Effect of Micro- and Nano-Particle Fillers at Low Percolation Threshold on the Dielectric and Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane/Copper Composites

Polymeric composites based on polyurethane (PU) as the matrix and copper (Cu) particles as the filler were prepared by using solution casting. The effects of micro- and nano-particles size and content on the dielectric and mechanical properties depend upon the interface between metal filler and polymeric matrix. The dispersion of the fillers within the polymeric matrix was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM results showed a relatively homogeneous dispersion for the micro-particle size and the existence of the aggregation and poor compatibility for the nano-particle size. Differential scanning calorimetric measurements showed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) in case of micro-particles is quite similar to that of the neat PU, but the increase in Tg was observed when nano-particles were used. The dielectric properties of the composites as a function of the filler concentration and filler size was investigated in the frequency range of 100?Hz–10?kHz, showing an increase in dielectric constant with increasing filler content. This increase was more significant when using the nano-particles. The mechanical properties of the composites were obtained by using a tensile tester (ASTM D412). The tensile modulus generally increased with increasing Cu content, but the extent of increase was lower in case of micro-particles. The tensile strength of composite filled with nano-particle slowly decreased when filler content increased, while there was a significant in case of micro-particle as fillers. In addition, the elongation at break decreased with increasing Cu content, but the effect was more significant when micro-particle were employed. AFM image was used to investigate a topology of the tensile fractured surface, showing the mechanism of failure of the composites.     

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.     

Effect of Nickel-Cobalt-Zinc Ferrite Filler on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Composites

Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) as polymer matrix was prepared by the melt blending method. Nickel-cobalt-zinc (NiCoZn) ferrite as a filler was prepared by the double-stage sintering method in air. The filler was incorporated in the polymer matrix using a Brabender internal mixer. The filler content was varied from 0 to 30 wt.%. The morphological study of the fractured surface using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows the effects of strain. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates the coexistence of both the ferrite and thermoplastic. Electrical properties were studied using a high frequency response analyzer (HFRA) at room temperature (298°K). The results show that resistivity (ρ) decreases, but the dielectric constant increases, with increasing filler content. The resistivity and dielectric constant for all the composites are in the range of 8.9 × 10⁶–9.7 × 10⁵ Ωm and 33–72, respectively. A sharp change in both quantities around 15 wt.% filler content is interpreted as due to the transition from a dispersed system to an attached system. The tensile study shows that the elongation at break point and the tensile strength of the composite at room temperature decrease with increasing filler content. The hardness of the samples decreases with increasing filler content.     

Structure–property relationship of starch‐filled chain‐extended polyurethanes

Chain‐extended polyurethane (PU) elastomers were prepared using castor oil with 4,4′‐methylene bis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) as a crosslinker and 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulphone (DDS) as an aromatic diamine chain extender. A series of starch‐filled (from 5 to 25% wt/wt) diamines chain‐extended PUs have been prepared. The starch‐filled PU composites were characterized for physico‐mechanical properties viz, density, surface hardness, tensile strength, and percentage elongation at break. Thermal stability of PU/starch have been carried out by using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Thermal degradation process of PU/starch were found to proceed in three steps. TGA thermograms of PU/starch shows that all systems were stable upto 235°C, and maximum weight loss occur at temperature 558°C. The microcrystalline parameters such as crystal size (〈N〉) and lattice strain (g in %) of PU/starch have been established using wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2945–2954, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of waterborne polyurethane/ZnO composites

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) is receiving great attention in recent decades mainly due to the possibility of the replacement of organic solvents by the water. However, this change causes a decrease in the properties (mechanical, thermal, adhesion, among others) of the films obtained by this technique. Therefore, studies have been carried out in the development of polymeric matrix with the incorporation of inorganic fillers. This work presents the synthesis by the in situ polymerization technique and the characterization of waterborne polyurethane/ZnO composites. These composites were based on isophorone diisocyanate, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid and a polyester diol (MM = 1,000 g/mol). The filler–polymer interaction, chemical structure, morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the WPU/ZnO composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, Differential scanning calorimetry, Scanning electron microscopy and Tensile testing. The results showed an improvement in thermal and mechanical properties of the PU/ZnO composites when compared with pure PU as well as good homogeneity of the filler into the polymer matrix.     

The Effect of Waste Office White Paper Content and Size on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Composites

The effect of waste office white paper (WOWP) loading and size on mechanical properties, morphology and thermal properties of LDPE/WOWP composites were investigated. The results showed that increasing of WOWP loading has increased tensile strength and Young's modulus but decreased elongation at break of composites. LDPE/WOWP composites with smaller particle size (31 μm) have higher mechanical properties. Thermal analysis results of composites with particle size (31 μm) show higher thermal stability and crystallinity than composites with particle size (77 μm). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph indicates that the smaller particle size of filler has better interaction with LDPE matrix.     

Effects of palm ash loading and maleated natural rubber as a coupling agent on the properties of palm‐ash‐filled natural rubber composites

Natural rubber composites were prepared by the incorporation of palm ash at different loadings into a natural rubber matrix with a laboratory‐size two‐roll mill (160 × 320 mm²) maintained at 70 ± 5°C in accordance with the method described by ASTM D 3184–89. A coupling agent, maleated natural rubber (MANR), was used to improve the mechanical properties of the natural rubber composites. The results indicated that the scorch time and cure time decreased with increasing filler loading, whereas the maximum torque exhibited an increasing trend. Increasing the palm ash loading increased the tensile modulus, but the tensile strength, fatigue life, and elongation at break decreased. The rubber–filler interactions of the composites decreased with increasing filler loading. Scanning electron microscopy of the tensile fracture surfaces of the composites and rubber–filler interaction studies showed that the presence of MANR enhanced the interfacial interaction of the palm ash filler and natural rubber matrix. The presence of MANR also enhanced the tensile properties and fatigue life of palm‐ash‐filled natural rubber composites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effect of silane coupling agent on the dielectric and thermal properties of DGEBA-forsterite composites

Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) -forsterite composites have been prepared through mechanical mixing process and the influence of silane coupling agent on the microstructure, dielectric and thermal properties were studied. Phase pure forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) powder was prepared through solid state ceramic route. Filling fraction of forsterite in DGEBA matrix was varied from 10 to 40 vol%. The morphology and filler distribution of filled composite were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Waveguide cavity perturbation technique was employed to measure the dielectric properties of composites. It is found that aminosilane treatment increased the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the composites in both microwave and radio frequency ranges compared to composites prepared using untreated powders. Coefficient of thermal expansion of composites decreased with the forsterite addition and attains a relatively low value of 45 ppm/°C for composite containing 40 vol% surface treated filler.     

The Effects of a Silane-Based Coupling Agent on the Properties of Kenaf Core-Reinforced High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/Soya Powder Composites

HDPE/soya powder/kenaf-core composites were prepared by incorporation of kenaf-core powder at different loadings into HDPE/soya powder matrix with an internal mixer at 180°C and 50 rpm rotor speed. The effects of kenaf-core filler loading and chemical treatment on properties of HDPE/soya powder/kenaf-core composites were investigated by FTIR, SEM, water absorption and mechanical tests. Chemical treatment of kenaf core caused a significant increase in stabilization torque, water resistance and the mechanical properties of HDPE/soya powder/kenaf-core composites. Results from FTIR and SEM observations indicate that better adhesion was observed for the HDPE/soya powder/kenaf-core composites with chemically modified kenaf-core filler.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Polyoxometalate Containing Cobalt Ion,and Its Polyurethane Composites for Dielectric Material Applications

ABSTRACT

Polyurethane (PU) composites were prepared with different diisocyanate and diol compounds by adding cobalt ion-based polyoxometalate (Co-POM) as reinforcement. For the determination of using potential in microelectronic applications, the dielectric behavior and dielectric constant of these PU composites were investigated and compared to pure polyurethane structures. For this aim, firstly, Co-POM with Keggin structure was obtained from ammonium heptamolybdate, 1,10-phenanthroline ligand and a cobalt (II) salt by hydrothermal synthesis technique. Then, polyurethane/Co-POM composites (PU/Co-POM) were prepared with ethylene glycol, nonaromatic diisocyanate and different amounts of Co-POM reinforcement (1%, 3%, 5% and 10%, w/w) by in situ polymerization and mix-blend technique. Obtained PU/Co-POM composites were characterized in detail by infrared spectroscopy, Elemental Mapping, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The surface structure, morphology and roughness of PU/Co-POM composites were investigated by SEM and AFM analysis. The elemental maps of the PU/Co-POM surface were examined by EDX elemental mapping analysis methods. Thermal stability, Tg values and thermal decomposition temperatures of PU/Co-POM structures were determined by different thermal analysis techniques. Thermal analysis results showed that the PU/Co-POM composites are thermally stable up to approximately 200°C and Tg values of synthesized PU composites are seen between 54.72°C and 75.15°C. The dielectric properties and dielectric constants of the PU/Co-POM composites were determined in the frequency range 1 Hz to 1000 kHz at room temperature using impedance analyzer. Dielectric constants of these composites were ranged from 5.50 to 9.26 according to their polarizability and H-bonding ability of PU matrix structure. According to the dielectric measurements, the dielectric constants of the PU/Co-POM structures were significantly decreased compared to the pure PU structures.     

A comparative study on selective properties of Kraft lignin–natural rubber composites containing different plasticizers

Effect of plasticizer type on the kraft lignin–natural rubber composite microstructure and selected properties was determined. The composites were prepared with addition of a commonly used naphthenic oil plasticizer to study the decomposition product of polyurethane (glycerolysate) and its characteristics. Kraft lignin powder was incorporated into the natural rubber matrix in amounts of 10 and 40 parts per 100 parts of natural rubber (phr). The reference samples were prepared without any lignin present. The chemical interaction between the filler particles and natural rubber macromolecules was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the adhesion was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the adhesion measurements confirmed poor distribution of lignin particles into the natural rubber matrix with increasing filler content. Optimal lignin content in the composites was 10 phr in the case of both plasticizers. Moreover, the results of FTIR verified the formation of non-covalent bonds and the need for modification of the filler to enhance the reinforcing effect in the natural rubber matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and mechanical measurements proved that the specimen containing 10 phr of lignin with the use of glycerolysate as plasticizer displayed the highest mechanical performance. It was demonstrated that glycerolysate and naphthenic oil as plasticizing agents showed similar effect on the thermal properties of the prepared composites. Also, the measured mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, hardness, resilience, and abrasiveness confirmed these findings.     

Effects of Rice Husk Filler on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Liquid Natural Rubber Compatibilized High-Density Polyethylene/Natural Rubber Blends

Natural rubber/high-density polyethylene (NR/HDPE) blend with rice husk (RH) filler and liquid natural rubber (LNR) as the compatibilizer was prepared using an internal mixer at 140°C and 50 rpm. The reinforcing effect and compatibilizing performance of the added reagents in the composites were evaluated from the mechanical and thermal properties, and blend homogeneity. The tensile and impact strength decreased with RH loadings in the matrix, while the tensile modulus and hardness showed an opposite trend. The weak filler–matrix interaction, resulting in poor filler dispersion and large agglomerated particle size, caused those properties to decrease. However, the mechanical properties of the composites improved with the addition of NR or LNR into the matrix. The dissolution effect caused interactions between the phases, leading to an improvement in the compatibility in the blend. Changes in morphology resulted in the shift of T _g of the amorphous part of NR to higher temperatures, as observed in differential mechanical analysis (DMA) thermograms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the fractured surface had also revealed the good RH–matrix interaction and, thus, the dispersion of particles in samples with added LNR.     

Impact of delignification on mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of wood sawdust reinforced unsaturated polyester composites

Mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of the raw and delignified wood sawdust (DWS) reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites were evaluated. Composites were prepared using Resin Transfer molding technique by changing filler loading (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) for both raw and DWS reinforced UP. Mechanical (tensile and flexural), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), morphological (scanning electron microscopy [SEM]) and thermal (thermogravimetric analysis [TGA]) properties were successively characterized. FTIR confirmed the removal of lignin from wood sawdust during the delignification process. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and flexural strength values increased only up to 15% filler loading then decreased with increasing the filler. DWS reinforced composites had better mechanical properties compared to raw composites. SEM micrographs reveal that DWS reinforced composites have good compatibility with UP resin. According to TGA results, DWS reinforced composites showed enhanced thermal stability at the final decomposition stage above 400°C. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:185–191, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of hybrid nanofillers on the thermal, mechanical, and physical properties of polypropylene composites

In this study, the effect of single and hybrid nanofillers on the thermal, mechanical, and physical properties of polypropylene composites were carried out. This nanocomposite was compounded using two-roll mill mixing method and the filler content was fixed at 4 vol % loading. The single filler used is synthetic diamond (SD), boron nitride (BN), and carbon nanotube (MWNT). The hybrid system was composed by addition of MWNT into single SD and BN. The prepared samples were characterized by thermal properties, tensile and flexural, and these results were supported by the morphology, void content, and melt flow index values. The result showed that the hybrid composite with combination of BN and SD with MWNT indicate higher thermal conductivity and thermal stability and lower thermal expansion. However, no significant improvements in tensile and flexural strengths were observed due to large formation of agglomeration as being captured by SEM micrographs. Furthermore, the existence of higher percent void content suggests low adhesion and poor compatibility between hybrid filler and matrix. This caused detrimental effect of strength of hybrid composites rather than single filler composites.     

Complex modification effect of linseed cake as an agricultural waste filler used in high density polyethylene composites

Linseed cake (LC) is a by-product of agricultural industry which does not have any large-scale industrial applications. The possibilities of its utilization as filler with plasticizing ability for high density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composites have been investigated. Composites containing 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt% of the waste filler have been prepared using a melt mixing method. The influence of the LC on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the composites, as well as their water absorption and morphology, have been evaluated by the following methods: static tensile test, impact strength assessment using Dynstat method, hardness measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy observations, measurements of Vicat’s softening temperature and water uptake test. Application of different measuring techniques allows for describing complex modification effects of the composites’ properties changes induced by the presence of lignocellulosic filler with high oil content. The results of the study proved a pronounced influence of LC on high density polyethylene-based composites, especially a plasticizing effect of crude linseed oil contained by the waste filler particles. LC also has been assumed to affect the polymeric matrix crystallization process. It was found that complex modification of polyethylene results from simultaneously occurring different phenomena including: plasticization of the HDPE by linseed oil, improved crystallinity of the semicrystalline matrix, presence of the rigid lignocellulosic particles dispersed in polymer and accumulation of the oil in the interfacial regions.     

Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane and Polytetrafluoroethylene Powder Composites

To determine the possibility of using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder as reinforcing filler in the thermoplastic matrix, the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as the matrix and PTFE powder as reinforcing filler were used to prepare a particulate reinforced composite, in order to determine testing data for electrical and mechanical properties of the composites according to the filler loading in respect to TPU polymer matrix. The TPU and PTFE powder composites were prepared by the milling TPU with 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt% of PTFE powder in a two roll mill and the milled material is compression moulded to make sheets. From the sheets, the test specimens were made and tested for electrical properties—dielectric strength, dielectric constant, surface, and volume resistivity; fire resistance—rate of burning; mechanical properties—tensile strength and elongation, impact strength, hardness; density and melt flow index. The incorporation of PTFE powder has significantly improved the electrical properties—dielectric strength, dielectric constant, surface and volume resistivity; and fire resistance—rate of burning of thermoplastic polyurethane. However, the tensile strength decreased from 24.91 to 14.71 MPa and tensile elongation increased from 620 to 772 percentage.     

Preparation and properties of polyurethane/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites by a spray drying process

A spray drying approach has been used to prepare polyurethane/multiwalled carbon nanotube (PU/MWCNT) composites. By using this method, the MWCNTs can be dispersed homogeneously in the PU matrix in an attempt to improve the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The morphology of the resulting PU/MWCNT composites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM and TEM observations illustrate that the MWCNTs are dispersed finely and uniformly in the PU matrix. X‐ray diffraction results indicate that the microphase separation structure of the PU is slightly affected by the presence of the MWCNTs. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, and hardness of the nanocomposites were studied. The electrical and the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites were also evaluated. The results show that both the electrical and the thermal conductivity increase with the increase of MWCNT loading. In addition, the percolation threshold value of the PU composites is significantly reduced to about 5 wt % because of the high aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes and exclusive effect of latex particles of PU emulsion in dispersion. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Mechanical properties of modified biofiller‐polypropylene composites

This article reports the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polypropylene (PP)‐chicken eggshell (ES) composites. Mechanical properties like tensile strength, tensile modulus, izod impact strength, flexural modulus of PP composites with normal (unmodified) eggshell and chemically treated ES [modified ES (MES) with isophthalic acid] have been investigated. PP–calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) composites, at the same filler loadings, were also prepared and used as reference. The results showed that PP composites with chemically MES had better mechanical properties compared to the unmodified ES and CaCO₃ composites. An increase of about 3–18% in tensile modulus, 4–44% in izod impact strength and 1.5–26% in flexural modulus at different filler loading was observed in MES composites as compared to unmodified ES composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of fractured tensile specimens confirmed better interfacial adhesion of MES with polymer matrix resulting into lower voids and plastic deformation resulting in improved mechanicals of the composites. TEM micrographs showed acicular needle shaped morphology for modified ES and have contributed to better dispersion which is the prime reason for enhancement of all the mechanical properties. At higher filler loading, the modulus of MES composite was found to be higher by 5% as compared to commercial CaCO₃ composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:708–714, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

PU／SBA-15介孔分子筛复合材料的制备及性能研究

采用预聚法制备聚氨酯（PU）／SBA-15介孔分子筛复合材料，并采用DSC、SEM、DMA和TG等方法对复合材料进行表征。结果表明，PU／SBA-15分子筛复合材料与纯聚氨酯相比，拉伸强度有所提高，耐撕裂性能明显增大；复合材料的耐热性能和耐溶剂性能提高不明显；SBA-15分子筛对聚氨酯软硬段的微相分离影响较小。     

Properties of Ferrite-Filled Natural Rubber Composites

Nickel zinc ferrite (Ni-ZnFe₂O₄)-filled natural rubber (NR) composite was prepared at various loading of ferrite. The tensile properties included in this study were tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites increased up to 40 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of ferrite and then decreased at higher loading whereas the tensile modulus was increased gradually with increasing of ferrite loading. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the wettability of filler in rubber matrix. From the observation, the increase of filler loading reduced the wettability of the filler. Thermal stability of the composites was conducted by using a thermogravimetry analyser (TGA). The incorporation of ferrite in NR composites enhanced the thermal stability of NR composites. The swelling test results indicate that the swelling percentage of the composites decreased by increasing of ferrite loading. The initial permeability, μ_i and quality factor, Q of magnetic properties of NR composites achieved maximum value at 60 phr of ferrite loading for frequency range between 5000–40,000 kHz. The maximum impedance, Z _max of the NR composites was at the highest value at 80 phr ferrite loading for frequency range between 200–800 MHz.