Modification of Polylactide Nonwovens with Carbon Nanotubes and Ladder Poly(silsesquioxane)

Electrospun nonwovens of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and linear ladder-like poly(silsesquioxane) with methoxycarbonyl side groups (LPSQ-COOMe) were obtained. MWCNT and LPSQ-COOMe were added to the polymer solution before the electrospinning. In addition, nonwovens of PLLA grafted to modified MWCNT were electrospun. All modified nonwovens exhibited higher tensile strength than the neat PLA nonwoven. The addition of 10 wt.% of LPSQ-COOMe and 0.1 wt.% of MWCNT to PLLA increased the tensile strength of the nonwovens 2.4 times, improving also the elongation at the maximum stress.     

Improvement of gas meter performance using polymer materials

The measuring elements of both dry‐ and wet‐type gas meters are composed of a diaphragm and rotary drum. In this article an explanation on the principle of measuring and the structure of the gas meter for each of these two types was discussed. Such applications were made as follows: synthetic rubber was used for the measuring diaphragm, engineering plastic was employed instead of metal for the measuring drum, and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) was used for the casing, respectively. As a result, an improvement in the gas resistance performance and productivity, which led to a lighter weight, more compactness and a lower cost of productions was achieved. Also the influence of the solubility of the measured gas to the plastic on the measured valve was discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical and experimental approaches to kinetics at the collapse transition of a homopolymer

Summary We discuss some recent theoretical studies of the kinetics of the collapse transition in homopolymers. An isolated polymer is modelled using computer simulation, and a time-dependent mean-field theory. The mean-field theory is analysed analytically for early stages, and for short polymers the equations are studied numerically. The results of simulation and theory are compared yielding, we argue, a consistent physical picture. Quantitative comparisons are not yet given, but seem relatively promising. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4– 1994.     

Analysis of the crystallization kinetics in poly(ethylene oxide) by calorimetric measurements

Summary Differential scanning calorimetric measurements in the early stage of isothermal crystal growth of polyethylene oxide are analysed in the light of irreversible thermodynamics. An accurate evaluation of the equilibrium melting temperature is done by fitting the thermograms obtained at different undercoolings and referring to the activation energy values already known from the literature. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.     

Standardization and certification in the area of environmentally degradable plastics

Environmentally degradable polymers and plastics (EDPs) are a group of polymeric materials experiencing a rapid growth in number as well as in their applications and quantities used. The assessment of their key characteristic - degradability, including eventually biodegradability as the ultimate stage, is scientifically and technically a challenging issue and has led to differing interpretations in the past. In order to standardize techniques and criteria a number of standards were established by different standardization bodies which are also used as a basis for certification schemes. An up-to-date inventory of the rapidly growing standardization body is presented with basic interpretation to help guide the non-expert. A basic introduction to EDPs and polymer degradation is added for clarity.     

Thermal Oxidative Stability of Heat-Stabilised Polyamide 66 by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

The thermal stability of heat-stabilised polyamide 66 in an oxidative environment is evaluated by DSC. The oxidative stability of the polyamide decreases as a result of repeated injection moulding. The results also indicate that the presence of glass fibres in the polyamide has a negative influence on the oxidative stability. Both isothermal and dynamic DSC measurements seem to be useful tools for assessing the stability of polyamides and there is a relationship between data determined using both procedures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tribological properties of ormosil coatings

Transparent plastics are not scratch resistant. The damage leads to a loss of optical properties. Coatings prepared using either tetraethoxysilane or colloidal silica particles embedded in glymo is a way to avoid these disadvantages. Tribological experiments are carried out to better understand the surface modification due to a sliding friction. It is shown that the wear track is not directly related to usual mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and the hardness of the coating. The different stages leading to material loss are discussed in term of particle removal and debris circulation (accumulation or elimination) through the friction track. The mechanical properties of the film combined with the film to substrate adhesion are expected to play an important role as it can be deduced from results obtained as a function of the coating composition.     

治理塑料废弃物新技术途径探讨--专论可降解塑料的研究开发

综述了可降解塑料的研究开发现状及其进展。可降解塑料的降解时控性研究，合成，加工工艺改进以及降低成本的研究，可控光－生物降解的合成降解性研究和一次性使用塑料实用性研究，仍是今后需要深入探讨的重要研究课题。     

Lamination Design Optimization for Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composites of Variable Thicknesses北大核心CSCD

由于具备高的比强度、比刚度,利用连续纤维增强复合材料代替传统金属材料以实现结构轻量化正受到设计者们的广泛关注。然而,结构的复杂性给复合材料的铺层设计与优化带来了很大的挑战。针对航空用复合材料铺层设计约束多的问题,通过逐步构建设计变量准确表达结构的铺层信息。基于经典遗传算法框架,结合各设计变量特点,定义了铺层优化算法中的遗传算子,通过引入“修复”策略保证了每一代解都能满足设计约束,分布在可行域区间内。最后利用精英保留策略提高了算法的局部寻优能力,可以降低复杂复合材料结构铺层设计的计算成本。通过解决经典benchmark问题并与已有优化结果的比较,验证了前述铺层优化算法的全局、局部寻优能力,为工程实际中的复合材料铺层设计优化提供了理论支撑。