Polypropylene filled with flame retardant fillers: mechanical and fracture properties

Two grades of isotactic polypropylene (homopolymer and block copolymer) were filled with magnesium and aluminium hydroxides, and studied focusing the mechanical and fracture characteristics of the composites. As expected, dispersion of such fillers in PP resulted in improved stiffness and reduced tensile yield strength. By one hand, the composites fracture resistance was characterised at low strain rate applying the J‐integral concept; the resistance to crack growth initiation (J_IC) was found decreasing as the Mg(OH)₂ concentration was raised in the copolymer PP matrix. By the other hand, the linear‐elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) parameters were determined by means of instrumented impact tests at 1 m/s on the homopolymer PP filled with uncoated Al(OH)₃ particles. The higher the Al(OH)₃ mean particle size, the lower the composite fracture energy (G_IC). In the opposite, with commercial surface‐coated filler grades it was not possible to achieve LEFM conditions to characterise the fracture toughness of filled PP at 1 m/s, because the Mg(OH)₂ surface coating, which is applied in practice to improve the melt processing, acts increasing the composite plasticity and reducing the tensile yield strength.     

PMMA Based Nanocomposites Filled with Modified CaCO3 Nanoparticles

PMMA based nanocomposites filled with calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO₃) have been prepared by in situ polymerization approach. In order to improve inorganic nanofillers/polymer compatibility, PBA chains have been grafted onto CaCO₃ nanoparticle surface. Morphological analysis performed on nanocomposite fractured surfaces has revealed that the CaCO₃ modification induces homogeneous and fine dispersion of nanoparticles into PMMA as well as strong interfacial adhesion between the two phases. Mechanical tests have shown that both unmodified and modified CaCO₃ are responsible for an increase of the Young's Modulus, whereas only PBA-grafted nanoparticles allow to keep unchanged impact strength, strongly deteriorated by adding unmodified CaCO₃. Finally, the presence of CaCO₃ nanoparticles significantly improves the abrasion resistance of PMMA also modifying its wear mechanism.     

Crystallisation behaviour and mechanical properties of HDPE/EPDM blends

The crystallisation behaviour of binary blends of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene-propylene-diene tercopolymer (EPDM) was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction studies (WAXS). The rate of crystallization and nucleation of HDPE was influenced by the addition of EPDM. The% crystallinity (WAXS) increased up to 25% (w/w) addition of EPDM to HDPE. A significant improvement in tensile and impact properties was observed upon addition of EPDM to HDPE.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels Differential-Scanning-Kalorimetrie (DSC) und Weitwinkelröntgendiffraktion (WAXS) wurde das Kristallisationsverhalten von binären Gemischen aus hochverdichtetem Polyäthylen (HDPE) und Äthylen-Propylen-Dien Trikopolymer (EPDM) untersucht. Die Geschwindigkeit von Kristallisation und Keimbildung von HDPE wird durch Zusatz von EPDM beeinfluß. Die prozentuelle Kristallinität wuchs bis zu einer Zugabe von 25 Gewichtsprozenten EPDM zu HDPE an. Bei Zusatz von EPDM zu HDPE konnte eine eindeutige Verbesserung der Zug- und Stoßfestigkeitseigenschaften festgestellt werden.

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The mechanical properties of surface treated UHMWPE fibers and TiO2 reinforced PMMA composite

Mechanical properties of hybrid PMMA composites reinforced with UHMWPE fiber and nano‐titanium dioxide (2, 4, 6, and 8 wt%) was investigated. In this work, the effect of UHMWPE fiber surface treatment on tensile, flexural, and impact properties of PMMA composites was studied. The fiber loadings were varied from 0% to 20%. The addition of UHMWPE fiber had caused a decline in the tensile strength of the PMMA composite. Results revealed that the presence of titanium dioxide on the surface treated UHMWPE fiber has further enhanced the efficiency of stress transfer from the matrix to the fiber thus improved the interfacial adhesion between the UHMWPE fiber and PMMA matrix.     

The Characterization of Organic Modified Montmorillonite and Its Filled PMMA Nanocomposite

Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)results of commercial montmorillonite were compared to that exchanged with trimethyloctadecyl quaternary ammonium chloride (SCPX2048), both were treated up to500°C. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF/MS) results of SCPX2048 trapped under300 and 500°C were compared with that of N,N,Ntrimethyl-1-dodecanammonium chloride(A 18-50) trapped under 200 and 300°C. The degradation mechanism of organic modified montmorillonite was proposed. PMMA-clay nanocomposite was synthesized through intercalation method and its properties were examined by both TG and DSC techniques. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature of montmorillonite filled PMMA increase comparing with that of the pure PMMA. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Rheological,mechanical and morphological properties of thermoplastic vulcanizates based on NR‐g‐PMMA/PMMA blends

Graft copolymer of natural rubber and poly(methyl methacrylate) (NR‐g‐PMMA) was prepared using semi‐batch emulsion polymerization technique via bipolar redox initiation system. It was found that the grafted PMMA increased with the increase of methyl methacrylate (MMA) concentration used in the graft copolymerization. The NR‐g‐PMMA was later used to prepare thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) by blending with PMMA through dynamic vulcanization technique. Conventional vulcanization (CV) and efficient sulphur vulcanization (EV) systems were studied. It was found that the CV system provided polymer melt with lower shear stress and viscosity at a given shear rate. This causes ease of processability of the TPVs via extrusion and injection molding processes. Furthermore, the TPVs with the CV system showed higher ultimate tensile strength and elongation. The results correspond to the morphological properties of the TPVs. That is, finer dispersion of the small vulcanized rubber particles were observed in the PMMA matrix. Various blend ratios of the NR‐g‐PMMA/PMMA blends using various types of NR‐g‐PMMA (i.e. prepared using various percentage molar ratios of NR and MMA) were later studied via dynamic vulcanization by a conventional sulphur vulcanization system. It was found that increasing the level of PMMA caused increasing trend of the tensile strength and hardness properties but decreasing level of elongation properties. Increasing level of the grafted PMMA in NR molecules showed the same trend of mechanical properties as in the case of increasing concentration of PMMA used as a blend component. From morphological studies, two phase morphologies were observed with a continuous PMMA phase and dispersed elastomeric phase. It was also found that more finely dispersed elastomeric phase was obtained with increasing the grafted PMMA in the NR molecules. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancing the thermal and mechanical properties of PMMA using zinc carbazone complex as the initiator

A convincing mechanistic role that lies behind the elevation of thermal indicative parameters when using Zn carbazone as the initiator for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer. The overall results summed up decisively that increasing concentration of the complex had led to an increase in the glass transition temperature, eliminated the scission of the head-to-head linkage, and the unsaturated end chains scissions. Improvements of the PMMA thermal parameters are thought to have arisen due to role played by the Zn carbazone in increasing the polymer stereospecificity. Tensile testing shows that there is a strong relation between the thermal and mechanical properties of PMMA.     

Effects of incorporation of modified silica nanoparticles on the mechanical and thermal properties of PMMA

Silica nanoparticles of various sizes have been incorporated by melt compounding in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix to enhance its thermal and mechanical properties. In order to improve nanoparticles dispersion, PMMA grafted particles have been prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from well-defined silica nanoparticles. This strategy was expected to ensure compatibility between both components of the PMMA nanocomposites. TEM analysis have been performed to evaluate the nanosilica dispersion whereas modified and non-modified silica/PMMA nanocomposites thermal stability and mechanical properties have been investigated by both thermogravimetric and dynamical mechanical analysis.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of electrospun PMMA,PVC, Nylon 6, and Nylon 6,6

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), Nylon 6, and Nylon 6,6 have been electrospun successfully. The nanofibers have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirming the presence of bead free and fiber‐bead free morphologies. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated differences between the thermal stability of PMMA nanofibers and PMMA powder. However, no significant differences were observed between the starting physical form (powder or pellet) of PVC, Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6, and their corresponding electrospun nanofibers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated a lower glass transition temperature (T_g) and water absorption for PMMA electrospun nanofibers. Furthermore, electrospun Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 had a slight decrease in crystallinity. Tensile testing was performed on the electrospun nanofibers to obtain the Young modulus, peak stress, strain at break, and energy to break, revealing that the non‐woven mats obtained had modest mechanical properties that need to be enhanced. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cellulose nanofibre enabled natural rubber composites: Microstructure,curing behaviour and dynamic mechanical properties

Traditional rubber industries rely heavily on petroleum-based materials, such as carbon black (CB). The present study aims at mitigating the environmental challenges, through partial replacement of CB, while simultaneously consuming an easily accessible agricultural waste. Accordingly, cellulose nanofibre (CNF) was extracted from wheat-straw using chemo-mechanical process, which in-turn was used for fabrication of CNF enabled rubber nanocomposites. Microstructural observation of CNF confirmed nanometric defibrillation of cellulose. A variety of tests were performed on the nanocomposites towards exploring their structure-property correlations, curing-behaviour, thermal degradability and mechanical (static and dynamic) properties. Overall, considerable enhancement in properties such as tensile strength and strain energy density could be realized, owing to synergistic use of CNF and CB in rubber, allowing for replacement of up to 15 phr CB. These were further augmented by significant improvements in dynamic rolling-resistance, traction and stress-softening behaviour. The results were especially significant, considering that the improvements could be achieved without any modification of CNF surface, thereby establishing its potential for development of environment friendly rubber nanocomposites.     

Methanol transport in PMMA: The effect of mechanical deformation

The effect of cold work on the transport of liquid methanol in crosslinked PMMA disks has been determined at temperatures from 35–56°C. Deformed samples absorb at fast rates with kinetics that approach those of Fickian diffusion. Undeformed samples sorb at lower rates and the kinetics tend toward those of Case II transport. Shape recovery accompanied swelling in deformed samples. Samples saturated with methanol were desorbed in cyclohexanol. Resorption of desorbed samples showed fast rates for both deformed and undeformed samples and matched those of the absorption cycle in deformed samples. An analogy is made between the microstructure due to cold work and due to swelling.     

The colloidal behaviour of kraft lignin III. Swelling behaviour and mechanical properties of kraft lignin gels

Summary Kraft lignin gels have been synthesized by cross-linking kraft lignin (Indulin ATR) in water with varying amounts of epichlorohydrin under alkaline conditions. The effects of pH and salt concentration on the swelling behaviour and on the mechanical properties of these gels have been investigated.Swelling was determined gravimetrically and the mechanical properties of the gels were tested under uni-axial compressive creep in the time interval 1–900 s. The gels show a linear viscoelastic behaviour without viscous flow.The kraft lignin gels exhibit a swelling behaviour typical for polyelectrolytic networks, i. e. the degree of swelling increases with an increasing number of ionized groups and decreases with increasing salt concentration. The swelling behaviour and ion exchange capacity were found to be nonspecific towards type of alkaline solution (LiOH, NaOH, and KOH).The ability of the carboxylic groups to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds has a strong influence on the mechanical properties of the gels. Creep compliance and creep rate increase greatly when the carboxyl groups are dissociated. It is therefore concluded that the effective number of crosslinks in the networks in addition to chemical cross-linking is also dependent on the state of dissociation of the carboxylic groups.With 11 figures and 1 table     

Ternary structure design based on hydrogen bonding for transparent and flame retardant PMMA with good mechanical properties

The synthesis of intrinsic flame retardant copolymer by copolymerization with reactive flame retardants is the most potential method to prepare transparent and flame retardant poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at present,but the main challenge of this method is that the copolymer usually has poor mechanical properties and heat resistance. In this work, the hydrogen bond enhancement strategy is adopted, and the flame retardant PMMA with excellent comprehensive properties is obtained by ternary copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) as matrix unit, diethyl (methacryloyloxymethyl) phosphonate (DEP) as flame retardant unit and methacrylamide (MAA) as hydrogen bond unit. Due to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bond via MAA unit, the storage modulus, flexural strength and impact strength of the terpolymer containing 15 mol% MAA are 48%, 19%, and 24% higher than those of the copolymer of MMA and DEP, and its hardness, glass transition temperature and load thermal deformation temperature (increased by 7°C) are also superior. Moreover, owing to the gas-phase dilution and charring flame retardancy of MAA unit, the terpolymer shows increased limiting oxygen index (24.3%) and UL94 rating (V-1). This work not only provides a promising flame retardant PMMA for practical application, but also offers a new strategy to design flame retardant polymers with good mechanical properties.     

The effect of silica nanoparticles on the morphology, mechanical properties and thermal degradation kinetics of PMMA

Silica-PMMA nanocomposites with different silica quantities were prepared by a melt compounding method. The effect of silica amount, in the range 1-5 wt.%, on the morphology, mechanical properties and thermal degradation kinetics of PMMA was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹³C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C{¹H} CP-MAS NMR) and measures of proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T_1ρ(H)), in the laboratory frame (T₁(H)) and cross-polarization times (T_CH). Results showed that silica nanoparticles are well dispersed in the polymeric matrix whose structure remains amorphous. The degradation of the polymer occurs at higher temperature in the presence of silica because of the interaction between the two components.     

Interfacial behaviour and mechanical properties of spread lung surfactant protein/lipid layers

The surface behaviour of spread dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC), lung surfactant protein C (SP-C), and their mixtures were characterised using a captive bubble surfactometer. The surface tension was determined by using axisymmetric bubble shape analysis. Surface dilatational rheological behaviour was characterised by sinusoidal oscillation of the bubble volume and at frequencies 0.006-0.025 Hz. The pi/A isotherms of DPPC, SP-C, and their mixtures were described with a generalised equation of state. Monolayer cycling of mixed DPPC/SP-C layers yields isotherms with a plateau in the range of 50-53 mN/m. When the surface pressure becomes higher SP-C is squeezed out of the film, but it re-enters the film upon expansion. Surface dilatational elasticities of DPPC films had a maximum at about 30 mN/m. At higher surface pressures, the films became brittle and the elasticity decreased. A slightly pronounced maximum was found at a surface pressure exceeding 55 mN/m. The dilatational viscosity had two distinct maxima, corresponding with those in the elasticity curves, i.e. one before the minimum area demand, and one in the range of over-compression. This was explained by the formation of a second ordered complex structure in the range of film over-compression. SP-C films show continuously increasing dilatational elasticities and viscosities with a maximum at f approximately 0.02 Hz. Mixed monolayers, DPPC+2 mol% SP-C, had dilatational elasticities increasing with surface pressure. In contrast to DPPC alone, an elasticity maximum appeared in the range of the squeeze out plateau. The dilatational viscosity had two distinct maxima as observed for DPPC, whereas the maximum before the squeeze out plateau is very broad like that of SP-C. The viscosity decreased for frequencies higher 0.02 Hz favouring elastic properties of the film. Our data provide experimental evidence that SP-C mixed with DPPC yield higher elasticities and viscosities as compared with films formed by the single components. This behaviour is likely to support breathing cycles, especially for the turn from inspiration to expiration and vice versa.     

稀土PMMA包裹硅铝氧烷凝胶填充天然橡胶的抗疲劳作用

用聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（PMMA）对水玻璃、硝酸铝和α－甲基丙烯酸形成的硅铝氧烷溶胶进行包裹，得到PMMA包裹的硅铝氧烷凝胶，同时在反应过程中用稀土离子进行掺杂，得到的稀土掺杂PMMA微囊粉末填充到天然橡胶之中，经力学性能分析发现杨氏模量普遍提高，抗疲劳效果显著，一万次伸张疲劳后，拉伸强度的保持率比参照样品提高两倍以上。     

Enhanced fracture toughness and mechanical properties of epoxy resin with rice husk-based nano-silica

This paper reports a novel approach to toughen epoxy resin with nano-silica fabricated from rice husk using a thermal treatment method with a particle size distribution in range of 40–80 nm. The nano-silica content was in the range, 0.03–0.10 phr, with respect to epoxy. The mechanical test showed that with the addition of 0.07 phr of rice husk based nano-silica, the fracture toughness of the neat epoxy resin increased 16.3% from 0.61 to 0.71 MPa m^1/2. The dynamic mechanical analysis test results showed that the glass transition temperature (T _g) of a 0.07 phr nano-silica dispersion in epoxy resin shifted to a higher temperature from 140 to 147°C compared to neat epoxy resin. SEM further showed that the nano-silica particles dispersed throughout the epoxy resin prevented and altered the path of crack growth along with a change in the fracture surface morphology of cured epoxy resin.     

PC/ABS blends: Compatibilization and mechanical behaviour

PC/ABS(M) blends, encompassing the whole composition range between pure PC and ABS(M), were prepared by melt-mixing in a Brabender-like apparatus. Thermal, mechanical and impact tests were performed on compression moulded specimens. Inward Tg shifts were detected for PC and ABS(M) in the blends with respect to pure PC and ABS(M) values, indicating an interaction between the component domains. This finding was confirmed by the comparison of the experimental tensile moduli with the Kernels model predictions, showing an evidence of a good adhesion between the phases. A synergistic effect was observed for the impact strength as well as for the maximum stress at an ABS(M) blend content of about 25 weight %. All the results are interpreted on the basis of an interlayer existing at the boundary between the PC and ABS phases. A preliminary investigation on the influence of the ABS internal composition, keeping constant all the other conditions (mixing, processing, specimen preparation), was carried out as well. Differences in the properties of PC/ABS(M) and PC/ABS(B) blends are thoroughly discussed. The compatibility between PC and ABS domains seems to be scarcely influenced by such a parameter in these blends.