Description
The influence of the cross-linking degree on the dynamics of the segmental motions close
to the glass transition of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, networks was investigated by three different
mechanical spectroscopy techniques: thermally stimulated recovery (TSR), dynamic mechanical analysis
(DMA), and creep. The application of the time-temperature superposition principle to isothermal DMA
and creep results permitted to successfully construct master curves for PMMA networks with distinct
cross-linking degrees. The former results were fitted to the KWW equation. The obtained variation of
âKWW for the distinct networks indicated that the relaxation curves tend to broaden as the cross-linking
degree increases. TSR results clearly revealed a significant shift of the R-relaxation to longer times and
a broader relaxation as the cross-linking degree increases, what was also observed by DMA and creep. A
change from a Vogel to an Arrhenius behavior was detected by the three techniques with the decrease of
temperature below Tg. The temperature dependence of the apparent activation energies (Ea) was calculated
from DMA, creep, and TSR experiments; above Tg a good agreement was seen between the Ea values for
all the techniques. Furthermore, the effect of the cross-linking degree on the fragility of PMMA networks
was evaluated. For these materials an increase of fragility with increasing cross-linking degree was
observed.