Some physical and mechanical properties of recycled polyurethane foam blends

Blends of secondary rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) with soft polyurethane foams (SPUFs) were investigated. The effect of SPUF content and its chemical nature on some physical and mechanical properties of the blends was evaluated. Owing to the stronger intermolecular interaction and higher values of cohesion energy, the blends of RPUFs with polyester SPUFs showed higher mechanical properties than those with polyether SPUFs. The density, hardness, ultimate strength, and the tensile, shear, and flexural moduli increased, while the impact toughness, ultimate elongation, and damping characteristics decreased with increasing RPUF content in the blends. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 737–746, September–October, 2008.     

Synthesis and Properties of the Weakly Coordinating Anion [Me3NB12Cl11]−

The weakly coordinating anion [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? has been prepared by a simple two‐step procedure. The anion [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? is easily obtained in batches of up to 20 g by chlorination of the known [H₃NB₁₂H₁₁]^? anion with SbCl₅ at about 190 °C and subsequent N‐methylation with methyl iodide. Starting from Na[Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁], several synthetically useful salts with reactive cations ([NO]⁺, [Ph₃C]⁺, and [(Et₃Si)₂H]⁺) were prepared. Full spectroscopic (NMR, IR, Raman, TGA, MS) characterization and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies confirmed the identity and purity of the products. The thermal, chemical, and electrochemical stability as well as the basicity of the [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? anion is similar to that of the structurally related weakly coordinating 1‐carba‐closo‐dodecaborate and closo‐dodecaborate anions. The facile preparation of the [Me₃NB₁₂Cl₁₁]^? anion and its ideal chemical and physical properties make it a cheap alternative to other classes of weakly coordinating anions.     

Cross-Linked Thermoplastic Blends of Polyethylene with an Elastomer 2. Some Structural Characteristics and Their Relationship with Mechanical Properties

Results of an experimental investigation into the changes of some structural characteristics of binary blends of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene with an elastomer (ethylene-propylene-dicyclopentadiene terpolymer, EPDM) in the course of γ-radiation and chemical cross-linking are reported for a wide range of component ratios. The data on changes in the crystallinity, density of the blends, content of the cross-linked part, as well the correlation of these characteristics with some mechanical properties, are discussed. Suggestions are put forward about the possibility of formation of a combined amorphous PE-EPDM phase with a higher structural arrangement than that in the individual components.__________Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 41, No. 4, pp. 545–562, July–August, 2005.     

Synthesis of dipotassium dimethylsilanediolate monohydrate

Dipotassium dimethylsilanediolate monohydrate has been synthesised for the first time. The compound has been extensively characterised. The utilization of this new compound as an initiator or monomer in the interfacial polymerisation of silicones is discussed.     

Structure Evolution and Diffusion During Interphase Boundary Sliding in Binary Eutectics Based on Sn

Mechanical behaviour of interphase boundaries (IB) and microstructure in the binary eutectics (Al–Sn, Zn–Sn, Pb–Sn, Cd–Sn) heavily deformed by different schemes and regimes have been investigated. Experiments were carried out on the atomically clean surfaces of alloys and on the bimetallic joints with clean interfaces used as a macromodel of deformed IB. It has been shown that for the eutectics with high IB energy (Al–Sn, Zn–Sn) the interphase boundary sliding (IBS) occurs by means of the dislocation gliding, followed by a remarkable strengthening and accompanied by the formation of narrow stable IB cracks with sharp angles. For eutectics Pb–Sn and Cd–Sn with low IB energy, the IBS occurs as viscous flow and is accompanied by a correlated diffusion along IB. The softening of IB was observed. Intensity of development of the diffusion-controlled accommodation processes on IB depends on the extent of preliminary deformation and values of IB energy.     

Molybdenum Alkylidyne Silyloxy N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes – Highly Active Alkyne Metathesis Catalysts that can be Handled in Air

A series of molybdenum alkylidyne silyloxy N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of the general formula [Mo(≡C(R))(OSiPh₃)₃(NHC)] (R=tBu, 4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl; NHC = 1,3-diisopropylimidazol-2-ylidene, 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene, 1,3-dicyclohexyl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene, 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene, 1,3-dimethyl-4,5-dichloroimidazol-2-ylidene) was synthesized. Single crystal X-ray analyses revealed that with increasing steric demand of the alkylidyne group, enhanced air-stability of the complexes in the solid-state is achieved with the most stable complex (R=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, NHC = 1,3-diisopropylimidazol-2-ylidene) being stable in air for 24 h without showing signs of decomposition in ¹H NMR. In contrast to previously reported air-stable molybdenum-based complexes, the novel catalysts proved to be highly active in alkyne metathesis, allowing for turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 6000 without further activation, and tolerant towards several functional groups such as tosyl, ether, ester, thioether and nitro moieties. Their air stability allows for facile handling of the catalysts in air and even after exposure to ambient atmosphere for one week, the most stable representative still displayed high productivity in alkyne metathesis.