The evolution of numerical methods for predicting the distribution of surfactant in the bubble-scale dynamics of foams

Many numerical methods now exist to simulate the structure and dynamics of surface-tension-dominated aqueous foams at the level of the individual films and the liquid structures where they meet. We review these methods, focusing in particular on bubble-scale simulations of foam rheology. We highlight methods that allow the distribution of surfactant during flow to be taken into account.     

Interfacial behavior of plant proteins — novel sources and extraction methods

Understanding the air-water and oil-water interfacial behavior of plant proteins is crucial for developing stable emulsions and foams in food systems. Plant crops are often processed into protein extracts with high purity, which primarily consist of globulins. These globulins are often unable to form stiff interfacial layers owing to their compact and highly aggregated state and have inferior functionality compared with animal-derived proteins from milk or eggs. Much of the current focus is on modifying these proteins, whereas better interface stabilizing functionality can also be obtained by choosing more targeted protein extraction methods. This review will highlight the benefits and drawbacks of current and novel protein sources and protein extraction methods with respect to interfacial properties.     

长链支化聚丙烯的非线性流变行为

通过大幅振荡剪切试验方法, 研究了长链支化聚丙烯的非线性流变学行为, 揭示了长链支化结构与非线性黏弹响应的关系. 利用傅里叶变换流变学方法得到试样的三次倍频相对振幅I_3/1与应变的标度关系, 用于界定线性聚丙烯和长链支化聚丙烯非线性流变行为的差异, 并定义了非线性系数来量度长链支化程度. 在高应变下, I_3/1与应变的变化关系可以进一步描述长链支化在非线性流场下的特性, 并得到了长链支化程度与其非线性响应之间的变化关系. 通过应力波的Lissajous曲线分解, 发现了环内和环间黏弹性的差异, 长链支化结构在大应变流场下的非线性黏弹性响应弱于线性结构, 支化程度越高非线性响应越弱.     

Thermodynamically equilibrium roton states of nanoparticles in molten and vapour phases

We show a possibility for a thermodynamically equilibrium nanocrystalline structure consisting of nanosized solid inclusions to appear in a melt just beyond the melting curve. Thermodynamic stability of the nanocrystalline structure in the melt results from the free energy lowering due to rotational motion of nanoparticles. The main contribution to the reduction of the free energy of the system is due to an increase in the rotational entropy and change in formation energy of nanocrystals, i.e. the nanocrystalline structure in the melt, like vacancies in a crystal, is an equilibrium defect structure of the melt. It is demonstrated that similar nanocrystalline structures can also appear in the vapour phase in the form of liquid nanodrops and in liquid solutions, e.g. in He II.     

Device for non-disruptive taking of melt samples from a compounding process and direct injection molding

A concept for taking a sample from a polymer melt stream plus the direct processing of this melt to specimen is presented. Therefore, a melt sampling and direct injection molding (MSIM) device was developed. Process parameters were studied and the set-up was implemented successfully. Using the MSIM device, different thermoplastics were processed and provided specimen characterized. The mechanical material properties from samples of the MSIM process show a good consistency compared with data from conventional processes. The MSIM device can be used in production processes for quality control, e.g. color or mechanical properties, as well as in the field of research and development to reduce development cycles.     

Fire performances of unvulcanized rubbers and influences of horizontal flowing melts

Fire performances of typical unvulcanized rubbers are investigated and the properties of rubbers and their flowing melts are characterized. If the horizontal melt flow is allowed the burning area increases by 75%–473% and proportionally the peak mass loss rate promotes by 55%–300%. When the rubber converts to its flowing melt the viscosity and heat of complete combustion reduce, and the total crosslink density increases, which might be ascribed to the curing, the curing reversion and the decomposition mechanism. Except for acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber both the T_d,5% and the decomposition activation energy decrease. The pool fire development is related with the melt viscosity, the decomposition temperature and heat release rate (HRR) in the cone calorimeter. Low viscosity contributes to large pool area. High HRR and low decomposition temperature accelerate the extension of burning area.     

聚氯乙烯表皮成分对加成型硅橡胶固化的影响

采用流变学方法研究了双组分加成型硅橡胶在不同聚氯乙烯(PVC)表皮上的固化动力学,并利用红外光谱、核磁共振波谱、电感耦合等离子体质谱仪等手段分析了PVC表皮成分,以确定导致双组分加成型硅橡胶不固化的具体原因。 结果表明,PVC表皮中导致硅橡胶不固化的主要元素为P元素。 在固定硅橡胶厚度为1 mm的情况下,当PVC表皮中的P元素质量分数低于3×10^-3%时,浇注在其上的双组分加成型硅橡胶依然能固化;而当PVC表皮中的P元素质量分数超过约2.4×10^-2%时,虽然浇注在其上的双组分加成型硅橡胶的中间层依然能固化,但与PVC表皮接触部分的硅橡胶不固化,且不固化层厚度随P元素质量分数增加而增加。 本文还研究了在P元素质量分数低于3×10^-3%的PVC表皮上,降低硅橡胶厚度至微米级时的固化行为,在P元素质量分数低于3×10^-3%的PVC表皮上,当硅橡胶厚度低于2 μm时,硅橡胶出现不完全固化现象。 双组分加成型硅橡胶在含有P元素的PVC表皮表面的固化行为主要是由硅橡胶样品中铂催化剂总含量及PVC表皮中的P元素含量确定的,同时也会受到双组分加成型硅橡胶反应速率以及铂催化剂、P元素在硅橡胶中的扩散速率的影响。     

不同色浆质量分数的水性聚氨酯涂料对聚氯乙烯表皮低温爆破性能的影响

本文制备了一系列不同色浆质量分数的水性聚氨酯涂料,并将其喷涂在汽车仪表板聚氯乙烯(PVC)表皮的背面形成复合材料。 用旋转流变仪表征了涂料的粘度以评价其喷涂性能;用差示扫描量热仪表征了材料的玻璃化转变温度(T_g);利用万能材料试验机表征了材料在-30 ℃条件下的拉伸性能及抗撕裂性能;用动态热机械分析仪表征了材料的损耗比随温度的变化。 结果表明:不同色浆质量分数的涂料都能喷涂,含有涂层材料PVC表皮在-30 ℃低温爆破性能与涂层材料的T_g、低温拉伸性能、抗撕裂性能的关系并不大,而与涂层材料的阻尼性能直接相关。 材料的阻尼性能越好,其低温爆破性能越好。     

Poly(propylene carbonate)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐based bionanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal for potential application as a packaging material

Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) is an aliphatic polycarbonate synthesized from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide. Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a type of thermoplastic polyester produced by biological fermentation. The blending of PHB with PPC can effectively enhance the mechanical properties and barrier properties of PPC. Bionanocomposites of PPC/PHB enhanced by cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) are prepared via a two‐step process using polyethylene glycol as a carrier. Results show that the oxygen barrier properties of the composites increased with the increase of the CNC content. When the CNC content is 1 wt%, the oxygen barrier performance increases nearly 18 times. The assumed model can predict the barrier performance of composites with the combined influence of morphology and CNC distribution. This will make PPC/PHB/CNC nanocomposites a very promising degradable material for food packaging application.     

Design of aluminum trihydroxide and P‐N core‐shell structures and their synergistic effects on halogen‐free flame‐retardant polyethylene composites

In order to improve the performance of inorganic/organic composites, aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) core composites with a styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH‐g‐SEBS) shell phase, and P‐N flame retardant as a synergistic agent, were prepared through an interface design. The effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) content on the interfacial interaction, flame retardancy, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ATH composites were investigated by small angle X‐ray diffraction, rotational rheometer, limiting oxygen index, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile testing. The ATH synergistic effects of P‐N flame‐retardant improved the combustion performance of HDPE/ATH/PEG(3%)/MAH‐g‐SEBS/P‐N (abbreviated as HDPE/MH3/M‐g‐S/P‐N) composite by forming more carbon layer, increased the elongation at break from 21% to 558% compared to HDPE/ATH, and increased the interface thickness from 0.447 to 0.891 nm. SEM results support the compatibility of ATH with HDPE increased and the interfacial effect was enhanced. TGA showed the maximum decomposition temperature of the two stages and the yield of the residue at high temperature increased first and then decreased with the increase of PEG content. Rheological behavior showed the storage modulus, complex viscosity, and the relaxation time initially increased and then decreased with the increase of PEG content indicating PEG, M‐g‐S, and ATH powder gradually formed a partial coating, then a full coating, and finally an over‐coated core‐shell structured model.