11/04/2021
By Sokny Long

The College of Engineering, Department of Plastic Engineering, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Varun Venoor on "Analyzing the Influence of Moisture In Transparent Polyamide And Its Composites.”

Ph.D. Candidate: Varun Venoor
Defense Date: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021
Time: 3 to 4 p.m. EST
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact the student, varun_venoor@student.uml.edu, and committee advisor, david_kazmer@uml.edu, at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Chair (Advisor): David Kazmer, Professor, Department of Plastic Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Margaret Sobkowicz, Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Jay Hoon Park, Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Jo Ann Ratto, Deputy Director DEVCOM, Materials Engineer, The Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC SC), Natick

Brief Abstract:
Due to the well-known hygroscopic nature of polyamides, moisture penetrates the polymer matrix. The effect of sorbed water on polymers' structure and physical properties is not negligibly small and sometimes irreversible. Furthermore, during processing, the water content significantly influences the viscosity and continued molecular weight growth in the melt due to the recombination reaction. Time-dependent linear-viscoelastic properties of the amorphous polyamide with varying initial moisture content showed an exponential increase with time. This research bridges the gap via rheological analysis and controlled devolatilization during twin-screw extrusion of transparent polyamide (TrogamidTM CX) to study the influence of water.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend the online defense via remote access.