Thermal and mechanical properties and water absorption of guanidine hydrochloride‐modified soy protein (11s)

Thermal and mechanical properties and water absorption of guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl)‐modified 11S soy protein and molded plastics made from it were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), mechanical tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The DSC results showed that the denaturation temperature of GuHCl‐modified 11S solutions was higher than that of the control sample and the high concentration GuHCl completely denatured 11S. Nonfreezing water of the modified 11S solution exhibited a minimum value at 0.9M GuHCl. Both DSC and DMA results showed that GuHCl was a plasticizer of 11S and the glass transition temperature of modified 11S plastics decreased with increasing GuHCl concentration. Both the stress and strain of modified 11S plastics reached their highest values at a 0.9 GuHCl concentration. The SEM observations supported these results. A water‐absorption test showed an improvement in the water resistance of 11S plastics with GuHCl modification. The water absorption had a minimum value at 0.9M GuHCl. The interaction between GuHCl molecules and 11S protein was found to have important effects on the thermal and mechanical properties and the water absorption of 11S plastics. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1063–1070, 2000     

Harnessing the Excellent Mechanical,Barrier and Antimicrobial Properties of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) to Improve the Performance of Starch-based Bioplastic

ABSTRACT

The inherent properties of starch which are poor mechanical properties and its hydrophilicity that leads to poor long-term water absorption, fostered the incorporation of additives into starch-based bioplastic to enhance its mechanical and barrier properties. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle as a lightweight material that is biocompatible, nontoxic, cost-effective and exhibit strong antibacterial activity can be considered as nano reinforcement of starch-based bioplastic. The present work studied the reinforcing effect of ZnO on the physical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of starch-based bioplastic. Bioplastic was prepared by melt-mixing starch and glycerol (3:1, w/w) with ZnO (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%, w/w). Bioplastic density and water contact angle increased with the increase of ZnO concentration. Bioplastic with the addition of 4% ZnO showed the lowest moisture content of 3.45%. Moreover, the decomposition temperature of bioplastic with ZnO increased slightly which indicated the higher stability. Mechanical properties evaluation showed that bioplastic with addition of ZnO had higher tensile strength than that without ZnO where 4% ZnO exhibited the highest tensile strength of 10.29 MPa with elongation of 5.69%. Cross-section microstructure after tensile test showed that ZnO was fairly dispersed in starch matrix that implied the increase of the mechanical properties of bioplastic. FTIR spectra exhibited that the intermolecular interaction in bioplastics occurred through C–H, C=O, C–O–H and O–H groups. In addition, biodegradability tests of bioplastic showed that the growth of microbes decreased in the presence of ZnO due to the nature of ZnO as an antibacterial compound. The results showed that ZnO played a key role in reinforcing the physical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of starch-based bioplastic.     

The effect of high temperature on the residual mechanical performance of concrete made with recycled ceramic coarse aggregates

This paper presents an experimental study on the residual mechanical properties of concrete with recycled ceramic coarse aggregate (RCCA) after exposure to elevated temperatures. Four concrete mixes were produced: a control concrete and three concrete mixes with replacement ratios of 20, 50 and 100% of natural aggregate (NA) by RCCA. The specimens were subjected to temperatures of 200, 400 and 600°C, for a period of 60 min. After cooling down to room temperature, the following concrete properties were evaluated: (i) compressive strength; (ii) splitting tensile strength; (iii) modulus of elasticity; (iv) ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV); and (v) water absorption by immersion. At ambient temperature, as expected, the replacement of NA by RCCA resulted in a performance reduction of concrete. After exposure to elevated temperature, in general, the results obtained indicated an improvement of the residual relative mechanical properties of the mixes with RCCA, particularly after exposure to 400 and 600°C. However, exposure to the highest temperature (600°C) tended to cause spalling in concrete mixes containing RCCA. Significant linear correlations were observed between the residual compressive strength of all concrete mixes and both the UPV and the water absorption by immersion. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

HNBR和NBR不同温度下力学性能的研究

本文主要研究了在常温、高温条件下,不同交联体系、炭黑用量、碳纳米管用量对氢化丁腈橡胶(HNBR)和氢化丁腈橡胶(NBR)的力学性能的影响。实验结果表明,采用硫黄、过氧化物DCP共同交联的NBR体系,在高温力学性能与常温力学性能相比,下降较大。HNBR的硫化体系对性能影响很大,常温条件下,硫黄交联体系的力学性能不如过氧化物交联体系优异;在高温条件的力学性能与常温力学性能相比,综合性能下降较大。     

Thermal and mechanical properties and water absorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate‐modified soy protein (11S)

The thermal and mechanical properties and water absorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐modified 11S soy protein and molded plastics made from it were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), mechanical tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The DSC results showed that both the temperature and enthalpy of thermal denaturation of modified 11S solutions decreased as the SDS concentration increased. Nonfreezing water of the modified 11S solution had a minimum value at 1.0% SDS. The ordered structure of SDS‐modified 11S protein was recovered and/or newly formed during the freeze‐drying process. Both DSC and DMA results showed that SDS was a plasticizer of 11S, and the glass transition temperature of modified 11S plastics decreased with increasing SDS concentration. Both the tensile strength and elongation of modified 11S plastics first decreased and then increased as the SDS concentration increased, and 5.0% SDS‐modified 11S plastic had the highest tensile strength and elongation. The SEM observations supported these results. A water‐absorption test showed a reduction in the water resistance of 11S plastics after SDS modification. The rate of water absorption increased with increasing SDS concentration. The hydrophobic interaction between SDS molecules and 11S protein was found to have important effects on the thermal and mechanical properties and the water absorption of 11S plastics. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 166–175, 2001     

Mechanical properties of high-strength concrete after fire

With compressive strength grade of C40, C60, and C70, respectively, normal-strength concrete (NSC) and high-strength concrete (HSC) were used to investigate compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and bending strength after high temperature. The oil furnace is used in this study. Its temperature-time curve is close to standard curve, which conforms to Chinese standard GB/T 9978-1999. After being heated to temperatures of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 °C, respectively, the mechanical properties of HSC were tested. The influence of temperature, water content, specimen size, strength grade, and temperature profiles on mechanical properties of HSC are discussed.     

Effect of microcrystalline cellulose on characteristics of cassava starch-based bioplastic

ABSTRACT

The vast consumption of conventional plastics has a significant effect on the environment that encourages the utilization of natural resources as the raw materials to substitute the petroleum-based plastics. Poor mechanical and moisture barrier properties of starch-based bioplastics causing the development of modified starch-based bioplastics by incorporating reinforcing material. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a filler of thermoplastic starch shows strong reinforcing ability and high surface area besides its renewability, biodegradability, and affordability compared to nanocellulose. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MCC on the physical, mechanical, and biodegradability properties of starch-based bioplastic. Bioplastic was prepared by melt-mixing starch and glycerol (3:1, w/w) with MCC (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, w/w). Density and water contact angle of bioplastic increased with the increase of MCC concentration. Conversely, the moisture content decreased with the increase of MCC concentration. Mechanical properties evaluation showed that bioplastic with the addition of MCC had higher tensile strength than that without MCC where 20% MCC exhibited the highest tensile strength of 16.7 MPa with elongation of 1.31% and Young’s modulus of 1.5 GPa. In addition, the decomposition temperature of bioplastic with MCC slightly increased which indicated the higher stability. Cross-section micrograph after tensile test showed that the visible inhomogeneous starch granules decreased with the increase of MCC concentration. FTIR spectra exhibited that the intermolecular interaction in bioplastics occurred through C-H, C = O, C-O-C, C-O-H, and O-H groups. In addition, biodegradability tests of bioplastic showed that the growth of microbes increased in the presence of MCC and microbes covered the bioplastic more than 60% in 21 days. The results showed that MCC performed an important role to enhance the physical, mechanical, and biodegradability properties of starch-based bioplastic.     

Effects of moisture content and heat treatment on the physical properties of starch and poly(lactic acid) blends

Starch, a hydrophilic renewable polymer, has been used as a filler for environmentally friendly plastics for about 2 decades. Starch granules become swollen and gelatinized when water is added or when they are heated, and water is often used as a plasticizer to obtain desirable product properties. The objective of this research was to characterize blends from starch and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) in the presence of various water contents. The effects of processing procedures on the properties of the blends were also studied. Blends were prepared with a lab‐scale twin‐screw extruder, and tensile bars for mechanical testing were prepared with both compression and injection molding. Thermal and mechanical properties of the blends were analyzed, and the morphology and water absorption of the blends were evaluated. The initial moisture content (MC) of the starch had no significant effects on its mechanical properties but had a significant effect on the water absorption of the blends. The thermal and crystallization properties of PLA in the blend were not affected by MC. The blends prepared by compression molding had higher crystallinities than those prepared by injection molding. However, the blends prepared by injection molding had higher tensile strengths and elongations and lower water absorption values than those made by compression molding. The crystallinities of the blends increased greatly with annealing treatment at the PLA second crystallization temperature (155°C). The decomposition of PLA indicated that PLA was slightly degraded in the presence of water under the processing temperatures used. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3069–3082, 2001     

PP-B管力学性能影响因素的研究

采用挤出成型生产出嵌段共聚聚丙烯(PP-B)管材,讨论了塑化温度、螺杆转速和冷却水温度等挤出成型工艺条件对PP-B管材力学性能的影响。结果表明:当平均塑化温度为200℃、螺杆转速为40-45 r/min、冷却水温度为20-30℃时,PP-B管材具有较理想的力学性能。     

Physical and mechanical characterization of jute fabric composites

As‐received and washed jute fabrics were used as reinforcement for a thermoset resin. The mild treatments performed on the jute fabrics did not significantly affect their physical and thermal behaviors. The washed fibers absorbed less water than the unmodified (as received) ones, indicating that the coating used to form the fabrics was hygroscopic. Measurements of the fiber mechanical properties showed a high dispersion due to fiber irregularities, although the values obtained were in agreement with data reported in the literature. These results were also analyzed with the Weibull method. To investigate the effect of the jute treatments on the interface properties, impact, compression, and tensile tests were carried out. The composites made from as‐received jute had the highest impact energy, which was probably associated with weak interfacial adhesion. Composite samples behaved more ductilely in compression than in tensile situations due to the brittle characteristics of the resin used as matrix. The effect of the orientation of the fibers with respect to the direction of the applied force in the different mechanical tests was also studied. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 639–650, 2005     

Stress–strain behaviour of fire exposed self‐compacting glass concrete

Concrete normally suffers from low stiffness and poor strain capacity after exposure to high temperatures. This study focused on evaluating the effect of recycled glass (RG) on the residual mechanical properties of self‐compacting glass concrete (SCGC) after exposure to elevated temperatures. RG was used to replace fine aggregate at ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by weight. The residual properties were evaluated according to compressive strength, elastic modulus, stress–strain behaviour and strain at pre‐load and peak stress. A comparative assessment of different curing conditions on the SCGC was also conducted. The results showed that there were significant decreases in compressive strength, elastic modulus and concrete stiffness of the concrete with increasing temperature. The use of RG had little influence on the elastic modulus at ambient temperature; however, after exposure to 800°C, the mechanical properties of the concrete were greatly enhanced by incorporating RG. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of fiber reinforced high performance self-consolidating concrete at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the effect of temperature on thermal and mechanical properties of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and fiber reinforced SCC (FRSCC). For thermal properties specific heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion were measured, whereas for mechanical properties compressive strength, tensile strength and elastic modulus were measured in the temperature range of 20–800 °C. Four SCC mixes, plain SCC, steel, polypropylene, and hybrid fiber reinforced SCC were considered in the test program. Data from mechanical property tests show that the presence of steel fibers enhances high temperature splitting tensile strength and elastic modulus of SCC. Also the thermal expansion of FRSCC is slightly higher than that of SCC in 20–1000 °C range. Data generated from these tests was utilized to develop simplified relations for expressing thermal and mechanical properties of SCC and FRSCC as a function of temperature.     

Compressive strength-color change relation in mortars at high temperature

Changes in materials' physical, chemical and mechanical properties have to be known to decide whether the buildings exposed to high-temperature effect will be repaired or demolished. In order to carry out the effects of fire and extinguishing on the properties of concrete, mortars with and without silica fume were exposed to different temperatures, such as 100, 200, 300, 600, 900 and 1200 °C, and cooled slowly in the air and fast in water in two groups. Flexural and compressive-strength tests were performed on the samples which were cooled up to room temperature and changes in color were determined by using the Munsell Color System. High temperature has caused damages in mechanical properties of mortars with or without silica fume, especially samples which were cooled in water, which showed significant decrease in mechanical strengths at 600 °C. In this study, it was observed that the changes in color's hue component and the compressive strength have similarities. Test results show that residual color changes in mortar can give an idea about the effect of high temperatures on the mechanical properties of mortar during a fire.     

High temperatures properties of barite concrete with cathode ray tube funnel glass

Heavyweight concrete has been used for different types of radiation shielding applications. Research studies have been performed to determine the mechanical properties of heavyweight concrete. However, relatively little information is available on the fire performance of heavyweight concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures. This study investigates the effects of elevated temperatures (25, 300, 500, 600 and 800 °C) on the residual density, compressive strength and water sorptivity of heavyweight barite concrete. A control mix of normal granite concrete was produced for comparison. The influence of using treated cathode ray tube (CRT) funnel glass cullets as a fine aggregate replacement in the barite concrete was also examined. The results show that the type of aggregate used had a significant influence on the residual properties of concrete mainly because of their physical and mineralogical transformation upon heating. Incorporation of CRT glass in barite concrete seemed to increase the risk of explosive spalling after exposure to 500 °C. However, as the temperature was increased from 600 to 800 °C, the loss of mechanical properties of the concrete containing CRT glass was smaller because of the molten glass being able to fill the pores/cracks, which was followed by resolidification upon cooling. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rheological,mechanical, optical,and transport properties of blown films of polyamide 6/residual monomer/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Exfoliated nanocomposites of polyamide 6 (PA6) with residual monomer and an organically treated montmorillonite (3 and 5 wt %) were produced by twin‐screw extrusion. The composites had their steady state, dynamic, and transient rheological properties measured by parallel‐plates rheometry; their exfoliation level was characterized by wide angle X‐rays diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The characterization showed as follows: (i) the nanoclay's lamellas were well dispersed and distributed thru the PA6, (ii) the postpolymerization of the residual monomer produced more branched chains than linear ones in the pure PA6, (iii) the nanoclay's lamellas acted as entanglement points in the nanocomposites, and (iv) the molecular weight of the PA6 in the nanocomposites decreased. Blown films of the nanocomposites were produced by single screw extrusion; the die pressure during the film blowing of the nanocomposites strongly decreased. The tensile mechanical properties of the blown films were also measured. Along the machine direction (MD), the best mechanical properties were obtained with the 5 wt % nanocomposite, whereas along the transverse direction (TD), the 3 wt % nanocomposite had the best behavior. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the blown films was measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analyses (DMTA). The 5 wt % nanocomposite had the highest T_g of all the films. The optical properties were measured by spectrophotometry; the nanoclay decreased the films' haze, but the level of transmittance was not affected. The water vapor and oxygen permeability rates of the nanocomposites films were found to be lower than in the pure PA6 blown film as a result of a tortuosity effect. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Novel flexible electrically conductive adhesives from functional epoxy,flexibilizers, micro‐silver flakes and nano‐silver spheres for electronic packaging

In this study, five different flexibilizers were added into a matrix resin to improve the flexibility of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs). The flexible ECAs were fabricated from the matrix resin and electrically conductive fillers. Their curing was fixed at 150 °C for 30 min. Of the five flexibilizers, 1,3‐propanediol bis(4‐aminobenzoate) (PBA) had the best effect on the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of the ECAs. During curing, PBA reacted with the functional epoxy in the matrix resin. The soft ether segments in PBA were grafted into the crosslinked epoxy network to form an orderly spaced mesh structure. This led to high‐temperature stability, with the pyrolysis temperature being above 350 °C. Flexible ECAs with a 10% weight ratio of PBA in the matrix resin had the best properties. Their viscosity and bulk resistivity were the lowest. Their flexibility and electrical conductivity were the highest. They also had low storage modulus which could effectively dissipate or reduce the residual shear stress generated by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between chip and substrate. Their impact strength was the lowest, and the toughening effect was so significant that the improvement was about 48% compared to ECAs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

玻纤增强聚氨酯泡沫的研制

制备了长玻璃纤维增强硬质聚氨酯泡沫复合材料。研究了发泡剂水和HCFC-141b对纯泡沫内部温度的影响,以及玻纤增强复合材料体系的固化时间和异氰酸酯指数(R值)对其力学性能的影响。结果表明,以HCFC-141b为发泡剂的体系放热量比水作发泡剂的放热量低,体系达到的最高温度较低。当异氰酸酯指数为1.05时,玻纤增强聚氨酯硬泡有较高的压缩强度,达到83.3 MPa。     

Characteristics of polyester polymer concrete using spherical aggregates from industrial by‐products

Despite its excellent physical and mechanical properties, polymer concrete has not been widely used owing to its much higher unit price than conventional portland cement concrete. To ensure the economic efficiency of polymer concrete, it is utmost important to reduce the use of polymer binder, which occupies most of the production cost of polymer concrete. Based on the experimental investigations, replacing filler (calcium carbonate) and fine aggregate (river sand) with fly ash and rapid‐cooled steel slag (RCSS), which are spherical materials obtainable from industrial by‐products, was found to be effective for improving the strength characteristics and durability as well as the cost efficiency of polymer concrete. The product developed in this study successfully reduced the demand for polymer binder by 21.3% compared to the conventional product, which in turn saved the total material costs by 18.5%. Although the use of RCSS showed performance degradation at an elevated temperature condition, considering typical temperature ranges that actual concrete infrastructures experience, it is expected that the polymer concrete using fly ash and RCSS will provide high‐level performances as construction and repair materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of temperature on mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete

High temperature mechanical property data are needed for evaluating fire resistance of structural members. Being a relatively new construction material, there is a lack of temperature-dependent mechanical property data on ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). To address this knowledge gap, this paper presents results from an experimental study on the effect of temperature on mechanical properties of UHPC. Specimens made of two UHPC mixes: one with only steel fibers (UHPC-S) and the other with hybrid fibers, that is, both steel and polypropylene (UHPC-H), were tested under different heating conditions in 20 to 750°C temperature range. Compressive strength, tensile strength, stress-strain response, and elastic modulus of UHPC were evaluated at various temperatures. Results generated from these property tests on UHPC were compared with property relations specified in design codes for conventional normal strength concrete (NSC) and high strength concrete (HSC). The comparisons show that UHPC experiences faster degradation in compressive strength and elastic modulus as compared to conventional concrete. However, UHPC exhibits slower degradation in tensile strength and ductility at elevated temperatures due to the presence of steel fibers. Data generated from these property tests were utilized to propose relations for expressing the mechanical properties of UHPC as a function of temperature and these relations can be used as input to numerical models for evaluating fire resistance of structures made of UHPC.     

Plastic performance of soybean protein components

Soybean proteins recently have been considered as petroleum polymer alternatives in the manufacture of adhesives, plastics, and various binders. The objective of this work was to characterize the plastic performance of soybean protein components during molding processes. Two major soybean protein fractions, 7S-rich globulin (7S-RG) and 11S-rich globulin (11S-RG) were separated from defatted soybean flour, and their purity was examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel eletrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. The thermal transition properties of the two fractions at 10% moisture content were 137.6°C for 7S and 163°C for 11S, as analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Plastics were prepared using a hot press at various molding temperatures that were selected based on the proteins’ thermal transition temperatures obtained by DSC. The plastics were evaluated for mechanical properties, water absorption, and microstructure. The plastics prepared with temperatures at or close to the thermal transition temperature showed a smooth, uniform, and complex structure. Results showed that the plastics made from 11S-RG at its thermal transition temperature were stronger (35 MPa) and had lower water absorption than those made from 7S-RG at 145°C (26 MPa). The plastics made from the 7S- and 11S-RG mixture had the highest tensile strength (39 MPa) and medium water absorption compared to those made from 7S- and 11S-RG alone. These mechanical properties and water absorption behaviors were significantly affected by molding temperatures. The results obtained from this research indicated that interaction between 7S- and 11S-RG could occur during molding and that thermal transition temperature played an important role in thermal processing of soybean proteins.