Thermal properties in cured natural rubber/styrene butadiene rubber blends

Blends of natural rubber (NR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) were prepared with sulfur and n-t-butyl-2-benzothiazole sulfonamide (TBBS) as accelerator, varying the amount of each polymer in the blend. Samples were analysed by rheometer curing at 433 K until their maximum torque was reached. The miscibility among the constituent polymers of the cured compounds was studied in a broad range of temperatures by means of differential scanning calorimetry, analyzing the glass transition temperatures of the samples. The specific heat capacity of the compounds was also determined. Thermal diffusivity of the samples was measured in the temperature range from 130 to 400 K with a new device that performs measurements in vacuum. The thermal results are explained on the basis of the structure formed during the vulcanization of the samples considering the variation of the crosslink density of each phase. Finally, a serial thermal conduction model that takes into account the contribution of each phase to the thermal diffusivity was used to fit the experimental results.     

Thermal properties of compatibilized and filled natural rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends

The thermal behaviour of natural rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NR/NBR) was studied using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in terms of blend ratio, crosslinking systems, fillers and compatibilizer (neoprene) were analyzed. The presence of NBR markedly increases the thermal stability of their blends and it lies in between NR and NBR. DSC studies revealed the thermodynamic immiscibility of the NR/NBR blends by the presence of two distinct glass transition temperatures and the immiscibility was prominent even in the presence of a compatibilizer.     

Morphology and mechanical and viscoelastic properties of natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber latex blends

The morphology and mechanical and viscoelastic properties of a series of blends of natural rubber (NR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) latex blends were studied in the uncrosslinked and crosslinked state. The morphology of the NR/SBR blends was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The morphology of the blends indicated a two phase structure in which SBR is dispersed as domains in the continuous NR matrix when its content is less than 50%. A cocontinuous morphology was obtained at a 50/50 NR/SBR ratio and phase inversion was seen beyond 50% SBR when NR formed the dispersed phase. The mechanical properties of the blends were studied with special reference to the effect of the blend ratio, surface active agents, vulcanizing system, and time for prevulcanization. As the NR content and time of prevulcanization increased, the mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, modulus, elongation at break, and hardness increased. This was due to the increased degree of crosslinking that leads to the strengthening of the 3‐dimensional network. In most cases the tear strength values increased as the prevulcanization time increased. The mechanical data were compared with theoretical predictions. The effects of the blend ratio and prevulcanization on the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends were investigated at different temperatures and frequencies. All the blends showed two distinct glass‐transition temperatures, indicating that the system is immiscible. It was also found that the glass‐transition temperatures of vulcanized blends are higher than those of unvulcanized blends. The time–temperature superposition and Cole–Cole analysis were made to understand the phase behavior of the blends. The tensile and tear fracture surfaces were examined by a scanning electron microscope to gain an insight into the failure mechanism. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2189–2211, 2000     

Thermal characterization of dental composites by TG/DTG and DSC

Dental composites can be improved by heat treatment, as a possible way to increase mechanical properties due to additional cure (post-cure). Direct dental composites are essentially similar to the indirect ones, supposing they have the same indication. Therefore, to establish a heat treatment protocol for direct composites, using as indirect (photoactivated by continuous and pulse-delay techniques), a characterization (TG/DTG and DSC) is necessary to determine parameters, such as mass loss by thermal decomposition, heat of reaction and glass transition temperature (T _g). By the results of this study, a heat treatment could be carried out above 160 °C (above T _g, and even higher than the endset exothermic event) and under 180 °C (temperature of significant initial mass loss).     

Dehydration behavior of FGD gypsum by simultaneous TG and DSC analysis

The dehydration behaviors of FGD gypsums from three power plants were investigated at N₂ atmosphere (autogenous and negligible partial pressure of water, P_{\textH 2 \textO} P_{{{\text{H}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}}} ) in non-isothermal and isothermal condition. The dehydration of gypsum proceeded through one step, i.e., CaSO₄·2H₂O → γ-CaSO₄ (γ-anhydrite) or two steps, i.e., CaSO₄·2H₂O → CaSO₄·0.5H₂O (hemihydrate) → γ-CaSO₄ depending on temperature and P_{\textH 2 \textO} P_{{{\text{H}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}}} . The discrepancies of three FGD gypsums on dehydration behavior were very likely due to the different crystalline characteristics (size and habit) and impurities, such as fly ash and limestone. Experimental data of non-isothermal analysis have been fitted with two ‘model-free’ kinetic methods and those of isothermal analysis have been fitted with Avrami and linear equation. The apparent empirical activation energies (E _a) suggest that the transition from gypsum to hemihydrate is mainly controlled by nucleation and growth mechanism, while the transition from gypsum to γ-anhydrite is mostly followed by phase boundary mechanism.     

Thermal analyses of home-made zeolite by DSC and TG

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and greenhouse gases are the main factors involved in pollution control and global warming. Various treatment methods involving incineration, adsorption, etc., have been employed to reduce VOCs and greenhouse gases concentration in the operating environment and atmosphere. Activated carbon, zeolite, silica gel, and alumina have been broadly used to adsorb pollutants in various industrial applications. Based on the promising effect of adsorption, we analyzed and identified the thermal phenomena of home-made zeolite using various instruments. The endothermic reaction under 100?°C of home-made zeolite was identified as steam adsorption, which is an important discovery. The optimal adsorption temperatures of home-made zeolite have been determined at 200?C550?°C.     

Thermal analysis study of some transition metal complexes by TG and DSC methods

The thermodynamic and thermal properties of [Cu(L)₂·Cl₂], [Ni(L)₂]·Cl₂, [Co(L)₂·Cl₂]; L=1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane (BAFE), complexes have been investigated. The thermal decomposition of the complexes took place in two distinct steps in endothermic reaction up to 700°C. The activation energy E, the entropy change S ^#, enthalpy H change and Gibbs free energy change G ^# were calculated from the results of thermogravimetry analysis (TG) and heat capacity from the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the thermal stabilities and activation energies of the complexes follow the order Ni(II)>Cu(II)>Co(II) and E _Co<E _Ni<E _Cu, respectively.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Prevulcanized natural rubber latex/clay aerogel nanocomposites

Natural rubber latex (NR)/clay aerogel nanocomposites were produced via freeze-drying technique. The pristine clay (sodium montmorillonite) was introduced in 1-3 parts per hundred rubber (phr) in order to study the effect of clay in the NR matrix. The dispersion of the layered clay and the morphology of the nanocomposites were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Cure characteristics, thermal stability, and the crosslink density of thermal and microwave-cured NR and its composites were investigated. XRD patterns indicated that both intercalated and exfoliated structures were observed at loadings of 1-3 phr clay. SEM studies revealed that the clay aerogel structure was formed at 3 phr clay loading. The increment in Shore A hardness of nanocomposites compared with pure NR signified excellent polymer/filler interaction and the reinforcing effect of the clay to rubber matrix. This was supported by an increase in maximum rheometric torque and crosslink density. The crosslink density of clay-filled NR vulcanizate was found to increase with the pristine clay content in both thermal and microwave curing methods. However, microwave-cured 2 and 3 phr-filled NR vulcanizates exhibited higher crosslink density than those which were thermal-cured under the same curing temperature. In addition, thermal stability studies showed that pristine clay accelerated the decomposition of NR by showing a slight decrease in onset and peak decomposition temperatures along with clay content.     

Compatibilized natural rubber/recycled ethylene-propylene-diene rubber blends by biocompatibilizer

Biocompatibilizer-based refined, bleached, deodorized palm stearin was successfully used as compatibilizer for natural rubber/recycled ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (NR/R-EPDM) blends. It seems effective in improving the state of cure, tensile properties, as well as the swelling resistance and morphology of the blends, indicating an improvement in compatibility between the NR matrix and R-EPDM rendered by biocompatibilizer. This was clearly verified by the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends. The dynamic responses obtained were clearly corresponding to the swelling result. It proves that the cross-link density plays a major role in the changes of storage modulus and degree of entanglement.     

Thermal reactions of polyethylene with coal (TG/DSC approach)

Thermal reactions of polyethylene with coal were studied. Coal used exhibited an endothermal effect in the temperature range of 425-495°C with a flat maximum (about 460°C). In contrast, polyethylene alone was decomposed in the temperature range of 420-540°C (mainly of 485-540°C) with the significant DSC maximum at 510°C. In the presence of coal this maximum shifted to lower temperature (483°C), therefore, coal promoted the decomposition of polyethylene. As decomposition of polyethylene yields alkenes and alkadienes, the thermal reaction of polyethylene with coal under low temperature conditions can be described as two-stage process in which the first stage includes the decomposition of polyethylene giving unsaturated hydrocarbons and the second stage adsorption and hydrogenation of these products (mainly by coal hydrogen) on the inner surfaces of semicoke and coal.     

Thermal Decomposition of Hydrated Lanthanide Picrates by TG/DTG and DSC Analyses

Hydrated lanthanide picrates with a composition of: Ln(pic)₃⋅xH₂O (Ln=La–Lu, Y) were synthesized and characterized. Thermal decomposition of the picrates by TG/DTG and DSC techniques are reported. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal decomposition of two synthetic glycosides by TG,DSC and simultaneous Py-GC-MS analysis

To develop thermal stable flavor, two glycosidic bound flavor precursors, geranyl-tetraacetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (GLY-A) and geranyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (GLY-B) were synthesized by the modified Koenigs–Knorr reaction. The thermal decomposition process and pyrolysis products of the two glycosides were extensively investigated by thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and on-line pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (Py-GC-MS). TG showed the T _p of GLY-A and GLY-B were 254.6 and 275.7°C. The T _peak of GLY-A and GLY-B measured by DSC were 254.8 and 262.1°C respectively. Py-GC-MS was used for the simply qualitative analysis of the pyrolysis products at 300 and 400°C. The results indicated that: 1) A large amount of geraniol and few by-products were produced at 300°C, the by-products were significantly increased at 400°C; 2) The characteristic pyrolysis product was geraniol; 3) The primary decomposition reaction was the cleavage of O-glycosidic bound of the two glycosides flavor precursors. The study on the thermal behavior and pyrolysis products of the two glycosides showed that this kind of flavor precursors could be used for providing the foodstuff with specific flavor during heating process.     

Thermal analysis of Moroccan phosphates 'Youssoufia' in an oxidative atmosphere by TG and DSC

A non-isothermal experimental study using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was conducted for investigation the oxidation reactivity of natural phosphate and its demineralised products. The analyses were carried out in oxygen atmosphere and at different heating rate (5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60°C min-1) up to 1000°C. The results indicated that the material washed with HCl from the original phosphate, mainly apatite and carbonates of calcium and magnesium, as well as with HCl/HF, silicates minreals, had an inhibition effect during oxidation reactions of organic material. The increase of the heating rate shifted the reactions to higher temperatures. In addition, kinetic parameters were determined by assuming a single first-order kinetic model, using the Coats-Redfern method. The influences of demineralization process of natural phosphate and the heating rate were examined and discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Detection of compatibility of some rubber blends by DSC

The compatibility of some technically important polymer blends, namely BR/NR, NR/NBR and CR/NBR, has been investigated using the DSC method. In addition, dynamic mechanical measurements have been carried out for the NR/NBR blends over the frequency range of 10^–4 Hz –200 Hz and temperatures ranging from –70 to +70°C.The results obtained show that the three rubber blends are not compatible over the entire composition range as proven by the DSC and mechanical measurements. By analyzing the heat capacity increases at the glass transitions of the separate phases in the NR/BR blend, it was possible to suggest the presence of a limited compatibility at the boundaries of the two phases.By comparing this work with prior measurements, it was possible to conclude that the calorimetric method is a more efficient tool for the study of compatibility of polymer blends when compared to ultrasonic and viscosity methods.Furthermore, it was found that polymers that show compatibility when measured with an ultrasonic method could behave compatible, semicompatible or incompatible when analyzed by DSC. On the other hand, blends that show incompatibility by the ultrasonic method are always incompatible by the DSC method.Dedicated to Professor Wunderlich on the occasion of his 65th birthdayWe are grateful to Prof. Dr. W. Pechhold for stimulating and promoting this work and thanks due to colleagues at the Department of Applied Physics and Section of Calorimetry, Ulm University for their valuable help. Thanks are also extended to Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for supporting the residence of A. A. Yehia in Ulm, which gave the starting impulse to this work. A. Mansour. would like to thank the USAID for supplying the PL-DSC to the Chemistry Dept., Cairo University.     

Thermal characterization of indinavir sulfate using TG,DSC and DSC-photovisual

The object of the present work is to study the thermal characteristics of indinavir sulfate and to evaluate the quality of the raw materials. Indinavir A, B, C and reference samples were obtained from different suppliers and submitted to TG, DSC and DSC-photovisual analyses. TG/DTG curves indicated a desolvation and dehydration processes and were confirmed by DSC. According to the DSC curves the fusion took place at about 141–142°C for indinavir C and Reference sample B and about 146–149°C for the others. DSC-photovisual showed insoluble raw materials for indinavir C at 160°C. Indinavir sulfate is highly hygroscopic drug which requires attention during storage and manufacture by pharmaceutical industry.     

Study of thermal behavior of CrO3 using TG and DSC

Using two techniques of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry under O₂ and N₂ gas atmosphere from 25 to 600 °C, the thermal behavior of chromium(VI) oxide CrO₃ was investigated. The identity of products at different decomposition steps was confirmed by XRD technique. Both techniques produced similar results supporting the same steps for the compound. The received products were investigated by SEM electron microscope. The form and the size of crystals were investigated. Three distinct energy changes were observed, namely, two endothermic and one exothermic in DSC. The amount of ?H for each peak is also reported.     

POSS nanoparticles as a potential compatibilizer for natural rubber/butadiene rubber blends

In this study, it was aimed to investigate octavinyl‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OV‐POSS) incorporation into natural rubber (NR)/butadiene rubber (BR) elastomer blends as a potential compatibilizer. The effects of OV‐POSS loading levels on the thermal, mechanical, morphological, and dynamic‐mechanical properties of elastomer blends were explored. Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), Temperature Scanning Stress Relaxation (TSSR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results revealed the conceivable effect of OV‐POSS nanoparticles in the vulcanization through reacting with sulfur and/or elastomers. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), and tensile test measurements supported the improvement of mechanical properties due to homogeneous dispersion at low loading levels. On the other hand, high amount of OV‐POSS incorporation (7 and 10 phr) resulted in a decrease in mechanical properties, owing to the agglomeration of nanoparticles. According to contact angle and Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results, it could be concluded that OV‐POSS nanoparticles were localized at the interface of the elastomers and enabled the compatibilization of immiscible NR/BR blends.     

Polypyrrole-coated natural rubber latex by admicellar polymerization

Admicellar polymerization has been used for the preparation of an electrically conductive polypyrrole coating on latex particles. An anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), was adsorbed onto natural rubber (NR) latex particles to form the surfactant bilayers after adjusting the pH below the point of zero charge of the latex surface. Adsorption of SDS and pyrrole adsolubilization were determined as a function of pyrrole and sodium chloride concentrations. Pyrrole caused a decrease in SDS adsorption at equilibrium. Sodium chloride increased the surfactant adsorption and the pyrrole adsolubilization. Thermogravimetric results showed the presence of polypyrrole. The conductivity of the polypyrrole-coated NR latex film prepared by admicellar polymerization without salt was the lowest; however, with salt addition, the conductivity of the film improved significantly. The oxidative polymerization technique resulted in a relatively higher conductivity than oxidative admicellar polymerization.