Physical and Mechanical Properties of Iron Powder Filled Polystyrene Composites

This article reports on an experimental study of the physical and mechanical properties of Polystyrene (PS) and Fe-PS polymer composites containing 5, 10, and 15 vol.% of Fe powder. After mixing Fe powder and PS in a twin-screw extruder, an injection-molding machine was used to prepare unfilled PS and Fe-PS polymer composite samples. After that, the material properties were experimentally determined for each sample. The investigated material properties included the modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod impact strength (notched), hardness (Shore D), melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening point, and glass transition temperature (T _g ). The results indicated that, compared to the unfilled PS, an addition of Fe into PS decreases the yield and tensile strength, % elongation, and Izod impact strength. Furthermore, it was determined that the Fe particles increase the modulus of elasticity, hardness, MFI, Vicat softening point, and HDT values.     

The physical and mechanical properties of polymer composites filled with Fe‐powder

In this study, the effect of Fe powder on the physical and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated experimentally. HDPE and HDPE containing 5, 10, and 15 vol % Fe metal–polymer composites were prepared with a twin screw extruder and injection molding. After this, fracture surface, the modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod impact strength (notched), hardness (Shore D), Vicat softening point, heat deflection temperature (HDT), melt flow index (MFI), and melting temperature (T_m) were determined, for each sample. When the physical and mechanical properties of the composites were compared with the results of unfilled HDPE, it was found that the yield and tensile strength, % elongation, and Izod impact strength of HDPE decreased with the vol % of Fe. As compared with the tensile strength and % elongation of unfilled HDPE, tensile strength and % elongation of 15 vol % Fe filled HDPE were lower, about 17.40% and 94.75% respectively. On the other hand, addition of Fe into HDPE increased the modulus of elasticity, hardness, Vicat softening, MFI, and HDT values, such that 15 vol % Fe increased the modulus of elasticity to about 48%. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Mechanical Properties of Polymers Filled with Iron Powder

Mechanical properties of metal-polymer matrix composites were investigated experimentally. High density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were used as the polymer matrix and Fe powder in 5, 10, and 15 vol% was used as the metal. The modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod notched impact strength, Shore D hardness, and fracture surfaces of the composites were determined. It was found that vol% Fe reduced the Izod impact strength of HDPE much more than that of PP and PS, while Fe powder increased the hardness of HDPE more than that of PP and PS. Among the composites, PS-Fe composites had higher yield, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity than HDPE-Fe and PP-Fe composites. However, % elongation of PS-Fe composites was lower than that of the other composites. In addition, HDPE- and PP-based composites exhibited ductile type fracture, while PS-Fe composites exhibited brittle type fracture.     

The Effect of Bronze Particles on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer

In this study, 5, 10, and 15 vol.% of bronze (Cu-10 wt.% Sn) powder on the physical and mechanical properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) were investigated experimentally. After preparing metal-polymer matrix composites (PMC) with a twin screw extruder and injection molding, fracture surface, the modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, percentage elongation, Izod impact strength, hardness (Shore D), melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening point, and glass transition temperature (T _g) of each sample were determined. As compared to the unfilled ABS. It was found that by increasing the vol.% of bronze in ABS, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod impact strength, MFI values decreased, while the modulus of elasticity, Shore D hardness, Vicat softening point, and HDT values increased.     

Characterization of PP/Mg(OH)2 and PP/Nanoclay Composites with Supercritical CO2 (scCO2)

In this article, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) is used to form a high density microcellular foam structure to reduce the polymer use and facilitate dispersion of Mg(OH)₂ and Nanoclay fillers. A twin-screw extruder system was used to predistribute the inorganic filler from the PP polymer, resulting composite PP/filler pellets. This followed by the use of a single-screw extruder wherein supercritical carbon dioxide is introduced in the formulation. Finally the resulting foam PP/filler/CO₂ pellets are injection molded into test samples. The structure and properties of the composites are characterized using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and density measurements. Furthermore, PP/Clay/Mg(OH)₂ polymer composites are subjected to examinations to obtain their yield and tensile strengths, elasticity modulus, % elongation, Izod impact strength, hardness, Heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening point and Melt flow index (MFI).     

Polypropylene and potato starch biocomposites: Physicomechanical and thermal properties

To determine the possibility of using starch as biodegradable filler in the thermoplastic polymer matrix, starch‐filled polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by extrusion of PP resin with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt % of potato starch in corotating twin‐screw extruder. The extruded strands were cut into pellets and injection molded to make test specimens. These specimens were tested for physicomechanical properties such as tensile and flexural properties, Izod impact strength, density, and water absorption. These PP composites were further characterized by melt flow index (MFI), vicat softening point (VSP), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. It was found that, with increase in starch content, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the PP composites increased along with the increase in moisture, water absorption, and density, while retaining the VSP; but, tensile strength and elongation, impact strength, hardness, and MFI of the PP composites also decreased. DSC analysis of the PP composite revealed the reduction in melting temperature, heat of fusion, and percentage of crystallization of PP with increase in starch content. Similarly, TGA traces display enhanced thermal degradability for PP as starch content increases. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Mechanical,thermal, and microstructural properties of polypropylene/polyamide‐6/styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene polymer alloys

Interfacial agents as compatibilizers have recently been introduced into polymer blends to improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of thermoplastics. In this way, it is possible to prepare a mixture of polymeric materials that can have superior mechanical properties over a wide temperature range. In this study, an incompatible blend of polypropylene (PP) and polyamide‐6 (PA₆) were made compatible by the addition of 10% styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene copolymer (SEBS). The mixing operation was conducted by using a twin‐screw extruder. The morphology and the compatibility of the mixtures were examined by SEM and DSC techniques. Furthermore, the elastic modulus, tensile and yield strengths, percentage elongation, hardness, melt flow index, Izod impact resistance, heat deflection temperature (HDT), and Vicat softening point values of polymer alloys of various ratios were determined. It was found that the addition of SEBS to the structures decreased the tensile strength, yield strength, elastic modulus, and hardness, whereas it increased the Izod impact strength and percentage elongation values. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3485–3491, 2003     

Dynamically Vulcanized EPDM/PP (40/60) Blends

Dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blends were first described by Fisher. In the 1960s, the usage of TPE was low. However, the consumption of TPE is increasing today. Due to hard and soft polymer phases in its structure, TPE replaced a lot of materials. TPE materials are preferred today due to their good thermal properties, oxidation resistance, transparency, adhesion, compatibility with other polymers etc. As a result of the studies that were done in 1975, TPV—vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers were developed. In this study, TPV elastomers were produced by forming crosslinks with peroxide from different ratios, of EPDM and PP. Mixing was done with twin screw extruder. After that yield and tensile strength, the modulus of elasticity, % elongation, Izod impact strength, hardness, Melt Flow Index (MFI), Vicat Softening Point, Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT), and density of crosslinks were determined. Thermal transition temperatures and microstructure were determined with DSC and SEM, respectively.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of ABS and leather waste composites

To determine the possibility of using leather waste as reinforcing filler in the thermoplastic polymer composite, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) as the matrix and leather buffing powder as reinforcing filler were used to prepare a particulate reinforced composite to determine testing data for the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composites, according to the filler loading in respect to thermoplastic polymer. The ABS and leather powder composites were prepared by the extrusion of ABS with 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 wt % of leather powder in corotating twin screw extruder. The extruded strands were cut into pellets and injection molded to make specimens. These specimens were tested for physicomechanical properties like tensile and flexural strengths, tensile and flexural modulus, Izod and charpy impact strength, abrasion resistance, Rockwell hardness, density, Heat deflection temperature (HDT) and Vicat softening point (VSP), water absorption, and thermal degradation analysis. The incorporation of leather waste powder does not affect the tensile, flexural strengths, Izod impact strength, abrasion resistance, Rockwell hardness, density, HDT and VSP values drastically. However, the tensile modulus, tensile elongation, and charpy impact strength values are reduced significantly. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3062–3066, 2006     

Effect of talc on the properties of polypropylene/ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer blends

In the present study, the effect of talc content on the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties of the isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP) and elastomeric ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer (EPDM) blends were investigated. In the experimental study, five different talc concentrations, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt %, were added to i‐PP/EPDM (88/12) blends to produce ternary composites. The mechanical properties such as yield and tensile strengths, elongation at break, elasticity modulus, izod impact strength for notch tip radius of 1 mm, and hardness with and without heat treatments and thermal properties, such as melt flow index (MFI), of the ternary composites have been investigated. The annealing heat treatment was carried out at 100°C for holding time of 75 h. From the tensile test results, an increased trend for the yield and tensile strengths and elasticity modulus was seen for lower talc contents, while elongation at break showed a sharp decrease with the addition of talc. In the case of MFI, talc addition decreased the MFI of i‐PP/EPDM blends. It was concluded that, taking into consideration, mechanical properties and annealing heat treatment, heat treatment has much more effect on higher yield and tensile strengths, elongation at break, elasticity modulus, impact strength, and hardness. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3033–3039, 2006     

Effect of styrene–isopren–styrene addition on the recycled polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene polymer blends

Interfacial agents as compatibilizers have recently been introduced into polymer blends to improve microstructure and mechanical properties of thermoplastics. In this way, it is possible to prepare a mixture of polymeric materials that can have superior mechanical properties over a wide temperature range. In this study, an incompatible blend of Polycarbonate (PC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Copolymer were made compatible by addition of 5, 10, and 20% Styrene–Isopren–Styrene Copolymer (SIS). The mixing operation was conducted using a twin‐screw extruder. The morphology and the compatibility of the mixtures were examined by SEM and DSC techniques. Furthermore, the elastic modulus, tensile and yield strengths, percentage elongation, hardness, melt flow index, Izod impact resistance, heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening point values of polymer alloys of various ratios were determined. It was found that addition of SIS to the structures decreased the tensile strength, yield strength, elastic modulus, and hardness, whereas it increased Izod impact strength and percentage elongation values. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 559–566, 2006     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polycarbonate. II. Influence of titanium dioxide content and quenching on pigmented polycarbonate

The effects of quenching temperature including different thermal histories on mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of pigmented polycarbonate (PC/TiO₂) were investigated. Tensile test, Izod impact strength and heat distortion temperature (HDT) were performed on specimens of 3 mm thickness. Pigment content and quenching temperature are two key factors that affect the properties of the materials. A higher content of pigments results in an increase of modulus of elasticity and a decrease of unotched and notched Izod impact strength, as well as elongation at break. A maximum of yield stress and HDT is obtained at 3% of TiO₂, which was considered as the optimum level of pigment. An additional second quenching at 40°C has allowed to improve Izod impact strength and elongation at break of specimens with 3% of TiO₂; whereas modulus of elasticity, density, yield stress, and HDT were minimum at this quenching temperature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

An investigation on the influence of filler loading and compatibilizer on the properties of polypropylene/marble sludge composites

In this article, polypropylene reinforced marble sludge (PP/MS) was prepared, and the effects of MS loading and polypropylene-g-maliec anhydride (PP-g-MAH) as compatibilizer on density, melt flow index (MFI), and mechanical properties of PP/MS composite were investigated. Our studies show that tensile strength, flexural strength and tensile modulus increased with increasing the MS loading but tensile strength increased till 30 pph of MS further addition of MS in PP composites decreased the strength. The % elongation at break and Izod Impact Strength decreased with increasing of MS loading. Studies revealed that PP/MS composites containing PP-g-MAH enhance the properties compared to without compatibilizer.     

PP三元填充共混体系力学性能的研究

研究了乙烯-醋酸乙烯共聚物(EVA)、HDPE、LLDPE、PS、氯化聚乙烯(CPE)和丙烯酸酯类共聚物(ACR)等6种聚合物分别组成的PP/滑石粉/聚合物三元填充共混体系的缺口冲击强度、拉伸强度、断裂伸长率、拉伸弹性模量、球压痕硬度、成型收缩率及熔体流动速率等性能。结果表明:EVA、CPE和PS对PP/滑石粉二元填充体系的改性效果明显。     

Preparation and characterization of LDPE and PP—Wood fiber composites

Natural fiber reinforced composites is an emerging area in polymer science. These natural fibers are low cost fibers with low density and high specific properties. These are biodegradable and nonabrasive. The natural fiber composites offer specific properties comparable to those of conventional fiber composites. However, in development of these composites, the incompatibility of the fibers and poor resistance to moisture often reduce the potential of natural fibers, and these draw backs become critical issue. Wood‐plastic composites (WPC) are a relatively new class of materials and one of the fastest growing sectors in the wood composites industry. Composites of wood in a thermoplastic matrix (wood–plastic composites) are considered a low maintenance solution to using wood in outdoor applications. WPCs are normally made from a mixture of wood fiber, thermoplastic, and small amounts of process and property modifiers through an extrusion process. In this study, Wood–plastic composites (WPC) are produce by adding a maleic anhydride modified low density polyethylene coupling agent to improve interfacial adhesion between the wood fiber and the plastic. Mixing is done with twin screw extruder. Subsequently, tensile strength, the modulus of elasticity, % elongation, hardness, Izod impact strength, melt flow index (MFI), and heat deflection temperature (HDT) are determined. Thermal transition temperatures and microstructure are determined with DSC and SEM, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Mechanical,Thermal, and Microstructure Analysis of Silk- and Cotton-Waste-Fiber-Reinforced High-Density Polyethylene Composites

In this study, composite structures were produced using HDPE polymer with silk and cotton waste as reinforcement fibers in different ratios. Cotton and silk wastes were mixed in the ratios of HDPE/silk or cotton waste 100%/0%, 97%/3%, and 94%/6%. This mixture was prepared with double-screwed extruder. The tests were carried out in terms of tensile strength, % elongation, yield strength, elasticity module, izod impact strength, melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and vicat softening temperature. Materials' thermal transitions were determined with differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and microstructure properties with scanning electron microscope (SEM).     

聚丙烯高性能化改性研究

研究了橡胶和弹性体的种类与用量、加工助剂等对聚丙烯(PP)的悬臂梁缺口冲击强度、拉伸强度、硬度、加工性能以及透明性的影响。结果表明:与添加其他橡胶的PP相比,添加乙丙橡胶(EPR)1的PP合金具有较高的悬臂梁缺口冲击强度、透光率及流动性,较低拉伸强度与硬度;添加聚乙烯蜡的PP的综合性能最好。     

Development of environmentally friendly high‐density polyethylene and turmeric spent composites: Physicomechanical,thermal, and morphological studies

High‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/turmeric spent (TS) composites were prepared by the extrusion of an HDPE resin with 5, 10, 15, or 20 wt % TS. HDPE granules and TS master‐batch flakes were compounded on a corotating and intermeshing twin‐screw extruder. The extrudate strands were cut into pellets and injection‐molded to make test specimens. These specimens were tested for physicomechanical properties such as the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths, surface hardness, abrasion resistance, density, and water absorption and thermal characteristics such as the heat distortion temperature (HDT) and melt flow index (MFI). Test results revealed that the incorporation of TS affected the tensile, flexural, and Izod impact strengths of the HDPE/TS composites to some extent, whereas the tensile modulus increased from 606.9 to 752.0 N/mm² and the HDT increased from 61 to 65°C. Furthermore, the addition of TS yielded only marginal variations in the surface hardness, abrasion resistance, density, water absorption, and MFI values of the composites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene/sugarcane Bagasse composites

To determine the possibility of using sugarcane bagasse (SCB) waste as reinforcing filler in the thermoplastic polymer matrix, SCB‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared. The PP and SCB composites were prepared by the extrusion of PP resin with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt % of SCB filler in a corotating twin screw extruder. The extruded strands were cut into pellets and injection molded to make test specimens. These specimens were tested for physicomechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, Izod, and Charpy impact strengths, density, water absorption, and thermal characteristics, namely, heat deflection temperature (HDT), melt flow index, and thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the flexural strength increased from 23.66 to 26.84 MPa, Izod impact strength increased from 10.499 to 13.23 Kg cm/cm, Charpy impact strength increased from 10.096 to 13.98 Kg cm/cm, and HDT increased from 45.5 to 66.5°C, with increase in filler loading from 5 to 20% in the PP matrix. However, the tensile strength and elongation decreased from 32.22 to 27.21 MPa and 164.4 to 11.20% respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3827–3832, 2007     

Investigation of Properties of Polymer/Textile Fiber Composites

Polymer-based composite structures have advantages over other materials. The most important advantage is the higher mechanical properties obtained from the composites when supported by fiber reinforcement. The mechanical and thermal properties of fiber-reinforced composite structures are affected by the amount of fibers in the structures, orientation of the fiber and fiber length. Silk and cotton fibers are used in many fields but especially in clothing and textiles. However, there is not enough research on their usage as reinforcement fibers in composite structures. Silk fibers as a textile material have better physical and mechanic properties than other animal fibers. It is very important that the improvement of the mechanical and physical properties of the composite structures allows them to be used in many areas. From economical, technological and environmental points of view, the improved the mechanical and physical properties of polymeric materials are receiving much attention in the recent studies.

In this study, various lengths (1 mm–2.5 mm and 5 mm) of waste silk and waste cotton fibers were added to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) polymer in the mixing ratios of (polymer:fiber) 100%:0%, 97%:3%, and 94%:6% to produce composite structures. On the other hand, known lengths (1–2.5–5 mm) of waste silk and waste cotton fibers were added to recycled polyamide-6 (PA₆) and polycarbonate (PC) polymers in mixing quantities of 100%-0%, 97%-3%. A twin-screw extruder was employed for the production of composites. Tensile strength, % elongation, yield strength, elasticity modulus, Izod impact strength, melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and Vicat softening temperature properties were determined. In order to determine the materials' thermal transition and microstructure properties, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. Results have shown that cotton and silk fibers behave differently than in the composite structure. Waste silk fiber composites give better mechanical properties than waste cotton fiber.