Investigation of the Interfacial Interactions of Poly(Ethylene Oxide)

Semi-crystalline polymers have been well characterized in the bulk, but their deformation mechanisms at an interface are not completely understood. In order to develop a greater understanding of their interfacial interactions, axisymmetric adhesion tests can be performed on a semicrystalline polymer sandwiched between two glassy polymer layers. Adhesion tests probing the effect of the thickness parameter of this middle semicrystalline layer will provide further information on the stress transfer across the interface as well as the dissipation of energy within this layer. The semi-crystalline polymer used in these tests is poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). In order to perform the specified adhesion tests, PEO must be heated above its melting temperature while in contact with a glassy polymer to allow entanglement of chains and subsequent crystallization upon cooling. Although no chemical bonding occurs, the interface is sufficiently strong so that substantial deformation of the PEO layer occurs during fracture. The overall adhesive strength of the interface is therefore dependent on the thickness of the PEO layer.