Commercial lignosulfonates from different sulfite processes as partial phenol replacement in PF resole resins

Four commercial spruce lignosulfonates representing the most common acidic, neutral, and alkaline sulfite pulping processes and varying significantly in molecular weight characteristics were tested as partial (40 wt %) phenol substitute materials for the manufacture of lignosulfonate‐phenol‐formaldehyde (LPF) resole resins. Similar as recently reported for technical lignins from nonsulfite pulping processes (kraft, soda, organosolv), all lignosulfonates of this study effectuated a faster viscosity gain during resole cooking compared to the lignin‐free reference resin (1000 mPa s after 120 min vs. 250 min to reach 1000 mPa s). Sodium lignosulfonate featuring the lowest weight average molecular weight (M_w 5780 g mol^?1) and dispersity (Ð 6.1) turned out to be superior to the other lignosulfonates with regard to curing rate (B‐time; 3:37 min vs. 6:41–9:08 min) and tensile shear strength development under hot pressing (120 °C; T_S,max = 5.64 N mm^?2 after 8 min) for beech veneer strips glued together with the respective LPF resins. Calcium and magnesium lignosulfonates are less suited with regard to phenol replacement due to the poor performance of the respective LPF adhesives in terms of tensile shear strength (T_S,max = 3.29–3.49 N mm^?2 after 12 min) most likely caused by considerable amounts of side products formed in the course of formose‐type reactions. Phenolation of the two promising lignosulfonates, that is, sodium and ammonium lignosulfonate, did neither considerably increase the rate of PF network formation during resin cooking and curing nor improve tensile strength development during hot pressing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45893.     

Properties of oxide structural ceramics made from mechanically milled powders

Conclusions A series of investigations established certain rules characterizing the development of oxide structural ceramics made from mechanically milled powders.The grain-size composition of the powders exerts a significant effect on the sintering processes. Using fine powders (average grain size 0.5–0.8m) reduces the sintering temperature of oxide ceramics to 1450–1500°C.The action of high pressures with cold isostatic pressing during shaping, and the use of hot isostatic pressing for the final densification of the ceramics provides conditions for developing pore-free ceramics with an average grain size of up to 1.0m.Ceramics were obtained based on alumina and zirconia with an average bending strength of 700–750 N/mm²- at room temperature and about 500 N/mm² at 1000°C.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 2, pp. 20–23, February, 1993.     

Aerodynamics of a vibrated fluid bed

Results of an experimental study on the aerodynamics of a vertically vibrated fluidized bed of cross-section 0.2 × 0.2 m are presented and discussed. Variables studied included frequency (0-105 s^?1), amplitude (0-5xl0^?3 m), bed height (12.5-100×10^?3 m), particle size (900-3900 μm), particle density (570-890 kgm^?3), particle shape factor (0.55-1.00) and the particle surface characteristics, i.e. presence of surface moisture. The effect of vibrational parameters on the fluidized bed pressure drop, the newly defined minimum mixing velocity, U_mm and overall aerodynamic behaviour of the bed is discussed on the basis of quantitative as well as visual observations. Empirical correlations are proposed for δP_mf and U_mm, which were both found to decrease significantly with increase in the vibrational acceleration.     

Effect of γ-Radiation on the Mechanical Performance of Hybrid Rice Straw/Seaweed-Polypropylene Composites

Hybrid composites of rice straw (Rs)/seaweed (Sw) and polypropylene (PP) were prepared at a fixed filler ratio of 30:70 and variable ratio of the two reinforcements, viz. 30:0, 25:5, 20:10, 10:20, 0:30 by weight. Mechanical properties of the composites such as tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS), impact strength (IS) and elongation at break (Eb%) were investigated and the composite formulation of 20:10:70 (Rs:Sw:PP) was found to be optimum that showed TS = 2.8 MPa, BS = 68 N/mm², IS = 2.5 kJ/mm² and Eb = 50%. For better compatibility, Rs and Sw were subjected to surface treatment using various intensities of γ-radiation to prepare improved hybrid composites. γ-irradiated filler hybrid composites significantly enhanced mechanical properties and the composite in which fillers were irradiated at 100 krad achieved maximum enhancement with TS = 35 MPa, BS = 75 N/mm², IS = 2.7 kJ/mm² and Eb = 68%. Water absorption capacity of the different composites was also studied and irradiated filler composites showed less water uptake.     

Thick thermal barrier coatings with different segmentation crack densities: Microstructure analysis and thermal oxidation behavior

Thick thermal barrier coatings (TTBCs) have been developed to increase the lifetime of hot section parts in gas turbines by increasing the thermal insulating function. The premeditated forming of segmentation cracks was found to be a valuable way for such an aim without adding a new layer. The TTBC introduced in the current study are coatings with nominal thickness ranging from 1 to 1.1 consisting of MCrAlY bond coat and 8YSZ top coat deposited by air plasma spray technique (APS). TTBCs with segmented crack densities of 0.65 mm^?1 (type-A) and 1 mm^?1 (type-B) were deposited on a superalloy substrate by adjusting the coating conditions. It was found that the substrate temperature has an influential role in creating the segmentation crack density. The crack density was found to increase with substrate temperature and liquid splat temperature. The two types of coatings (type-A and B) with different densities of segmentation crack were heat-treated at 1000 °C (up to 100 h) and 1100 °C (up to 500 h). The variation of hardness measured by indentation testing indicates a similar trend in both types of coatings after heat treatments at 1000 °C and 1100 °C. Weibull analysis of results demonstrates that higher preheating coating during the deposition results in a denser YSZ coating. The growth rate of TGO for TTBCs was evaluated for cyclic and isothermal oxidation routes at 1000 °C and 1100 °C. The TGO shows the parabolic trend for both two types of coatings. The Kps value for two oxidation types is between 5.84 × 10^?17 m²/s and 6.81 × 10^?17 m²/s. Besides, the type B coating endures a lifetime of more than 40 cycles at thermal cycling at 1000 °C.     

Effects of different particle deposition parameters on adhesion of resin cement to zirconium dioxide and phase transformation

This study evaluated the effect of air-abrasion parameters such as particle size, distance, and time on adhesion of resin cement to zirconium dioxide (Y-TZP) and t→m phase transformation. Y-TZP blocks (N = 80) (In-Ceram YZ, Vita) (4 mm^3?×?4 mm^3?×?3 mm³) were assigned into eight groups (n = 10): air-abrasion with 30 μm (CoJet Sand, S30) and 110 μm (Rocatec-Plus, S110) silica-coated alumina particles, applied for either for 10–20 s (T = time), from a distance of 10–20 mm (D = distance), composing the following groups: S₃₀T₁₀D₁₀, S₃₀T₁₀D₂₀, S₃₀T₂₀D₁₀, S₃₀T₂₀D₂₀, S₁₁₀T₁₀D₁₀, S₁₁₀T₁₀D₂₀, S₁₁₀T₂₀D₁₀, and S₁₁₀T₂₀D₂₀. Resin composite (RelyX ARC) was bonded to Y-TZP blocks in polyethylene molds. The specimens were aged (10,000 thermal cycles and water storage for 90 days) prior to shear bond test. Failure types were analyzed under stereomicroscope and SEM, and phase transformation was calculated. Data (MPa) were analyzed using 3-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. Air-abrasion with 110 μm silica particles (10.96) presented significantly higher bond strength (p = 0.0149) compared to 30 μm (8.96). Time (p = 0.403) and distance (p = 0.179) parameters did not affect the results significantly. Air-abrasion with 110 μm particles (12.3) promoted higher bond strength than that of 30 μm (6.4) when applied for 10 s from a distance of 10 mm (Tukey’s). Failure types were predominantly adhesive. Phase transformation ranged between 30.3 and 35.9% for 30 μm particles and 23.8–43.7% for 110 μm particles. While the size of silica-coated alumina particles were more relevant parameter for resin cement adhesion to Y-TZP, time (up to 20 s) and distance (up to 20 mm) appear to be less pertinent.     

Seasonal Variation of Airborne Particle Deposition Efficiency in the Human Respiratory System

Particulate matter (PM) is associated with human health effects but the apparent toxicity of PM in epidemiological studies varies with season. PM toxicity may change due to seasonal shifts in composition or particle size distributions that in turn affect respiratory deposition efficiencies. In the current study, size-resolved PM composition was measured in the largest city (Fresno) in California's heavily polluted San Joaquin Valley during the summer (30 days) and winter (20 days) between 2006 and 2009 for 21 metals, organic carbon, elemental carbon, and 7 water-soluble ions. The Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry model was applied to determine if seasonal variation in size-resolved composition influences respiratory deposition patterns. Mg, Al, S, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Ba, SO₄ ^2-, Na⁺, and Ca²⁺ had larger total deposition efficiencies (p < 0.004) during the summer versus the winter in all three regions of the respiratory tract. This trend results from increased relative concentrations of the target analytes per μg m^?3 ambient PM_1.8 concentration and would be detected with routine PM_2.5 filter samples. V, Zn, Se, NO₃ ^-, SO₄ ^2-, and NH₄ ⁺ also experienced seasonal size distribution shifts that enhanced the specific deposition efficiency in the tracheobronchial and pulmonary regions during the summer months (p < 0.05). This enhanced deposition would not be detected by routine filter samples because all of the size distribution changes occur at particle diameters <2.5 μm. This study demonstrates that changes to the particle size distributions (<2.5 μm) can enhance respiratory deposition efficiencies for trace metals and/or water-soluble ions and this may contribute to seasonal shifts in PM toxicity.     

Self-expandable hydrogel biliary stent design utilizing the swelling property of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

We have developed a novel self-expandable biliary stent comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The swelling ratio of the dried PVA hydrogels decreased from 6.7 to 2.6 as the saponification degree increased from 95 to 99.9, whereas the storage modulus and tear strength increased from 17 to 400 kPa and from 0.5 to 10 N mm⁻¹, respectively. The dimensional ratios of the inner- and outer-diameter and the length of the dried tube-shaped hydrogels (saponification degree of 98.5) prepared by simple air drying isotropically increased 1.4–1.5 times in physiological saline. Meanwhile, the dimensional ratios of the dried hydrogels prepared by drying under extension increased by twice, whereas the length decreased slightly, indicating anisotropic swelling. The radial force of the reswollen tube-shaped hydrogels (6.6 ± 0.6 mN mm⁻²) was significantly higher than that of a conventional metallic stent (4.4 ± 0.3 mN mm⁻²), suggesting that PVA hydrogels were applicable as self-expandable stents. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48851.     

Microstructures,properties, and applications of laser sintered 17-4PH stainless steel

The effects of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the densification, mechanical properties, and microstructures of laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) 17-4 PH stainless steel parts were studied using gas- and water-atomized powders. The % theoretical density, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness of as-printed and HIP-ed L-PBF parts were sensitive to energy density and starting powder shape, size, and type. At low-energy densities of 64 and 80 J/mm³, densification was significant for water-atomized L-PBF parts when subjected to HIP treatment and density increased from 90% to 97%. For all the energy densities, the gas-atomized L-PBF parts after the HIP treatment showed significantly higher tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness when compared to water-atomized L-PBF parts properties. At low-energy densities of 64 and 80 J/mm³, long columnar grains in the as-printed L-PBF parts did not change significantly after the HIP treatment whereas the columnar grains present in as-printed gas-atomized L-PBF parts completely disappeared when subjected to HIP treatment. However, at high-energy densities of 84 and 104 J/mm³, the columnar grains in as-printed L-PBF gas- and water-atomized L-PBF parts were changed to equiaxed grains and showed a higher level of homogenization when subjected to HIP treatment. This variation in grains and grain size had significantly affected the yield strength and elongation of HIP-treated gas- and water-atomized L-PBF parts.     

Tribological and corrosion behaviors of fluorocarbon coating reinforced with sodium iron titanate platelets and whiskers

A series of sodium iron titanate (NFTO)–fluorocarbon composite coatings have been prepared with the liquid-phase blending method. The effects of two types of NFTO, NFTO platelets, and NFTO whiskers, on the tribological and corrosion behaviors of the composite coatings, are systematically studied. The results show that the addition of NFTO can significantly enhance the friction-reducing and wear resistance performances of the fluorocarbon coating. Under dry sliding, the minimum specific wear rate is 1.67 × 10⁻⁴ mm³/Nm for the platelet-filled composite coatings and 1.15 × 10⁻⁴ mm³/Nm for the whisker-filled composite coatings, respectively, showing a decrease of 83.5 and 88.6% than that of pure coating. Under a simulated seawater environment, the minimum specific wear rate is 5.44 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/Nm for the platelet-filled composite coatings and 0.84 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/Nm for the whisker-filled composite coatings, respectively, showing a decrease of 90.5 and 98.5% than that of pure coating. The morphologies of worn surfaces, wear debris, and transfer films are analyzed, and the corresponding wear resistance mechanisms are discussed. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy certifies a remarkably improved corrosion resistance of the composite coatings which have been immersed in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution for 30 days. The composite coating reinforced with 7.5 wt % platelets shows the highest resistance of 256.3 × 10⁶ Ω·cm², approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that of pure coating. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48936.     

Quantitative assessment of natural toxicity in sponges: toxicity bioassay versus compound quantification

Microtox^® assay was used to assess the natural toxicity of two sponges, Dysidea avara and Ircinia variabilis. The activity of crude extracts and major metabolites were compared. Methanol extract of D. avara was more toxic than that of acetone and was as toxic as pure avarol, thus suggesting that the toxicity of the sponge was mainly due to this metabolite. We also quantified palinurin, the major metabolite of I. variabilis, in specimens from several habitats. With the same methanol extracts used for palinurin quantification, we ran the Microtox^® assay and found a positive significant regression between toxicity and concentration of this metabolite. Pure palinurin was tested at the same concentration present in the extract, and the toxicity recorded was higher than that of the methanol extract. As with avarol from D. avara, palinurin is the main secondary metabolite that confers toxicity to I. variabilis. The results confirm that the standardized Microtox^® assay is an accurate and reproducible tool for assessing the toxicity of crude extracts and pure metabolites of marine organisms. These results also suggest that methanol is more suitable than acetone for the detection of species toxicity by Microtox^® The method is faster and easier to perform than chemical quantification even when the sponge chemistry is known, and is appropriate for studies on variation in natural toxicity over a range of environmental conditions.     

The Filtration Properties of Atropa belladonna Plant Cell Suspensions; Effects of Hydrodynamic Shear and Elevated Carbon Dioxide Levels on Culture and Filtration Parameters

The filtration properties of Atropa belladonna plant cell suspensions cultured at different bioreactor stirrer speeds and gas-phase carbon dioxide levels were measured. Cell cake compressibility did not vary significantly with culture time, shear intensity or carbon dioxide concentration. Average cell cake permeability decreased by c. 70% with increasing stirrer speeds between 400 and 1000 rpm, and could be correlated with concomitant reductions in cell aggregate size. Permeability was more responsible than other culture parameters, such as growth, cell membrane integrity and protein release, to levels of hydrodynamic energy dissipation in the range 10⁶–10⁹ J m⁻³. Cell cake permeability was significantly affected by carbon dioxide levels of 10 and 15%, but not 2%. Average permeability at 15% CO₂ was reduced by c. 50% compared with the air-sparged control culture, even though aggregate size, morphological characteristics and filtered cake compressibility were unaltered. A distinctive pattern of permeability change over the course of the cultures was observed when the reactor conditions were not inhibitory to growth; however, this pattern was destroyed at medium-to-high shear levels and high carbon dioxide concentrations. © 1997 SCI.     

Flash self-joining of Y-TZP ceramics assisted with an AC electric field

In this study, flash joining experiments were conducted using an AC field on 3 mol% Y₂O₃-stabilized tetragonal ZrO₂ polycrystal (Y-TZP) bodies. Furthermore, the necessary conditions to obtain an almost complete self-joining of Y-TZP bodies were clarified. The specimens were successfully joined by applying an AC field at 60 mA mm⁻² for 80 s at a furnace temperature of 1000°C, thus resulting in a successfully joined specimen with 92% of the flexural strength of the as-sintered Y-TZP body. Almost complete self-joining of Y-TZP was achieved at current densities above 30 mA mm⁻², and input energy densities of >24 J mm⁻³. Both the input energy density and electric current were critical factors for producing the reliable joining of ceramics.     

Treatment of paper and pulp wastewater and removal of odorous compounds by a Fenton‐like process at the pilot scale

A Fenton‐like process, involving oxidation and coagulation, was evaluated for the removal of odorous compounds and treatment of a pulp and paper wastewater. The main parameters that govern the complex reactive system [pH and Fe(III) and hydrogen peroxide concentrations] were studied. Concentrations of Fe(III) between 100 and 1000 mg L^?1 and of H₂O₂ between 0 and 2000 mg L^?1 were chosen. The main mechanism for color removal was coagulation. The maximum COD, color and aromatic compound removals were 75, 98 and 95%, respectively, under optimal operating conditions ([Fe(III)] = 400 mg L^?1; [H₂O₂] = 500–1000 mg L^?1; pH = 2.5; followed by coagulation at pH 5.0). The biodegradability of the wastewater treated increased from 0.4 to 0.7 under optimal conditions and no residual hydrogen peroxide was found after treatment. However, partially or non‐oxidized compounds present in the treated wastewater presented higher acute toxicity to Artemia salina than the untreated wastewater. Based on the optimum conditions, pilot‐scale experiments were conducted and revealed a high efficiency in relation to the mineralization of organic compounds. Terpenes [(1S)‐α‐pinene, β‐pinene, (1R)‐α‐pinene and limonene] were identified in the wastewater and were completely eliminated by the Fenton‐like treatment. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microstructural Changes during Drying of Apple Slices

Abstract

In recent years some effort has been done trying to relate microstructural changes of dehydrated foods with macroscopical properties and quality factors of the processed product. This work assesses the microstructural changes of apple slices submitted to convective drying. Apple slices (25.7 mm diameter, 2.6 mm thickness) were dried in an oven at 70°C on a screen sample holder in order to allow mass transfer in any side of the sample. Microphotographs of the same sample were taken at determined time intervals using a stereomicroscope. The objects in these photographs were identified and classified in three size groups: (a) the cells group, containing objects with an area less than 0.03 mm²; (b) the mixed cells-intercellular spaces group, with an area between 0.03 and 0.06 mm², and (c) the intercellular spaces group, including objects with an area higher than 0.06 mm². Geometrical parameters of such objects, namely size (area, perimeter, equivalent diameter, and major and minor axis length) and shape parameters (compactness, elongation, and roundness) were evaluated. Shrinkage of cells and intercellular spaces was very clear during drying, observing a decrease of size with moisture content. Concerning shape factors, compactness remained constant, roundness slightly decreased during drying, and elongation increased in the final stage of the process. Macroscopical changes of the entire disc followed the same behavior as microscopical ones, suggesting that changes at the two scale levels are strongly related.     

Sizes of long branches in low density polyethylenes

¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography have been used to determine the mean length of long branches in a number of high pressure process low density polyethylenes (LDPEs). ¹³C-NMR analyses count all branches longer than C5 as “long.” The polyethylenes studied all had 2–3 long branches per 1000 carbons. The mean branch length was of the order of 200–300 carbons in length. The size of long branches increases with increasing M?_n of the parent polyethylene, but the size of long branches relative to the overall macromolecular size decreases with increasing M?_n. The mean molecular weight of the long branches is some 5–20% of M?_n of the particular polymer and decreases as M?_n increases. Both autoclave and tubular reactor products were studied.     

Chemical induction of feeding in California spiny lobster,Panulirus interruptus (Randall):

Molecular weight fractions of abalone muscle were tested for the ability to induce appetitive feeding and locomotor behavior in the spiny lobster,Panulirus interruptus. Fractions of <1000, 1000–10,000 and >10,000 daltons were isolated by ultrafiltrations and gel chromatography from a seawater extract of abalone muscle. The two lower-molecular-weight fractions (<1000, 1000–10,000) were the least stimulatory of the three fractions tested, and both were ineffective as feeding stimulants. Solutions combining any two of the three isolated fractions produced behavioral activity equal to that caused by whole extract; thus, no single fraction was essential to the stimulatory capacity of abalone. The >1000-dalton fraction was also highly stimulatory, meaning that large and not small molecules were essential in initiating feeding. Finally, a 75% ethanol-insoluble component of the <10,000 fraction was effective, while the ethanol-soluble portion was not. Since the insoluble material consisted predominantly of peptides and polypeptides, it is probable that these molecules act as principal stimulants in abalone muscle.     

The effect of an enzymatic pretreatment on the hydrolysis and size reduction of fat particles in slaughterhouse wastewater

The effect of an enzymatic pretreatment, Pancreatic Lipase 250 (PL‐250), on the hydrolysis and size reduction of fat particles in slaughterhouse wastewater was characterised for enzyme doses ranging from 125 to 1000 mg dm^?3 and initial particle sizes (D_in) varying between 53 and 383 µm. Treatment with PL‐250 significantly reduced the size of pork fat particles in slaughterhouse wastewater. Particle size reduction increased with D_in, possibly due to the more filamentous and plate‐like configuration of the larger fat particles, which could be easily broken at weak points. The smaller particles were observed to be denser and more spherical. Size reduction also increased with enzyme concentration, but the benefit of adding more enzyme diminished greatly as enzyme dose was increased. The maximum long‐chain fatty acid (LCFA) concentration in filtered samples was detected after 4–7 h of treatment and ranged from 8.2 to 34.9 mg dm^?3. The linear rate of LCFA released in solution during enzymatic pretreatment ranged from 39.4 to 169.9 mg dm^?3 d^?1, and increased with enzyme concentration up to 500 mg dm^?3. At a PL‐250 concentration of 1000 mg dm^?3, the LCFA release rate decreased, maybe due to excessive layering of adsorbed enzyme on the fat particles or increased degradation of released LCFAs. The pretreatment appeared to be more efficient with beef than pork fat particles. However, the effect of an enzymatic pretreatment on a downstream anaerobic treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater containing fat particles remains to be tested. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of grain size on tribological behavior of hot-pressed boron carbide sliding against alumina balls

Boron carbide ceramics (B₄C) have extraordinary hardness and well-abrasive resistance, while the tribological behavior of ceramic materials is complicated, which are affected by microstructures, mechanical properties, and surface characteristics, and so on. In this paper, the effect of grain size on the mechanical properties especially the wear resistance of hot-pressed B₄C was investigated. The average coefficient of friction of the B₄C/Al₂O₃ friction pair ranges from .41 to .66. The sample with the minimum grain size possesses the lowest wear rate of about 2.15 × 10⁻⁶–7.66 × 10⁻⁶ mm³∙N⁻¹∙m⁻¹. The analysis of the wear rate (W_R) and grain size (G) indicates that the wear resistance (W_R⁻¹) and the reciprocal of the square root of grain size (G^−1/2) are in line with the Hall–Petch relation. Fracture and the resulting abrasive wear are the main wear mechanisms of B₄C in the dry sliding process. This success provides a theoretical basis and a design approach of microstructure to improve the tribological behavior of ceramic materials.     

Mechanical performance of hybrid rice straw/sea weed polypropylene composites

Rice straw (Rs)/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared in the different ratio of 5 : 95, 10 : 90, 15 : 85, 20 : 80, 25 : 75, and 30 : 70 (Rs wt % : PP wt %) by an injection molding process. This work investigated the tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS), and impact strength (IS) of the composites. From the results, it is observed that Rs20 : PP80 mixture composite showed better performance with mechanical properties (TS = 26.2 MPa, BS = 58 N/mm², and IS = 1.7 KJ/mm²) among the composites prepared. Two hybrid composites were also fabricated using 20% Rs, 10% seaweed with 70% PP and 20% Rs, 30% seaweed with 70% PP. In between the two hybrid composites, superior mechanical behavior showed by the hybrid composite in ratio of Rs20 : Sw10 : PP70 with enhanced results such as TS = 28 MPa, BS = 68 N/mm², and IS = 2.5 KJ/mm². Water uptake, simulating weathering, and soil degradation test of different composites were also performed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011