Influence of plasticizers and cryogenic grinding on the high‐cooling‐rate solidification behavior of PBT/PET blends

Two structurally different plasticizers (cyclic and linear) and the effect of cryogenic grinding on the solidification behavior at high cooling rates by a continuous cooling transformation approach of poly(butylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene terephthalate), PBT/PET, blends are described. The solidification curve (density versus cooling rate) is confirmed as an effective tool to compare the differences in crystallization behavior under conditions mimicking processing. In comparison to the bulky cyclic plasticizer, the linear oligomeric one was found to have a more pronounced influence on the crystallization behavior. A 60/40 by weight PBT/PET blend shows a drop‐off of density at ～50 K/s. In the plasticized sample, the long‐range crystalline order appears up to a cooling rate of ～250K/s, making the blend comparable to pure PBT. Grinding the components before blending further improves crystallizability and synergy to the addition of the plasticizer. The results suggest the important role of local chain mobility in the solidification behavior at high cooling rates. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43083.     

Stress corrosion crack velocity and grain boundary precipitates in an Al-Zn-Mg alloy

The fracture kinetics of Al-5.5 Zn-2.5 Mg alloys submersed in 3 pct NaCl-H₂O solutions were varied by heat treatment. The steady state velocity, on a plot of velocity vs stress intensity, was compared with microstructure and it was found to be inversely proportional to the volume of MgZn₂ in the grain boundary. This behavior suggests that grain boundary precipitates can act as sacrificial anodes to retard intergranular stress corrosion cracking. Formerly Graduate Student at the University of Connecticut     

Doped oxides of cerium as inorganic colorants

The colour of inorganic colorants is based on metal ions such as cadmium, lead, chromium or cobalt, the majority of which are unfortunately potentially toxic. Thus, there is in a need to introduce alternative metal or metal oxides, which would be environmentally friendly and economically viable as a replacement for potentially toxic inorganic colorants. Rare earth-based colorants offer an additional opportunity for the development of optically pure colours. In this study, a replacement for potentially toxic colorants has been sought through the use of a rare earth metal ion, cerium. Appropriate doping of cerium oxides with molybdenum and iron gives an orange–red colorant. The conditions ideal for optimal colour have been standardised and the resultant colorant characterised through powder X-ray diffraction techniques, particle size measurement, etc. The colorants exhibit good hiding power and tinting strength.     

Colored cool colorants based on rare earth metal ions

Colored pigments with high near infrared reflectance and not based on toxic metal ions like cadmium, lead and cobalt are being sought as cool colorants. Through appropriate doping two pigments Ce-Pr-Mo and Ce-Pr-Fe have been developed to offer a reddish brown and reddish orange color, respectively. These pigments have been characterized and found to be highly crystalline with an average size of 300 nm. A shift in band gap energy from 2.21 to 2.18 eV has been observed when Li₂CO₃ was used as a mineralizer. Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDAX) measurement indicate a uniform grind shape and distribution of metal ion, with over 65% reflectance in the NIR region, these pigments can well serve as cool colorants.     

Mechanisms of Solution Reactions of Cyclo-Penta[cd]Pyrene Oxide and Acenaphthylene Oxide

Rates and products of the acid-catalyzed and spontaneous reactions of cyclopenta[cd]pyrene oxide (2) and acenaphthalene oxide (3) in 1:3 dioxane-water and water, respectively, have been determined. Both 2 and 3 undergo acid-catalyzed hydrolyses to yield cis diol as the major product, and undergo spontaneous reactions to yield predominantly ketone products. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.     

Progress in Carbon Fiber and Its Polypropylene- and Polyethylene-Based Composites

Due to their lightweight and excellent toughness, carbon fiber (CF) and its reinforced thermoplastic composites are suitable for high-performance applications such as aerospace, aviation, automotive and sport equipments. In this study, comprehensive detail is provided on the production of carbon fiber, its various forms and geometry and their corresponding effects on the mechanical properties of CF and its reinforced polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) composites. Here we discuss extensively various methods reported in literature on improving the interfacial fiber-matrix adhesion and dispersion in order to achieve better mechanical properties for such composites.     

Centrifuge Modeling of Moisture Migration in Silty Soils

An effort has been made to demonstrate use of a small geotechnical centrifuge as a research tool to understand moisture migration in a silty soil. Such a basic study is essential for understanding the much more complex phenomenon of solute transport through a soil, where the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil-solute system play an important role. Present study indicates that the advection in soils is dependent on the state of the soil and, in particular, on its degree of saturation. The effect of pore structure on the advection process has also been demonstrated. The trends of experimental data indicate that modeling of models may be valid only for saturated soils.     

Prediction of constant amplitude fatigue lives of precracked specimens from accelerated fatigue data

The feasibility of using an accelerated fatigue test programme to predict constant amplitude fatigue lives of precracked specimens was examined. An analytical basis for the fracture mechanics approach was developed by modifying earlier work that had been applied to unnotched specimens. A load programme involving a linearly increasing load with cycle number was used for the accelerated tests. The predicted curves from the accelerated test data were found to provide a good fit for the constant amplitude results in 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 aluminium alloys. These results indicate that the accelerated test data can be effectively employed to predict constant amplitude fatigue lives, while also providing a considerable reduction in testing time.     

A study of the size-effect on plastic energy dissipation and toughness in 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheets

The plastic energy dissipation before crack growth initiation and during stable crack growth was determined in centercracked thin sheet specimens of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy with different width and crack length-to-width ratios. The plastic energy dissipation rate versus stable crack growth curve was found to be approximately linear, but the slope decreased considerably with increase in crack length. No correlation was observed between plastic energy dissipation rate and the linear toughness ($\text{G}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{c}}$), the nonlinear energy toughness ($\text{G}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{c}}$) or the $\text{R-}\text{curve}$ toughness ($\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{R}}$). The role of net section yielding on the decrease in stable crack growth and toughness values in small specimens is discussed.