New insight into statistics of the autohesion origination in polymers: a symmetric amorphous polyether-polyether interface
摘要
For the first time, a comprehensive analysis of the statistical distribution of the lap-shear strength (σ) developed at a symmetric interface of amorphous poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) at a temperature of the autohesion origination (Taorigin) is carried out. After the contact of the two PPO specimens for 24 h at a temperature well below the PPO bulk glass transition temperature (Tgb), at Taorigin = Tgb − 126 °C, the PPO−PPO interface was self-bonded and thereafter fractured at ambient temperature. The σ distribution dataset σ(n) including n measurements is investigated on its conformity to the Weibull and normal distributions. It is shown that the Weibull and normal probability plots, the Gaussian probability density function histogram, and a number of the standard tests for normality describe the σ distribution with varying degrees of success. Among those, the most favorable statistical results supporting the null hypothesis of normality are obtained in the standard tests for normality (in 6 out of 8 performed). An attempt to describe the distribution curve σ(n) more correctly is undertaken. It is found that the most appropriate distribution forms are the phenomenological logarithmic and exponential relationships logσ ∼ n, σ ∼ e(a + bn) and σ ∼ (1– ean) where a and b are the constants. For further treatment of the σ distribution, a new statistical relationship Pj = c + dlnσ where Pj is the cumulative probability of failure and c and d are the constants is proposed. It is proposed to use d as a data scatter parameter. A new statistical parameter, d/m, where m is the Weibull modulus is introduced. A comparison with an asymmetric polystyrene–PPO interface is performed.