topics.
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