Comparative effects of pyrolyzed oil shale and pyrolyzed burned oil shale used as fillers in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol)

Pyrolyzed oil shale (POS) obtained from the pyrolysis of bituminous rock was burned in a normal atmosphere (POSB) to remove the organic phase and then used as a filler in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVAL). The effects of vinyl alcohol content, POSB particle size, and POSB concentration on the composite were investigated through measurement of mechanical properties. Composites were prepared in a rotor mixer at 180°C. Stress–strain plots of compression‐molded composites showed synergic behavior of the mechanical properties with low concentrations (1–5 wt %) of POSB, regardless of particle size or type of EVAL. Such behavior suggests close packing and strong interactions between inorganic filler and polymer, with the effects reinforced by the mechanical properties. It was observed that the absence of the organic phase in the modified material improved the mechanical properties of the composites. Increasing the vinyl alcohol content improved the compatibility between polymer and filler in the EVAL/POS but did not affect the compatibility in EVAL/POSB composites. The relationship of mechanical and morphological behavior in the EVAL/POS and EVAL/POSB composites indicated that different factors were at play to explain the compatibility between the EVAL and the inorganic phase. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1859–1864, 2006     

Use of pyrolyzed oil shale as filler in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) with different vinyl acetate contents

Pyrolyzed oil shale (POS) obtained from the pyrolysis of bituminous rock was used as filler in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA). The effects of the VA content of EVA and the particle size of POS on the mechanical properties were investigated. The composites were prepared in a rotor mixer at 180°C with a concentration of POS of up to 30 wt %. The stress–strain plots of the compression‐molded composites are similar to the EVA (18% VA content) behavior for low concentrations (1–5 wt %) of POS with a particle size lower than 270 mesh. It was observed that decreasing the POS particle size and increasing the VA content of EVA produced better compatibility between the polymer and filler. The mechanical properties, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis also demonstrated the compatibility between EVA and POS under the increase of the VA content in the EVA. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1544–1555, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10494     

Effects of ethylene content of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) on diameter of fibers produced by melt‐electrospinning

Rodlike samples were made from four kinds of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVAL) pellets with different ethylene contents. From these rodlike samples, fibers were produced using a melt‐electrospinning system equipped with a CO₂‐laser melting device. The effects on the fiber diameter of the ethylene content and the moisture regain of the rodlike samples were investigated. Furthermore, the physical properties of the fibers were investigated. The following conclusions were reached: (i) EVAL fibers having an average fiber diameter smaller than 1 μm can be obtained using the system developed; (ii) the diameter of EVAL fiber is influenced by the ethylene content and the moisture regain of the starting rods; (iii) the laser heating does not greatly decrease the melting point and the molecular weight of EVAL; and (iv) preferred crystal orientation can be seen in electrospun EVAL fibers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1368–1375, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of soybean‐oil‐based polyurethane composites containing industrial and agricultural residual wastes as fillers

Thermosetting composites were prepared from soybean‐oil‐based polyols (hydroxyl number = 190 mg of KOH/g, [OH]/[NCO] for 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate = 0.9) and fillers (10 wt %) from industrial and agricultural residual wastes. Different types of inexpensive residual wastes were used: black rice husk ash, coconut husk ash, calcined retorted oil shale, and retorted oil shale. The fillers were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and measurements of particle size distribution, specific surface area, and pore size distribution. The fillers were microporous materials with different chemical compositions, with average particle diameters varying from 5.6 to 76.6 μm, specific surface areas varying between 6 and 165 m²/g, and thermal stability at the polyurethane cure temperature (65°C). All composites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis, flexural tests, Shore A hardness tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Coconut husk ash, rice husk ash, and retorted oil shale presented better mechanical properties; nevertheless, coconut husk ash and rice husk ash had higher particle sizes, which caused bad dispersion of the filler in the matrix and resulted in nonhomogeneous composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effect of Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) on Antifouling Properties of Asymmetric Poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) Membranes

Poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (EVAL/PVP) blend membranes with antifouling properties were prepared by nonsolvent induced phase separation. Residual PVP in the sample was calculated by infrared spectroscopic data and confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of residual PVP on hydrophilicity and permeation characteristics of the membranes was evaluated. Porosity and equilibrium water content of the membranes were influenced by the addition of PVP. The effect of protein fouling on flux using bovine serum albumin as a model system was studied in detail. The residual PVP content could enhance the antifouling property of the membrane. All membranes proved to have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand pressure‐driven filtrations.     

Poly(ethylene‐vinyl co‐vinyl acetate)/clay nanocomposites: Mechanical,morphology, and thermal behavior

Nanocomposites of ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAL) with Dellite organoclay were prepared in a laboratory extruder. The extent of intercalation of the nanocomposites was studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. It was established that the organoclay is well dispersed and preferentially embedded in the EVAL phase. Further, the intercalation degree of the organoclay decreased with increasing organoclay content. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were studied as a function of clay loading and EVAL type. The nanocomposites exhibited enhanced thermal stability as seen in thermogravimetric studies. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Production of filled hydrogels by mechanochemically induced polymerization

Silica nanoparticles functionalized with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were obtained by the grinding/mechanical activation of quartz or nonfunctionalized silica nanoparticles in a stirred media mill in the presence of 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, as proven by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The polymer layer thickness formed on the silica nanoparticles after 8 h of mechanical activation in the absence of polymerization initiators amounted to about 10 nm, as derived from shear rheology. The silica nanoparticles functionalized with the hydrophilic PVP by mechanochemical polymerization reaction were used as fillers for hydrogels based on poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (polyHEMA). The water absorption, release properties, and mechanical properties of the polyHEMA–silica composites were measured as functions of the filler content and particle size of the filler. PolyHEMA samples containing 20 wt % of the functionalized silica particles exhibited a higher maximum water absorption than the unfilled polymer; this showed that the hydrophilic interface between the filler and the matrix improved the water absorption. The release of methylene blue from the polyHEMA–silica composites was governed by diffusion and was almost unaffected by the silica particles. The values for the storage modulus and loss modulus of the polyHEMA–silica composites increased with growing filler content. For constant filler content, the storage modulus increased with decreasing particle diameter of the filler; this showed that the reinforcing effect increased with the interface between the filler particles and the matrix polymer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Tribological and mechanical properties of carbon‐nanofiber‐filled polytetrafluoroethylene composites

The effects of various filler concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 wt %) on the tribological and mechanical properties of carbon‐nanofiber (CNF)‐filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites were studied. Moreover, the influence of various loads (50, 100, 150, and 200 N) and sliding velocities (0.692 and 1.39 m/s) on the friction and wear behaviors of the PTFE composites was investigated. The results showed that the friction coefficients of the PTFE composites decreased initially up to a 0.5 wt % filler concentration and then increased, whereas the antiwear properties of the PTFE composites increased by 1–2 orders of magnitude in comparison with those of pure PTFE. The composite with a 2 wt % filler concentration had the best antiwear properties under all friction conditions. The friction coefficients of the CNF/PTFE composites decreased with increases in the load and sliding velocity, whereas the wear volume loss of the PTFE composites increased. At the same time, the results also indicated that the mechanical properties of the PTFE composites increased first up to a 1 wt % filler concentration and then decreased as the filler concentration was increased above 1 wt %. In comparison with pure PTFE, the impact strength, tensile strength, and elongation to break of the PTFE composites increased by 40, 20, and 70%, respectively, at a 1 wt % filler concentration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2430–2437, 2007     

Multiwalled carbon nanotube/montmorillonite hybrid filled ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties,thermal stability,and dielectric response

Homogeneous multiwalled carbon nanotube/montmorillonite hybrid filler (HMM) dispersion was prepared by co‐ultrasonication and was subsequently used to prepare ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate (EVA) nanocomposites by solution blending method. XRD and TEM analysis of HMM confirm significant interaction between the montmorillonite (MMT) layers and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in line with previous reports. Analysis of the nanocomposites shows the constituent fillers to be homogeneously dispersed in EVA matrix. Mechanical properties of neat EVA are remarkably improved with HMM content up to 3 wt% followed by reversion. Maximum improvement observed in tensile strength, elongation at break, and toughness are 424%, 109%, and 1122%, respectively. Results show maximum thermal stability at 4 wt% and best dielectric response at 1 wt% HMM content. Exceptional mechanical and dielectric properties of EVA nanocomposites attained may be attributed to homogeneous dispersion of fillers and improved polymer–filler interaction. Comparison shows excellent synergy between MWCNT and MMT towards mechanical reinforcement of EVA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1155–1165, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The effect of filler concentration on the electrical,thermal, and mechanical properties of carbon particle and carbon fiber‐reinforced poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) composites

Composite materials of poly (styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (luran) matrix with carbon fibers (CF)/carbon particles (CP) were prepared and their properties were evaluated. The mechanical and thermal properties of these composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Although, by increasing the filler concentration no significant difference was found in melting and crystallization temperatures of the luran. The storage and tensile modulus of the composites increased linearly with filler concentration up to 40 wt % that was approximately three times higher than that of the virgin luran. There is a shift in glass transition temperature of the composite with increasing the filler concentration and the damping peak became flatter that indicated the effectiveness of the filler–matrix interaction. The volume resistivity and thermal conductivity (TC) of the composites were also measured. At a given carbon filler content the CF–Luran composites have much less volume resistivity as compared to CP–Luran composites. The decreased percolation threshold and volume resistivity in case of CF–Luran composites indicated that conductive paths existed in the composites. The conductive pathways were probably formed through interconnection of the carbon fillers. The volume resistivity was also decreased as a function of temperature. The thermal conductivity was increased linearly as a function of temperature with increasing filler concentration up to 40% of CF and CP. This increase was more profound in case of CF–Luran as compared to CP–Luran composites. This was owing to greater thermal networks of fibers as compared to particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:186–197, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite‐filled ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer composites: Effect of particle size and morphology

Pliable and bioactive composites made of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer were developed for the repair of defective cranium. This article describes the mechanical properties of HAP–EVA composites. The effects of HAP particle size and morphology of HAP on the properties of resultant composites were investigated using various techniques. It was found that the composites containing smaller HAP particles had higher values of tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed that only a mechanical bond existed between the filler and the matrix. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Hybrid clay‐carbon nanotube/PET composites: Preparation,processing, and analysis of physical properties

The aim of this work was the preparation of novel composites of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nano‐hybrid systems based on clay used as catalyst for the growth of multi walled carbon nanotubes (Clay‐CNTs), through catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD). The carbon content into the hybrid filler was 58.1 wt %. Composites with 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 wt % of Clay–CNTs were obtained by melt compounding and processed using a microinjection molding press. Unfilled PET was processed in the same composites conditions. Structural characterization and physical properties (thermal, degradation, mechanical, and electrical) were analyzed and correlated to the hybrid filler loading, and carbon nanotubes amount. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40441.     

Mechanical and morphological properties of lyocell blends: Comparison with lyocell nanocomposites (I)

The mechanical properties and morphologies of polyblends of lyocell with three different fillers are compared. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(vinyl alcohol‐co‐ethylene) (EVOH), and poly(acrylic acid‐co‐maleic acid) (PAM) were used as fillers in blends with lyocell produced through solution blending. The variations of their properties with polymer matrix filler content are discussed. The ultimate tensile strength of the PVA/lyocell blend is highest for a blend lyocell content of 30 wt %, and decreases as the lyocell content is increased up to 40 wt %. The ultimate tensile strengths of the EVOH/lyocell and PAM/lyocell blends are highest for a lyocell loading of 20 wt %, and decrease with the increasing filler content. The variations in the initial moduli of the blends with filler content are similar. Of the three blend systems, the blends with PVA exhibit the best tensile properties. Lyocell/organoclay hybrid films were prepared by the solution intercalation method, using dodecyltriphenylphosphonium–Mica (C₁₂PPh‐ Mica) as the organoclay. The variation of the mechanical tensile properties of the hybrids with the matrix polymer organoclay content was examined. These properties were found to be optimal for an organoclay content of up to 5 wt %. Even polymers with low organoclay contents exhibited better mechanical properties than pure lyocell. The addition of organoclay to lyocell to produce nanocomposite films was found to be less effective in improving its ultimate tensile strength than blending lyocell with the polymers. However, the initial moduli of the nanocomposites were found to be higher than those of the polyblend films. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

High‐performance antistatic ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer/high‐density polyethylene composites with graphene nanoplatelets coated by polyaniline

Graphene nanoplatelets coated by polyaniline (GNP@PANI) and ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer–high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) were used for the first time to prepare high‐performance antistatic composites through an effective method that combined solution mixing and melt blending. GNP@PANI nanocomposites were fabricated by in situ polymerization to improve the dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in the EVA–HDPE matrix and the compatibility between the GNPs and the EVA–HDPE matrix. The GNP@PANI nanocomposites and EVA were first prepared as a premix through solution mixing, and then, the premix and HDPE were prepared as highly antistatic composites through melt blending. The dispersion of the GNPs in the EVA–HDPE matrix and the compatibility between the GNPs and the EVA–HDPE matrix were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations. The GNP@PANI–EVA–HDPE composites met the requirements for antistatic materials when the content of the GNP@PANI nanocomposites was 5 wt % with only about 1 wt % GNPs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45303.     

Mechanical and morphological properties of white rice husk ash filled polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer thermoplastic elastomer composites

The performance of white rice husk ash (WRHA) as filler for polypropylene (PP)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) composites was investigated. The composites with different filler loadings were prepared in a Brabender plasticorder internal mixer. Both unvulcanized and dynamically vulcanized composites were prepared. Mixing and vulcanization processes of the composites were monitored through the typical Brabender torque‐time curves. The mechanical properties and morphology of the composites were also studied. The Brabender torque curves revealed that the dynamic vulcanization process employed was successful and incorporation of filler has no adverse effect on the processibility of the composites. Incorporation of WRHA improves the tensile modulus and flexural modulus and lowers tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, and toughness of both types of composites. Dynamic vulcanization significantly enhances the mechanical and TPE properties of the composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) study revealed the existence of two phases in both types of composites. It further shows that neither dynamic vulcanization nor filler agglomeration has played a prominent role in the compatibility of the composites. Thermogravimetric investigation shows that dynamic vulcanization or WRHA loading has not adversely affected the thermal stability of the composites. The scanning electron micrographs provide evidence for the tendency to form filler agglomerates with increasing filler loading, better filler dispersion of dynamically vulcanized composites over unvulcanized composites, and effective vulcanization of elastomer phase of the composites in the presence of filler. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 438–453, 2002     

Effect of filler content and size on the properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer–wood fiber composites

In this study, the main focus was on the effect of wood fiber (WF) content and particle size on the morphology and mechanical, thermal, and water‐absorption properties of uncompatibilized and ethylene glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (EGMA) compatibilized ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer–WF composites. For uncompatibilized composites, the tensile strength decreased with increasing WF content, whereas for compatibilized composites, the tensile strength initially decreased, but it increased for composites containing more than 5% WF. Small‐WF‐particle‐containing composites had higher tensile strengths than composites containing larger WF particles, both in the presence and absence of EGMA. WF particle size did not seem to have much influence on the degradation behavior of the composites, whereas water absorption by the composites seemed to be higher in composites with smaller particle sizes for both compatibilized and uncompatibilized composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3645–3654, 2007     

Studies on the poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene)/clay nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation

Two types of SBS/OMMT composites are prepared by melt blending using a twin‐screw extruder. An X‐ray diffractometer indicates that polymer chains have intercalated into the gallery of the clay. It is shown in TEM photos that the thickness of the layer aggregate in the SBS1301 matrix is approximately 200 Å, but in the SBS4402 matrix the size of the filler particle is in micrometers. When SBS1301 is intermingled into SBS4402/OMMT, the particle size is reduced obviously. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the nanocomposite, SBS1301/OMMT, increase with the addition of OMMT; and when addition is 5phr, they achieve maximum. A small content of OMMT (less than 5phr) can prevent the deterioration of the mechanical properties of the SBS1301/MMT. In addition, a small content of SBS4402 (less than 20 wt %) can improve the mechanical properties of the SBS1301/OMMT composites. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 146–152, 2005     

Lignocellulosic flour‐reinforced poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐valerate) composites

Residual lignocellulosic flour from spruce and ground olive stone was used as a natural filler in poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐valerate) (PHBV)‐based composites. The morphology and the thermal properties of these composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Lignocellulosic fillers acted as nucleating sites for the crystallization of PHBV and strongly enhanced its degree of crystallinity. Dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile properties of these materials were also studied. A significant reinforcing effect was displayed by dynamic mechanical analysis at temperatures higher than the glass–rubber transition of the matrix. In addition, for low‐particle‐size spruce, a stabilization of the modulus was observed up to 500 K. High‐strain tensile properties did not show any reinforcing effect. This apparent disagreement was explained by the poor adhesion between the hydrophilic lignocellulosic filler and the hydrophobic polymeric matrix. To validate this hypothesis, the experimental data were compared with predicted data involving the percolation concept. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1302–1315, 2003     

Synthesis and properties of soy hull‐reinforced biocomposites from conjugated soybean oil

The tensile and flexural properties of new thermosetting composites made by the free radical polymerization of a conjugated soybean oil (CSO)‐based resin reinforced with soy hulls have been determined for various resin compositions. The effects of reinforcement particle size and filler/resin ratio have been assessed. The thermal stability of the new materials has been determined by thermogravimetric analysis and the wt % of oil incorporation has been calculated after Soxhlet extraction (the extracts have been identified by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy). The resin consists initially of 50 wt % CSO and varying amounts of divinylbenzene (DVB; 5–15 wt %), dicyclopentadiene (DCPD; 0–10 wt %), and n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA; 25–35 wt %). Two soy hull particle sizes have been tested (<177 and <425 μm) and two different filler/resin ratios have been compared (50 : 50 and 60 : 40). An appropriate cure sequence has been established by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The results show a decrease in the properties whenever DVB or BMA is substituted by DCPD. Also, larger particle sizes and higher filler/resin ratios are found to have a negative effect on the tensile properties of the new materials. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based magnetic nanocomposites. 1. Thermal and mechanical properties

CoFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by in situ precipitation and oxidation of Co²⁺ and Fe²⁺ within a sulfonated polystyrene resin. The nanometric particles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. A ferrofluid was prepared from the CoFe₂O₄ mineralized polymer resin and water. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐based nanocomposite materials were obtained by mixing different amounts of ferrofluid (compositions ranging within 0–51 wt % of mineralized resin) with an aqueous solution of the polymer. The PVA composite materials were characterized by TGA, DSC, and stress–strain testing. The thermal and mechanical properties of PVA change with filler content, exhibiting an initial increase in these properties due to polymer–filler interactions. After a maximum value, at about 15 wt % of mineralized resin, the mechanical properties decrease probably due to particle aggregation which causes phase separation. The results obtained show that the nanoparticles are dispersed in the amorphous regions of the polymer, the crystalline zones remaining unaltered up to compositions as high as 30 wt %. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3215–3222, 2001