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Related Concept Videos

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers01:28

Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are classified as elastomers, fibers, or plastics based on their crystallinity. Crystallinity, the degree of long-range order in the solid state, influences the mechanical properties (stretching or contracting) of elastomers. Elastomers are flexible polymers that can expand or contract easily upon the application of an external force. They have numerous crosslinks that pull them back into their original shape when stress is removed. Silicones, for instance, are highly elastic...
Accelerated Curing of Concrete01:25

Accelerated Curing of Concrete

Accelerating concrete curing is achieved by applying heat and additional moisture. This process accelerates the hydration of the cement, resulting in an earlier strength gain in the concrete. Steam curing is a method wherein the concrete products are either transported through a chamber on a conveyor belt or encased in plastic, allowing steam at atmospheric pressure to circulate freely around them. This process begins with a phase of moist curing that typically lasts between 3 to 5 hours, after...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...
Curing of Concrete01:20

Curing of Concrete

The hydration of cement takes place within the water-filled capillary pores. However, environmental elements can disrupt this process by evaporating water from the concrete surfaces. Sealed concrete with a water-cement ratio below 0.5 experiences self-desiccation, leading to water loss. The water loss in concrete is mitigated by curing. This technique involves keeping the concrete saturated to maintain the necessary temperature and moisture conditions, to optimally fill the spaces in the cement...
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
09:22

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives

Published on: February 7, 2017

From Molecular Structure to Macroscopic Performance: Insights into Polycarbosilane Curing.

Tobias Haupt1,2, Vanessa Koch1, Florian Rott3

  • 1Wacker Chemie AG, Consortium Für Elektrochemische Industrie, Munich, Germany.

Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|July 3, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Curing temperature significantly alters polycarbosilane (PCS) network structure, leading to increased brittleness. Higher temperatures create larger free-volume domains, impacting material properties.

Keywords:
curing processmolecular modelingpolymerspositron annihilation lifetime spectroscopystructure‐property relationships

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Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing
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Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing

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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
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Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing
09:06

Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing

Published on: July 3, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Curing protocols are crucial for crosslinked polymer networks.
  • Nanoscale structural changes during polymer curing are not well understood.
  • Polycarbosilane (PCS) networks offer a model system for studying these phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the impact of curing temperature on PCS network structure and properties.
  • Correlate macroscopic properties with molecular-level changes.
  • Understand the evolution of nanoscale structural features during curing.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of PCS networks via Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation at varying temperatures.
  • Mechanical testing to assess material behavior.
  • Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) and swelling experiments to determine Tg and crosslink density.
  • Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) for free-volume analysis.
  • Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations for computational insights.

Main Results:

  • Increasing curing temperature shifted PCS networks from flexible to brittle.
  • Glass transition temperature (Tg) and crosslink density increased with temperature.
  • PALS revealed a shift towards larger free-volume populations.
  • MD simulations showed reduced segmental mobility and formation of fewer, larger free-volume domains at high conversion.

Conclusions:

  • Curing temperature profoundly influences PCS network architecture and macroscopic performance.
  • The observed increase in free volume and brittleness is linked to the formation of larger free-volume domains.
  • The study provides a generalizable framework for analyzing structure-process-property relationships in crosslinked polymers.