Characterization and application of propylene grafted hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin

Hydrocarbon resins, which are defined as low molecular weight, amorphous, and thermoplastic polymers, are widely used as tackifiers for various types of adhesives, as processing aids in rubber compounds, and as modifiers for paint and ink products, and for use in plastics polymers such as isotactic polypropylene. Recently, the quantities of the hydrocarbon resin׳ raw materials which are the side products from naphtha cracking process have decreased because of light-feed cracking such as gas cracking, so new raw materials for hydrocarbon resin production are essential. To be satisfied with the previously mentioned factors, the substitution of hydrocarbon resin raw materials with renewable resources is a worthy consideration. Moreover, new hydrocarbon resin having high adhesion performance, low specific gravity, and good compatibility with various polymers has been requested in various adhesives.To meet those requests, in this study, propylene instead of side product from naphtha cracking as main raw material of hydrocarbon resin were partially used. The propylene serves as a new, sustainable raw material and was successfully grafted onto dicyclopentadiene. The reaction of the propylene with dicyclopentadiene was confirmed because, according to NMR and FT-IR analyses, a pendant methyl-propylene group exists in the structure of the propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin. To establish an optimal production condition regarding the propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin, numerous experiments were conducted according to the mole ratio of the raw materials and the polymerization temperature. The propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin that was manufactured according to optimal conditions results in a lower specific gravity and a high molecular weight, whereby the advantages of the adhesion properties of an SIS-based pressure-sensitive-adhesive are exploited. When the propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin was formulated with the SIS-based pressure-sensitive-adhesive, both the heat stability and the shear-adhesion strength are sound.     

Investigation of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation of two different Pseudoalteromonas species: Comparison of different methods

Biological fouling in marine environments creates numerous problems for engineered structures. Microbial attachment to a solid surface and biofilm formation initiates the process of biofouling. Therefore, detecting the initial bacterial attachment and understanding the mechanism of biofilm formation are important for controlling biofouling. In the present study, the mechanisms of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation of two marine isolated bacteria, namely Pseudoalteromonas sp. and Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra on Ti-coated samples were examined through different electrochemical, surface analysis and thermodynamic methods. The results revealed that the rate of bacterial attachment and mechanism of biofilm formation varied for different species of bacteria. The amount of exopolysaccharide production could affect the bacterial attachment rate. Open circuit potentiometry has been found to be a valid and simple technique for continuous real-time monitoring of the biofilm formation compared to other electrochemical and thermodynamic techniques. Finally, two different models have been suggested to explain initial adhesion and biofilm formation of bacteria of different species.     

Aspects of enamel bonding using experimental silanes for orthodontic adhesion

This in vitro study investigates bonding to enamel using experimental silane-based primers with and without 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) under various artificial ageing methods. One hundred and fifty sound extracted human premolars were used and randomly assigned to three experimental study groups. They were first acid-etched for 15 s, rinsed with water spray, air dried, and applied 0.3 ml of artificial saliva on the enamel surfaces. Two groups of enamel surfaces were primed using silane-based experimental primers (1.0 vol% of 3-isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane and 0.5 vol% of bis-1,2-(triethoxysilylethane) with and without 25% HEMA) while one group was served as control. Then, stainless steel premolar orthodontic brackets were fixed onto teeth with orthodontic resin composite. The specimens from each group (n=10) were stored under different ageing conditions: thermo-cycling (500, 2000, and 6000 cycles), storage in artificial saliva for 24 h, and for one year. The shear adhesion (bond) strength (SBS) was tested by using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Surface morphology and failure modes at the debonded interfaces were examined using SEM. Two-way ANOVA and post hoc tests were used to compare the SBS (α=0.05). The results suggested that an experimental primer with 25% HEMA, after 24 h storage in artificial saliva, produced the highest mean SBS (22.1 MPa, SD 2.2 MPa). The lowest mean value (5.8 MPa, SD 1.1 MPa) was obtained with the control group thermo-cycled (6000 cycles). There was a significant difference between the experimental primers (p<0.001) and artificial ageing (p<0.001). We conclude that 25% HEMA inclusion in silane primer could provide satisfactory adhesion strength, and 500 cycles of thermo-cycling (ISO TR 11450) does not correlate with 1-year artificial saliva storage for enamel bonding test.     

Design of an Osteoinductive Extracellular Fibronectin Matrix Protein for Bone Tissue Engineering

Integrin-mediated cell-matrix interactions play an important role in osteogenesis. Here, we constructed a novel osteoinductive fibronectin matrix protein (oFN) for bone tissue engineering, designed to combine the integrin-binding modules from fibronectin (iFN) and a strong osteoinductive growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein-2. Compared with iFN, the purified oFN matrix protein caused a significant increase in cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells (p < 0.05).     

Dry forming of aluminum alloys – Wear mechanisms and influencing factors

Tribological contacts in sheet metal forming are accompanied by several wear phenomena. One of which is the transfer of material from the softer sheet material to the harder tool surface, namely adhesive wear. Forming of aluminum alloys makes high demands on forming processes. Aluminum alloys show a strong tendency of adhesion on common tool materials. Adhesions on tools reduce the surface quality, the dimensional accuracy of the parts and the process stability. In order to avoid adhesive wear during forming, nowadays a high amount of lubricant is applied to the aluminum sheets. Though economically and ecologically attractive, dry forming processes with aluminum sheets seem not to be possible. In order to develop advantageous tribological systems a comprehensive understanding of the acting mechanisms is necessary. This paper discusses the influence of the alloy composition and the influence of oxide layers on the adhesive wear in aluminum forming.     

The Interplay of Modulus,Strength, and Ductility in Adhesive Design Using Biomimetic Polymer Chemistry

High‐performance adhesives require mechanical properties tuned to demands of the surroundings. A mismatch in stiffness between substrate and adhesive leads to stress concentrations and fracture when the bonding is subjected to mechanical load. Balancing material strength versus ductility, as well as considering the relationship between adhesive modulus and substrate modulus, creates stronger joints. However, a detailed understanding of how these properties interplay is lacking. Here, a biomimetic terpolymer is altered systematically to identify regions of optimal bonding. Mechanical properties of these terpolymers are tailored by controlling the amount of a methyl methacrylate stiff monomer versus a similar monomer containing flexible poly(ethylene glycol) chains. Dopamine methacrylamide, the cross‐linking monomer, is a catechol moiety analogous to 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine, a key component in the adhesive proteins of marine mussels. Bulk adhesion of this family of terpolymers is tested on metal and plastic substrates. Incorporating higher amounts of poly(ethylene glycol) into the terpolymer introduces flexibility and ductility. By taking a systematic approach to polymer design, the region in which material strength and ductility are balanced in relation to the substrate modulus is found, thereby yielding the most robust joints.     

Improved interfacial adhesion with the help of functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes in silicone rubber/rayon fiber composites: Physical,mechanical, thermal,and morphological properties

The aim of this article is to improve the interfacial adhesion between silicone rubber (SR) and Rayon fiber by the help of functional hybrid POSS nanoparticles. Two POSS types were compared, octavinyl-POSS (O-POSS) and methacryl-POSS (M-POSS), having reactive  CC double bonds that can impart in peroxide crosslinking. O-POSS is nonpolar, whereas M-POSS is polar and is able to make H-bond with Rayon fibers. POSS type and their concentrations were examined as the experimental parameters. H-adhesion tests indicated that both POSS types enhanced the adhesion of SR composites to Rayon fibers compared with control recipe. Specifically, slightly higher values were obtained with the use of M-POSS. It was observed that both O-POSS and M-POSS slowed down the curing rate but increased the degree of crosslinking. The cure extent of O-POSS containing composites was found to be higher than that of M-POSS containing ones. Thermal gravimetric analyses revealed that thermal stability of SR composites was significantly improved by the addition of POSS particles. Higher char yield and degradation temperatures were obtained with O-POSS at higher loadings with respect to M-POSS. The POSS distribution at lower loading levels was found to be homogenous for both POSS types as observed from scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope.     

In-Situ Investigation on Nanoscopic Biomechanics of Streptococcus mutans at Low pH Citric Acid Environments Using an AFM Fluid Cell

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is widely regarded as the main cause of human dental caries via three main virulence factors: adhesion, acidogenicity, and aciduricity. Citric acid is one of the antibiotic agents that can inhibit the virulence capabilities of S. mutans. A full understanding of the acidic resistance mechanisms (ARMs) causing bacteria to thrive in citrate transport is still elusive. We propose atomic force microscopy (AFM) equipped with a fluid cell to study the S. mutans ARMs via surface nanomechanical properties at citric acid pH 3.3, 2.3, and 1.8. Among these treatments, at pH 1.8, the effect of the citric acid shock in cells is demonstrated through a significantly low number of high adhesion zones, and a noticeable reduction in adhesion forces. Consequently, this study paves the way to understand that S. mutans ARMs are associated with the variation of the number of adhesion zones on the cell surface, which is influenced by citrate and proton transport. The results are expected to be useful in developing antibiotics or drugs involving citric acid for dental plaque treatment.     

Feasible Preparation of a Thin‐Film Composite Nanofiltration (TFC NF) Membrane with Enhanced Skin–Substrate Adhesion and Compaction Resistance: In Situ Construction of Rigid–Flexible Polymer Composited Microspheres (CPs) in the Casting Solution

Novel microspheres (CPs) composited by rigid and flexible polymers are synthesized and embedded in the supporting membranes to enhance both the skin–substrate adhesion and compaction resistance of the thin‐film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membranes. The CPs are in situ formed in the casting solution after the rigid poly(p‐phenylene terephthamide) (PPTA) is produced in the flexible poly(m‐phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) solution. Then the PPTA/PMIA in situ blending membranes are prepared by using the NIPs method, and the TFC NF membranes are fabricated via interfacial polymerization on them. The CPs are characterized via polarizing microscopy and TEM. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the blended membranes are characterized by using FESEM, AFM, FTIR, and WCA, respectively. As the results show, the supporting membrane with higher PPTA content exhibits higher permeability, thermal stability, and compaction resistance. Moreover, the adhesion strength between the TFC functional layer and the supporting membrane is improved significantly. It is proposed that this improvement can be attributed to the CPs that are exposed on the top surface of the supporting membrane, which leads to a great enhancement because of the anchoring effect between the functional layer and the CPs.     

Study on the interfacial properties of active Ti element/ZrO2 by using first principle calculation

Ti element is an important active element in brazing Zirconia ceramic (ZrO₂) ceramic. Therefore, the interface bonding mechanism of Ti and ZrO₂ was studied by using first principles calculation. Two kinds of interfaces with different termination and stacking sequence were established, and the interfacial bonding mechanism was studied using work of adhesion (W_ad), electronic behavior and interface energy. The results show that in the O-terminated interface, Ti and O form a strong ion-covalent bond at the interface, and the W_ad can reach 13.61 J/m². In the Zr-terminated interface, Ti and Zr form a metal-covalent bond, and the W_ad is 5.56 J/m². At a temperature of 1123K, when the lnP_O2 is larger than e⁻¹⁷, the O-rich interface is more stable in thermodynamics. Therefore, under the experimental condition, the interface tends to form Ti-O compounds when ZrO₂ is brazed using Ag(Ti) filler metal.