Impact behavior of sugarcane bagasse waste–EVA composites

The impact performance of chopped bagasse–EVA matrix composites is evaluated and compared with the behavior of bagasse filled PP and PE matrix composites and wood-based materials. The volume fraction and size of the chopped bagasse used as filler was varied. The experimental results show that the incorporation of bagasse strongly reduces the deformation capacity of EVA polymer. The reduction of the deformation capacity of the composites was also inferred by solid-state NMR relaxation analysis. The impact strength was independent of the bagasse size, but varied with the volume fraction. As a function of the volume fraction it was shown that the mechanical performance of bagasse–EVA composites could be tailored to reproduce the behavior of wood-based particle boards.     

Rheology and stability of bitumen/EVA blends

Rheological measurements reveal that the viscoelastic properties of a 60/70 penetration grade bitumen are improved when either a virgin EVA or a recycled EVA copolymer of similar vinyl acetate content are mixed with it. Risk of cracking at low temperatures and rutting at high temperatures, are both reduced. Better viscoelastic features are obtained with the bitumen modified with recycled EVA, probably due to the presence of carbon black, which acts like a filler in this material. Stability tests performed combining oscillatory flow and microscopy results disclose that blends with the higher polymer proportion (3%) are susceptible of phase separation after 24 h of storage at 165 °C, but 1% blends are stable for at least 4 days. A general evaluation of the results indicates that the performance of this bitumen as a binder for road pavement, is particularly improved when 1% of recycled EVA or virgin EVA is added.     

Studies on the properties of EPDM–CSE blend containing HTPB for case‐bonded solid rocket motor insulation

Elastomeric blends based on ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber as a primary polymer have been investigated for the thermal insulation of case‐bonded solid rocket motors (SRMs) cast with composite propellant containing hydroxy terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as a polymeric binder. EPDM rubber found as an attractive candidate for the thermal insulation of case‐bonded SRM due to the advantages such as low specific gravity, improved ageing properties, and longer shelf life. In spite of these advantages, EPDM, a non‐polar rubber, lacks sufficient bonding with the propellant matrix. Bonding properties are found to improve when EPDM is blended with other polar rubbers like polychloroprene, chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSE), etc. This type of polar polymer when blended with EPDM rubber enhances the insulator‐to‐propellant interface bonding. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the properties of EPDM–CSE based insulator by incorporating HTPB, a polar polymer as well as a polymeric binder, as an additive to the EPDM–CSE blend by varying the HTPB concentration. Blends prepared were cured and characterized for rheological, mechanical, interface, and thermal properties to study the effect of HTPB addition. This paper reports the preliminary investigation of the properties of EPDM–CSE blend containing HTPB, as a novel and futuristic elastomeric insulation for case‐bonded SRM containing HTPB as propellant binder. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LDPE／EVA共混体系的结晶行为

本文通过DSC、WAXD、偏光显微镜、DMA等方法,对LDPE/EVA共混体系进行了研究。结果表明,EVA可使LDPE的熔融峰温提高15℃。并在LDPE结晶过程中起稀释剂作用。LDPE/EVA共混体系为非晶相相容。     

高密度聚乙烯／低密度聚乙烯／乙烯－醋酸乙烯共聚物共混体系的结晶行为

通过ＤＳＣ和ＷＡＸＤ研究了高密度聚乙烯／低密度聚乙烯／乙烯－醋酸乙烯共聚物（ＨＤＰＥ／ＬＤＰＥ／ＥＶＡ）三元共混体系的热行为和结晶性能。发现当ＨＤＰＥ含量小于４０％时，ＥＶＡ对ＬＤＰＥ起稀释剂作用，促进ＨＤＰＥ、ＬＤＰＥ的晶相分离，使ＨＤＰＥ、ＬＤＰＥ单独结晶．当ＨＤＰＥ含量高于４０％时，ＬＤＰＥ片晶进入ＨＤＰＥ晶相。形成与ＬＤＰＥ在片晶水平上的共晶。     

PEO／EVA共混物的结构研究

ＰＥＯ以分散相形式存在于ＰＥＯ／ＥＶＡ共混物中，且具有部分相容性。Ｘ－射线衍射谱表明ＥＶＡ含有较强的ＰＥ衍射峰；ＰＥＯ／ＥＶＡ共混物既表现出ＰＥ的衍射峰也含有ＰＥＯ的晶面反射。随着ＰＥＯ的Ｍｎ的增加，ＰＥＯ／ＥＶＡ的Ｗｃ、ｘ增大且于时获得最大值：ＰＥ０／ＥＶＡ的Ｗｃ、ｘ值比纯ＰＥＯ的Ｗｃ、ｘ明显降低。     

高密度聚乙烯／低密度聚乙烯／乙烯—醋酸乙烯共聚物共混体系的结晶行为

通过ＤＳＣ和ＷＡＸＤ研究了高密度聚乙烯／低密度聚乙烯／乙烯－醋酸乙烯共聚物（ＨＤＰＥ／ＬＤＰＥ／ＥＶＡ）三元共混体系的热行为和结晶性能，发现当ＨＤＰＥ含量小于４０％时，ＥＶＡ对ＬＤＰＥ起稀释剂作用，促进ＨＤＰＥ、ＬＤＰＥ的晶相分离，使ＨＤＰＥ、ＬＤＰＥ单独结晶，当ＨＤＰＥ含量高于４０％时，ＬＤＰＥ片晶入进ＨＤＰＥ晶相，形成与ＬＤＰＥ在片晶水平上的共晶。     

Study of phenolic resin/EVA blends by thermal analysis

The properties of polymeric blends originate from the synergistic association of their components. In this investigation, phenolic resins obtained by the reaction of cashew-nut shell liquid (CNSL) and aldehyde are used in several applications. Mixtures of CNSL with industrial reject ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA reject) were prepared with an EVA reject content up to 70%. The thermal compatibility and stability were evaluated by means of thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For blends containing a high percentage of EVA reject, the TG curves clearly show two decomposition stages, one at 350C and the other at 450C (onset 467C). The DIG curves of the blend containing 70% CNSL exhibit decomposition at 240C. The DSC curves show that the samples containing a high percentage of EVA reject are incompatible, withT _g values around –30C.The authors would like to thank PETROBRAS/CENPES/DIQUIM for the NMR facilities and thermal measurements.     

Influence of char residues on flammability of EVA/EG, EVA/NG and EVA/GO composites

Graphite (expanded graphite(EG), natural graphite (NG) and graphite oxide (GO)) flame retardant poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer (EVA) composites (EVA/EG, EVA/NG and EVA/GO) have been prepared by melt compounding. The flammability, the combustion process, the quantity of the residual char, the morphology of the residual chars and the thermal stability of the chars were investigated by cone calorimeter, SEM and TGA. The results indicate that heat release rate (HRR), total heat released (THR) and total smoke release (TSR) of EVA/EG (EG 30 phr) composite decrease to about 21%, 42% and 28% of that of pure EVA, respectively. The orders of the three kinds of graphite on the reduction effect of THR and TSR are EG > NG > GO. The higher the quantity, the higher is the thermal stability of the char residue and the more compact and porous char structure may be the main reasons for the phenomenon above. It has been found that the flame retardance of EVA vulcanisates is improved and the fire jeopardizing is dramatically reduced due to the addition of the graphite, especially for EG, which can give some advice to design formulations for practical applications as the jackets of cables.     

Study on conformational transition of EVA random copolymer in selective solvent mixtures

The dilute solution property of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) random copolymer in 1,2-dichloroethane/cyclohexane (DCE/CYH) selective solvent mixture has been studied by viscometry, light scattering, differential refractomertry and UV spectrophotometry. It was found that both ethylene- and viny1 acetate sequence associations of EVA random copolymer displayed in both DCE and CYH solvents respectively, especially in DCE. Disassociation appeared when the volume fraction of CYH in the DCE/CYH solvent mixture φ_c was from 0.6 to 0.8. However, in this region, the extreme values of the intrinsic viscosity [η], Huggins constant k^′, unperturbed dimension K_θ, refractive index increment dn/dc occurred, and a discontinuity behavior of the preferential adsorption coefficient λ^′ and UV spectra demonstrated. These phenomena were attributed to conformational transition of the EVA molecule in solution, which was caused by DCE and CYH selective solvents, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline–polyamidoamine dendrimer blends

A novel conductive blend of polyaniline (PANI) with polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM (G 2.0)) was prepared by different blending procedure. The PANI‐PAMAM blended polymers were characterized by UV–vis, FTIR, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. The effect of varying the blending procedure on structure and EPR properties of PANI‐PAMAM blended polymers was investigated. Varying the blending procedure and temperature has a direct effect on the structure and EPR parameters (ΔH_PP, g factor, N_S, T₂, and A/B ratio). EPR spectroscopic studies suggested the presence of chemical interaction between PANI and PAMAM. Electron localization effects in PANI‐PAMAM blended polymers can therefore be studied using the technique of EPR. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1–8, 2006     

Micellar ordered structure effects on high‐resolution CE‐SSCP using Pluronic triblock copolymer blends

Pluronic F108 block copolymers have shown a great promise to achieve the desirable high resolution in the conformation‐sensitive separation of ssDNA using CE‐SSCP. However, fundamental understanding of the structures and properties of Pluronic matrix affecting the resolution is still limited. Unlike conventional gel‐forming homopolymers, Pluronic F108 block copolymers are amphiphilic macromolecules consisting of poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(propylene oxide)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymers, which are capable of forming a highly ordered micellar structure in aqueous solution. In this study, we have performed a series of experiments by blending different types of Pluronic polymers to control the formation of micelles and to study the correlation between separation and rheological characteristics of Pluronic gels affecting the resolution of CE‐SSCP. Our experiments have been specifically designed to elucidate how the micellar structure affects the resolution of CE‐SSCP upon altering the size uniformity and constituent homogeneity of the micelles. Our results suggest that uniformly sized micelle packing is the primary structural feature of Pluronic gel matrix for the high‐resolution separation, while the size and constituent of the micelle themselves need to be considered as secondary factors.     

The reactive compatibilization of NBR/EVA blends with oxazoline-modified nitrile rubber

The reactive compatibilization of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/nitrile rubber (NBR) blends has been performed using partially hydrolyzed EVA (EVALVA) in combination with oxazoline-functionalized NBR (NBROX). The synthesis of the NBROX has been performed in solution. The presence of 5 wt% of EVALVA in combination with 2.5 wt% of NBROX resulted in a substantial improvement of tensile strength of NBR/EVA (50:50 wt%) vulcanized blends, with a little increase of the elongation at break. The morphologies of these blends were examined by the scanning electron microscopy. A finer morphology has been observed in vulcanized and non-vulcanized blends, compatibilized with the co-reactive EVALVA/NBROX copolymers. Blends of NBROX/EVALVA (50:50 wt%) resulted in insoluble material, constituted by both components, as indicated by Fourier transform infrared analysis. This result indicates the reaction of the co-reactive groups (hydroxyl and oxazoline) during blending.     

Poly(butylene terephthalate)–polyarylate blends

In this paper we focus on miscible blends of two engineering polymers: poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and a polyarylate (PAr). The issue of transesterification in these blends will be addressed, followed by a discussion of the crystallization kinetics of PBT, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and several PBT/PAr blends. The ability to estimate polymer–polymer interaction parameters in blends from melting point depression will also be discussed. The amorphous phase behavior of the PBT/PAr blends has been explored primarily using dielectric spectroscopy. For blends in which PBT has crystallized, we observe two relaxations associated with T_g-like motion, and this behavior is interpreted in light of our recent work on order–disorder interphases in crystalline blends.     

Brittle–ductile transition of polypropylene/ethylene–propylene–diene monomer blends induced by size,temperature, and time

To study the brittle–ductile transition (BDT) of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) blends induced by size, temperature, and time, the toughness of the PP/EPDM blends was investigated over wide ranges of EPDM content, temperature, and strain rate. The toughness of the blends was determined from the tensile fracture energy of the side‐edge notched samples. The concept of interparticle distance (ID) was introduced into this study to probe the size effect on the BDT of PP/EPDM blends, whereas the effect of time corresponded to that of strain rate. The BDT induced by size, temperature, and time was observed in the fracture energy versus ID, temperature, and strain rate. The critical BDT temperatures for various EPDM contents at different initial strain rates were obtained from these transitions. The critical interparticle distance (ID_c) increased nonlinearly with increasing temperature, and when the initial strain rate was lower, the ID_c was larger. Moreover, the variation of the reciprocal of the initial strain rate with the reciprocal of temperature followed different straight lines for various EPDM contents. These straight lines were with the same slope. Furthermore, a diagram at critical BDT points in three dimensions (ID, T, and initial strain rate) was given for the PP/EPDM blends. The brittle and ductile zones are clearly shown in this diagram. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1433–1440, 2004     

Effect of molecular interactions on the miscibility and structure of polymer blends

The effect of polymer-polymer interactions on the miscibility and macroscopic properties of PVC/PMMA, PVC/PS and PMMA/PS blends were studied in the entire composition range. The miscibility of the components was characterized by the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter or by quantities related to it. Thermal analysis, light transmittance measurements, and scanning electron microscopy were carried out on the blends and their mechanical properties were characterized by tensile tests. Interactions were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. All three polymer pairs form heterogeneous blends, but the strength of molecular interactions is different in them, the highest is in PVC/PMMA system resulting in partial miscibility of the components and beneficial mechanical properties. The structure of these blends depends strongly on composition. A phase inversion can be observed between 0.5 and 0.6 PMMA content accompanied with a significant change in structure and properties. The PVC/PS and the PMMA/PS pairs are immiscible, though the results indicate the partial solubility of the components. The analysis of the surface characteristics of the components and the comparison of quantities derived from them with miscibility as well as with the macroscopic properties of blends revealed that blend properties cannot be predicted in this way, since they are affected by several factors.     

Preparation and characterization of vinyltriethoxysilane grafted ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/linear low density polyethylene (EPDM‐g‐VTES/LLDPE) blends

Graft polymerization of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) onto ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) was carried out in toluene using dicumylperoxide (DCP) as initiator. Effects of various parameters (EPDM content, VTES content, reaction time, reaction temperature and initiator concentration) on the grafting efficiency of VTES onto EPDM were investigated. At the optimum grafting efficiency conditions, EPDM‐g‐VTES was developed by melt mixing in a twin screw extruder and then linear (l), statically vulcanized (s) and dynamically vulcanized (d) blends of EPDM‐g‐VTES with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) with varying percentage compositions were prepared by melt mixing in the twin screw extruder. The grafting of VTES onto EPDM and its crosslinking was confirmed by FT‐IR. The characterization of mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus and hardness, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and morphology were studied and compared for the EPDM‐g‐VTES/LLDPE blends. The study reveals that the dynamically vulcanized blend improves the mechanical and thermal properties due to the presence of efficient interaction between component polymers when compared with other blends. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphologies and properties of plasticized starch/polyamide compatibilized blends

A new sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) compatibilized glycerol-plasticized starch/polyamide PA11 blend having improved mechanical properties was realized in a one step extrusion process. Blends were prepared in internal mixer and twin screw extruder. Mechanical properties (stress and strain at break) are improved by adding 1 wt% of CMC. Rheological characterization and scanning electron microscopy show that a co-continuous morphology is observed on a wide range of TPS amount.     

Flammability characteristics and flame retardant mechanism of phosphate-intercalated hydrotalcite in halogen-free flame retardant EVA blends

The flammability characteristics and flame retardant mechanism of phosphate-intercalated hydrotalcite (MgAl-PO₄) in the halogen-free flame retardant ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, cone calorimeter test (CCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 tests. The results show that the hydrotalcite MgAl-PO₄ intercalated by phosphate possesses the enhanced thermal stability and flame retardant properties compared with ordinary carbonate-intercalated hydrotalcite MgAl-CO₃ in the EVA blends. The CCT tests indicate that the heat release rate (HRR) and mass loss rate (MLR) values of the EVA/MgAl-PO₄ samples are much lower than those of the EVA/MgAl-CO₃ samples. The TGA data show that the thermal degradation rates of MgAl-PO₄ and EVA/MgAl-PO₄ samples are much slower and leave more charred residues than those of MgAl-CO₃ and its corresponding EVA blends. The LOI values of EVA/MgAl-PO₄ samples are 2% higher than those of the corresponding EVA/MgAl-CO₃ samples at the range of 40–60 wt% loadings, while the EVA sample with 55 wt% MgAl-PO₄ can reach the UL-94 V-1 rating. The dynamic FTIR spectra reveal that the flame retardant mechanism of MgAl-PO₄ can be ascribed to its catalysis degradation of the EVA resin, which promotes the formation of charred layers with the P–O–P and P–O–C complexes in the condensed phase. The SEM observations give further evidence of this mechanism that the compact charred layers formed from the EVA/MgAl-PO₄ sample effectively protect the underlying polymer from burning.     

三元乙丙橡胶/尼龙高性能弹性体结构与性能的研究

通过DSC、DMA、TEM及SEM研究了三元乙丙橡胶 /尼龙 (EPDM /PA)共混物结构与性能 ,按照各级结构形态的特点 ,可大致分为三个层次的结构 :初级结构即氯化聚乙烯 (CPE)锚入或镶嵌在PA中形成分散相颗粒中的结构 ;中级结构指分散颗粒在基体中的采取的微纤状形态 ;高级结构是外力作用下共混物形成的由一定数量微纤组成的可传递应力的聚集体结构 .这种多层次结构决定了共混体系兼具EPDM与PA的优点 ,综合性能优异 .物理机械性能及热氧老化性能比较表明 ,PA改性的EPDM是理想的高性能弹性体