Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane
Abstract The strain-induced softening of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUs), known as the Mullins effect, arises from their multi-phase structure. We used the combination of small- and wide- angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) during in situ repeated tensile loading to elucidate the relatio...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2017-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00904-3 |
| _version_ | 1818430433635860480 |
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| author | T. Sui E. Salvati S. Ying G. Sun I. P. Dolbnya K. Dragnevski C. Prisacariu A. M. Korsunsky |
| author_facet | T. Sui E. Salvati S. Ying G. Sun I. P. Dolbnya K. Dragnevski C. Prisacariu A. M. Korsunsky |
| author_sort | T. Sui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The strain-induced softening of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUs), known as the Mullins effect, arises from their multi-phase structure. We used the combination of small- and wide- angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) during in situ repeated tensile loading to elucidate the relationship between molecular architecture, nano-strain, and macro-scale mechanical properties. Insights obtained from our analysis highlight the importance of the ‘fuzzy interface’ between the hard and soft regions that governs the structure evolution at nanometre length scales and leads to macroscopic stiffness reduction. We propose a hierarchical Eshelby inclusion model of phase interaction mediated by the ‘fuzzy interface’ that accommodates the nano-strain gradient between hard and soft regions and undergoes tension-induced softening, causing the Mullins effect that becomes apparent in TPUs even at moderate tensile strains. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:33:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3b82f2d78a524120886e3447aefdd752 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:33:20Z |
| publishDate | 2017-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-3b82f2d78a524120886e3447aefdd7522022-12-21T22:55:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222017-04-01711910.1038/s41598-017-00904-3Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethaneT. Sui0E. Salvati1S. Ying2G. Sun3I. P. Dolbnya4K. Dragnevski5C. Prisacariu6A. M. Korsunsky7MBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks RoadMBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks RoadMBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks RoadMBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks RoadDiamond Light Source, Harwell CampusMBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks RoadInstitute of Macromolecular Chemistry “Petru Poni”, Aleea Grigore Ghica Voda, Nr. 41AMBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks RoadAbstract The strain-induced softening of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUs), known as the Mullins effect, arises from their multi-phase structure. We used the combination of small- and wide- angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) during in situ repeated tensile loading to elucidate the relationship between molecular architecture, nano-strain, and macro-scale mechanical properties. Insights obtained from our analysis highlight the importance of the ‘fuzzy interface’ between the hard and soft regions that governs the structure evolution at nanometre length scales and leads to macroscopic stiffness reduction. We propose a hierarchical Eshelby inclusion model of phase interaction mediated by the ‘fuzzy interface’ that accommodates the nano-strain gradient between hard and soft regions and undergoes tension-induced softening, causing the Mullins effect that becomes apparent in TPUs even at moderate tensile strains.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00904-3 |
| spellingShingle | T. Sui E. Salvati S. Ying G. Sun I. P. Dolbnya K. Dragnevski C. Prisacariu A. M. Korsunsky Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane Scientific Reports |
| title | Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane |
| title_full | Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane |
| title_fullStr | Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane |
| title_short | Strain softening of nano-scale fuzzy interfaces causes Mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane |
| title_sort | strain softening of nano scale fuzzy interfaces causes mullins effect in thermoplastic polyurethane |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00904-3 |
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