Plackett-Burman experimental design to facilitate syntactic foam development

Journal Article · Mon Sep 14 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Journal of Applied Polymer Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/APP.42892· OSTI ID:1227700

Smith, Zachary D. ^[1]; Keller, Jennie R. ^[1]; Bello, Mollie ^[1]; Cordes, Nikolaus L. ^[1]; Welch, Cynthia F. ^[1]; Torres, Joseph A. ^[1]; Goodwin, Lynne A. ^[1]; Pacheco, Robin M. ^[1]; Sandoval, Cynthia W. ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

The use of an eight-experiment Plackett–Burman method can assess six experimental variables and eight responses in a polysiloxane-glass microsphere syntactic foam. The approach aims to decrease the time required to develop a tunable polymer composite by identifying a reduced set of variables and responses suitable for future predictive modeling. The statistical design assesses the main effects of mixing process parameters, polymer matrix composition, microsphere density and volume loading, and the blending of two grades of microspheres, using a dummy factor in statistical calculations. Responses cover rheological, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The cure accelerator content of the polymer matrix and the volume loading of the microspheres have the largest effects on foam properties. These factors are the most suitable for controlling the gel point of the curing foam, and the density of the cured foam. The mixing parameters introduce widespread variability and therefore should be fixed at effective levels during follow-up testing. Some responses may require greater contrast in microsphere-related factors. As a result, compared to other possible statistical approaches, the run economy of the Plackett–Burman method makes it a valuable tool for rapidly characterizing new foams.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1227700
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--15-22409
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Polymer Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 133; ISSN 0021-8995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Plackett-Burman experimental design
syntactic foam