Effect of GMA polymer compatibilizers on highly filled composites of low density polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide

Functional polymers such as polyethylene grafted glycidyl methacrylate （PE-g-GMA） and ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer （E/MA/GMA） were used as compatibilizers in the preparation of highly filled composites of polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide（PE/MH）. Comparative studies were performed on the effect of magnesium hydroxide and stearic acid on the interface within polymer and magnesium hydroxide composites. The effect of polymeric compatibilizers on the properties of the composites was studied using tensile and impact tests, torque rheological analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM）. The microstructure of highly filled PE/MH composites changed after the addition of functional polymers. The mechanical properties of the composite material increased after compatibilization. The compatibilization processes of PE-g-GMA and E/MA/GMA were different. The grafted polymer was more compatible with polyethylene, which led to a polar polymer phase. In contrast, the tercopolymer tended to adhere to the surface of MH particles.     

Electrically conductive composites of polyethylene filled with polyamide particles coated with silver

New types of electrically conductive polymeric composites were prepared on a base of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix filled with silver-coated polyamide (PA) particles. The electrical, mechanical and adhesive properties of those composites are reported in this paper. The percolation concentration of the filler within a matrix was found to be 4 vol.%. Composites filled with high filler content were highly electrically conductive; their electrical conductivity reached the value of 6.8 × 10² S cm⁻¹. Mechanical properties and rheology of these composites were discussed. The adhesive properties of the composites to metal sharply increased with an increase in the filler content.     

Effect of crosslinking on the properties of composites based on LDPE and conducting organic filler

New types of composites were prepared using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) filled with modified organic filler, Canadian switch grass coated with polypyrrole (PPy). The grass surface was entirely covered when 10 wt.% of pyrrole was used for the modification, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. LDPE composites filled with modified grass were prepared by melt mixing and their properties were compared with the properties of the composites filled with unmodified grass. The influence of crosslinking, induced by 1 wt.% of peroxide, on mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the composites was investigated. Crosslinking enhanced the tensile strength of the prepared composites in the entire range of the filler content. The Young’s modulus of the composites prepared by crosslinking is slightly lowered when compared with the uncrosslinked composites if the filler content is less than 60 wt.%, for higher filler content it is increased. The conductivity of the uncrosslinked composites containing 40 wt.% of grass modified by PPy was in the range 1 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹, which is a value by 5 orders of magnitude higher than the conductivity of the crosslinked materials. The presence of PPy on grass surface leads to a reduction of crosslinking of the LDPE matrix.     

Properties of ultrahighly filled composites based on polymers and ground rubber

The stress-strain and strength properties of ultrahighly filled composites based on thermoplastic polymers and ground rubber wastes are studied. The content of the elastic filler is higher than 70 wt%. As is shown, introduction of minor amounts of the plastic polymer, which serves as the binder for the filler particles, makes it possible to improve the strength properties of ultrahighly filled composites and to prepare materials of a desired thickness. A correlation between the stress-strain properties of the plastic polymer-rubber systems and the effective viscosity of the matrix polymer is established. When a polymer with homogeneous deformation and good adhesion to the elastic filler is used as the matrix, the resultant composites are characterized by properties close to those of vulcanized rubbers. A new method is proposed for processing of ground rubber wastes and preparation of materials that are similar to hard rubbers.     

Silica dispersion and properties of silica filled ESBR/BR/NR ternary blend composites by applying wet masterbatch technology

Silica is used as a reinforcing filler in the rubber product such as a tire. When silica contents increased in the composite, deterioration of the processability and silica dispersion in silica-rubber composites cannot be overcome only by adding a silane coupling agent. Therefore, silica wet-masterbatch (WMB) technology is considered for manufacturing highly silica filled composites. Herein, we investigated silica dispersion, cure behavior, mechanical properties, abrasion characteristics, and viscoelastic properties of 3 types of WMB blend composites. Up to 82% improvement in silica dispersion was determined by the Payne effect and confirmed by atomic-force microscopy. The tensile strength and elongation at break increased and tan δ at 60 °C decreased by improving silica dispersion. The silica WMB is suitable for manufacturing highly silica filled composites.     

Preparation and properties investigation of PMMA/silica composites derived from silicic acid

Hybrid materials based on silicic acid and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were prepared by in situ bulk polymerization of a silicic acid sol and MMA mixture. Silicic acid sol was obtained by tetrahydrofuran (THF) extraction of silicic acid from water. Silicic acid was prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of sodium silicate in the presence of 3.6 M HCl. As a comparative study, PMMA composites filled by silica particles, which were derived from calcining the silicic acid gel, were prepared by a comparable in situ polymerization. Each set of PMMA/silica composites was subjected to thermal and mechanical studies. Residual THF in PMMA/silicic acid composites impacted the properties of the polymer composites. With increase in silica content, the PMMA composites filled with silica particles showed improved thermal and mechanical properties, whereas a decrease in thermal stability and mechanical strength was found for PMMA composites filled with silicic acid dissolved in THF. With a better compatibility with polymer matrix, silicic acid sol shows better reinforcement than silica particles in PMMA films prepared via blending of the corresponding THF solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal transformations of a polymeric composite consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) and phosphorus-containing nanodispersed aluminum oxide

Thermal-oxidative properties of polymeric composites based on poly(methyl methacrylate), containing surface-modified nanosized aluminum oxide as filler, were examined. The possibility of chemical grafting to the Al₂O₃ surface of phosphorus-containing groups to decrease the combustibility of filled polymeric composites was examined by IR spectroscopy.     

Effect of atomic oxygen irradiation on the structural and tribological characteristics of polytetrafluoroethylene and its composites

Based on the ground‐based simulation facility, the effects of atomic oxygen (AO) irradiation on the structural and tribological properties of pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and carbon fiber and MoS₂‐filled PTFE composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and a ball‐on‐disc tribometer. The results shown that AO irradiation had significant effects on the structural and tribological properties of pure PTFE, in which the surface morphologies, mass loss, friction coefficient, and wear rate had been changed greatly after AO irradiation. However, it was noticeable that the addition of carbon fiber and MoS₂ filler to PTFE could improve the AO resist capacity and tribological properties of PTFE composites significantly. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of polyolefin composition in the presence of supported catalysts

Polyolefins are basic materials in the plastics. Their application is limited by their low thermostability, adhesion, hardness and other physico-mechanical properties. The following treatments are known to improve and modify polyolefin properties: the incorporation of inorganic or organic fillers with a greater hardness and rigidity into the polyolefin matrix, the grafting of functional groups to polyolefins, and crosslinking with the formation of a network structure in the polyolefin matrix. In the case of polymers and inorganic materials, the activation of their surface by the functionalizing and fixing of transition metals allows one to perform polymerization of monomers on a surface to obtain a polymer–polymer composites and a highly filled polymer–inorganic composites.     

Use of carbon black as a reinforcing nano-filler in conductivity-reversible elastomer composites

This study presents an innovative approach to the production of reinforced elastomer composites filled with carbon black Printex XE-2B, using the calendering process and ionic liquids (ILs) as dispersing agents. The effect of Printex XE-2B on the mechanical and electrical properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) composites was compared to that of conventional carbon black Humex N339. It was found that the highly structured Printex XE-2B significantly enhanced both the mechanical and electrical properties of the NBR composites, in contrast to standard Humex N339. To obtain uniform filler dispersion in the polymer matrix, several different ILs were employed as dispersing agents. The application of ILs had a considerable effect on the properties of the prepared composites, due to the improved dispersion of the filler particles in the composite matrix, which favored the formation of ‘conductive paths.’ Importantly, the prepared NBR/Printex XE-2B/IL composites were found to have reversible and repeatable electrical properties following exposure to chloroform vapors.     

Study on the friction and wear behavior of surface‐modified carbon nanotube filled carbon fabric composites

The functionalization of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was achieved by grafting furfuryl amine (FA) onto the surfaces of MWNTs. Furthermore, the functional MWNTs were incorporated into carbon fabric composites and the tribological properties of the resulting composites were investigated systematically on a model ring‐on‐block test rig. Friction and wear tests revealed that the modified MWNTs filled carbon fabric composite has the highest wear resistance under all different sliding conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that MWNTs were successfully functionalized and the modification led to an improvement in the dispersion of MWNTs, which played an important role on the enhanced tribological properties of carbon fabric composites. It can also be found that the friction and wear behavior of MWNTs filled carbon fabric composites are closely related with the sliding conditions such as sliding speed, load, and lubrication conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrical, mechanical and adhesive properties of ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA) filled with wollastonite fibers coated by silver

New type of electrically conductive polymeric composites was prepared using ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) matrix filled with silver-coated wollastonite (W-Ag) fibers. The electrical, mechanical and adhesive properties of the composites are reported in this paper. The electrical percolation threshold was found about 8 vol.% and the highly electrical conductivity value (1.8 × 10⁵ S m⁻¹) is reached for 29 vol.% of filler fraction. The mechanical and adhesive properties of these composites were also discussed and correlated with some models.     

The addition of clay on the mechanical properties of surface‐treated CF‐filled PA66 composites

Polyamide 66 (PA66) composites filled with clay and carbon fiber (CF) were prepared by twin‐screw extruder in order to study the influence of nanoparticle reinforcing effect on the mechanical behavior of the PA66 composites (CF/PA66). The mechanical property tests of the composites with and without clay were performed, and the fracture surface morphology was analyzed. The results show that the fracture surface area of the clay‐filled CF/PA66 composite was far smoother than that of the CF/PA66 composite, and there formed a tense interface on the CF surface after the addition of clay. The tensile and flexural strength of CF/PA66 composites with clay was improved. The impact strength decreased because of the high interfacial adhesion. In conclusion, the addition of clay favored the improvement of the higher interface strength and so had good effect on improving the tensile and flexural properties of the composites. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of a homogeneous magnetic field on the mechanical behavior of soft magnetic elastomers under compression

The mechanical properties of new magnetic composite materials were studied. The above materials represent rubbery silicon matrices filled with magnetic microparticles of metallic iron or magnetite. In homogeneous magnetic fields with an intensity of up to 0.4 T, the shear modulus of the composites was abnormally high (up to 10 000%). The variation of elastic properties of new materials on the type and volume content of the magnetic filler was investigated. In the presence of a sufficiently strong magnetic field, the above composites were shown to behave as elastoplastic materials with strengthening.     

Polylactide (PLA) and Highly Filled PLA - Calcium Sulfate Composites with Improved Impact Properties

Summary: Starting from gypsum as by-product of lactic acid fabrication process, novel high performance composites have been produced by melt-blending PLA and this filler after a previous specific dehydration performed at 500 °C for min. 1h. Due to PLA sensitivity towards hydrolysis, the utilization of β-anhydrite II (AII) as filler is a prerequisite. Characterized by attractive mechanical and thermal properties due to good filler dispersion throughout the polyester matrix, these composites are interesting in biodegradable rigid packaging or technical applications. Interestingly, tensile strength of PLA – AII composites proved remarkably high, e.g. higher than 35 MPa at 50 wt-% filler content. However a decrease of impact properties has been recorded. To increase the toughness of these composites while preserving high stiffness an impact modifier based on ethylene copolymer has been mixed with both the polymer matrix and AII by melt-compounding. The effectiveness of the impact modifier was confirmed in both neat PLA and AII-based composites. Addition of 5-10 wt-% impact modifier into highly filled composites (30 to 40 wt-% filler) leads to an attractively threefold increase of impact strength with respect to the compositions without modifier, remarkable thermo-mechanical performances and good filler dispersion.     

The effect of surface coating of CNTs on the mechanical properties of CF‐filled HDPE composites

Mechanical properties of carbon fiber (CF) and carbon nanotube (CNT)‐filled thermoplastic high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were studied with particular interest on the effects of filler content and fiber surface treatment by coupling agent. Surface‐treated CF‐filled HDPE composites increased their tensile strength and impact strength, which is further increased with the addition of CNT. SEM showed that CNT‐coating‐treated CF‐HDPE composites show better dispersion of the filler into the matrix, which results in better interfacial adhesion between the filler and the matrix. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

超高分子量聚乙烯基导电复合材料的电性能和自发热性能的研究

超高分子量聚乙烯(UHMWPE)具有优异的综合性能,本文采用凝胶结晶溶液方法制备了分别以碳纤维(CF)和镀镍碳纤维(NiCF)为导电填料,UHMWPE为基体的3个系列导电聚合物复合材料—UHMWPE/CF、UHMWPE/NiCF和UHMWPE/EMMA/CF复合体系,并分别对它们进行了室温伽马射线辐射处理,重点研究了这些材料的电性能和自发热性能,利用DSC、SEM、WAXS、DMA和体积膨胀等仪器进行了一系列测试表征。结果表明,NiCF作为导电填料时体系的逾渗阈值最低,为3vol%。伽马射线辐射处理不仅能有效提高材料的PTC效应,而且在合适的辐射剂量时也能有效提高材料的自发热性能。对材料介电性能的研究揭示了材料的交流电阻率与温度、频率的依赖关系。     

Osteoconductive biocompatible 3D-printed composites of poly-d,l-lactide filled with nanocrystalline cellulose modified by poly(glutamic acid)

Three dimensional composite matrices based on poly-d,l-lactide filled with 5 or 10 wt% of nanocrystalline cellulose modified by poly(glutamic acid) were produced using pre- optimized 3D printing technique. The composites demonstrated good biocompatibility and significantly improved osteoconductive properties compared with the matrix without filler or the one filled with neat nanocrystalline cellulose.     

Effect of graphite and common rubber plasticizers on properties and performance of ceramizable styrene–butadiene rubber-based composites

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Ceramizable composites are highly filled polymer dispersion composites which create stiff porous and durable ceramic structure when exposed to fire or...     

Effect of interphase interaction within zinc-filled composite coating on the potential of the cathodic protection of steel

The potential of cathodic protection of steel with composite coatings based on polystyrene (PS) filled by highly dispersed powders of zinc (Zn) of different forms and dispersivities is investigated. The potential for all PS/Zn systems with a low content of filler is shown to be less than for pure metal; as some critical value (the percolation threshold) is reached, the negative values of potential increase abruptly and become higher in absolute value than the potential of pure metal. The threshold zinc contents are found to depend on the particle shape and rise from 9 to 30 vol% upon transitioning from spear-shaped to spherical particles. The electrochemical protection properties of a composite coating are correlate with the enthalpy of mixing of filled composites. The enthalpy of mixing in regions of low filling is shown to be negative, indicating strong interphase interaction; that in regions of high filling is positive. The positive enthalpy of mixing corresponds to compositions that generate the potential of cathodic protection. It is found that an increase in the concentration range of positive values of a composition’s enthalpy of mixing occurs symbatically with a decrease in the threshold concentration of metallic zinc within the composition. We conclude that cathodic protection by zinc-filled polymeric composites is due to weak interphase interaction that results in the aggregation of particles of metallic zinc within a polymeric matrix and the appearance of an infinite cluster. In the case of PS/Zn compositions, it is shown that the infinite cluster appears at enthalpies of mixing greater than 0.6 J/g of the composition.