New Analytical Equipment
at the CMSC Laboratory

Michael Rich

A new differential scanning calorimeter featuring temperature modulation has been placed on-line in CMSC Laboratory. Known as Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry, a trademark of TA Instruments, MDSC offers superior capabilities and sensitivity over conventional scanning calorimeters. The basis of operation in MDSC is that a sinusoidal temperature oscillation (modulation) is superimposed on the linear heating method as illustrated in Figure 1, resulting in a cyclical heating of the sample. As a consequence of this oscillation, the differential heat flow can be separated between the reversible components, such as the heat of fusion (melt energy), and the non-reversing components, such as cold crystallization. Compared to convential scanning calorimenry, MDSC provides enhanced separation of complex transitions, increased sensitivity for detection of weak transitions, increased resolution, measurement of heat capacity and heat flow from a single experiment, determination of thermal conductivity, and determination of the true initial crystallinity of polymers.

The advantages of MDSC versus conventional scanning calorimetry are demonstrated in a case study of polyethylene terethalate. A comparison of the heat of crystallization to the heat of fusion measured by conventional DSC on quenched PET indicates the presence of crystalline structure (50.77-36.59=14.18 J/g) as shown in Figure 2. However, wide and small angle x-ray diffraction analysis of quenched PET do not detect ordered structures. Using MDSC, the total heat flow is separated between the reversing and nonreversing components as shown in Figure 3. These results show that over the temperature range of 100-270C, there is significantly more exothermic ordering than detected using conventional DSC, 134 J/g, which is the nonreversing behavior associated with crystallization. Additionally, MDSC detects more endothermic reversible behavior of the PET melt at 134J/g. The sum of the reversing and nonreversing signals is zero, which is a measure of the actual initial crystallinity, , which supports the x-ray diffraction measurements that there is no crystalline ordereing in quenched PET. In this application, MDSC is a superior tool for the detection and analysis of thermal events in a crystalline polymer.

The MDSC replaces the former model 910 DSC in the CMSC Laboratory. New protocols must be exercised to execute a MDSC experiment which will require retraining. A set of instructional tapes in VHS format covering the theory and practice of MDSC are available for checkout from CMSC Laboratory. A training seminar conducted by TA Instruments sales engineer Louis Wagauspack will be scheduled for February 27 at 9:30am. The session is free and all interested in calorimetry are invited to participate. Please call Michael Rich at 3-4696 or rich@egr.msu.edu to reserve a seat for the training session.

MSU Student Chapter of SAMPE Established

Murty Vyakarnam

The MSU Student Chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) was established on the 8th December 1994. SAMPE - an international professional member society, has been in existence for more than half a century, serving as a leading source of material and process information. The MSU Student Chapter will generate greater awareness of SAMPE's worldwide activities and aid students in their professional pursuits. It will also help project MSU's pioneering materials research to the rest of the materials manufacturing and research community.

The efforts of Dr. Andre Lee (MSM), Mike Rich (CMSC) and Dr. Eugene Shin (Tri-City SAMPE Chapter ) went a long way in generating an enthusiastic response from ten students to establish the MSU Student Chapter. The following founding committee was elected for the year 1994-95 to carry on SAMPE's mission and activities:

The MSU Student Chapter will be sponsoring three entrants in the Students' Presentation Contest being conducted by the Tri-City SAMPE Chapter in Midland to be held in March '95. The students will be selected by the faculty advisor to give a presentation on their current research project to the Tri-City Chapter. The winner of this contest will get an all expenses paid trip to make a presentation at the May '95 International SAMPE Symposium and Exposition in Anaheim, California. Interested students are encouraged to contact the committee members for additional information.

The new committee has identified its top priorities which will build a strong and sustaining foundation for the chapter. The most important priorities for the year are increasing membership, activities which will publicize the chapter, and raising seed money. Existing SAMPE members at MSU are encouraged to get in contact with this chapter so that a stronger organizational base may be created. Ideas and support in any form are always welcome.

For further details, please contact
Murty at 353-4708
or by E-mail: murty@egr.msu.edu.

No Major Spending Cuts for DoD Programs in FY'95

NIST Gives Awards for
Composites Manufacturing

Of the 53 proposals submitted to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 15 have been selected to receive awards for its Manufacturing Composite Structures program. On November 18, 1994, Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown announced which proposals will receive awards. The objective of the program is to support R&D on cost-effective design and manufacturing technologies in an effort to promote the commercial use of affordable, high-performance composite materials for large structures. Some of the targeted structures are bridges, off-shore oil platforms, and mass-produced products such as automobile structural components. NIST will fund $52.5 million of the $109 million total investment. Participants are required to cost-share.

Cooperative Research agreements are being prepared with the following organizations:

Composites for Service at High Temperatures

The NASA Advanced High-Temperature Engine Materials Technology Program (HITEMP) is developing extensive technology on advanced composites for high-temperature applications. NASA plans to spend $13 million on R&D in this area during FY'94 and FY'95. Included in this are 49 contracts to industry, 13 university grants, and some in-house efforts. NASA has also funded a large interdisciplinary grant program with Pennsylvania State University as part of its HITEMP project.

Ford/NASA Technology Agreement

Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, MI) and NASA-Langley Research Center have signed a two year cooperative agreement to transfer NASA-developed technology to the design/engineering of Ford vehicles. Composite materials and manufacturing processes are included. According to Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, director of the NASA Critical Technologies Div., this effort should "enhance the competitive advantage of a major U.S. industry." This is the first broad technology transfer process agreement between NASA and any automotive manufacturer. After the two year period, Ford may continue development if appropriate.

Advanced Technology Program will Grow at NIST

One focus of the SAMPE Technical Conference was on technology transfer. Speakers representing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Sandia National Lab., the Washington Technology Connection, NASA, and the Air Force Wright Labs. described their respective organizations' efforts to transfer technology from aerospace/defense to commercial applications.

Dr. John P. Gudas, program manager for NIST's Advanced Materials Advanced Technology Program (ATP), believes that NIST's budget will steadily grow over the next few years: $199.5 million for FY'94; $431 million for FY'95; $543 million for FY'96; and $744 million for FY'97. NIST has committed $150 million from the years 1995 through 1999 to invest in its ATP designated "Manufacturing Composites Structures."

The targeted areas include composites in automotive, infrastructure, and offshore applications. The objective is to support industry efforts in high-risk areas which can lead to U.S. economic growth. All ATP programs are cost-shared. Funding is not directly available to universities, federal labs., or non-profit organizations. To be placed on the NIST mailing list, phone: 1-800-ATP-FUND

Upcoming Conferences and Seminars

March 1-3
Filament Winding in Composites Manufacturing IV; Quality Inn (City Center), Salt Lake City, UT., Contact: Scott Beckwith (801) 262-6751.

March 20-21
The Third Annual Wilson Forum on Existing and Potential Applications of Composite Materials in the Infrastructure; Crown Sterling Suites, Santa Ana, CA., Contact: Norma Anders, (916) 989-4812.

March 27-29
3rd International Conference on Deformation and Fracture of Composites; University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, Contact: The Institute of Materials (C505), 1 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DB, UK; phone: (071)235-1391

April 6-8
Technologies Opportunities Showcase - TOPS '95; NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA., Contact: Jim Raper, (804) 864-8886.

April 26-28
The 30th JEC Journees Europeenes des Composites Conference et Exhibition; Centre de Promotion des Composites, 65, rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, cedex 17; +33 (1) 44-01-16-43.

May 2-4
Seminar on Nondestructive Testing of Composite Materials; Baltimore, MD. Contact: Technomic Publishing Co., Box 3535, Lancaster, PA 17604; phone: (800) 233-9936.

May 7-11
1995 ANTEC of the Society of Plastics Engineers; Boston, MA. Contact: SPE, 14 Fairfield Dr., Brookfield, CT 06804; phone: (203) 775-0471.

May 8-10
The First International Conference on Composite Materials and Energy (Enercomp '95); Bonaventure Hilton in Montreal; Contact: Toan VuKhanh, (514) 641-5139.

May 8-11
40th International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition; Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, CA; Contact: Steve Loud, (619) 755-1372, or Gerald Bailey, (619) 469-7117.

A Summary of the MMPI
and Company Relationship

NSF State of Michigan/Industry/University Cooperative Research Center on Low-Cost, High-Speed Polymer Composites Processing

What you are required to do as an MMPI member

What you get for MMPI membership

1. Augmentation of your research funding by MMPI funds, in an amount determined from time to time by the MMPI Board of Directors (currently $0.75 for each $1.00 of your funding). The funding augmentation provided by MMPI will be allocated in the same fashion as the funds you provide.
2. Participation in any or all of MMPI's Technical Committees. The Technical Committees meet approximately quarterly for about half a day. In addition to their research oversight roles, each Technical Committee provides a forum for interchange of views between industry and academic participants.
3. Access to MMPI proprietary information and intellectual property. In return for providing additional funding to each research project, MMPI receives shared rights to any intellectual property developed on MMPI projects. This is made available to MMPI's member organizations at preferential rates and timing.
4. Shares of stock in MMPI proportionate to the amount of research funding provided.
5. Voting rights, proportionate to the number of current shares of MMPI stock held. These rights can be exercised whenever formal voting is needed on any matter, but at least will be used at the Annual Stockholders Meeting to elect MMPI Officers and Directors.

Roadmap Developed for
Surface Transportation Materials

An ad hoc industry committee has developed a technology insertion plan for the application of advanced materials (especially composites) in surface transportation. This was in response to Dr. Mary Good, under Secretary for Technology, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. The plan's objective is low-emission, lighter, and more-efficient vehicles at dramatically reduced cost. There are 14 private sector organizations on the committee, chaired by Jerry Fields, Vice-President of Atlantic Research Corp. (Other members: Alcoa Composites, American Flywheel Systems, Amoco Performance Products, Detroit Diesel, Dow Chemical, Eno Transportation Foundation, General Electric, GHL, Hardcore Composites, Lanxide, Materials Sciences Corp., Northrop, and TMA International).

The committee's intent is to complement and support related Federal initiatives, especially the Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB - see Vol. 9, No. 4, Page 7), the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), the DoE Transportation Sector Materials Technology Program, the NIST Advanced Technology Program (ATP) on Manufacturing Composite Structures, and the ARPA Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technology (EV/HEV) program.

The industry committee recommends an orderly introduction of advanced composites into successively larger-scale surface transportation applications. The purpose is to demonstrate feasibility in a variety of highly visible applications so as to instill confidence for both the vehicle manufacturers and the end-users, and promote a robust advanced materials manufacturing infrastructure that will grow as markets expand and/or emerge.

A 45 page preliminary report has been issued. For further information contact: Tom Goldberg, GHL Inc., 1090 Vermont Ave., N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005; phone: (202) 408-6892

Composite TheorySeminars
Spring Semester 1995
Michigan State University

Friday, April 7
On the Stability of Periodic Composites
Nick Triantafyllidis, University of Michigan

Friday, May 5
Dynamic Fuse Model for Electro-Migration of Polycrystalline Metal Films

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