Evaluation of Tungsten Hexachloride as a ROMP Active Catalyst Precursor for Self -Healing Polymers

A drawback to current catalysts used in self-healing materials is the relatively low temperatures at which they deactivate. An advantage of WCl 6 is that the high melting temperature (Tm=275°C) allows for the use of the catalyst in higher temperature applications. Typical polymer and fiber reinforced plastic processing temperatures are 121 and 177°C. The ability of WCl6 catalyst to withstand these processing temperatures was probed. Several thermal analysis techniques were used to evaluate the activity of WCl6 after high temperature exposure. At both 121 and 177°C in an inert environment, the WCl6 retained sufficient activity for use as a ROMP precursor for self-healing applications. Mechanical evaluation through fracture experiments showed healing efficiencies as high as 92% if the processing and testing environment was carefully controlled.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Kamphaus, Jason M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• White, Scott R.

• Engineering, Materials Science

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3290268

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/85104