Loss Modulii Research Articles

Bending and viscoelastic behaviour of delaminated woven E-glass/epoxy composite

ABSTRACT In semi automated manufacturing processes of fibre reinforced composites, defects are induced between the plies. These defects cause reduction in service life of the products and lead to decrease in structural performance. To study the effect of induced defect on performance of composite, four types of woven E-glass/epoxy laminates with same fibre volume fraction were fabricated inserting circular and square PTFEs at the interfaces of 1–2 and 5–6 plies during hand layup. Each composite contained a single defect at selected interface. For these composites, flexural properties and viscoelastic properties were determined. The viscoelastic properties were investigated in a temperature range of 30°C–140°C using dynamic mechanical analyser. The flexural properties of intact composites are higher than those of delaminated composites. The location of delamination has more influence on flexural properties. The modulii determined from static flexural tests agreed with the storage modulii. The existence of artificial defect affected storage and loss modulii of delaminated composites. Moreover, the damping factor and loss shear modulus increased for delaminated composites.

Xylo-oligosaccharides as texture modifier compounds in aqueous media and in combination with food thickeners.

Present study introduces the previously not‐described rheological properties of a nondigestible oligosaccharide: xylo‐oligosaccharide which is a novel food ingredient in Europe. Significant differences were observed among viscosity of solutions of different formulas (liquid or powder) of XOS. Thickening potential of XOS in aqueous media compared to that of sucrose (Suc) or fructo‐oligosaccharides strongly depends on utilization level: At low concentration, XOS proved to be weaker while at high concentration to be stronger than fructo‐oligosaccharides. Differences in viscosity of XOS, FOS, and sucrose were much higher at below 60°C than at higher temperatures. Storage and loss modulii of xanthan gum gels were not influenced while those of locust bean gum were affected negatively by XOS addition. Addition of XOS at low concentrations did not decrease gelatin gel strength but increased gelatin gel stability against mechanical stress. XOS proved to have different rheological behavior from previously used oligosaccharides.

Dynamics of polymer and polymer composite rotors – An operator based finite element approach

This paper presents a differential time operator based approach to obtain equations of motion of a generally viscoelastic rotor–shaft after discretizing the shaft continuum with finite beam elements. The equations of motion are utilized to study dynamic behaviour of a generic viscoelastic composite rotor–shaft comprising of viscoelastic reinforcing fibres in a viscoelastic matrix. Anelastic Displacement Field model (ADF), a time-domain material model, is used to represent the viscoelastic constitutive relationships. The model parameters are extracted by a Genetic Algorithm based optimisation procedure from frequency-dependent values of storage and loss modulii. For an example the composite rotor is assumed to be made by reinforcing unidirectional long graphite fibres in a PVC (Poly-Vinyl-Chloride) matrix. The equations of motion are used for numerical simulation as well as comparison of stability limit of spin speed and unbalance response amplitude at the disc of two rotor–shaft systems, one made of pure PVC and the other made by reinforcing graphite fibres in the PVC matrix. It is concluded that reinforcement of long fibre, enhances the stability limit of spin speed as well as the first natural frequency in comparison with those of rotor–shaft made of pure PVC.

Small strain vibration of a continuous, linearized viscoelastic rod of expanded polymer cushion material

In this paper, the free and forced vibration response of a linearized, distributed-parameter model of a viscoelastic rod with an applied tip-mass is investigated. A nonlinear model is developed from constitutive relations and is linearized about a static equilibrium position for analysis. A classical Maxwell–Weichert model, represented via a Prony series, is used to model the viscoelastic system. The exact solution to both the free and forced vibration problem is derived and used to study the behavior of an idealized packaging system containing Nova Chemicals׳ Arcel® foam. It is observed that, although three Prony series terms are deemed sufficient to fit the static test data, convergence of the dynamic response and study of the storage and loss modulii necessitate the use of additional Prony series terms. It is also shown that the model is able to predict the modal frequencies and the primary resonance response at low acceleration excitation, both with reasonable accuracy given the non-homogeneity and density variation observed in the specimens. Higher acceleration inputs result in softening nonlinear responses highlighting the need for a nonlinear elastic model that extends beyond the scope of this work. Solution analysis and experimental data indicate little material vibration energy dissipation close to the first modal frequency of the mass/rod system.

Co-assembled conductive hydrogel of N-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl phenylalanine with polyaniline.

A metastable coassembled hydrogel of N-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) phenylalanine (FP) with aniline (FP-ANI), upon polymerization, produces a stable green-colored coassembled FP-polyaniline (FP-PANI) hydrogel. The coassembly is produced by supramolecular interactions between FP and ANI/PANI. WAXS spectra suggest that structures of FP powder, FP-ANI, and FP-PANI xerogels are different from each other. The FP-ANI gel exhibits a mixture of doughnut and fiber morphology, but the FP-PANI gel exhibits a nanotubular morphology. UV-vis spectroscopy suggests that the doped state of PANI and the fluorescence property of FP completely vanish in the FP-PANI gel. The storage and loss modulii (G' and G″) of the FP-PANI gel are higher than those of the FP-ANI gel. The FP-ANI gel breaks at a lower oscillator stress (57 Pa) than the FP-PANI gel (93 Pa), which exhibits a good strain recovery demonstrating excellent viscoelastic properties. The FP-PANI gel also exhibits a dc conductivity (1.2 × 10(-2) S·cm(-1)) that is seven orders higher than that of the FP-ANI gel because of the doped nature of PANI. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristic curve of FP-PANI xerogel resembles the behavior of a semiconductor-metal junction, and upon white light irradiation, it exhibits a reversible on-off cycle with a constant photocurrent value of 0.1 mA. The Nyquist plot obtained from impedance measurements of the FP-PANI xerogel is different from that obtained for the FP-ANI xerogel, and it exhibits almost a semicircle, indicating the existence of both resistive and capacitive features connected in parallel mode.

Effect of chemically modified date palm leaf fiber on mechanical, thermal and rheological properties of polyvinylpyrrolidone

Polyvinylpyrrolidone/date palm leaf fiber (PVP/DPL) biocomposites were prepared by melt mixing fabrication technique with different weight percentage of fibers. DPL fibers were chemically modified by acrylic acid in order to have better dispersion and compatibility with PVP matrix. The interaction of DPL fibers with PVP matrix was studied by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used for the study the morphology of chemically modified DPL fibers and PVP/DPL biocomposites. Mechanical properties were improved with fiber loading due to strong interfacial adhesion between PVP and DPL fibers. The storage modulus, loss modulus and tan delta values of PVA/DPL biocomposites were measured by DMTA. The rheological properties were investigated to study the shearing storage and loss modulii along with complex viscosity of biocomposites. The thermal and conducting properties of biocomposites were measured and compared with that of virgin PVP.

Vinyl ester resin: Rheological behaviors, curing kinetics, thermomechanical, and tensile properties

The effects of isothermal temperature on the curing extent, gel time, dynamic rheological behaviors, and mechanical properties of vinyl ester resins (VERs) were systematically studied. Although, the curing extent was observed increase with increasing the operating temperature, the study of residual heat of cured VERs indicated that the final curing extent depended on the postcuring process. The values of shear storage and loss modulii at gel point were observed to decrease with increasing both the isothermal temperature and heating rate, which were associated with the formation of microgels during the gelation process. With increasing isothermal temperature and heating rate, the microgel did not have enough time to grow well, causing a reduced shear storage and loss modulii at the gel time. The storage and loss modulii of the cured VERs were also studied and shown that with temperature increased to the glass transition, both modulii were first decreased and then increased. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 266–274, 2014

Strengthened magnetic epoxy nanocomposites with protruding nanoparticles on the graphene nanosheets

Magnetic graphene (Gr) nanocomposites (Gr nanosheets coated with iron core iron oxide shell nanoparticles, named Gr/Fe@Fe2O3) have successfully served as nanofillers for obtaining magnetic epoxy resin polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) to be compared with the epoxy nanocomposites with pure graphene. The effects of nanofiller loading levels on the rheological behaviors, thermal stability, thermo-mechanical, tensile mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties were systematically studied. A reduced viscosity was observed in the 1.0 wt% Gr–epoxy resin liquid nanosuspensions and the viscosity was increased with further increasing the Gr loading. In the TGA test, although the introduction of both nanofillers caused lower onset decomposition temperature of the PNCs, the Gr/Fe@Fe2O3 was found to favor the char formation from the epoxy resin. The enhanced char residue was also observed during the flammability tests. The dynamic storage and loss modulii were studied together with the glass transition temperature (Tg) obtained from the peak of tanδ. The tensile strength observed in the PNCs with 1.0 wt% Gr/Fe@Fe2O3 is 58% higher than that of the pure epoxy, and was attributed to the high stiffness of Gr. Both nanofillers could increase the electrical conductivity of the epoxy matrix. The magnetic properties of the PNCs with Gr/Fe@Fe2O3 are studied and the value of coercivity (Hc) is observed inversely proportional to the loading of Gr/Fe@Fe2O3 in the PNCs due to the decreased interparticle dipolar interaction, which arises from the enlarged nanoparticle spacer distance for the single domain nanoparticles. Finally, the increased real permittivity observed in the PNCs is attributed to the interfacial polarization.

Flame-Retardant Electrical Conductive Nanopolymers Based on Bisphenol F Epoxy Resin Reinforced with Nano Polyanilines

Both fibril and spherical polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures have successfully served as nanofillers for obtaining epoxy resin polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). The effects of nanofiller morphology and loading level on the mechanical properties, rheological behaviors, thermal stability, flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, and dielectric properties were systematically studied. The introduction of the PANI nanofillers was found to reduce the heat-release rate and to increase the char residue of epoxy resin. A reduced viscosity was observed in both types of PANI-epoxy resin liquid nanosuspension samples at lower loadings (1.0 wt % for PANI nanospheres; 1.0 and 3.0 wt % for PANI nanofibers), the viscosity was increased with further increases in the PANI loading for both morphologies. The dynamic storage and loss modulii were studied, together with the glass-transition temperature (T(g)) being obtained from the peak of tan δ. The critical PANI nanofiller loading for the modulus and T(g) was different, i.e., 1.0 wt % for the nanofibers and 5.0 wt % for the nanospheres. The percolation thresholds of the PANI nanostructures were identified with the dynamic mechanical property and electrical conductivity, and, because of the higher aspect ratio, nanofibers reached the percolation threshold at a lower loading (3.0 wt %) than the PANI nanospheres (5.0 wt %). The PANI nanofillers could increase the electrical conductivity, and, at the same loading, the epoxy nanocomposites with the PANI nanofibers showed lower volume resistivity than the nanocomposites with the PANI nanospheres, which were discussed with the contact resistance and percolation threshold. The tensile test indicated an improved tensile strength of the epoxy matrix with the introduction of the PANI nanospheres at a lower loading (1.0 wt %). Compared with pure epoxy, the elasticity modulus was increased for all the PNC samples. Moreover, further studies on the fracture surface revealed an enhanced toughness. Finally, the real permittivity was observed to increase with increasing the PANI loading, and the enhanced permittivity was analyzed by the interfacial polarization.

Iron-core carbon-shell nanoparticles reinforced electrically conductive magnetic epoxy resin nanocomposites with reduced flammability

Carbon coated iron (Fe@C) nanoparticles successfully served as nanofillers for obtaining magnetic epoxy resin polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). The effects of nanofiller loading level on the rheological behaviors, thermal stability, flammability, dynamic mechanical, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties were systematically studied. And the curing process of the PNCs was also studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy test. A reduced viscosity was observed in the 1.0 wt% Fe@C/epoxy resin liquid suspension samples and the viscosity was increased with further increasing the Fe@C nanoparticle loading. In the TGA test, the introduction of the Fe@C nanofillers gave a lower onset decomposition temperature of the PNCs. However, a reduced flammability was observed in the PNCs due to the easier char formation from epoxy matrix induced by the Fe@C nanoparticles. The dynamic storage and loss modulii were studied together with the glass transition temperature (Tg) being obtained from the peak of tanδ. Enhanced storage modulus was observed in the PNCs with 20.0 wt% Fe@C nanoparticles. The percolation thresholds of the Fe@C nanoparticles were identified with the study of tensile strength and electrical conductivity. Due to the cavities initiated by the nanoparticles, the PNCs with 5.0 wt% Fe@C nanoparticles showed an increased tensile strength up to 60% compared with pure epoxy. The Fe@C nanofillers could efficiently increase the electrical conductivity of the epoxy matrix, and the particle chain observed in the SEM image of fracture surface indicated the formation of percolated Fe@C nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix. Finally, the Fe@C nanoparticles become magnetically harder after dispersing in epoxy due to the decreased interparticle dipolar interaction, which arises from the enlarged nanoparticle spacer distance for the single domain nanoparticles.

Rheological Characterization of Alumina Ceramic Suspensions in Presence of a Dispersant and a Binder

The rheological responses of aqueous alumina suspensions, stabilized with an organic polyvalent salt dispersant called “Aluminon,” and including a poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) binder, are described in this study. It is observed that the addition of PVA, without any dispersant does not significantly influence the rheology. However, in the presence of the dispersant the rheology is affected significantly. At a given concentration of the dispersant, the viscosity, the storage and loss modulii all increase with the PVA concentration. Also, for a given concentration of the PVA, the viscosity, the storage and loss modulii values increases as the concentration of the dispersant is increased. At relatively low PVA concentrations, an excess concentration of the dispersant, causes flocculation of the particles in the suspension by a reduction of the electrostatic (double layer) effect. On the contrary, at higher concentrations of the PVA the flocculation of the suspension occurs via a depletion mechanism.

Rheological characterization of mixtures of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide and sodium butyl benzene sulfonate in aqueous solutions

The rheological behavior of mixed aqueous solutions of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and anionic hydrotropes, such as sodium salts of n-butyl benzene sulfonate (Na-NBBS), iso-butyl benzene sulfonate (Na-IBBS) and tert-butyl benzene sulfonate (Na-TBBS), has been studied over a range of the hydrotrope concentration at different temperatures. The zero shear viscosity measurements for the mixed systems show a bimodal curve with a first viscosity maximum at a Na-BBS/CTAB ratio of approximately 0.3 and other ones at about 2.5. The three isomers of butyl benzene sulfonate (BBS) differ in their effects on the viscosity of the solutions. The difference in the viscosities of the mixed CTAB–hydrotrope solutions is more prominent at higher values of Na-BBS/CTAB ratio. Since the viscosity depends on the microstructure generated by the CTAB-BBS mixtures in solutions, the size and shape of the mixed micelles varies with the structure of the butyl group. The linear NBBS induces higher changes even at lower concentrations. The CTAB-hydrotrope solutions in the region of the first viscosity maxima exhibit Maxwellian fluid behavior where the mixed system is highly viscoelastic and the micelles are entangled. In the region of second viscosity maxima, however, the mixed solutions are non-viscoelastic with much lower values of storage and loss modulii. The living polymer formation by linear growth of CTAB micelles, on addition of hydrotropes, to very large aggregation number is evidenced from intrinsic viscosity and rheological properties of solutions.

Exploring properties of Polyaniline–SDS dispersion: A rheological approach

The paper describes steady and dynamic rheological characterization of a system in which polyaniline (PAn) is dispersed in aqueous medium by the effect of a surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). During polymerization of aniline in SDS medium, large and agglomerated micelle–polymer structures are formed (supported by TEM and DLS) resulting in high viscosity of the medium. On application of steady shear micellar entanglements are ruptured and the system exhibits yield properties followed by shear thinning. From the frequency dependence of storage and loss modulii ( G′ and G″) it seems that the system behaves more like a viscous fluid rather than an elastic liquid. Carrying out the same experiments on another dispersion in which PAn is stabilized by dodecyl benzenesulphonic acid (DBSA), very different viscoelastic response was received. DBSA molecules become counter-ions to PAn chains and this way large and interconnected PAn–DBSA structures are formed by mutual sharing of DBSA anions and PAn chains. This system therefore, exhibits gel like properties and encounters a gel to sol transition at larger deformation. Detailed studies have established that PAn–SDS is a stabilized dispersion that resembles entangled polymeric solutions to some extent while PAn–DBSA is a partially flocculated system. Therefore, rheological response of the system is mainly governed by the mutual orientation of PAn with respect to the micelles rather than the individual properties of the components. None of these systems, however, follow the established Maxwell’s model and a single relaxation time is not obtained. Rather, Rouse model of multiple relaxation times is partially applicable to PAn–SDS dispersion.

Substrate effect on Dynamic Indentation Measurement of Biological Cell Properties

AbstractViscoelastic mechanical properties of biological cells are commonly measured using atomic force microscope (AFM) dynamic indentation method with spherical tips. Storage and loss modulii of cells are then computed from the indentation force-displacement response under dynamic loading conditions. It is shown in current numerical simulations that those modulii computed based on existing analysis can not reflect the true values due to the substrate effect. This effect can alter the indentation modulus by changing the geometric relations between the indentation displacement and the contact area. Typically, the cell modulii are significantly overestimated in the existing indentation analysis.

Gelatinisation and Rheological Characteristics of Minor Millet Flours

Gelatinisation characteristics and rheological behaviour of minor millet flours of foxtail millet (Sestaria italia), little millet (Panicum miliare), poroso millet (Panicum miliaceum), kodo millet (Paspalum sorobiculatum), finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and barnyard millet (Echinochola colona) were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic shear studies. In the differential scanning calorimetry study, samples were heated at the rate of 10 °C min−1 from 10 to 140 °C and cooled back to 20 °C at the same rate. Onset, peak and conclusion temperatures in °C and gelatinisation enthalpies in kJ kg−1 were obtained. Storage and loss modulii G′ and G″, phase angle δ and viscosity were measured for the flours at 5% (by weight) concentration. The results from thermograms indicate that foxtail millet yielded a higher gelatinisation range of 28·4 °C (101·8–73·4 °C) followed by 17 °C for finger millet and little millet, a lower range of 12 °C. Other flours yielded a range around 13 °C. The data obtained from rheogram indicated that viscosity of all millet flours studied increased during heating, started decreasing just before holding, again increased during the start of the cooling cycle. The viscosity values observed ranged from 0·058 to 0·288, 0·249 to 0·419, 0·333 to 0·705, 0·209 to 0·953, 0·001 to 0·493 and 0·055 to 0·220 Pa s, for the little, barnyard, finger, kodo, poroso and foxtail millets, respectively. The storage modulus was higher than the loss modulus at all stages during heating, holding and cooling of the sample, showing that the paste has a tendency to behave like weak gel. The storage modulus ranged from 3·97 to 15·5, 10·6 to 112, 16·3 to 56·8, 5·90 to 39·2, 14·9 to 68·1 and 2·55 to 20·8 Pa and the loss modulus ranged from 0·365 to 1·81, 1·56 to 2·63, 1·93 to 4·43, 1·31 to 6 and 0·06 to 2·9 Pa, for the flours of little, barnyard, finger, kodo, poroso and foxtail millets, respectively. The phase angle values which give information about the phase shift during heating/cooling cycle showed a very broad range. The values of phase angle ranged from 2·7 to 14, 1·1 to 9, 3·7 to 9·9, 6·7 to 19·3, 0·3 to 8·4 and 1·1 to 12·8 degrees for the flours of little, barnyard, finger, kodo, poroso and foxtail millets, respectively.

Rheological Characterisation of Electrosterically Dispersed Alumina Suspensions During In Situ Coagulation

A near‐net shape route for the production of advanced ceramic components has been developed that uses carboxylic acid derivatives as coagulants to achieve the destabilization of electrosterically dispersed high solids content ceramic suspensions via pH modification driving the suspension towards its IEP. In the present work, the effect of the time‐dependent in situ hydrolysis of the coagulant, d‐gulonic‐γ‐lactone, on the progressive destabilization of the precursor suspension to form highly viscous pastes has been characterized rheologically. The macroscopically determined dynamic storage and loss modulii, G′ and G″, obtained during oscillatory investigations have been found to be sensitive rheological parameters that describe the structural changes occurring at a microscopic level within the material. The progression of coagulation has been found to be critically dependent on the coagulant concentration and suspension temperature. Increasing either of these variables greatly accelerates the extent and rate of coagulation. Furthermore, with judicious control over them, coagulation characteristics approaching idealized behavior can be obtained.

Investigation of cure kinetics and its effect on adhesion strength of nonconductive adhesives used in flip chip assembly

The reaction kinetics of a commercial fast cure nonconductive adhesive has been systematically investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. Samples were isothermally cured at temperatures from 120 to 160/spl deg/C and dynamically cured at ramp rates between 5 and 20/spl deg/C/min. A good agreement between the autocatalytic kinetic model prediction and experimental results was demonstrated. Deviation occurred at high degrees of cure for curing below 140/spl deg/C due to the occurrence of vitrification. Additionally, by comparing the dynamic cure prediction with the isothermal experiment, good agreements and equivalence were demonstrated. As such, it is possible to predict the isothermal reaction behavior of fast cure materials at high temperature provided that the variation between the actual temperature of the heating system and the setting temperature is not large. Furthermore, the effect of curing process on the adhesion strength has been demonstrated by testing the shear strength of lap joint specimens. It was found that the evolution of adhesion strength was largely dependent on the buildup of mechanical properties during the curing process. At low and medium degrees of cure, cohesive and adhesive failures were respectively observed, while at high degrees of cure, adhesion strength surpassing the shear strength of the solder mask was observed. The sharp increase in adhesion strength was observed to coincide with the gelation point marked by the crossover between the storage and loss modulii, thus suggesting that the contributors to adhesion strength include mechanical interlocking as well as chemical bonding, as evidenced by buildup of storage modulus and mechanical strength of the adhesive.

Dynamic mechanical analysis of electron beam irradiated sulphur vulcanized nitrile rubber network—some unique features

Mixed crosslinking system with electron beam irradiation as one of the crosslinkers in rubber has been developed for the first time. This paper describes some unique features of dynamic mechanical properties of the electron beam irradiated nitrile rubber vulcanizates at varying levels of sulphur in the network. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was performed on these vulcanizates over a range of temperatures (−80°C to +80°C), frequencies (0.032 to 32 Hz) and strains (0.001 to 10%). The results showed that there were significant changes in tan delta peak temperature and storage modulus on irradiation of these vulcanizates. The vulcanizates containing higher amount of sulphur formed intense crosslinked networks and crosslink rearrangements, which were supported by the increase in the storage modulus and shift in tan delta towards higher temperature as compared to their control counterpart. There is also an increase in the peak height due to chain scission and subsequent plasticization. A concept of network distribution using the plots of the storage modulus ratio divided by frequency against inverse of frequency was introduced. This contravening nature was also affirmed with the help of these curves showing broader network distribution for irradiated samples having lower amount of sulphur. This was also supported from the crossover frequency values estimated from the plot of storage and loss modulii against frequencies observed.

Microscopic structure of gelatin coacervates

Microscopic structure of simple coacervates of gelatin having concentration ∼130 g/l were studied at 25 °C by atomic force microscopy (AFM), rheology, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), UV absorption and circular dichroism (CD) techniques. The behavior of viscoelastic exponents Δ′ and Δ″ of storage and loss modulii ( G′( ω) ∼ ω Δ ′ , G″( ω) ∼ ω Δ ″ ) revealed that, Δ′ = 0.25 ± 0.01 and Δ″ = 0.78 ± 0.1 for coacervates. The mass fractal dimension ‘ d f’ for coacervate was found to be 2.27, which attributed a compact heterogeneous network structure to the coacervates. This is supported by AFM pictures. The CD and UV absorption data indicated presence of helical structures inside the coacervates phase. SANS results showed the existence of a single length scale associated with this system identified as gelatin persistence length, ζ = 27 ± 2 Å. These studies indicate that the coacervate phase is a low dimensional dense heterogeneous material comprised of strongly interconnected triple helices which imparts a large storage modulus to this material.

Effect of Phthalocyanine Blue Pigment on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of polypropylene copolymers

AbstractSamples of two commercial polypropylene copolymers, one a random copolymer and the other a block copolymer, containing 0–8wt.% phthalocyanine blue pigment were injection moulded using mould temperatures of 40d̀C to 80d̀C. Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) analysis showed the presence of different crystalline phases in each polymer, the amount of each phase changing with increasing pigment loading. With these changes in the crystalline phases there was a progressive increase in tensile modulus, storage modulus (E') and glass transition temperature (Tg) for both copolymers. Impact performance of both pigmented copolymers decreased with an increase in pigment loading and mould temperature, with the most dramatic result shown for the random copolymer. These impact results were mirrored by the fall in loss modulii of both copolymers with increasing pigment loading.