Effect of morphology on shear viscosity for binary blends of polycarbonate and polystyrene

The structure and rheological properties of binary blends of polycarbonate (PC) and polystyrene (PS) were investigated using various PS samples with different molecular weights, namely PS1k (M_w = 1,000), PS53k (M_w = 53,000), and PS240k (M_w = 240,000). The blends with PS53k and PS240k show phase-separated structures, whereas the blend with PS1k is miscible. The shear viscosity decreases greatly on addition of PS53k and PS240k, especially at high shear rates, which would be a great advantage at processing operations. Because the nonlinear response occurs in the small strain region for multilayered films of PC and PS240k, the origin of the significant viscosity drop for the phase-separated system is interfacial slippage at the phase boundary.     

Dynamic mechanical properties and fractal analysis of texturized soybean protein/wheat gluten composite produced by high moisture extrusion

Texturized soybean protein (TSP) and wheat gluten were prepared at high moisture using a twin-screw extruder. Effects of feed moisture content, extrusion temperature and wheat gluten content on the dynamic mechanical properties, microstructures and fractal analysis of texturized soybean protein/wheat gluten composite were investigated. All extruded samples were well fitted with Burger's model in creep-recovery tests (R² ≥ 0.978). The creep-recovery rate decreased with an increasing extrusion temperature. The addition of wheat gluten increased the resistance to creep and the unrecoverable deformation of TSP samples. The extrusion parameters affected the microstructure and morphology of extruded products. The fractal dimension of TSP products decreased with an increase in moisture content and wheat gluten content. Texturized soybean protein (TSP) and wheat gluten composite could form well-structure products.     

Effect of transition metal doping on the sintering and electrochemical properties of GDC buffer layer in SOFCs

A dense Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2−d (GDC) interlayer is an essential component of the SOFCs to inhibit interfacial elemental diffusion between zirconia-based electrolytes (eg YSZ) and cathodes. However, the characteristic high sintering temperature of GDC (>1400°C) makes it challenging to fabricate an effective highly dense interlayer owing to the formation of more resistive (Zr,Ce)O₂ interfacial solid solutions with YSZ at those temperatures. To fabricate a useful GDC interlayer, we studied the influence of transition metal (TM) (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, & Zn) doping on the sintering and electrochemical properties of GDC. Dilatometry data showed dramatic drops in the necking and final sintering temperatures for the TM-doped GDCs, improving the densification of the GDC in the order of Fe > Co > Mn > Cu > Zn. However, the electrochemical impedance data showed that among various transition metal dopants, Mn doping resulted in the best electrochemical properties. Anode supported SOFCs with Mn-doped, nano, and commercial-micron GDC interlayers were compared with regard to their performance and stability levels. Although all of the SOFCs showed stable performance, the SOFC with the Mn-doped GDC interlayer showed the highest power density of 1.14 W cm⁻² at 750°C. Hence, Mn-doped GDC is suggested for application as an effective diffusion barrier layer in SOFCs.     

基于数值模拟的挤压参数对AZ91镁合金管转角焊合室分流挤压焊合压力的影响规律研究

提出了一种镁合金管材转角焊合室分流挤压新工艺，该工艺可在有效延长焊合室长度和焊合时间前提下保证舌针刚度，从而保证管材尺寸精度，并且可通过转角剪切变形机制增加预焊合金属变形量和动态再结晶程度，从而有利于提高管材性能和焊缝焊合性能。利用有限元法揭示了转角焊合室分流挤压成形过程中金属的流动特征，应变分布特征和焊合室内的静水压力分布特征。结果表明，整个挤压过程无金属折叠，从而保证管材的表面质量；流经转角后预焊合金属变形量明显增加，有利于提高管材质量和焊缝质量。最后，研究揭示了坯料初始温度，挤压速度和模具转角对焊合室内静水压力的影响规律。结果表明，随着挤压速度的增加和模具转角的增大，转角焊合室内静水压力增大；随着坯料预热温度的增加，转角焊合室内静水压力呈先增大后减小的趋势。     

乙烯-乙酸乙烯酯共聚物/氢化丁腈橡胶共混物的相态结构和低温性能研究

采用熔融共混法制备乙烯-乙酸乙烯酯共聚物(EVM)/氢化丁腈橡胶(HNBR)共混物,研究其硫化特性、相态结构、动态力学性能、物理性能和低温拉伸性能。结果表明:当EVM/HNBR共混比为70/30时,EVM形成连续相,HNBR形成分散相;随着HNBR用量的增大,HNBR相态由分散相向连续相转变。HNBR的加入可以提高EVM的耐低温性能,当EVM/HNBR共混比为30/70时,共混物-40℃下的低温拉断伸长率可达300%左右。差示扫描量热分析表明,随着HNBR用量的增大,共混物玻璃化温度降低。     

Preparation and reaction kinetics of polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol by reactive extrusion and its compatibilization on polypropylene/polystyrene

Polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol (CAPP) was prepared by reactive extrusion with polypropylene (PP) and natural renewable cardanol, which improved the inherent defects of PP such as its chemical inertness and hydrophobicity. Moreover, the cardanol grafted onto PP resolved the degradation of PP during reactive extrusion and use. The effects of reactive extrusion on the change of the molecular structure of PP, the change in the free‐radical concentration during processing, and the compatibilization of CAPP on the PP/polystyrene (PS) composite materials were examined in this study. The constants of the grafting reaction rate at the beginning of reactive extrusion were also deduced. The results show that cardanol was grafted onto PP, and the p–π conjugate system in cardanol was observed to stabilize free radicals. The grafting reaction rate (R_g) at the initial stage of the grafting reaction process was calculated through the equation R_g = k_g[M·][Cardanol], where k_g is the constant of the apparent grafting reaction rate and [M·] is the concentration of free radicals in the reaction system. k_g first increased with the growth of temperature and then began to decrease when the temperature exceeded the critical temperature of 200°C. The mechanical properties showed almost no change after the samples were aged for 72 h. This was due to CAPP, which changed PP/PS to a ductile material from a brittle one. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39911.     

Structure and properties of polypropylene/high‐density polyethylene blends by solid equal channel angular extrusion

The solid equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) process on polypropylene (PP)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) blends was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the sample structures. Results showed that ECAE process could make PP/HDPE blends to produce orientation structure. Impact performance of ECAE‐PP/HDPE samples after ECAE process improved remarkably, especially for ECAE‐PP/HDPE (90/10)‐O whose impact strength reached 91.91 kJ/m², 18.1 times higher than that of pure PP and 11.2 times higher than that of PP/HDPE (90/10). The mechanism of enhancing between HDPE and PP was discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39759.     

Perfluorosulfonated ionomers membranes: Melt‐processing and characterization for ion exchange applications

Perflurosulfonated ionomers membranes with different ionic‐exchange capacity were successfully fabricated via melt‐extruding and casting of their –SO₂F precursors. A systematical investigation of the thermal stability, crystallinity, and rheological properties of the precursors was performed to secure their optimized processing conditions. The tensile properties of acid‐form membranes are found to increase with base‐hydrolysis time, where a tensile strength of 38.2 MPa is readily obtained after 24 h's base‐hydrolysis. The content of –SO₂F or –SO₃H containing side‐chains plays an important role in the thermal stability, rheological, and mechanical properties of the precursor or the acid‐form membranes. The strong ionic interactions, attributed to the –SO₃H groups, lead to decreased crystallinity and tensile strength for different IEC membranes. The acid‐form membranes exhibit good proton conductivity and low methanol crossover in comparison with reference Nafion membrane. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39944.     

Effects of a titanate coupling agent on the mechanical and thermo‐physical properties of talc‐reinforced polyethylene compounds

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the effects of a titanate coupling agent on the mechanical properties, moisture absorption, and thermal conductivity of talc‐filled high‐density polyethylene (HDPE). Talc (0–35 wt %) was used as reinforcement particulate filler in an HDPE matrix and samples were prepared in a micro‐compounder and an injection molding machine. Isopropyl tri(dioctyl)phosphate titanate (0.5 wt %) was used as coupling agent. Composites with and without coupling agent were evaluated for changes in mechanical and thermo‐physical properties, morphology, and void content. Addition of the titanate coupling agent most often resulted in an increase in stiffness and tensile strength. Furthermore, both the void content and the elongation at break of composites were reduced. Results also showed that the coupling agent had no effects on the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity of the composites. In addition, it was observed that the coupling agent was more effective at low concentrations of filler. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40449.     

Effects of rare earth samarium oxide on the properties of polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol grafted by reactive extrusion

Rare earth elements can improve the performance of polymers because of their special 4f orbitals. The nucleation and stabilization of radical groups of rare earth particles can affect the structure of polypropylene (PP) and its properties. In this study, samarium oxide (Sm₂O₃) particles were used as a cocatalyst and nucleating agent in polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol (CAPP) grafted by reactive extrusion. The properties of polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol containing modified Sm₂O₃ with a titanate coupling agent (CAPPMS) were investigated by ultraviolet–visible spectrometry, polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, universal testing, and capillary rheometry with the reference of CAPP containing unmodified Sm₂O₃ particles. The results show that the titanate coupling agent (TCA‐401) coated on the surface of the Sm₂O₃ particles improved the dispersion of the Sm₂O₃ particles and the adhesion between the Sm₂O₃ particles and CAPP matrix. The Sm₂O₃ particles promoted more cardanol to graft onto PP. Acting as nucleator for CAPP, the Sm₂O₃ particles increased the crystallization rate, increased the melting temperature, and decreased the spherulite size of CAPP. The modified Sm₂O₃ particles showed a greater effect on the mechanical and rheological properties than the unmodified Sm₂O₃ particles did. The tensile strength, impact strength and flexural strength of CAPPMS increased by 10 MPa, 0.64 kJ/m², and 6.5 MPa, respectively, compared to those of CAPP when we used 4.5 mol % modified Sm₂O₃ particles. The viscosity of CAPPMS increased to a certain extent in the presence of the modified Sm₂O₃. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41012.