Structural,mechanical, and thermal properties of 3D printed L‐CNC/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene nanocomposites

3D printing has been extensively applied in human‐related activities, and therefore the 3D printed nanocomposites became more popular and important in end‐use products. In the present study, we use lignin‐coated cellulose nanocrystal (L‐CNC) to reinforce 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and explore the effect of L‐CNC on the structural, mechanical, and thermal properties of 3D printed L‐CNC/ABS nanocomposites. The results indicate that the addition of L‐CNC foams the ABS and decreases the density of 3D printed L‐CNC/ABS nanocomposites. However, the tensile modulus and storage modulus increase by adding 4% L‐CNC. The thermal stability of 3D printed L‐CNC/ABS nanocomposites is also significantly improved as indicated by an increase in the maximum degradation temperature. The morphology of the nanocomposites reveals good dispersion and interfacial adhesion between L‐CNC and ABS. The finding indicates that the 3D printed nanocomposites become lighter and stiffer with addition of L‐CNC, which will have great potential to be applied in end‐use products. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45082.     

Mechanical,thermal, and morphological properties of recycled polycarbonate/recycled poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) blend nanocomposites

The present work aims within the context of plastic recycling is to upgrade the properties of plastic waste particularly the two engineering plastics polycarbonate (PC) and poly (acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) (ABS) from electrical and electronic equipment. Recycled polycarbonate (RPC) and recycled poly (acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) (RABS) were obtained from E‐waste suppliers. RPC/RABS blends compatibilized with both maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (MAP) and solid epoxy resin was prepared by microinjection molding. The effect of compatibilizer addition on the morphology and mechanical properties of RPC/RABS blends were analyzed. Further, to upgrade the mechanical and thermal properties two types of organically modified nanoclays closite 30B (C30B) and closite 15A (C15A) were incorporated into the optimized blend compositions. The effect of organoclay on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the RPC/RABS blend nanocomposites was investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dynamic mechanical,thermal, and morphological properties of silane‐treated montmorillonite reinforced polycarbonate nanocomposites

Three different loading of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) was used to modify the Na‐montmorillonite via cation exchange technique. The Na‐MMT and silane‐treated montmorillonite (STMMT) were melt‐compounded with polycarbonate (PC) by using Haake Minilab machine. The PC nanocomposite samples were prepared by using Haake Minijet injection molding technique. The intercalation and exfoliation of the PC/MMT nanocomposites were characterized by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal properties of the PC nanocomposites were investigated by using dynamic mechanical analyzer and thermogravimetry analyzer. XRD and TEM results revealed partial intercalation and exfoliation of STMMT in PC matrix. Increase of APS concentration significantly enhanced the storage modulus (E′) and improved the thermal stability of PC nanocomposites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Electron beam irradiation of polycarbonate reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene rubber

The effects of electron beam irradiation and polycarbonate (PC) concentration on the properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) were investigated. The electron beam irradiation doses were from 25 to 150 kGy, whereas the PC contents were from 10 to 30 phr. It was found that the mechanical properties of NBR such as tensile strength (TS), hardness and tear strength (Ts) were remarkably improved by the incorporation of PC, while elongation at break (E_b) and thermal properties were decreased. However, the improvement in TS of NBR/PC blends was strongly dependant on PC content, in which maximum improvements need higher doses. On the other hand, the maximum value of Ts for all the blend ratios was at 25 kGy, whereas the hardness increases with increasing irradiation dose. Moreover, it was observed that the fuel resistance of NBR/PC was higher than NBR and decreases by increasing the content of PC.     

Mechanical,thermal, and water uptake characteristics of woodflour‐filled polyvinyl chloride/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends

Woodflour‐filled composites based on polymeric blends of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and super high‐impact grade ABS were developed. Mechanical, thermal, and water uptake characteristics of the PVC/ABS matrix and their wood composites were evaluated. In the case of PVC/ABS matrix, the blend at a mass ratio of 50/50 rendered the impact strength with a very high value of up to 65 kJ/m², noticeably higher than those of the parent resins, that is, 6 kJ/m² of PVC and 35 kJ/m² of ABS. Dynamic mechanical analysis thermograms showed two distinct glass transition temperatures (T_gs) that shifted toward each other indicating partial miscibility of the blends. Water absorption of the blends after 24 h immersion was low, that is, within the range of 0.04–0.2 wt % and exhibits a behavior closed to pseudo‐Fickian type. The obtained PVC/ABS wood composites exhibited an increase of flexural modulus as well as T_gs with an increase of woodflour content. Finally, impact strength of the PVC/ABS composites was significantly higher than those of PVC composites or polyethylene composites comparing at the same woodflour content. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Reduction of percolation threshold through double percolation in melt‐blended polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/multiwall carbon nanotubes elastomer nanocomposites

We demonstrate a method that involves melt blending of polycarbonate (PC) and melt‐blended acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to prepare electrically conducting PC/MWCNT nanocomposites at significantly low MWCNT loading. The partial solubility of ABS in PC led to a selective dispersion of the MWCNTs in the ABS phase after melt‐blending PC and ABS. Thus, a sudden rise in electrical conductivity (∼10⁸ orders of magnitude) of the nanocomposites was found at 0.328 vol% of MWCNT, which was explained in terms of double percolation phenomena. By optimizing the ratio of PC and the ABS–MWCNT mixture, an electrical conductivity of 5.58 × 10⁻⁵ and 7.23 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ was achieved in the nanocomposites with MWCNT loading as low as 0.458 and 1.188 vol%, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a good dispersion and distribution of the MWCNTs in the ABS phase, leading to the formation of continuous MWCNT network structure throughout the matrix even at very low MWCNT loading. Storage modulus and thermal stability of the PC were also increased by the presence of a small amount of MWCNTs in the nanocomposites.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of carbon-nanotube filled polyamide-6 and its blends with acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene

Composites of polyamide-6 and carbon nanotubes (NT) have been prepared on a corotating twinscrew extruder. It is shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that the nanotubes are dispersed homogeneously in the polyamide-matrix. The electrical conductivity of these composites was analyzed and compared to carbon black filled polyamide-6. It is found that the NT-filled polyamide-6 shows an onset of the electrical conductivity at low filler loadings (4-6 wt%). In agreement with rheological measurements this onset in the conductivity is attributed to a percolation of nanotubes in the insulating matrix polymer. Tensile tests of the NT-composites show a significant increase of 27% in the Young's modulus, however the elongation at break of these materials dramatically decreases due to an embrittlement of the polyamide-6. Blends of these composites and Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS) have been prepared by extrusion. It is shown by TEM measurements that the nanotubes are selectively located in the polyamide-6. These selectively filled polyamide-6/ABS-blends show a highly irregular, cocontinuous morphology. Due to the confinement of the conductive filler to one blend component these materials show an onset in the electrical conductivity at very low filler loadings (2-3 wt%). These findings are explained by a double percolation effect. The NT-filled blends show superior mechanical properties in the tensile tests and in IZOD notched impact tests.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilized halloysite nanotubes reinforced polyethylene terephthalate/polycarbonate/nanocomposites

In this study, the effect of maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polyethylene terephthalate/polycarbonate/halloysite nanotubes (PET/PC/HNTs) nanocomposites has been investigated. Nanocomposites of PET/PC (70 : 30) with 2 phr of HNTs were compounded using the counter rotating twin screw extruder. A series of formulations were prepared by adding 5–20 phr SEBS‐g‐MA to the composites. Incorporation of 5 phr SEBS‐g‐MA into the nanocomposites resulted in the highest tensile and flexural strength. Maximum improvement in the impact strength which is 245% was achieved at 10 phr SEBS‐g‐MA content. The elongation at break increased proportionately with the SEBS‐g‐MA content. However, the tensile and flexural moduli decreased with increasing SEBS‐g‐MA content. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a transition from a brittle fracture to ductile fracture morphology with increasing amount of SEBS‐g‐MA. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the addition of SEBS‐g‐MA into the nanocomposites promoted a better dispersion of HNTs in the matrix. A single glass transition temperature was observed from the differential scanning calorimetry test for compatibilized nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis of PET/PC/HNTs nanocomposites showed high thermal stability at 15 phr SEBS‐g‐MA content. However, on further addition of SEBS‐g‐MA up to 20 phr, thermal stability of the nanocomposites decreased due to the excess amount of SEBS‐g‐MA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42608.     

Mechanical and thermal behavior of styrene butadiene rubber composites reinforced with silane-treated peanut shell powder

Biocomposites of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) reinforced with silane-treated peanut shell powder (SPSP) of different filler loadings and particle sizes were prepared by two roll mixing mills with sulfur as a vulcanizing agent. The cure characteristics of composites were studied, and they vulcanized at 160 °C. Test samples were prepared by compression moulding, and their physicomechanical properties, such as tensile strength tear strength, modulus, hardness, and abrasion resistance of SBR vulcanizates, were studied with filler loading 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 parts per hundred rubber (phr). Composites with 10 phr filler having small particle size exhibited better properties. The interfacial adhesion between filler and matrix has a major role in the properties of composites. Surface modification of PSP was done by silane coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion and it characterised by FTIR, XRD, TGA, UV, and SEM. Better properties are shown by the composites with SPSP. Thermal stability of the composites was also determined using thermogravimetric analysis.     

氧化石墨烯与白炭黑并用填充丁苯橡胶纳米复合材料的性能

采用乳液共混与机械剪切法制备氧化石墨烯/白炭黑/丁苯橡胶纳米复合材料,并对其综合性能进行研究。结果表明:两种并用填料在橡胶基体中均能达到纳米级分散,且白炭黑粒子填补了氧化石墨烯片层间的空隙。氧化石墨烯的加入延长了复合材料的正硫化时间,改变了其交联密度。氧化石墨烯等量替代白炭黑,可以提高橡胶基体中填料的有效体积分数,改善复合材料的物理性能和动态力学性能。氧化石墨烯的加入使复合材料的耐磨性能显著提高。与白炭黑填充相比,氧化石墨烯/白炭黑填充复合材料的60℃时损耗因子有所降低,能进一步降低滚动阻力,但其0℃的损耗因子也呈现降低趋势,对复合材料抗湿滑性能不利。     

Mechanical properties of alternating copolymers of acrylonitrile and butadiene

The alternating copolymer was prepared from butadiene (BD) and acrylonitrile (AN) with ethylaluminum dichloride as a complexing agent and with vanadyl chloride as a catalyst, and was investigated to explain effects of composition and sequence distribution on the physical properties, especially the viscoelastic properties and the ultimate mechanical properties. In the unvulcanized state, the viscoelastic properties of the alternating rubber is not essentially different from the random one, except for a slight difference in the relaxation spectra. However, the vulcanized rubbers show different shift factors. The latter depends upon the glass transition temperature (T_g.) Since the alternating copolymer possesses a T_g lower than the random one, the nature of the alternating copolymer corresponds to that of the random copolymer having an AN content of 40%. The difference in dynamic properties can be expressed with the different shift factors. In the isofree-volume state or at the temperature T_g + 25°C, the rubbers having various acrylonitrile contents and various degrees of alternation exhibit almost the same dynamic properties. However, the strain at break of the alternating rubber is higher than that of the random one. The temperature of maximum strain increases with increasing degree of alternation. The alternating rubber shows higher stress at break than the random one. The stiffness of the chain of the alternating copolymer is smaller than the random copolymer; in other words, the molecular chain of the former is more flexible than the latter. It can be said that the alternating copolymer is an excellent rubber having high tensile strength and elongation at break.     

Interactive effect of ammonium polyphosphate and montmorillonite on enhancing flame retardancy of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites

The effect of two flame retardants [ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and montmorillonite (MMT)] was studied in relation to flame retardancy, mechanical properties and physical characteristics of polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends. Moreover, the possible synergistic effect of these two flame retardant additives on the macromolecular blends was studied as well. Based on this research, it was revealed that APP- and MMT-raised loading has significantly increased the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the resulting PC/ABS blends, which is due to the intumescence effect provoked by the incorporation of these flame retardant fillers. Incorporation of APP improved the LOI through intumescence effect while the addition of MMT led to intercalation of PC/ABS polymer matrix into the interlayer galleries of MMT particles. Besides, higher APP loading in PC/ABS blends has significantly promoted the formation of carbonaceous char residues as evidenced in TGA analysis, which indicates that addition of higher APP could improve thermal stability of PC/ABS blends. To improve the tensile strength and elongation-at-break, APP loading of 25 phr in PC/ABS blends together with various MMT loading would be suitable to ensure good dispersion and interfacial adhesion between the polymer chains and the additives. However, it is important to control the loading level of MMT as its excessive incorporation could result in flame-retarded PC/ABS blends with brittle behavior, showing weaker mechanical properties.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polycarbonate composites reinforced with potassium titanate whiskers

Polycarbonate (PC) composites reinforced with potassium titanate (K₂Ti₆O₁₃) whiskers were blended in a twin‐screw extruder followed by injection molding. The surface of whiskers was treated with tetrabutyl orthotitanate prior to blending. The effects of potassium titanate whisker additions on the tensile, impact, and thermal properties of PC were investigated. Tensile tests showed that the stiffness of composites markedly improved with increasing whisker content. However, potassium titanate whiskers were ineffective to reinforce PC because these whiskers promoted chemical decomposition of PC matrix during compounding. Consequently, the torque values of PC/K₂Ti₆O₁₃ composites were much lower than that of PC. Moreover, torque measurements revealed that titanate coupling agent also facilitated decomposition of PC during blending. The mechanisms responsible for the degradation of PC matrix of the surface‐treated PC/K₂Ti₆O₁₃ composites are discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 501–508, 1999     

Comparison of polystyrene,poly(styrene/acrylonitrile), high-impact polystryrene,and poly(acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) with respect to tensile and impact properties

The tensile behaviors of polystyrene (PS), poly(styrene/acrylonitrile) (SAN), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and poly(acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) (ABS) were examined systematically in the wide range of strain rate, 1.7 × 10^?4–13.1 m/s. When glassy and brittle PS was a criterion, the incorporation of a polar group (SAN) only strengthened the hardness, and the fracture mode was the same as for PS. The introduction of dispersed rubber particles (HIPS) weakened the hardness a little but offered a new deformation mechanism, i.e., microcrazing (whitening), and contributed to the improvement of impact strength. In the heterogeneous system, the enhancement of matrix strength [e.g., preorientation or blending with poly(phenylene oxide) for HIPS] makes possible another deformation mechanism, i.e., shear band formation (cold drawing), which is superior to microcrazing for achieving higher impact strength. ABS, which incorporates concurrently two factors (polar group to matrix phase and dispersed rubber particles), can be regarded as an enhancement of the matrix strength of HIPS. In spite of the remarkable magnitude of its impact strength compared with that of the other three polymers, the deformation mechanism of ABS was limited to microcrazing. This indicated that only the introduction of a polar group (as nitrile group) could not strengthen the matrix as much as preorientation or blending with poly(phenylene oxide).     

Effect of thermal treatment on the electrothermographic and electrical properties of poly(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)

Studies on the electrothermographic and conductivity behaviour of poly(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (ABS) films of different thermal pretreatments were carried out. The resistivity in ABS layers stored at 50°C was found to be low (～ 10¹⁵ Ω · cm). The charge acceptance and its retention also is poor. The reason for that is the adsorption of water molecules. The layers, when thermally treated at 100°C or more for 5 h, show an enhanced resistivity (～ 10¹⁷ Ω · cm at 50°C) and hence an improvement in charge acceptance as well as in charge retention. Environmental and storage conditions as well as thermal treatment during layer preparations have no effect on the temperature dependence of the resistivity beyond 110°C.     

Effect of nanoclay on the morphology and properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene toughened polyoxymethylene (POM)/clay nanocomposites

Here, we report the morphology and properties of melt‐blended poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) (ABS) toughened polyoxymethylene (POM)/clay nanocomposites at different clay loadings (2.5 and 5 phr). The number average domain diameter (D_n) of the ABS droplets in the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend was gradually decreased with increase in clay loading. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) study and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS/clay nanocomposites revealed that, the major amount of clay silicates was dispersed selectively in the POM phase of the blend with an exfoliated morphology. The thermal stability of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend was increased with the increase in clay loadings. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study suggested the enhancement in the non‐isothermal crystallization temperature of the matrix polymer in the blend/clay nanocomposites. The rheological study revealed a shear thinning behavior in the nanocomposites indicating good processability of the nanocomposites. The solvent uptake property of the blend was decreased in the presence of small amount of the clay in the nanocomposites. The tensile strength and Young modulus of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend were increased, whereas, percent elongation of the blend was decreased with increasing the clay content. The toughening effect of the ABS was prominent in the POM/ABS/clay nanocomposites compared to the pristine polymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:273–282, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of percolation on electrical and dielectric properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/graphite composite

Prelocalized Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene/graphite composites were prepared by hot compression molding technique. The increased conductivity with increase of graphite content exhibits percolation phenomenon. The current–voltage characteristics are found to change from nonlinear to linear above the percolation threshold. A positive temperature coefficient of resistance is observed in these composites, and this effect is more pronounced in samples having graphite concentration near percolation threshold. The dielectric constant was found to increase slowly up to the percolation concentration and beyond it a sudden increase in its value is observed. The dissipation factor exhibits maxima in the vicinity of percolation threshold. The dielectric properties are discussed in terms of the interfacial Maxwell‐Wagner effects. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Thermal post-processing effects on the polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites manufactured by fused filament fabrication

The mechanical properties of components manufactured by fused filament fabrication lack sufficient levels for industrial applications. The need for post-processing is, therefore, necessary to enhance the interlayer strength and mechanical characteristics. In the present study, experimental analysis of the effects of annealing on polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene manufactured by fused filament fabrication is explored. Annealing temperatures are selected in the range from 90 to 210°C based on differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The ultimate tensile strength improved by 20.39% from 32.39 to 38.99 MPa after the heat treatment at 180°C for 1-h duration. Flexural strength showed a remarkable enhancement of 53.21% after annealing at 180°C for 2 h. The interlayer diffusion and bonding are boosted following heat treatment and microstructural imaging proved the same although the surface had flakes due to the high heat exposure. X-ray diffraction testing of annealed models demonstrated a maximum crystallinity index of 32.56% when compared with nonannealed samples with 6.58%. The addition of polycarbonate to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene improves the stiffness and impact loading capacity with high heat resistance. The heat treatment process is capable of magnifying the mechanical characteristics of the end functional components, thereby opening up the scope for more engineering applications.     

Compatibilizer/graphene/carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR)/ethylenepropylenediene monomer (EPDM) nanocomposites: Morphology,compatibility, rheology and mechanical properties

In this study, nanocomposites based on different blends of XNBR/EPDM with 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 phr graphene were prepared on a two-roll mill. The role of EPDM-grafted maleic anhydride compatibilizer (EPDM-g-MAH) and the effect of graphene on morphology, curing characteristics, and mechanical properties were investigated. The curing behavior of the nanocomposites was studied using a rubber curing rheometer. Also, microstructure of the nanocomposites was observed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. With increasing the graphene content in the composite, in addition to the torque, the curing time and scorch time were increased. Fracture surface morphological studies indicated that the presence of EPDM-g-MAH improved the graphene dispersion within the XNBR/EPDM matrix and a uniform dispersion with a small amount of aggregation was observed. On the other hand, the presence of graphene in the matrix created a rough fracture surface. In addition, with adding EPDM-g-MAH compatibilizer and increasing the graphene, the dispersed phase size of EPDM in the XNBR matrix became smaller and a uniform dispersion was obtained. Also, hardness, tensile strength, fatigue, modulus, and elongation-at-break of XNBR/EPDM nanocomposite showed a significant increase by the addition of compatibilizer and increasing the graphene content.