Optothermal properties of fibres

Studies of the mechanical and optical properties of undrawn polypropylene fibres by annealing and drawing were performed. The optical properties and strain produced in polypropylene fibres at different conditions were measured interferometrically at room temperature. It was found that as the draw ratio of the fibre increased, its birefringence, Δn_a, increased at a constant rate, and then nearly levelled off. The refractive index, n ^∥, and polarizability, p ^∥, increased with different draw ratios; but for fibres annealed at 70 and 100°C, there were no acceptable variations. For fibres annealed at 130°C, n ^∥ and p ^∥ increased compared to those fibres annealed at 70 and 100°C. An empirical formula has been suggested to explain the relationship between the cross-sectional area of polypropylene fibres with the draw ratio, and the constants of this formula have been determined. The effect of annealing on the refractive index profile of undrawn polypropylene fibres, before and after thermal treatment, was studied. The strain optical coefficient and the Poisson's ratio were calculated over different draw ratios. The results obtained clarify the effect of annealing time and temperature with different draw ratios on the optical behaviour of polypropylene fibres. Microinterferograms are given for illustration.     

Shape stabilization,thermal energy storage behavior and thermal conductivity enhancement of flexible paraffin/MWCNTs/PP hollow fiber membrane composite phase change materials

Flexible shape-stabilized composite phase change materials (ss-CPCMs) have a wide range of potential applications because they can be woven into desired shapes. In this work, a series of novel flexible paraffin/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polypropylene hollow fiber membrane (PHFM) ss-CPCMs (PC-PHFM-CPCMs) with weavability were fabricated for thermal energy storage. In order to select a PHFM with optimum stretching ratio as the supporting material for the flexible ss-CPCMs, PHFMs with different stretching ratios were fabricated to encapsulate the paraffin as novel flexible ss-CPCMs (P-PHFM-CPCMs). The effects of stretching ratios on the latent heats and absorption capacity were investigated. PHFM200 (polypropylene hollow fiber stretched by 200%) showed the high porosity (65.2%) and tensile strength (119.9 MPa), and the corresponding P-PHFM-CPCM200 had the largest latent heats in the melting process and solidifying process (73.90 and 76.71 J/g) and maximum paraffin absorption capacity (52.42 wt%) compared to other candidates. Paraffin/MWCNTs mixtures with high thermal conductivity were injected into the columned cavity of P-PHFM-CPCM200 to further enhance the paraffin encapsulation capacity and significantly improve their heat transfer. Among all PC-PHFM-CPCMs, PC0-PHFM-CPCM200 exhibited the maximum paraffin encapsulation capacity of 80.97 wt%. The thermal conductivity of PC-PHFM-CPCMs was obviously enhanced with the increase in the weight ratio of MWCNTs. PC4-PHFM-CPCM200 achieved the highest thermal conductivity of 0.46 W/m K, which was obviously improved by 100%. The corresponding latent heat in the solidification process was 109.2 J/g. In addition, excellent chemical compatibility and thermal stability of PC-PHFM-CPCMs were demonstrated by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis.     

A nematic liquid crystalline polymer as highly active novel β-nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene

A nematic liquid crystalline polysiloxane has been found to be a novel nucleating agent (LCP-NA2) to induce the formation of β-crystals in isotactic polypropylene (iPP). Wide angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized optical microscopy were used to evaluate the nucleating activity of LCP-NA2. The effect of LCP-NA2 content, crystallization temperature, and time on the crystallization structure, morphology, and thermal behavior of the iPP was discussed. The results indicated that the nucleating activity mainly depended on LCP-NA2 content and thermal history of processing. The addition of LCP-NA2 could provide a large number of nuclei and lead to a more uniform morphology, along with a change in the nucleation and crystal growth mechanism. The relative content of β-crystal increased with increasing LCP-NA2 content or crystallization temperature, reached a maximum value of 70 % when LCP-NA2 content and crystallization temperature were 1.0 wt% and 125 °C, and then decreased with a further increase of LCP-NA2 content or crystallization temperature. In addition, a different polymorphic behavior had been observed between pure iPP and LCP-NA2/iPP blends under the same thermal treatment.     

Effect of ageing on the mechanical properties and the residual stress distribution of hybrid clay–glass fibre–polypropylene injection mouldings

The effects of ageing on the mechanical properties and thermal stresses distribution of injection moulded, short glass fibre/clay/polypropylene composites were studied. Two different clays were studied—talc and sepiolite. The results obtained indicate that the incorporation of short glass fibre into clay/polypropylene composites improves the mechanical properties, independently of ageing treatment. Larger elastic modulus values were obtained for talc-filled samples, whereas higher strength values were obtained with the sepiolite-filled ones. The impact strength increased as a result of the incorporation of glass fibre into the sepiolite-filled composite, while a small decrease was detected for the talc-filled polypropylene sample. Sepiolite-filled compounds show higher mould shrinkage in the bar-axis direction than equivalent talc-filled grades. In contrast, the shrinkage obtained on annealing at various temperatures between 100 and 160 °C was generally greater for talc-filled compounds than for the sepiolite-filled compounds. The shrinkage behaviour in the transverse direction was more complex. The residual stress levels of clay-filled polypropylene compounds were generally lower than those reported in the literature concerning short glass fibre polypropylene compounds under similar conditions. Hybrid composites showed much higher stress levels than the corresponding clay-filled samples independently of ageing conditions.     

Thermal Conductivity of Thermoplastics Reinforced with Natural Fibers

With restrictions for environmental protection being strengthened, thermoplastics reinforced with natural fibers such as jute, kenaf, flax, etc., have replaced automotive interior materials such as chemical plastics. In this study, the thermal conductivity of several kinds of thermoplastic composites in the form of board composed of 48.5 mass% polypropylene (PP) and 48.5 mass% natural fiber (NF), and reinforced with 3.0 mass% maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and 0.3 mass% silane as the coupling agents, were measured at temperatures of −10, 10, and 30°C, using a heat flow meter apparatus. The results show that the thermal conductivity is in the range of 0.05–0.07 W · m⁻¹ · K⁻¹, and the thermal conductivity increased about 10–15% by adding MAPP and about 10–25% by soaking in a silane aqueous solution. The tensile strength was also measured, and the result shows similar trends as the thermal conductivity.Paper presented at the Seventeenth European Conference on Thermophysical Properties, September 5–8, 2005, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.     

蒙脱土与MFC涂层对聚丙烯膜阻隔性能的影响

目的为了提高聚丙烯薄膜的阻隔性,利用涂布的方法研究蒙脱土与微纤化纤维素(MFC)含量对涂布膜阻隔性能的影响。方法以蒙脱土和MFC为主要原料,加入胶黏剂、增稠剂、分散剂制备成涂料,并涂布在双向拉伸聚丙烯薄膜上,以薄膜的氧气透过率、水蒸气透过率、红外光谱分析、XRD分析和热稳定性分析作为评判标准,对薄膜性能进行表征与分析。结果在添加的蒙脱土质量分数为2%,MFC质量分数为0.5%时,双组分涂布膜的氧气透过系数达到最低,较聚丙烯薄膜氧气透过系数下降了97%,水蒸气透过系数在添加蒙脱土质量分数为2%,MFC质量分数为0.3%时达到最低,较聚丙烯薄膜水蒸气透过系数下降了22%,XRD显示当MFC质量分数为0.5%时,插层结构最优,通过热稳定性分析得出,双组分涂布膜在蒙脱土质量分数为2%,MFC质量分数为0.5%时热稳定性最好。结论通过综合分析得出,涂布蒙脱土与MFC双组分涂层可有效提高聚丙烯薄膜的阻隔性能。     

Catalytic and thermal cracking of selected polyolefins

Feedstock recycling is a promising alternative for the management of plastic wastes, as it may allow these residues to be transformed into valuable products for refinery and/or petrochemical industry. Catalytic degradation of polyolefin was carried out in a pilot scale reactor Blowdec® operating in the temperature range of 340–470°C. The catalysts used in this study were natural zeolite Clinoptilolite, ZSM-5, HZSM-5 and their mixture in various volume ratios. Both thermal and catalytic cracking of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and their mixture have been investigated. Liquid products were checked in selected refinery and petrochemical processes as feedstocks on the model pyrolysis equipment and with the help of MAT test (microactivity test).     

Development, structure and strength properties of PP/PMMA/FA blends

A new type of flyash filled PP/PMMA blend has been developed. Structural and thermal properties of flyash (FA) filled polypropylene (PP)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blend system have been determined and analysed. Filled polymer blends were developed on a single screw extruder. Strength and thermal properties of FA filled and unfilled PP/PMMA blends were determined. Addition of flyash imparted dimensional and thermal stability, which has been observed in scanning electron micrographs and in TGA plot. Increase of flyash concentration increased the initial degradation temperature of PP/PMMA blend. The increase of thermal stability has been explained based on increased mechanical interlocking of PP/PMMA chains inside the hollow structure of flyash.     

Chemical treatment of sisal fiber using alkali and clay method

In this study the chemical treatment of sisal fiber using the combined alkali (NaOH) and clay is discussed. The purpose of this fiber treatment is to improve the fiber–matrix compatibility, interface strength, mechanical, thermal and water barrier properties. The phase change due to chemical treatment of raw sisal fiber was examined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The result shows the presence of about 20 wt.% clays in NaOH–clay treated sisal fiber with 2.6× reduced water uptake and also with improved mechanical and thermal properties. Subsequently the treated and untreated fibers were reinforced in polypropylene (PP) matrix and the mechanical and thermal properties were examined. The result indicates that the fiber–matrix interface strength, adhesion, glass transition temperature and tensile properties of composites were improved in NaOH–clay treated fiber composites.     

Influence of fiber-like nanofillers on the rheological,mechanical, thermal and fire properties of polypropylene: An application to multifilament yarn

Polypropylene and polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride based composites with modified and non-modified carbon nanotubes and sepiolite were prepared by melt extrusion. Their thermal, rheological, and dynamic mechanical properties were evaluated. Multifilament yarns were obtained from the composites by spin-drawing process and their mechanical properties were measured. Knitted fabrics from the multifilament yarns were characterized by cone calorimetry. The best interaction was obtained for polypropylene/carbon nanotubes and polypropylene/polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride/sepiolite composites, as was confirmed by the increasing on the elastic modulus and thermal resistance. Nanofillers changed the thermal decomposition profiles compared to bare polypropylene. Knitted structures containing sepiolite decrease the maximum of heat release rate in comparison with unfilled samples.     

Study on the thermal expansion properties of C/C composites

Two different woven (2D and 3D) carbon/carbon composites (C/C) and a block carbon have been prepared by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). The effects of the density and porosity of composites, preform architectures and heat treatment on the thermal expansion properties of the C/C composites were investigated. It is revealed that the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of C/C composites is negative below 100 °C, and the CTE values are inversely proportion to its porosity. Comparing with 2D C/C composites, 3D C/C composites have a better thermal stability. Heat treatment can increase the thermal stability of composites by changing interfacial thermal stress. The thermal expansion behavior of C/C composites is considered as the result of interaction between fibers and matrix.     

Polypropylene-clay composite prepared from Indian bentonite

In the present work, a set of experimental polypropylene (PP) clay composites containing pristine bentonite clay of Indian origin has been prepared and then characterized. The polymer clay composites are processed by solution mixing of polypropylene with bentonite clay using a solvent xylene and high speed electric stirrer at a temperature around 130°C and then by compression molding at 170°C. The mechanical properties of PP-clay composites like tensile strength, hardness and impact resistance have been investigated. Microstructural studies were carried out using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope and the thermal properties were studied using differential scanning calorimeter. Mechanical properties of the prepared composites showed highest reinforcing and toughening effects of the clay filler at a loading of only 5 mass % in PP matrix. Tensile strength was observed to be highest in case of 5 mass % of clay loading and it was more than 14% of that of the neat PP, while toughness increased by more than 80%. Bentonite clay-PP composite (5 mass %) also showed 60% increase in impact energy value. However, no significant change was observed in case of hardness and tensile modulus. Higher percentages of bentonite clay did not further improve the properties with respect to pristine polypropylene. The study of the microstructure of the prepared polymer layered silicate clay composites showed a mixed morphology with multiple stacks of clay layers and tactoids of different thicknesses.     

Polyolefin-based nanocomposites: the effect of organosilane on organoclay dispersion

This work dealt with the morphology and properties of polypropylene/organoclay (PP/OMMt) nanocomposites prepared using maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) or organosilane (OTMS) as a compatibilizing agent. The content of OMMt was 2 wt%, and different concentrations of OTMS were used to obtain OTMS/OMMt mass ratios of 0/1, 1/1, 0.5/1 or 0.25/1. The results of wide-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy investigations showed that the OTMS promoted the total exfoliation of OMMt in the PP matrix, while the OMMt yielded a micrometer-scale dispersion when PP-g-MA was used. In general, the OTMS satisfactorily compatibilized the PP/OMMt nanocomposites, increasing the modulus of the PP matrix. When a hybrid compatibilizer of OTMS/PP-g-MA was used, better thermal and mechanical properties were achieved.     

Comminuted thermoset recyclate as a reinforcing filler for thermoplastics Part I Characterisation of recyclate feedstocks

This, and a subsequent paper consider the re-use of thermoset recyclate as a functional filler for polypropylene. Emphasis is given in this communication to characterisation of feedstocks produced by size-reducing dough moulding compound (DMC) and woven glass phenolic laminate (GWP). The physical properties of these microcomposite particulates have been analysed to determine their size, morphology, structural integrity and thermal stability at polypropylene melt processing temperatures. The DMC recyclate was found to have a glass fibre content of 26^w/o, with fibres up to 10 mm retained in the comminuted particulates. The material is stable up to 220°C. The GWP, however comprised 79^w/o of woven glass platelets which are largely preserved in the size-reduced recyclate. The material is thermally stable up to 290°C.     

Effect of nano-Calcium Carbonate on microcellular foaming of polypropylene

Using supercritical carbon dioxide as the physical foaming agent, a new batch process was carried out to prepare microcellular polypropylene (PP) and polypropylene/nano-Calcium Carbonate (PP/nano-CaCO₃) foams. Four concentrations of nano-CaCO₃, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt% were used. The cell structure of foams and advantages of this new process were investigated and explained by thermal properties. Results showed that the foamed PP/5 wt% nano-CaCO₃ produced a microcellular foam with the minimum mean cell diameter (9.55 μm) and maximum cell density (1.50 × 10⁹ cells/cm³) among the four blends. Some unfoamed regions were observed in nanocomposite foams because nano-CaCO₃ could accelerate crystallization in cooling and cryostat stage. The new process took much less time (2.5 h) to foam and had much broader foaming temperature range (about 55 °C). But the foaming temperature range decreased after blending nano-CaCO₃ into PP matrix because nano-CaCO₃-induced isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization at higher temperature. In addition, the cell growth effect on variations of volume expansion ratio in PP/nano-CaCO₃ nanocomposites could be neglected comparing with the heterogeneous cell nucleation effect.     

Effect of removing polypropylene fibre surface finishes on mechanical performance of kenaf/polypropylene composites

Natural fibre/polypropylene thermoplastic composites are often produced by compression moulding of a blended preform of polypropylene fibre and natural fibre treated by chemicals or enzymes. Two preform processing routes may be adopted: (1) treating the natural fibre first and then blending it with the polypropylene fibre (the pre-treatment route), and (2) forming a blended preform of the natural fibre and polypropylene fibre first and then carrying out the chemical/enzyme treatment on the blended preform (the post-treatment route). The kenaf/polypropylene composites produced according to the post-treatment route show up to 36% higher flexural strength and up to 63% higher flexural modulus than the composites produced according to the corresponding pre-treatment route. These differences were attributed to the chemical surface finishes of the polypropylene fibre, which have been removed in the post-treatment processing route, but persisted into the final composites in the pre-treatment processing route.     

Development and Mechanical Behavior of FML/Aluminium Foam Sandwiches

In this study, the Fiber-Metal Laminates (FMLs) containing glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (GFPP) and aluminum (Al) sheet were consolidated with Al foam cores for preparing the sandwich panels. The aim of this article is the comparison of the flexural properties of FML/Al foam sandwich panels bonded with various surface modification approaches (silane treatment and combination of silane treatment with polypropylene (PP) based film addition). The FML/foam sandwich systems were fabricated by laminating the components in a mould at 200 °C under 1.5 MPa pressure. The energy absorbtion capacities and flexural mechanical properties of the prepared sandwich systems were evaluated by mechanical tests. Experiments were performed on samples of varying foam thicknesses (8, 20 and 30 mm). The bonding among the sandwich components were achieved by various surface modification techniques. The Al sheet/Al foam sandwiches were also consolidated by bonding the components with an epoxy adhesive to reveal the effect of GFPP on the flexural performance of the sandwich structures.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene reinforced with Alfa fiber under different chemical treatment

The interest in using natural fibers as reinforcement for thermoplastic polymers was attracted several studies covering both material science and green technology. The use of plant fiber requires the issue of compatibility between matrix and fibers. This study treat the effect of chemical modification (alkali treatment, etherification treatment and esterification treatment) on the Alfa fiber surface, and its impact on mechanical and thermal properties of composites. To this end, the percentage of fibers was fixed at (20 wt.%), and to evaluate the effect of each chemical modification in Alfa reinforced polypropylene (PP), based on the mechanical and thermal properties of composites. Composites containing chemically modified Alfa fibers were found to possess improved mechanical and thermal properties when compared to non-treated composite. The highest improvement in Young’s modulus was observed with esterified fibers, with a 35% increase. Thermal stability is best increased using etherification-treated fiber, with gains in the temperature up to 80 °C.     

Thermal properties of automotive polymers III – Thermal characteristics and flammability of fire retardant polymers

Thermal properties and flammability behavior of two grades of fire retardant polypropylene and nylon 66, and their base resins were determined. A nylon 6 base polymer and a nano-composite based on that polymer were also analyzed. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed more complex degradation patterns for the fire retardant grades as compared to the base resin. This was attributed to decomposition of ingredients present in the fire retardant. Degradation of polypropylene in air started at about 100°C lower temperature than degradation in nitrogen. For nylon, the degradation in both atmospheres occurred at approximately the same temperature. Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) measurements were used to determine melting and glass transition temperatures, heats of fusion, heat capacity and thermal conductivity. Both phosphorus-based and halogen-based fire retardants modified the ignition, propagation, and melt-dripping behavior of nylon and polypropylene during burning. Incorporation of a nano-filler was found to be ineffective in imparting fire retardancy to nylon 6. Performance of these materials will have to be evaluated in actual vehicle applications and fire exposures before use on a broad scale basis. Received: 25 August 2000 / Reviewed and accepted: 28 August 2000     

高温后聚丙烯纤维增强水泥基复合材料导热的多尺度方法

有效导热系数(ETC)是预测火灾下混凝土结构内部温度时空分布的关键物性参数,为此提出了基于考虑界面热阻和粒子形状系数的改进Maxwell-Eucken模型的多相复合材料多尺度均质化方法,以预测高温后纤维增强水泥基复合材料的ETC。首先针对经历不同温度(20、60、150、300、450和600℃)处理后的砂浆、普通高性能混凝土和聚丙烯纤维增强混凝土开展了导热系数和孔隙率的测量试验,随后利用部分试验数据确定所提方法关键参数。最终利用所提方法预测经历不同温度处理后掺加不同含量和尺寸纤维的混凝土的ETC,方法预测结果与其余试验结果吻合良好。研究发现:粒子形状(纤维长度)对水泥基复合材料ETC的影响甚微;界面热阻(粒子与基体脱粘)对ETC的影响显著,界面热阻系数与经历温度呈线性增长关系;聚丙烯纤维熔化蒸发后干燥空气填充,形成管状裂缝热阻,同时柔软的细聚丙烯纤维在浇筑过程中附着在粗骨料表面,蒸发后进一步增加骨料与砂浆之间的界面热阻效应。