Effect of water absorption,freezing and thawing,and photo‐aging on flexural properties of extruded HDPE/rice husk composites

Durability of lingo‐cellulosic fiber composites under environmental conditions such as moisture, freezing and thawing, and UV exposure needs to be determined prior to the use of these composite materials in outdoor applications. Dimensional stability and changes in the flexural strength and stiffness of extruded rice husk filled high‐density polyethylene composites with and without processing additives such as compatibilizers and processing aid were examined after exposing the composites to water, conditions of freeze–thaw cycles, and UV light. Water absorption results indicated a decrease in the rate of penetration of water in the composites in the presence of compatibilizers. The reduction in strength and stiffness after water absorption was lower for composites with compatibilizers than for the composites without any additives. Freezing and thawing experiments also showed the dimensional changes and degradation of strength and stiffness were less in composites with compatibilizers. Presence of processing aid in the composite showed a similar or enhanced water absorption and loss of mechanical properties, compared with those of the composite without processing additives. Although the composites showed a discoloration of the surface after the UV exposure time (745 h) studied, it was found that within this period of UV exposure the flexural strength and stiffness of the composites did not show significant change. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3619–3625, 2006     

Study on physicochemical properties of Al2O3SiCC castable for blast furnace

The physicochemical properties of a new Al₂O₃SiCC castable (ASCC) material were systematically investigated in this study. The results indicate that different heat treatment (HT) temperatures can lead to the formation of different phases, generating performance changes. A high HT temperature of 1773 K can create the mullite phase, serving as a strength-enhancer and shrinkage-compensator. The coexistence of carbon and corundum phases can effectively impede the corrosion caused by iron and slag, respectively, while the low carbon content in the ASCC can strengthen the iron attack resistance. The compressive strength of the ASCC showed a greater than 40% decrease after impurity element (K, Na, and Zn) corrosion experiments, which is greater than the change of the breaking strength. The larger atomic diameter of alkali metal could cause local relaxation and volume expansion of the aluminosilicate structure. The alkali metal scatters on the substrate; however, zinc exists in the form of ZnS and is primarily concentrated in the voids of the ASCC.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/poly(vinylidene chloride) interpenetrating polymer networks

A series of polyurethane (PU)/poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were synthesized through variations in the amounts of the prepolyurethane and vinylidene chloride monomer via sequential polymerization (80/20, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, and 20/80 PU/PVDC). The physicomechanical and optical properties of the IPNs were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies of the IPNs were performed to establish their thermal stability. TGA thermograms showed that the thermal degradation of the IPNs proceeded in three steps. Microcrystalline parameters, such as the crystal size and lattice disorder, of the PU/PVDC IPNs were estimated with wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1375–1381, 2007     

PP／LDPE共混物熔体流动特性的研究

将两种熔融流动指数（ＭＦＩ）相差大的聚丙烯（ＰＰ）分别与一低密度聚乙烯（ＬＤＰＥ）进行共混，用熔体流动速率仪测定其流动特性。发现ＭＦＩ值高的ＰＰ，当共混比ＰＰ／ＬＤＰＥ为５０／５０时，其熔体流动速率（ＭＦＲ）为最大，本文对此作了初步的分析和讨论。     

Viscoelastic Behavior, Thermodynamic Compatibility, and Phase Equilibria in Block Copolymer-Based Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

The viscoelastic behavior, thermodynamic compatibility, and phase equilibria in block copolymer-based pressure-sensitive adhesives were investigated. The block copolymers investigated were: (1) polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene (SBS) copolymer (KRATON® D-1102, Shell Development Company) and (2) polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS) copolymer (KRATON® D-1107, Shell Development Company). The tackifying resins investigated were: (1) WINGTACK® 86 (Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company) and (2) PICCOTAC® 95BHT (Hercules Inc.). Samples of various compositions were prepared by a solution-casting method with toluene as solvent. Measurements of dynamic storage modulus (G'), dynamic loss modulus (G'), and loss tangent (tan δ) were taken, using a Rheometrics Mechanical Spectrometer. It was found that: (1) both WINGTACK 86 and PICCOTAC 95BHT were equally effective in decreasing the plateau modulus (G^O_N), and increasing the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the polyisoprene midblock of KRATON 1107; and (2) WINGTACK 86 was very effective in decreasing the G^O_N and increasing the T_g of the polybutadiene midblock of KRATON 1102, whereas PICCOTAC 95BHT was not. The observed difference between WINGTACK 86 and PICCOTAC 95BHT in decreasing the G^O_N and increasing the T_g of the polybutadiene midblock of KRATON 1102, whereas PICCOTAC 95BHT was not. The observed difference between WINGTACK 86 and PICCOTAC 95BHT in decreasing the G^O_N and increasing the T_g of the polybutadiene midblock of KRATON 1102 (perhaps to SBS block copolymers in general) is explained by the values of the interaction parameter for WINGTACK 86 and KRATON 1102, and for PICCOTAC 95BHT and KRATON 1102. The interaction parameter was determined, using the piezoelectric quartz sorption method. Phase diagrams were constructed for the four block copolymer/tackifying resin systems investigated, using information obtained from both dynamic viscoelastic measurements and optical microscopy. It was found that when mixed with KRATON 1102, PICCOTAC 95BHT formed separate domains whereas WINGTACK 86 did not over the range of concentrations and temperatures investigated. This confirms the evidence obtained from two other independent experimental techniques, namely, dynamic viscoelastic measurements and the piezo-electric sorption method. We have concluded from the present study that PICCOTAC 95BHT is not as an effective tackifying resin as WINGTACK 86, when each is mixed with KRATON 1102. It is pointed out further that information on the order-disorder transition temperature T_r, which was determined from a rheological technique proposed by us, is valuable in determining optimal processing conditions for block copolymer-based pressure-sensitive adhesives.     

羧基化改性煤的离子交换性能

对马来酸酐改性制成的长焰煤加合物的阳离子交换性进行研究,并同氧化煤和工业吸附剂作了对比,表明其亲质子基团的解离范围宽(pK3.6～6.5)。从水溶液中吸附多价金属阳离子的能力取决于阳离子交换剂的表面性质:该加合物对Cr、Fe、Pb的吸附活性高于КБ-4阳离子树脂。     

基体树脂对长玻璃纤维增强PP力学性能的影响

采用在线混合设备制备了长玻璃纤维(LGF)增强聚丙烯(PP)复合材料(LGF-PP),研究了基体性质及界面相容剂对LGF-PP力学性能的影响。基体树脂熔体流动速率的增加,使最终LGF-PP中的玻璃纤维长度从5.63 mm增至8.56 mm,提高了力学性能。与均聚PP比较,以共聚PP为基体树脂的LGF-PP冲击强度高出约10%,但其他性能略差。界面相容剂有利于增强玻璃纤维与PP的界面结合,拉伸强度和拉伸模量明显增加,但是冲击强度降低了20%～30%。     

Influence of activated carbon pore structure on oxygen reduction at catalyst layers supported on rotating disk electrodes

Carbon materials are often used as catalyst supports, and for catalysts in electrodes of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, carbon black has been used. Recently, it was found, however, that activated carbon could replace carbon black and besides, significantly improve the activity of the electrode catalyst layer for oxygen reduction. In the present study, to optimize the pore structure of activated carbon for further activity improvement, the influence of the pore structure on the activity was investigated using activated carbon of various specific surface areas and mean pore diameters. A catalyst layer was formed from activated carbon loaded with platinum and a polymer electrolyte. The activity of the layer was measured in an oxygen-saturated perchloric acid solution, supporting the layer on a rotating glassy carbon disk electrode. We found that increases in the specific surface area and mean pore diameter increased the activity and that the latter was more effective than the former mainly due to the enhanced mass-transfer in the pores; the catalyst layer formed from activated carbon with the largest mean pore diameter was the most active. Unless pores excessively develop and lose connections between particles, a large pore diameter is therefore desired for the fuel cell electrodes.     

Surface modification of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene. II. Effect on the physicomechanical and tribological properties of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites

We performed surface modification of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) through chromic acid etching, with the aim of improving the performance of its composites with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers. In this article, we report on the morphology and physicomechanical and tribological properties of modified UHMWPE/PET composites. Composites containing chemically modified UHMWPE had higher impact properties than those based on unmodified UHMWPE because of improved interfacial bonding between the polymer matrix and the fibers and better dispersion of the fibers within the modified UHMWPE matrix. Chemical modification of UHMWPE before the introduction of PET fibers resulted in composites exhibiting improved wear resistance compared to the base material and compared to unmodified UHMWPE/PET composites. On the basis of the morphological studies of worn samples, microploughing and fatigue failure associated with microcracking were identified as the principle wear mechanisms. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

球磨时间对钛酸钡介电性能的影响

通过改变混料的秩序以及采用沉降、水煮损耗、温度特性、电导率和化学分析等测试手段，研究了制备钛酸钡的球磨工艺中球磨时间对钛酸钡粉体均匀性及钛酸钡介电性能的影响。研究结果表明：采用不同的球磨时间制得的钛酸钡性能差别较大，球磨时间达12小时时，能减少球磨引起的团聚，极大地改善了固相合成BaTiO3粉体均匀性，并最终提高了钛酸钡的介电性能。