Characteristics Of Polymers Research Articles

Influence of different small styryl molecules on electro-optical characteristics of reverse-mode polymer stabilised cholesteric liquid crystal devices

ABSTRACT Polymer stabilised liquid crystal (PSLC) is widely used in various applications such as smart windows due to its fast response speed and wide viewing angle. However, there are still limitations in terms of high driving voltage and poor contrast ratio. Therefore, there is a need to explore methods to enhance the electro-optical performance of PSLC devices. In this paper, the influence of a few types of styryl molecules on the electro-optical characteristics of PSLC was investigated. The experimental results demonstrated that the addition of an appropriate amount of small styryl molecules significantly reduced the driving voltage and improved the contrast ratio. For an 8-micron-thick sample, the threshold voltage and saturation voltage were approximately 5.3 V and 6.5 V, respectively, resulting in a contrast ratio of approximately 14.4. For a 20-micron-thick sample, the threshold voltage, saturation voltage, and contrast ratio were approximately 10.2 V, 14.5 V, and 109, respectively. Combined with the effects of different small styryl molecules on the morphology of polymer networks, the physical mechanism of different small styryl molecules to improve electro-optical properties was studied. The findings will contribute to the advancement of RPSCLC devices and their practical applications.

Optimization of Isotactic Polypropylene Nanocomposite Content of Tungsten Carbide for Material Extrusion 3D Printing

In this study, innovative nanocomposite materials for material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing were developed using a polypropylene (PP) polymer with tungsten carbide (WC) nanopowder. The raw materials were converted into filaments using thermomechanical extrusion. The samples were then fabricated for testing according to the international standards. Extensive mechanical testing was performed on the 3D-printed specimens, including tensile, impact, flexural, and microhardness assessments. In addition, the impact of ceramic additive loading was examined. The thermal and stoichiometric characteristics of the nanocomposites were examined using thermogravimetric analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and Raman spectroscopy. The 3D-printed shape, quality, and fracture process of the specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the filler significantly enhanced the mechanical characteristics of the matrix polymer without reducing its thermal stability or processability. Notably, the highest level of nanocomposite mechanical responsiveness was achieved through the inclusion of 6.0 and 8.0 wt. % fillers. The 10.0 wt. % loading nanocomposite showed significantly increased microhardness, indicating a possible high resistance to wear.

COMPOSITE MATERIALS BASED ON ALICYCLIC COPOLYIMIDE AND ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER WITH ACRYLAMIDE

Progress in polymer materials science is mainly associated with the development of new composite materials, created by the introduction of modifying additives into the matrix polymer which which improve polymer characteristics due to their properties. The purpose of this work is to obtain composite materials with improved thermal and mechanical properties from copolyimide based on dianhydrides of tricyclotetracarboxylic and diphenyloxydtetracarboxylic acids with diaminodiphenyl ether modified by a copolymer of acrylic acid with acrylamide. Results and discussion. Polymer compositions of copolyimides of arylalycyclic structure in combination with acrylic acid copolymer and acrylamide, as well as composite materials (film) based on them, were obtained. It was found that with an increase in the content of the added component from 0.35 to 2.0 wt%, uniformity is maintained in the polymer mixture. The infrared (IR) spectroscopy method shows that during formation of the above polymer mixtures the interaction of functional groups of the polymers under study with the formation of hydrogen bonds, which determine the homogeneity of the mixture. By methods of thermogravimetry and stretching of the sample with a constant deformation rate were used to determine, respectively, the thermal resistance and mechanical properties of the developed composite films. The increase of thermal resistance and strength of the film is explained by the formation of partial intermolecular cross-linking between the components of the mixture and the elasticity of the material – with the plasticizing effect of the additive. Conclusion. Polymer mixtures were obtained and composite films were molded on their basis.

New substituted pentazadienes as initiators of free-radical polymerization: synthesis, photochemical properties and perspectives for holographic media

The series of 4,4′-substituted 3-hydroxyethyl-pentaza-1,4-dienes were synthesized in the reaction of aromatic diazonium salts with an ethanol amine. Photolysis of pentaza-1,4-dienes was investigated by means of UV/Vis spectroscopy. Electron donating methyl and methoxy substituents were found to increase photosensitivity whereas electron withdrawing chloro-substituents cause higher photolytic stability. 3-hydroxyethyl-pentaza-1,4-dienes as a radical polymerization initiator has been successfully investigated in 10% methyl methacrylate solution in DMF. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used for obtained polymers characteristics evaluation. The highest values of PMMA Mn and Đ can be obtained in the case of chloro-substituted derivative. The holograms of a plane wavefront were recorded in media based on obtained PMMA doped by azo-dye by a 532 nm laser in a ∼1-μm-thick sample. The diffraction efficiency values for parallel polarized acting light increased in Cl→Me→OMe series.

Aerobic aquatic biodegradation of bio-based and biodegradable polymers: Kinetic modeling and key factors for biodegradability

With the increasing concern about plastic waste, numerous efforts have been made to find substitutes for existing non-biodegradable synthetic polymers. Bio-based and/or purported petroleum-based biodegradable polymers are considered probable plastic replacement candidates. However, the durability of non-biodegradable plastic is a key feature of plastics. Thus, a balance must be achieved between biodegradation and environmental material stability. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of crystallinity, molecular chemistry, and hydrophilicity on the rate of aquatic biodegradation of biobased plastic materials. In the present study, twelve bio-based/purported biodegradable materials were investigated under aerobic aquatic biodegradation conditions for 56 days by tracking oxygen consumption. Crystallinity, hydrophobicity, chemistry, and chemical structure were varied to understand potential means for controlling the rate of biodegradation. The biodegradation kinetics were analyzed and discussed, relating to the characteristics of polymers. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Chitosan, Rayon, Polyhydroxy-butyrate-co-valerate (PHBV), PHBH, and Polybutylene succinate (PBS) showed the biodegradation extents over 70% at 56 days. Cellulose acetates (CAs) and Polylactic acid (PLA) showed biodegradation extent lower than 20%. The chemistry of the polymer backbone chain, substituent structure, and degree of substitution were the dominant factors affecting biodegradation. The crystallinity of the polyesters had a negative correlation with the initial biodegradation rate and the ultimate biodegradation of polyesters, and the hydrophobicity of the polymers delayed the initiation of biodegradation. The aerobic aquatic biodegradation results related to the polymer characteristics are useful for product designers and environmental scientists to understand the fate of these polymeric materials in the environment.

Light and Shape‐Memory Polymers: Characterization, Preparation, Stimulation, and Application

AbstractShape‐memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials that change shape when exposed to stimuli and have various applications in different fields due to their unique properties. Light, as a kind of electromagnetic radiation, plays an important role in understanding the structure‐property relations of SMPs, preparing original shapes, using them as non‐contact stimuli sources, and tuning the optical properties of SMPs. This review provides a comprehensive review of the involvement of light in structure‐preparation‐stimuli‐application of SMPs. The review is divided into four sections. First, applications of optical/spectroscopic approaches that provide information for understanding structure‐property relations in SMPs, especially during programming and recovery. Second, describes how to build SMPs with light, including different photochemical reactions and 3D photocuring technologies. Third, discusses how light is used to trigger the shape change of SMPs through both photochemical and photothermal mechanisms. Last, focuses on how to take advantage of the shape‐memory effect to tune the optical characteristics of polymers, including various structures of SMP color‐changing materials and their synthetic strategies. Future research could focus on developing efficient photothermal fillers, new 3D printing techniques for SMPs, exploring their use in biomedical and wearable devices, and optimizing SMPs for industrial applications.

Hydrophobic organic contaminants affiliated with polymer-specific microplastics in urban river tributaries and estuaries

Exposure to microplastics (MPs) and hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) combined at high concentrations may induce adverse effects to aquatic organisms in laboratory-scale studies. To determine environmentally relevant concentrations of HOCs in MPs, it is essential to understand the occurrence of MP-affiliated HOCs in the aquatic environment. Here we report the occurrences of HOCs affiliated with polymer-specific floating MPs from 12 tributaries and three estuaries in the Pearl River Delta, South China. Target HOCs include nine synthetic musks (SMs), 14 ultraviolet adsorbents (UVAs), 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Average concentrations of MP-affiliated ∑9SM, ∑14UVA, ∑15PAH, ∑8PBDE, and ∑14PCB were 1790, 5550, 1090, 412, and 107 ng g−1, respectively. The average concentrations of HOCs affiliated with MPs of different polymer types were 9790, 7220, 72,500, and 55,800 ng g−1 for polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, polystyrene, and other MPs, respectively. As the concentration of PE was the highest among all MPs at the average concentration of 0.77 mg m−3, the monthly outflow of PE-affiliated HOCs accounted for the largest proportion (46 %) in the outflow of MP-affiliated HOCs (2.8 g) to the coastal ocean via three estuaries. These results suggest that HOCs were highly concentrated in MPs and varied among different chemicals and polymer types. Due to the differences of polymer characteristics and half-life of affiliated chemicals, future toxicology studies concerning exposure to these combined pollutants may need to specify polymer types and their affiliated chemicals.

Nanoporous carbons based on coordinate organic polymers as an efficient and eco-friendly nano-sorbent for adsorption of phenol from wastewater

The major part of water pollutants includes of organic such as phenolic pollutant, thus there are every hazardous to environment. Present work is a comparative onto surface chemistry and adsorptive characteristics of coordinate organic polymer (Cop-150) and nanoporous carbon (NPC) prepared using solvothermal method. New NPC was successfully synthesized to remove of phenol. FT-IR, XRD, XPS, SEM, TGA, and BET techniques have been used to characterization and confirm physicochemical variation during preparing Cop-150 and NPC. Box–Behnken response surface methodology (BBRSM) was used to optimize four important factors of the pH (2–10), contact time (1–40 min), temperature (25–60 °C), and initial concentration of phenol (5–50 mg L−1). To analyze the data obtained from the adsorption of phenol by synthesized adsorbents, four linear, 2FI, quadratic and cubic models were examined, which the quadratic model was recognized as the best model. To the NPC the equal adsorption capacity 500 mg g−1 is achieved at the initial concentration of phenol = 49.252 mg L−1, contact time = 15.738 min, temperature = 28.3 °C, and pH 7.042. On the other hand, the adsorption capacity for Cop-150 in pH 4.638, the contact time = 19.695 min, the temperature = 56.8 °C, and the initial concentration of phenol = 6.902 mg L−1 was equal to 50 mg g−1. The experimental data at different conditions were investigated by some famous kinetic and isotherm models, which among them, were corresponded to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm. Moreover, based to result of thermodynamics to the both Cop-150 and NPC, the adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous. According to results the Cop-150 and NPC could be used for up to four and five cycles without significantly reducing their performance, respectively.

Improved Characteristics of Fluorene‐Type Polymer Light‐Emitting Devices Based on Multilayer Formation from Polymers and Solution‐Processable Wide‐Bandgap Inorganic Copper(I) Thiocyanate with p‐Type Conduction and High Refractive Index

The functional solution‐processable multilayer formation is a significant factor in the improved characteristics of polymer light‐emitting devices. The improved characteristics of direct current and alternating current (AC)‐driven fluorene‐type polymer light‐emitting devices based on multilayer structures utilizing polymers and solution‐processable inorganic wide‐bandgap semiconductor, copper(I) thiocyanate, CuSCN, which exhibits p‐type conduction and high refractive index, are investigated. For the polymer light‐emitting diodes based on poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐benzothiadiazole), F8BT with CuSCN, the plateau of current efficiency indicates the carrier injection and transport to be balanced at lower current density and the balance to be maintained through the wide current range. CuSCN acts as the hole transport and electron‐blocking layer, although CuSCN acts as a fluorescence quencher for F8BT. The introduction of inorganic/organic hybrid dielectric mirrors, which consists of the alternating layers of inorganic CuSCN and insulating poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene), P(VDF‐TrFE), into the AC voltage‐driven polymer electroluminescent device (ACEL) structure, is an effective way to achieve both the spectral narrowing and color tunability. Using high‐refractive‐index CuSCN, the color‐tunable emission for ACEL with distributed Bragg reflector mirrors and the electroluminescent (EL) emission from a weak microcavity effect are achieved.

Unexpected super anti-compressive styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer/polyurea nanocomposite foam with excellent solvent resistance, re-processability and shape memory performance

High-performance, recycling and environmental protection are the goal of the development of polymer materials in the future. The introduction of crosslinking and composite are two main ways to improve the comprehensive properties of materials, however, which leads to the non-recyclability of materials or brings difficulties to the recovery process. Here, we report a polymer nanocomposite foam with superior compression properties to most existing commercial foams, just originating from common commercial styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) and polyurea (PUA), and develop a green and energy-efficient method to fabricate high-performance rigid foam by reactive plasticizing and reaction induced phase-separation combining with supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) foaming. Reaction induced phase-separation results in the in-situ formation of nanoscale structure in the cell walls of the resultant foams, in which the crosslinked PUA is the dispersed phase with the size of 10–40 nm in the matrix of SAN. Optimizing crosslinking network structure of PUA dramatically improve the comprehensive performance of SAN/PUA nanocomposite foams. The resultant SAN/PUA nanocomposite foam shows some performance characteristic of thermosetting polymers, such as excellent heat resistance and solvent resistance than the SAN matrix, meanwhile the performance characteristic of thermoplastic polymers, such as re-processability. More interestingly, the SAN/PUA nanocomposite foam presents excellent shape memory performance. With the above exceptional performances, this polymer nanocomposite foam will be a perfect substitute for the existing commercial rigid foams.

Molecular design of ferrocene-based novel polymer using click chemistry via chemoselective polymerization and investigation of electrical properties as organic Schottky diode

Organic Schottky diodes are electronic devices that consist of a metal–semiconductor junction formed with an organic polymer as the semiconductor material. This work synthesized cinnamic acid side chain bearing polymer and its ferrocene-modified polymer. Thermal stability, dielectric and electrical properties of the initial polymer and the modified one were examined and the addition of a ferrocene unit to the initial polymer clearly improved the optical and electrical properties of the target polymer. Due to the influence of ferrocene, the dielectric constant increased from 8.69 to 18.92. Additionally, it was discovered that the ac conductivity value raised from 6.40x10−9 to 2.64x10−8. The Al/modified-polymer/p-Si structure exhibits an ideality factor of 2.22, a barrier height of 0.61 eV, and a reverse bias current of 1.28 10−5 A in the dark, according to the I-V measurements. These results demonstrated the fabricated diodes have a rectifier behavior. This diode exhibits unique electrical properties due to the characteristics of the organic polymer.

Controlling photovoltaic performances of trifluoromethylated quinoxaline-based polymers via fluorine substitution

In this study, three D–A-type trifluoromethylated quinoxaline-based polymers, with different numbers of fluorine (F) atoms on the quinoxaline unit, were developed to clarify the impact of strongly electron-attracting F substituents on the photovoltaic characteristics of polymers. The unfluorinated reference quinoxaline-based polymer PTB-QxCF3, was prepared by coupling an alkylated benzodithiophene donor to a trifluoromethylated quinoxaline acceptor via a thiophene bridge. Subsequently, one and two fluorine atoms were attached to the vacant 6,7-positions of the trifluoromethylated quinoxaline unit to generate the fluorinated polymers PTB-FQxCF3 and PTB-2FQxCF3, respectively. An inverted-type polymer solar cell was constructed with Y6BO as a non-fullerene acceptor, to examine the photovoltaic characteristics of the polymers. Devices made from fluorinated PTB-FQxCF3 and PTB-2FQxCF3 exhibited higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 11.95% and 13.50%, respectively, than that comprising unfluorinated PTB-QxCF3 (4.80%). This noticeable advancement in the PCEs of devices with fluorinated polymers originates from the rapid increase in their photovoltaic parameters. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the fluorination strategy for promoting photovoltaic responses of trifluoromethylated quinoxaline-based polymers.

Numerical Study of the Effect of High Gravity in Material Extrusion System and Polymer Characteristics during Filament Fabrication.

Polymer science plays a crucial role in the understanding and numerical study of material extrusion processes that have revolutionized additive manufacturing (AM). This study investigated the impact of high-gravity conditions on material extrusion and conducted a numerical study by referring to the development of a high-gravity material extrusion system (HG-MEX). In this study, we evaluated the polymeric characteristics of HG-MEX. By analyzing the interplay between polymer behavior and gravity, we provide insights into the effects of high gravity on extrusion processes, including filament flow, material deposition, and the resulting fabrication characteristics. The established numerical study of high-gravity material extrusion in additive manufacturing is a meaningful and valuable approach for improving the quality and efficiency of the process. This study is unique in that it incorporates material surface characteristics to represent the performance and contact with polymer science in additive manufacturing. The findings presented herein contribute to a broader understanding of polymer science and its practical implications for HG-MEX under various gravitational conditions.

An Overview of Some Reactive Routes to Flame-Retardant Fibre-Forming Polymers: Polypropylene and Polyacrylonitrile

The thermal degradation and flammability characteristics of some common fibre-forming polymers, such as polypropylene (PP) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), are described in this review paper. The flame retardance of these polymers is principally affected by reactive routes that were primarily developed in our laboratories. The modifying groups that are incorporated into polymeric chains include phosphorus- or phosphorus/nitrogen-containing moieties in different chemical environments. The degradation characteristics and extent of flame retardance were mainly evaluated using routine thermal and calorimetric techniques. Elements of flame-retardant mechanisms occurring in the condensed and vapour phases were also identified. Furthermore, we also explored the effects of molecularly dispersed β-cyclodextrin, including its physical mixtures, on the thermal and combustion characteristics of PAN. Given that both types of polymers are often used in the form of fibres, and that the aspect ratio of fibrous materials is relatively high, even nominal enhancements in their fire retardance are highly welcomed. Hence, the preliminary results of our research on chemically modified PAN incorporating molecularly dispersed β-cyclodextrin are encouraging in terms of their enhanced fire retardance, and hence this field warrants further exploration.

Oxygen limitation in aerobic polyhydroxyalkanoates production from sewage sludge anaerobic fermentation liquids under low and medium organic loading rate

The present study describes the microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from thermally pre-treated sewage sludge at pilot scale level, investigating for the first time the effect of the organic loading rate (OLR) under oxygen limitation on biomass storage properties and kinetics. Polymer characteristics have been also evaluated. The selection/enrichment of PHA-storing biomass was successfully achieved in a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) under short hydraulic retention time (HRT; 2 days). Low OLR (2.05 g COD/L d) was ideal for the selection of an efficient PHA-producing consortium cultivated under limited oxygen availability. In the fed-batch accumulation conducted under high DO regime, such biomass was characterized by 51% of PHA content on cell dry weight, with a related storage yield (YP/Sbatch) of 0.61 CODPHA/CODS. On the contrary, medium OLR (4.56 g COD/L d) was not technically feasible to sustain the required consortium's selection under low DO regime. The PHA produced by biomass cultivated under low DO regime was characterized higher thermal stability and crystalline domain compared to PHA traditionally produced under high DO regime. The mass balance assessment highlighted a global yield of 51 g PHA/kg VS (volatile solids of thickened sludge), which was 9% lower than yield obtained under high DO regime, in the face of a realistic reduction of the energy cost of the process.

P-type Polymers in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics.

P-type polymers are polymeric semiconducting materials that conduct holes and have extensive applications in optoelectronics such as organic photovoltaics. Taking the advantage of intrinsic discontinuous light absorption of organic semiconductors, semitransparent organic photovoltaics (STOPVs) present compelling opportunities in various potential applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics, agrivoltaics, automobiles and wearable electronics. The characteristics of p-type polymers, including optical, electronic and morphological properties, determine the performance of STOPVs, and the requirements for p-type polymers differ between opaque organic photovoltaics and STOPVs. Hence, in this Minireview, recent advances of p-type polymers used in STOPVs are systematically summarized, with emphasis on the effects of chemical structures, conformation structures and aggregation structures of p-type polymers on the performance of STOPVs. Furthermore, new design concepts and guidelines are also proposed for p-type polymers to facilitate the future development of high-performance STOPVs.

Influences of nano-SiO2 on the tensile, flexural, and compressive characteristics of the open-hole carbon fiber-reinforced polymer laminated composites: experimental study

Carbon fiber are of great importance materials exploited in various industrial applications in the recent years. Because of its strong flexural and compressive properties, these fibers have been commonly utilized as a reinforcement for producing polymer composite laminates. Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates are subjected to extreme forces and damaged. In the component assembly of the structures, one of the conventional damages that still occurs on the CFRP laminates is holes that is created on the specimen by drilling tools, which causes a reduction in the laminates’ mechanical strength. One of the suggested ways to strengthen the mechanical properties of composites is to add nanoparticles. Therefore, the impact of silica nanoparticles (nano-SiO2) on the tensile, flexural, and compressive characteristics of the open-hole CFRP laminated composites is experimentally determined in this research. Nano-SiO2 with various weight percentage of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 is added into the CFRP. A scanning electron microscope images are used to observe the microscopic structure of the composites. The results showed that adding 1–3 wt.% of nano-SiO2 into the CFRP enhances the tensile, flexural, and compressive strength of the specimens and reduces the fiber pull out and delamination.

Neutral Red and Safranin Т in the Photopolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate and Other (Meth)Acrylate Monomers

Features of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and a number of other (meth)acrylate monomers in the presence of catalytic systems based on phenazine dyes (Neutral Red and Safranin Т) under visible light irradiation are investigated. It is shown that amines of various structure as well as air oxygen affect the kinetic features of polymerization and the molecular weight characteristics of polymers. It is found that polymerization may proceed in the controlled mode up to high conversions at room temperature and a low photocatalyst concentration, among them without preliminary degassing of the reaction medium.

Algorithm for Evaluation of the Molecular Characteristics of a Polymer Product under Conditions of Multipoint Control

Introduction. Under conditions of high demand for rubber products, continuous modernization of technological processes of continuous production is carried out. One of the tools to control the physical and chemical parameters of the resulting product is the technology of multipoint feeding of controlling impurities that can significantly affect the molecular characteristics of polymers. However, it is difficult to experimentally select the technology of multipoint feeding of controlling impurities to achieve the given molecular characteristics of polymers. Aim of the Article. To create a methodology that allows using the tools of model system description to carry out directed regulation and construction of the technological process to achieve a given molecular weight distribution. Materials and Methods. For more accurate mathematical modeling of polymer synthesis processes, two approaches to the model description of the system under study are considered: 1) Kinetic approach. In this case, the developed algorithm is based on the method of moments in combination with numerical methods for solving systems of ordinary differential equations that characterize the change in the material balance for each reaction component. When describing large-tonnage production, a modular principle is proposed, according to which the kinetics model is supplemented by hydrodynamic regularities that depend on the reactor type. 2) Statistical approach (Monte Carlo method). The algorithm for implementing the statistical approach is based on the probabilistic nature of elementary reactions. To describe the process in the reactor cascade, a systematic approach to the organization of calculations is proposed. Results. Using kinetic and statistical approaches new dependences of conversion and characteristic viscosity on polymerizer number were obtained, which showed satisfactory agreement with the values of the experimental results. Comparative analysis of calculated molecular-mass distribution curves of obtained product was carried out. The analysis confirms the significant influence of different modes of regulator feeding on molecular characteristics of polymer. Discussion and Conclusion. The analysis of the molecular chain structure of the copolymerization product under conditions of adding the third control point characterizes the decrease in rigidity and increase in elasticity of the resulting product, and the created digital evaluation tools allow by means of computational experiments to select optimal parameters of the regulator feeding in order to obtain polymers with a given molecular mass.

Influence of surface preparation and polymer backing properties on the quasi-static and impact response of ceramic faced 1D armour systems

Ballistic impact is a highly complex environment, the understanding of which is compounded by the advanced materials used for ceramic-polymer composite armours. In this study, the influence of surface preparation and polymer backing properties on the energy absorptive capabilities and ballistic performance of simplified model armours was approached via a methodical investigation using simplified materials and geometries. Quasi-1D (beam) specimens consisting of polyurethane-backed alumina were loaded under three-point bend quasi-statically and at impact speeds. The specimen geometries allowed for the fracture pathways to be observed. To produce the specimens, two polyurethanes with different glass transition temperatures were cured onto alumina strips, eliminating the requirement for a dedicated adhesive and thus simplifying the interfacial dynamics. Further modifications were made by applying a primer surface treatment, by using unbonded polyurethane and adhered polyurethane, and by replacing the polyurethane with glass-reinforced polycarbonate. The beam specimens were loaded quasi-statically at 0.05 mm s-1 at ambient and sub-ambient temperatures, and at 50–300 m s-1 at ambient temperatures. The quasi-static specimens were found to fail by one of two failure modes with approximately a 3x energy absorption difference; the failure was highly dependant upon the interface and polymer characteristics. Under impact, a significant proportion of the energy absorption was provided by the kinetic energy of the fragments. Although, the polymer backing and interfacial properties were found to influence fracture paths during loading. FEA simulations were used to model the behaviours using characterisation data from a previous study; these were found to predict the experimental response well.