Photocuring of Empty Fruit Bunches of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Fibers with Allyl Methacrylate (AMA): Effect of Additives on Mechanical and Degradable Properties

Empty fruit bunches of oil palm fibers can be used as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional reinforcing fibers, like glass, carbon, etc. In order to improve the interfacial properties, this fiber was subjected to grafting with bulk monomer allyl methacrylate (AMA) and cured under UV radiation. It was found that UV curing enhanced the physicomechanical properties to a large extent compared to the untreated virgin fiber. Among different AMA concentration, the fibers treated with 10% monomer showed the best mechanical properties after 15 passes of UV radiation. Different additives such as urea, acrylamide, and NVP were added with the 10% AMA solution, and the effect of additives was studied. It was found that fibers treated with 2% urea showed even better PL and tensile properties than those treated only with AMA. the treated and untreated fiber samples were also subjected to various weather conditions such as simulating weather, soil, and water aging to determine the degradable properties. It was observed that the minimum loss in each case was shown by the sample treated with the formulations that contain urea as additives with AMA and that fiber aged in soil showed higher loss of weight and tensile properties than that aged in water.     

Heat-Efficient Composite Wall Material

The effect of foam glass additives on the physicomechanical and thermophysical properties of construction ceramics is considered. The specifics of formation of a porous structure depending on the properties of source materials is investigated. A new glass-ceramic material with improved heat-insulating properties is obtained.__________Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 3, pp. 24 – 25, March, 2005.     

Cross-Linking, Deformation-Strength Properties, and Combustibility of Filled Polyethylene

The possibility of reducing the combustibility and deformability of polyethylene under a load by incorporation of ammonium polyphosphate and fire-proofed viscose fiber was investigated. The dependence of the physicomechanical and thermophysical properties of the composite materials on the composition of the composite and fabrication conditions.     

A phenomenological study of the mechanical properties of long‐fiber filled injection‐molded thermoplastic composites

Tensile and flexural tests on specimens cut from rectangular injection‐molded plaques show that long‐fiber filled thermoplastic composites are complex, non‐homogeneous, anistropic material systems. Like all fiber‐filled materials, they exhibit through‐thickness nonhomogeneity as indicated by differences between tensile and flexural properties. The in‐plane orientation of fibers in through‐thickness layers causes the material to have in‐plane anisotropic properties. However, these long‐fiber filled materials exhibit an unexpectedly large level of in‐plane nonhomogeneity. Also, the effective mechanical properties of these materials are strongly thickness dependent. The thinnest plaques exhibit the largest differences between the flow and cross‐flow tensile properties. These differences decrease with increasing thickness. A methodology for part design with this class of materials is discussed.     

Sorption Properties of Nonwoven Materials

Varying the composition of fiber blends and the process parameters allows fabricating nonwoven materials with a set spectrum of mechanical and sorption properties. The sorption properties of nonwoven materials (especially from blends of polyester and polypropylene fibres) that have undergone the process stages of basic needle-punching and heat treatment were preserved and the strength properties increased significantly. The sorption capacity decreased after heat treatment of nonwovens which resulted in 30-35% shrinkage, and this was due to a change in the structure of the material.     

Utilization of bowstring hemp fiber as a filler in natural rubber compounds

The cure characteristics and physicomechanical properties of natural rubber (standard Nigerian rubber) vulcanizates filled with the fiber of bowstring hemp (Sansevieria liberica) and carbon black were investigated. The results showed that the scorch and cure times decreased, whereas the maximum torques increased, with increasing filler loadings for both bowstring hemp fiber and carbon black filled vulcanizates. The tensile strength of both bowstring hemp fiber and carbon black filled vulcanizates increased to a maximum at a 40 phr filler concentration before decreasing. The elongation at break and rebound resilience decreased, whereas the modulus, specific gravity, abrasion resistance, and hardness increased, with increasing filler contents. The carbon black/natural rubber vulcanizates had higher tensile strength, which was about 1.5 times that of bowstring hemp fiber/natural rubber vulcanizates. This superiority in the tensile strength was probably due to the higher moisture content and larger particle size of the bowstring hemp fiber. However, the bowstring hemp fiber/natural rubber vulcanizates showed superior hardness. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Alternative Technology for Manufacture of Carbon Composites

The effect of carbon fibre on the evolution of polycondensation of resol phenol—formaldehyde oligomer was investigated; it was found that carbon fibre has a catalytic effect in the early stages of formation of the oligomer and a slowing effect on the final stages. The experimental data suggests that the efficacy of polycondensation filling is manifested in formation of a dense monolithic structure of the composite and higher physicomechanical properties in comparison to traditionally filled composite materials.     

Using extraction and sorption processes to obtain nanosized powders of calcium silicates and functional materials on their basis

The review presents summary data on extracting agents and the application of sorption processes during the cycle of studies on the joint processing of calcium and silicon-containing raw materials on the production of calcium silicates and composite materials on their basis. It is found that, in processes of the production of synthetic calcium silicates from various types of calcium and silicon-containing raw materials, ionic and nonionic surfactants, including extractants, serve as structuring additives that hinder crystal growth and impede their agglomeration. The sorption properties of amorphous and crystalline nanopowders of calcium silicates and hydrosilicates synthesized from water-soluble materials are studied with respect to cations of base and rare metals. It has been found that the studied samples have high sorption capacity for cations of Eu3+, Pr³⁺, Tb³⁺, Er³⁺ and may be used as the basis for producing functional composite materials. The efficiency of applying the extraction-pyrolytic method has been shown to provide homogeneity and predetermined composition of the desired products, for the production of ceramic pigments and luminescent materials based on calcium silicates.     

Reinforcement of natural rubber with nylon 6 short fibers

The properties of natural rubber vulcanizates reinforced with nylon 6 short fibers were studied. It was found that the stress of vulcanizates decreased with initial fiber loading, followed by an increase with increasing the amount of fiber. The effect of reinforcing carbon black HAF on the physicomechanical properties was studied in the presence and absence of hydrated silica.     

Development of methods of manufacturing nonwoven sorbing materials

Impregnation composites and the conditions for fabricating them to make filled nonwoven materials with elevated physicomechanical properties were developed. The use of impregnation composites with a filler undergoing vibrational treatment in optimum conditions allows obtaining nonwovens with the ability to sorb heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions of surfactants and to selectively sorb microorganisms. __________ Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 3, pp. 3–5, May–June, 2006.     

Additives to Control the Rheological Properties of Unshaped Castables

Comparative test data are reported for additives (available from domestic and foreign manufacturers) that are commonly used to control the rheological properties of castables. The domestic additives are shown to be effective thinners for refractory castable compositions and provide conditions for adequate water demand of castable mixes not inferior to those of foreign additives. The physicomechanical properties of refractory castables conditioned by domestic superplasticizers are likewise not inferior to foreign analogs except perhaps for the mechanical strength. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 9, pp. 44 – 48, September, 2005.     

Effect of plasticized stretch on the properties of carbon black filled halogenated carbo-chain fibres

Conclusions The effect of plasticized stretch on the physicomechanical and electrophysical properties of yarns based on carbon black filled polymers — 42V fluororesin and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride — has been examined.A number of features of these polymers have been discovered, and recommendations are made on choosing an optimum regime of plasticized stretch of carbon black filled yarns.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 6, pp. 8–10, November–December, 1983.     

有机成核剂改善聚醚酯纤维弹性回复率的研究

研究了有机成核剂 (PP)的质量分数对聚醚酯 (TPEE)纤维弹性回复率及物理机械性能的影响 ,并且用SEM和X射线衍射对其结构进行了分析 ,结果发现 ,PP质量分数小于 2 %时 ,可以略微改善TPEE纤维的弹性回复率 ,而添加过多的PP反而使TPEE纤维的弹性回复率及物理机械性能变差。     

Dynamic wetting of plasma‐treated polypropylene nonwovens

Various techniques have been employed to improve the wettability of polypropylene materials for a wide range of applications. In this study, polypropylene nonwovens were treated in oxygen plasma for improving water adsorption properties. The effects of plasma treatment on wetting and water adsorption behavior were characterized using dynamic contact angle measurements and dynamic sorption measurements. The introduction of hydrophilic groups was detected by attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The plasma treatment roughened the fiber surface revealed by atomic force microscopy. The roughened and hydrophilic surface resulted in the change in advancing and receding contact angles. The dynamic sorption measurements also examined the water adsorption behavior of the materials. The investigation revealed that plasma treatment could significantly improve the water adsorption properties of polypropylene nonwovens. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2157–2160, 2007     

Fabrication of sorption-active nonwoven materials

Electron-probe microanalysis showed that vibration treatment of polymer binders causes changes in the structure of polymer films not only based on latexes but also aqueous solutions of polymers, PAA and PA in particular. The wave effect on the composite based on aqueous solutions of PAA and PA not only affects the physicomechanical properties but also the porosity, air permeability, andsorption capacity of filter nonwovens. A hypothesis is advanced concerning the effect of the wave action on the polymer composites, pore structure, and sorption mechanism of nonwoven filter materials based on these composites. Translated fiomKhimicheskie Volokna, No. 4, pp. 10–12, July–August, 2007.     

Effective sorbing polymer materials for collecting oil and oil products

Effective sorbents based on nonwoven polymer materials have been synthesized for cleaning up oil and oil products spills from the water surface. The influence of structural characteristics of materials (a width of fabrics, a fiber diameter, a density of fiber packing in fabric) on their sorption capacity has been revealed. It has been shown that the materials based on polypropylene and polyether fibers exhibited the high sorption capacities in respect to oil and oil products.     

Mechanical properties of (surface‐modified potassium polytitanate small additives)/epoxy composite materials

The article presents research on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin modified with potassium polytitanate small additives. The influence of the surface modification of potassium polytitanate particles on their properties and interaction with epoxy resins and the mechanical properties of the resulting composite were investigated. The interactions among the dressing additives, binders and fillers were determined. The study shows the dependence of properties of composite materials on the content of dressing additives and method of filling with potassium polytitanate. This study also highlights possible reasons for variation in the mechanical properties of epoxy resin filled with potassium polytitanate particles. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2866–2871, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Halogen-free flame-retardant flexible polyurethane for textile coating: Preparation and characterisation

A type of flexible polyurethane (FPU) based on renewable-sourced polyol was prepared and then modified with halogen-free flame retardants, namely, alumina trihydrate (ATH) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), to further increase its flame-resistant properties. The optimum loading for additives was determined based on analysing the changes in physicomechanical properties, thermal properties, and flame-retardant behaviours of modified FPU materials. An FPU-coated textile was then prepared; its smoke-generating behaviours and flammability were investigated in comparison with pristine fabric, pristine FPU, and respective modified FPU. The results confirmed good synergistic effect between ATH and TPhP, which helped increasing flame-resistant properties of applied materials, while also maintained reasonable flexibility for fabric-coating applications. However, the usage of modified FPU as coating material also proved to cause more toxic smoke emissions during the short burning duration of coated-fabric, an issue that needed to be investigated more thoroughly in order to guarantee the safety of people during catastrophic events.     

Physicomechanical,optical, barrier,and wide angle X‐ray scattering studies of filled low density polyethylene films

Series of low density polyethylene (LDPE) films filled with different fillers such as silica, mica, soya protein isolate, potassium permanganate, and alumina were processed using a single screw extruder. The filled LDPE films were characterized for physicomechanical properties like tensile strength, percentage elongation at break, and tear strength, optical properties like percent transmission and haze. The barrier properties such as water vapor transmission rate and oxygen transmission rate of the filled LDPE films have also been reported. Microcrystalline parameters such as crystal size (〈N〉) and lattice distortion (g) of the filled LDPE films obtained using wide angle X‐Ray scattering method have been reported. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2781–2789, 2006     

Influence of filler content on physicomechanical and bonding properties of an experimental dental resin cement

To investigate the effects of filler contents on the bonding and physicomechanical properties of experimental dental resin cements and the correlation between them, four groups were formulated with silicon dioxide filler in the following weight percentages: A: 40%, B: 50%, C: 60%, and D: 70%. LuxaCore dental resin cement was used as group E for commercial reference. For testing bond strength, resin cements were applied to the prefabricated dental fiber posts in the artificial teeth canal and photo cured, and then the microtensile bonding strength (BS) between posts and resin cement was measured in sticks of 1 × 1 mm². For the mechanical properties, flexural strength (FS), diametral tensile strength (DTS), compressive strength (CS), and hardness (H) were tested according to the related standard. Water sorption and solubility were also determined. The results showed both bonding and physicomechanical strengths of the experimental resin cements varied to different extents with filler addition. Positive correlations existed respectively between the filler content and some mechanical properties (r_FS = 0.964, r_CS = 0.967, and r_H = 0.959), whereas no significant correlations were found between the filler content and the other strength values tested in this study (r_DTS = 0.321, r_BS = 0.014), neither were between bond strength and mechanical properties. The effect of filler content on mechanical properties was more influential and prominent compared to that on bond strength. It is partial to compare properties and to predict clinical behaviors of resin materials based on a single in vitro test, and comprehensive evaluation is necessary. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013