Physical Aging of Sustainable Polyester Materials towards High-End Consumer Products

Abstract

Polyesters are widely used today and are promising candidates as sustainable alternatives to fossil-based acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) in high-end consumer products such as LEGO bricks, where durability and long-term safety are non-negotiable criteria. The transition poses several challenges, including loss of clutch force over time, leading to functional failure. To elevate polyester materials for use in durable products, this thesis aims to tailor the function over time without compromising the impact properties. Furthermore, this work aims to increase the understanding of physical aging in polyesters designed for engineering applications. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONSAbbreviations are listed in alphabetic order. ABSAcrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene CHDM 1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene DSC Differential scanning calorimetry E-BA-GMA Ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate EG Ethylene glycol NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy PALS Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy PCL Poly(ε-caprolactone) PCTT Poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene-co-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3cyclobutanediol terephthalate) PE Polyethylene PECT Poly(ethylene-co-1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) PEF Poly(ethylene furanoate) PET Poly(ethylene terephthalate) PETT Poly(ethylene-co-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol terephthalate) PIBT Poly(isosorbide-co-1,4-butanediol terephthalate) PICT Poly(isosorbide-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) PIDT Poly(isosorbide-co-diethylene glycol terephthalate) PVAc Polyvinyl acetate Ta Aging temperature Tf Fictive temperature Tg Glass transition temperature TMCD 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol TNM Tool-Narayanaswamy-Moynihan VFT Vogel-Fucher-Tammann