Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate)
The mechanical performance of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is highly sensitive to moisture absorption, which induces plasticization and softening. In this study, we investigated the ductilization mechanism of PMMA by incorporating various metal salts with different cations (Li<sup>+</su...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2568 |
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| author | Asae Ito Naoki Uchida Yusuke Hiejima Koh-hei Nitta |
| author_facet | Asae Ito Naoki Uchida Yusuke Hiejima Koh-hei Nitta |
| author_sort | Asae Ito |
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| description | The mechanical performance of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is highly sensitive to moisture absorption, which induces plasticization and softening. In this study, we investigated the ductilization mechanism of PMMA by incorporating various metal salts with different cations (Li<sup>+</sup> and Mg<sup>2+</sup>) and controlling water absorption through hygroscopic interactions. A nonequilibrium constitutive model is introduced, in which localized water domains around salt-rich regions gradually diffuse into the PMMA matrix during tensile deformation. The stress–strain behavior is described by combining rigid (dry) and soft (hydrated) matrix components, connected through an internal kinetic variable governed by the strain-dependent diffusion rate. The model successfully reproduces experimental tensile data and captures the transition from brittle to ductile behavior as a function of the moisture content. Notably, Mg salts exhibit stronger water binding and slower moisture redistribution than Li salts, resulting in distinct mechanical responses. These findings provide a mechanistic framework for tailoring the ductility of hygroscopic polymer systems via ion–water–polymer interactions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d649e78a50834d1f97d34f35edaa1a33 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-d649e78a50834d1f97d34f35edaa1a332025-08-20T03:27:40ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013012256810.3390/molecules30122568Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate)Asae Ito0Naoki Uchida1Yusuke Hiejima2Koh-hei Nitta3Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma Campus, Kanazawa 920-1192, JapanInstitute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma Campus, Kanazawa 920-1192, JapanInstitute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma Campus, Kanazawa 920-1192, JapanInstitute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma Campus, Kanazawa 920-1192, JapanThe mechanical performance of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is highly sensitive to moisture absorption, which induces plasticization and softening. In this study, we investigated the ductilization mechanism of PMMA by incorporating various metal salts with different cations (Li<sup>+</sup> and Mg<sup>2+</sup>) and controlling water absorption through hygroscopic interactions. A nonequilibrium constitutive model is introduced, in which localized water domains around salt-rich regions gradually diffuse into the PMMA matrix during tensile deformation. The stress–strain behavior is described by combining rigid (dry) and soft (hydrated) matrix components, connected through an internal kinetic variable governed by the strain-dependent diffusion rate. The model successfully reproduces experimental tensile data and captures the transition from brittle to ductile behavior as a function of the moisture content. Notably, Mg salts exhibit stronger water binding and slower moisture redistribution than Li salts, resulting in distinct mechanical responses. These findings provide a mechanistic framework for tailoring the ductility of hygroscopic polymer systems via ion–water–polymer interactions.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2568poly(methyl methacrylate)mechanical propertieshygroscopicitymetal saltsnonequilibrium constitutive equation |
| spellingShingle | Asae Ito Naoki Uchida Yusuke Hiejima Koh-hei Nitta Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) Molecules poly(methyl methacrylate) mechanical properties hygroscopicity metal salts nonequilibrium constitutive equation |
| title | Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) |
| title_full | Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) |
| title_short | Effects of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Salt-Doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) |
| title_sort | effects of hydration on the mechanical properties of salt doped poly methyl methacrylate |
| topic | poly(methyl methacrylate) mechanical properties hygroscopicity metal salts nonequilibrium constitutive equation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2568 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT asaeito effectsofhydrationonthemechanicalpropertiesofsaltdopedpolymethylmethacrylate AT naokiuchida effectsofhydrationonthemechanicalpropertiesofsaltdopedpolymethylmethacrylate AT yusukehiejima effectsofhydrationonthemechanicalpropertiesofsaltdopedpolymethylmethacrylate AT kohheinitta effectsofhydrationonthemechanicalpropertiesofsaltdopedpolymethylmethacrylate |