Estudo das propriedades do elastômero termoplástico de copoliéster tratado a plasma
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Data
2017-03-06
Autores
Resende, Renato Carvalho [UNESP]
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Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Resumo
Os elastômeros termoplásticos (TPE) têm sido bastante empregados em substituição às borrachas tradicionais, por terem custo reduzido de matéria prima, facilidade no processamento e serem recicláveis. Apresentam propriedades mecânicas semelhantes, porém quando utilizados em componentes de vedação apresentam limitada resistência à corrosão em água clorada. Assim, o desenvolvimento de tratamento superficial que não modifique as características originais, mas tornem o material mais resistente são desejáveis. Para tanto, este trabalho pretende desenvolver uma metodologia a plasma para melhorar esse quesito. O elastômero termoplástico de copoliéster (COPE) foi escolhido por ser o mais empregado em componentes de vedação. O tratamento a plasma de baixa pressão com hexafluoreto de enxofre (SF6) foi empregado visando tornar a superfície do COPE hidrofóbica através da incorporação de grupos fluorados. A implantação iônica por imersão em plasmas (IIIP) de argônio foi utilizada para criar uma camada superficial mais coesa e entrelaçada, além da possibilidade de torná-la hidrofóbica após envelhecimento. Para o tratamento com SF6, os parâmetros de excitação do plasma (12 Pa e 80 W) foram mantidos, variando-se o tempo do tratamento entre 2 e 180 minutos de modo a encontrar uma condição ótima para esse processo. Para a IIIP de Ar os parâmetros de excitação do plasma (5 Pa e 60 min) foram mantidos e a potência da radiofrequência foi variada entre 10 e 150 W. A energia de superfície e ângulo de contato foram obtidos pelo método da gota séssil em um goniômetro automatizado. A morfologia da superfície foi avaliada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia de força atômica (AFM). Espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) e espectroscopia de fotoelétrons de raios X (XPS) foram utilizadas para análises da composição química e estrutura molecular. Corrosão por plasma de O2 e imersão em água clorada foram utilizados para avaliar a resistência antes e após os tratamentos a plasma. Os resultados mostram que as amostras tratadas por 90, 120 e 180 minutos em plasmas de SF6 tornam-se hidrofóbica, mesmo após o envelhecimento, apresentando incorporação de flúor, alterando assim a composição química e morfológica da superfície do COPE. Melhorias substanciais foram observadas nessas amostras após os ensaios de corrosão, indicando que um aumento na vida útil do material em situações reais de uso possam ter sido alcançadas. A IIIP de Ar tornou as amostras inicialmente mais hidrofílicas do que a amostra como-recebida, porém após a ação do tempo, algumas amostras permaneceram hidrofóbicas enquanto outras amostras retornaram à condição inicial. Apesar da hidrofobicidade não ter sido alcançada em todas as amostras, alterações na rugosidade e na morfologia foram verificadas, principalmente nas amostras tratada com 100 W de potência do plasma, ocasionando em melhora na resistência do COPE à água clorada. Essa melhora na resistência é atribuída ao aumento da conectividade da estrutura pelo estabelecimento de reticulações geradas pelo processo de IIIP, densificando o material tornando a permeação de íons da solução mais difícil.
Thermoplastic elastomers have been widely used in substitution for conventional rubber, given that the feedstock is cheaper, easier to process and recyclable. Its mechanical properties are similar, but when applied to sealing components its resistance is limited due to the chlorine present in water, therefore, it is interesting to develop a surface treatment that do not alter the original characteristics, but make the material more robust. To achieve such result, we chose to submit the copolyester thermoplastic elastomer (COPE) to plasma. This material was naturally chosen, once it is widely used for sealing purposes in this specific industry. By using low pressure plasma with sulfur hexafluoride, we expect to alter COPEs surface by incorporating fluorine groups, thus making it hydrophobic. We also submitted the sample to a second treatment, by submersion to argon plasma, making the outer layer less defective and more entangled with aging, as observed in previous experiments. For SF6 treatment, the exiting plasma parameters (12Pa and 80W) were kept and the treatment time was varied between 2 to 180 minutes in order to find the optimal treatment time. For Argon IIIP, the plasma exciting parameters (5Pa and 60 min) were maintained, while the radio frequency variation was between 10 to 150W. Surface energy and contact angle were obtained by and automatic goniometer, through the sessile drop method. The surface's morphology was analyzed by electronic scanning microscope and atomic force microscopy. Dispersive energy spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy were responsible for the chemical composition and molecular structure analyses the new surface's resistance was tested by O2 plasma corrosion and immersed in chlorinated water. Results show the samples treated for 90,120 and 180 minutes in SF6 plasma became hydrophobic, even after aging. The samples were substantially improved and its resistance prolonged its lifespan in conventional usage. Argon IIIP made the surface more hydrophilic. However, after time part of the material restored its original characteristics. Although hydrophobic it was not achieved, the roughness and morphology alteration (especially when treated with 100W of plasma) improved COPE'S resistance. The results are explained by the increase in the structure's ability to connect by the establishment of reticulate one generated by the IIP process, making the component denser and the ionic solution less permeable.
Thermoplastic elastomers have been widely used in substitution for conventional rubber, given that the feedstock is cheaper, easier to process and recyclable. Its mechanical properties are similar, but when applied to sealing components its resistance is limited due to the chlorine present in water, therefore, it is interesting to develop a surface treatment that do not alter the original characteristics, but make the material more robust. To achieve such result, we chose to submit the copolyester thermoplastic elastomer (COPE) to plasma. This material was naturally chosen, once it is widely used for sealing purposes in this specific industry. By using low pressure plasma with sulfur hexafluoride, we expect to alter COPEs surface by incorporating fluorine groups, thus making it hydrophobic. We also submitted the sample to a second treatment, by submersion to argon plasma, making the outer layer less defective and more entangled with aging, as observed in previous experiments. For SF6 treatment, the exiting plasma parameters (12Pa and 80W) were kept and the treatment time was varied between 2 to 180 minutes in order to find the optimal treatment time. For Argon IIIP, the plasma exciting parameters (5Pa and 60 min) were maintained, while the radio frequency variation was between 10 to 150W. Surface energy and contact angle were obtained by and automatic goniometer, through the sessile drop method. The surface's morphology was analyzed by electronic scanning microscope and atomic force microscopy. Dispersive energy spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy were responsible for the chemical composition and molecular structure analyses the new surface's resistance was tested by O2 plasma corrosion and immersed in chlorinated water. Results show the samples treated for 90,120 and 180 minutes in SF6 plasma became hydrophobic, even after aging. The samples were substantially improved and its resistance prolonged its lifespan in conventional usage. Argon IIIP made the surface more hydrophilic. However, after time part of the material restored its original characteristics. Although hydrophobic it was not achieved, the roughness and morphology alteration (especially when treated with 100W of plasma) improved COPE'S resistance. The results are explained by the increase in the structure's ability to connect by the establishment of reticulate one generated by the IIP process, making the component denser and the ionic solution less permeable.
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Palavras-chave
Elastômero termoplástico, Tratamento a plasma, IIIP, TPE, COPE, Thermoplastic elastomer, Plasma treatment, PIII