Toughening agent refers to an additive that can increase the toughness of materials. It is mainly used to improve the impact resistance, toughness and crack resistance of plastics, rubber, coatings and other materials, so as to improve the mechanical properties and service life of materials. Toughening agents are usually polymer compounds or inorganic substances, with high molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, can form uniformly dispersed phase in the material, so as to effectively absorb and disperse stress, improve the toughness and impact resistance of the material. Common toughening agents include polyurethane, acrylate copolymer, ethylene-propylene copolymer, calcium silicate, sodium aluminum silicate, etc.

What properties should be tested for the toughener? How to detect?

Performance index
The following are common tougheners and their properties and indicators that may need to be tested:

Toughening agent may need to be tested for properties and indicators
Polyurethane tensile strength, elongation, impact strength, thermal stability, weather resistance, corrosion resistance
Acrylate copolymer thermal deformation temperature, glass transition temperature, tensile strength, elongation at break, impact resistance, weather resistance, chemical corrosion resistance
Impact strength, bending modulus, thermal stability, tensile strength, elongation at break, weather resistance and chemical corrosion resistance of ethylene – propylene copolymer
Calcium silicate particle size, particle distribution, surface area, hardness, viscosity, rheological properties, dispersion
Aluminum sodium silicate particle size, particle distribution, surface area, hardness, viscosity, rheological property, dispersion, thermal stability, weather resistance
The properties and indicators to be tested mainly include physical properties, mechanical properties, thermal properties, weather resistance, corrosion resistance and so on. Specific testing methods and testing standards may vary depending on the type of toughening agent, application scenarios and requirements. Commonly used testing methods include tensile testing, impact testing, thermal analysis, particle analysis, rheological property testing, etc. In practical application, reasonable selection and use should be made according to specific requirements, and testing and control should be carried out in the production process to ensure product quality.

What properties should be tested for the toughener? How to detect?

Test method
How to test the performance and index of toughening agent, we need to choose the corresponding test method and test standard according to different performance and index. Here are some common test methods:

Tensile test: can measure the influence of toughening agent on the tensile strength, elongation and other properties of the material. The test methods include tensile test and shear test.

Impact test: can measure the impact of the toughening agent on the material resistance. The test methods include impact test and drop weight test.

Thermal analysis: can measure the influence of toughening agent on the thermal stability of the material, glass transition temperature and other properties. The test methods include thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, thermal expansion analysis, etc.

Particle analysis: can measure the toughening agent particle size, particle distribution, specific surface area and other indicators. The test methods include laser particle size analyzer, electron microscope, etc.

Rheological property test: The influence of toughening agent on the rheological property of the material can be measured. Test methods include rotary viscometer, dynamic mechanical analyzer, etc.

When testing the performance of toughening agent, it is necessary to select the corresponding test method and test standard according to the specific requirements, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results.