Processability,hardness, and magnetic properties of rubber ferrite composites containing manganese zinc ferrites

Abstract

Rubber ferrite composites have the unique advantage of mouldability, which is not easily obtainable using ceramic magnetic materials. The incorporation of mixed ferrites in appropriate weight ratios into the rubber matrix not only modifies the dielectric properties of the composite but also imparts magnetic properties to it. Mixed ferrites belonging to the series of Mn_{(1 -x)}Zn_x Fe₂ O₄ have been synthesised with different values of x in steps of 0·2, using conventional ceramic processing techniques. Rubber ferrite composites were prepared by the incorporation of these pre-characterised polycrystalline Mn_{(1 -x)}Zn_xFe₂ O₄ ceramics into a natural rubber matrix at different loadings according to a specific recipe. The processability of these elastomers was determined by investigating their cure characteristics. The magnetic properties of the ceramic fillers as well as of the rubber ferrite composites were evaluated and the results were correlated. Studies of the magnetic properties of these rubber ferrite composites indicate that the magnetisation increases with loading of the filler without changing the coercive field. The hardness of these composites shows a steady increase with the loading of the magnetic fillers. The evaluation of hardness and magnetic characteristics indicates that composites with optimum magnetisation and almost minimum stiffness can be achieved with a maximum loading of 120 phr of the filler at x=0 4. From the data on the magnetisation of the composites, a simple relationship connecting the magnetisation of the rubber ferrite composite and the filler was formulated. This can be used to synthesise rubber ferrite composites with predetermined magnetic properties.     

Tribological behavior of epoxy composites containing reactive SiC nanoparticles

The present article evaluated the sliding wear behaviors of epoxy and its composites filled with SiC nanoparticles. Polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) and a copolymer of glycidyl methacrylate and styrene were grafted onto the nanoparticles as a measure of surface pretreatment, respectively. The grafted polymers were selected because the epoxide groups on PGMA would take part in the curing reaction of epoxy resin and covalently connect the nanoparticles with the matrix, while styrene acted as a copolymerized monomer to adjust the amount of the reactive groups of the grafted macromolecular chains, and hence the compatibility between the grafted polymers and the matrix. In comparison to the composites filled with untreated nano‐SiC particles, the composites with the grafted nano‐SiC exhibit improved sliding wear resistance and reduced frictional coefficient owing to the chemical bonding at the filler/matrix interface. The results were analyzed in terms of structure‐properties relationship of the composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2608–2619, 2007     

Fracture of an epoxy polymer containing recycled elastomeric particles

The fracture behavior of elastomer-modified epoxy was investigated using compact-tension geometry. The elastomeric modifiers included a liquid carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile and solid rubber particles of different sizes which were obtained from recycled automobile tires. When used with solid rubber alone, no significant improvement in the fracture toughness was observed. However, when used in combination with the liquid rubber modifier, it was observed that the fracture toughness of these hybrid epoxies was higher than that of those toughened with liquid rubber alone. This synergistic effect is explained in terms of crack deflection and localized shear yielding. Furthermore, we observed a slight improvement in the fracture toughness as the size of the solid rubber particles increased. Although using a combination of both reactive rubber liquids and solid rubber particles as toughening agents had been investigated previously, in this study, the solid rubber particles used were from recycled rubber tires. Therefore, we have clearly demonstrated an application of producing high-quality engineering epoxy systems using toughening modifiers that are relatively low in cost and created higher-value products for recycled solid rubber. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 271–277, 1997     

Thermal degradation mechanisms of epoxy composites filled with tin particles

This article reports an evaluation study of the thermal degradation mechanisms of electrically insulating and conducting epoxy/Sn composites by using solid‐state kinetic approaches and structural characterizations. Comparison of the thermoanalytical data of epoxy/Sn composites with pure epoxy shows that the addition of tin in epoxy catalyzes the thermal degradation of epoxy and the catalytic ability of tin depends upon its contents in epoxy. Kinetic modeling of the phenomena elaborates the thermal behaviors of epoxy/Sn composites in terms of the comparison of their activation parameters and reaction models. Friedman's differential and Arshad–Maaroufi's generalized linear integral isoconversional methods are used to obtain the variation in activation energies with the advancement of reaction. Advanced reaction model determination methodology is effectively employed to evaluate the reaction mechanisms of epoxy/Sn composites. Kinetic analysis suggests that tin increases the thermal degradation rate of epoxy by lowering the activation energy barrier of reaction. It is worth noticing that the parameters of the probable reaction model, i.e., Šesták Berggren have been found nearly the same for pure epoxy and epoxy/Sn composites, revealing weak epoxy–tin interactions in the composites. The mechanistic information obtained by kinetic analysis fairly agrees with the scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction results. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1529–1540, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Anisotropic reinforcement in elastomers containing magnetic filler particles

Magnetic particles of iron oxide were blended into portions of a high molecular weight sample of poly(dimethylsiloxane) which were then peroxide cured in a magnetic field. Strips cut from the resulting elastomers parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic lines of force were studied with respect to their equilibrium swelling and their stress–strain isotherms in elongation. Both resistance to swelling (as measured by the volume fraction of polymer in the network) and the elongation modulus increased with increase in the amount of filler. They were also generaly larger in the direction parallel to the field, and the differences increased both with increase in the amount of filler and with increase in the strength of the magnetic field. Stress relaxation also increased with amount of filler and field strength, thus illustrating the importance of adsorption of the polymer onto the filler particles, and its subsequent desorption under stress.     

Dielectric and magnetic properties of random and segregated ferrite polystyrene composites

The dielectric and magnetic properties of polystyrene composites containing barium or nickel-zinc ferrites were studied as function of the ferrite concentration and field frequency. The composites were prepared by methods yielding a random distribution of the ferrite particles or segregated structures. Barium ferrite-poly-styrene composites exhibited a typical insulator behavior, and only above 60% ferrite were high values of the dielectric properties noted at the lower frequencies, decreasing gradually with frequency to the low values typical of the higher frequencies. The mode of barium ferrite particle distribution did not affect the dielectric properties. The nickel-zinc ferrite systems demonstrated a conductor type behavior. An apparent insulator-conductor transition was observed, having lower values for segregated than for random distributions. The magnetic permability of barium ferrite-polystyrene composites above 10% ferrite increases with the ferrite concentration, whereas the magnetic dissipation factor steeply increases with concentration above 40% ferrite.     

Effect of carbon black on the mechanical and dielectric properties of rubber ferrite composites containing barium ferrite

Fine particles of barium ferrite (BaFe₁₂O₁₉) were synthesized by the conventional ceramic technique. These materials were then characterized by the X‐ray diffraction method and incorporated in the natural rubber matrix according to a specific receipe for various loadings of ferrite. The rubber ferrite composites (RFC) thus obtained have several applications, and have the advantage of molding into complex shapes. For applications such as microwave absorbers, these composites should have an appropriate dielectric strength with the required mechanical and magnetic properties. The N330 (HAF) carbon black has been added to these RFCs for various loadings to modify the dielectric and mechanical properties. In this article we report the effect of carbon black on the mechanical and dielectric properties of these RFCs. Both the mechanical and dielectric properties can be enhanced by the addition of an appropriate amount of carbon black. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 769–778, 2003     

Mechanical properties of epoxy composites with low content of diamond particles

Diamond‐epoxy composites reinforced with low content of submicron diamond powder 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0 wt % were synthesized. As received diamond powder was acid treated to purify and functionalize diamond particles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was utilized to study the moieties attached to the diamond particles. The trace elemental analysis of impurities in diamond powder before and after acid treatment was performed using ion beam techniques. The mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix were enhanced with the addition of purified and functionalized diamond powder. The Dynamical mechanical analysis results revealed that storage modulus of the prepared composites has been increased by ～ 100% with diamond loading of 0.7 wt %. The Vickers's hardness of the diamond‐epoxy composite was ～ 39% higher than that of pure epoxy for the loading of 1.0 wt % diamond powder. Mechanisms responsible for the enhancement of the mechanical properties are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Flow and flow orientation of composites containing anisometric particles

There is a growing commercial and academic interest in polymeric composites filled with short fibers and/or glass or mica flakes. Here, the properties depend strongly on the flow induced morphology and on the distribution of residual stresses. To optimize processing and properties, it is important to know both the melt rheology and the orientation of the dispersed phase. The industrial formulations are notoriously very complex. However, it is possible to understand, and sometimes predict, their behavior by a systematic comparison with simpler, better known systems, i.e., suspensions. This review concentrates on two main aspects of flow of polymer melts containing anisometric particles, namely yield phenomena and orientation.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of waterborne epoxy composites containing cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are reinforcing fillers of emerging interest for polymers due to their high modulus and potential for sustainable production. In this study, CNC-based composites with a waterborne epoxy resin matrix were prepared and characterized to determine morphology, water content, and thermal and mechanical properties. While some CNC aggregation was observed, the glass transition temperature (T_g) and modulus for the composites increased with increasing CNC content. Relative to neat epoxy, at 15 wt.% CNC the storage modulus increased by 100%, the T_g increased from 66.5 °C to 75.5 °C, and tensile strength increased from 40 MPa to 60 MPa, suggesting good adhesion between epoxy and CNC surfaces exposed to the matrix. Additionally, no additional water content resulting from CNC addition were observed. These results provide evidence that CNCs can improve thermomechanical performance of waterborne epoxy polymers and that they are promising as reinforcing fillers in structural materials and coatings.     

Impact behavior of glass–epoxy composites containing foam material

The comparative performance under repeated low mass pendulum impacts of glass–epoxy (G–E) composites, without and with the inclusion in the form of individual flexible foam sheet layer of either two numbers or three numbers at predetermined positions in the lay-up, is reported. Employing square cross-section test coupons, the orientation of the test specimen was changed with respect to the impact direction such that, in one case, the G–E part and the foam layers constituting the system was lying along the direction of impact in an edgewise manner; in the second case, the change was achieved by turning the specimen by 90° i.e., perpendicular (flatwise). The number of impacts causing specimen failure was noted in all the cases. While foam-free samples sustained a greater number of hits in the first set of experiments, foam-bearing ones performed better in the flatwise configuration. To interpret these observations, light macroscopic examination was conducted on the impacted samples. A correlation could be established between the macroscopic features and the impact results. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1565–1571, 1998     

Preparation and optical properties of transparent epoxy composites containing ZnO nanoparticles

Polymer nanocomposites are usually made by incorporating dried nanoparticles into polymer matrices. This way not only leads to easy aggregation of nanoparticles but also readily brings about opaqueness for nanocomposites based on functionally transparent polymers. In this letter, transparent ZnO/epoxy nanocomposites with high‐UV shielding efficiency were prepared via two simple steps: first, in situ preparation of zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)₂)/epoxy from the reaction of aqueous zinc acetate (Zn(Ac)₂·2H₂O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 30°C in the presence of high‐viscosity epoxy resin; second, thermal treatment of the as‐prepared Zn(OH)₂/epoxy hybrid into ZnO/epoxy composites. Optical properties of the resultant ZnO/epoxy nanocomposites were studied using an ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer. The nanocomposites containing a very low content of ZnO nanoparticles (0.06 wt %) possessed the optimal optical properties, namely high‐visible light transparency and high‐UV light shielding efficiency. Consequently, the as‐prepared ZnO/epoxy nanocomposites are promising for use as novel packaging materials in lighting emitting diodes technology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

超声辅助分散制备纳米TiO2/环氧复合材料

采用大功率超声设备将纳米TiO2粒子分散到环氧树脂（EP）中制得复合材料。通过TEM分析了纳米粒子在EP中的分布形态并测试了复合材料的弯曲强度和冲击强度。考察了超声作用周期、纳米粒子表面改性工艺及粒子含量对复合材料微观结构和性能的影响。结果表明,经KH-550表面改性的纳米粒子质量分数为3％时,采用超声振荡30s／停顿30s、反复作用10次的超声分散工艺得到的复合材料的性能最好。     

Impact damage sensing of multiscale composites through epoxy matrix containing carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are used to provide increased electrical conductivity for polymer matrix materials, thus offering a method to monitor the structure's health. This work investigates the effect of impact damage on the electrical properties of multiscale composite samples, prepared with woven fiberglass reinforcement and epoxy resin modified with as‐received multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Moreover, this study addresses potential bias from manufacturing, and investigates the effectiveness of resistance measurements using two‐ and four‐point probe methods. Transmission electron microscopy and static tensile tests results were used to evaluate, respectively, the dispersion of MWCNTs in the epoxy resin and the influence of the incorporation of these nanoparticles on the static tensile properties of the matrix, and interpret results from the resistance measurements on impacted specimens. In this study, the four‐point probe method is shown to be much more repeatable and reliable than the two‐point probe method. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Fatigue of hybrid epoxy composites: Epoxies containing rubber and hollow glass spheres

A diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin was modified by incorporation of varying concentrations of hollow glass spheres (HGS) and/or reactive liquid rubber (CTBN). The fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behavior and mechanisms of such materials were studied in detail. A synergistic phenomenon reported for static fracture toughness was also observed in the FCP resistance of such composites. Optical microscopy studies revealed that the interactions between the stress fields of the crack-tip process zone and HGS cause plastic-zone branching, which in turn gave rise to synergistic toughening. It is also shown that process zone - second phase particle interactions cause a transition in FCP behavior of rubber-modified epoxy polymers, similar to that observed in metal alloys. Consequently, the process zone toughening mechanisms are active only above a certain stress intensity range. Conversely, FCP resistance of both modified and unmodified epoxies were the same below the transition.     

Improving thermal conductivity while retaining high electrical resistivity of epoxy composites by incorporating silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT@SiO₂) were synthesized by a sol–gel method and then incorporated into an epoxy matrix. The less stiff silica intermediate shell on the MWCNTs not only alleviates the modulus mismatch between the stiff MWCNTs and the soft epoxy, but also improves the interaction between them. The thermal conductivities of the epoxy/MWCNT@SiO₂ composites increase by 51% and 67% at low filler loadings of 0.5 wt.% and 1 wt.%, respectively. At the same time, the silica shell retains the high electrical resistivity of these composites.     

Structure and mechanical properties of composites with diamond particles dispersed into modified epoxy matrix

The structure and properties of epoxy matrix composites embedded with up to 30 wt.% of diamond particles were investigated by means of thermal analysis, mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy, SEM. In particular, the effect of matrix deformability on the composite performance was evaluated by changing the epoxy monomer to hardener ratio. The results showed that the dynamic mechanical parameters improved with the amount of diamond particles and are markedly affected by modifications in the epoxy matrix. By contrast, the quasi-static mechanical properties decrease with the amount of diamond, which could be explained by SEM analysis. This behavior was attributed to the development of a weak diamond/epoxy interface and corroborated by the analysis of the fracture surfaces as well as the variation of the dynamic mechanical parameters for the investigated conditions.     

PVDF-based composites containing PZT particles: How processing affects the final properties

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based composites containing up to 30 vol % of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles were prepared by: (a) different techniques, melt blending and solvent casting; and (b) different molding procedures, a single-step and a two-step hot-pressing method. The obtained samples were characterized in order to study how the processing affects their final properties. Results indicate that the different molding processes have a strong effect on polymorphism and molecular relaxations of PVDF as well as on dielectric response of the composite materials, that results enhanced by the two-step molding. The preparation technique influences the filler dispersion and, consequently, the elastic modulus of the composites, but without remarkably impacting on other properties. This suggests the possibility of preparing performing composites by a solvent-free and easily scalable technique (i.e., melt blending) and obtaining suitable dielectric characteristics, very important for application of such kind of materials, just by tuning the molding conditions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137, 48871.     

Investigation of stress relaxation behavior of carbon‐containing shape memory epoxy composites

A series of shape memory epoxy composites reinforced by varied carbon‐black (CB) contents were prepared. Stress relaxation tests were preformed to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of the specimens at different temperatures. An empirical rheological model was used to simulate the impacts of the temperature and CB content on the viscoelastic behavior of the materials. The results show that the additive of CB particles can significantly improve the stiffness and decrease viscoelastic properties of shape memory epoxy. In addition, parameter analyses in the theoretical simulation present a further understanding about the impact of the additives on the properties of SMPs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013