Improved mechanical properties of recycled linear low-density polyethylene composites filled with date palm wood powder

Recycled linear low-density polyethylene (RLLDPE) was blended with date palm wood powder to prepare composites in which the concentration of the filler ranged from 10 to 70 wt.%. The cross-linking of composites was performed in some selected cases. The Young’s modulus of the composites significantly increased as the filler content increased over the entire concentration range. A maximum value of 1989 MPa was observed for the composite filled with 70 wt.% filler, which was approximately 6.5 times higher than that observed for neat RLLDPE. The presence of filler increased the flexural strength from 11.4 MPa for unmodified RLLDPE to 17 MPa for the composite containing 70 wt.% filler. The Young’s modulus and stress at break measured at 50 °C decreased significantly compared with those values measured at 25 °C. The ratio between the stress at break at 25 °C versus 50 °C (σ₂₅/σ₅₀) was between 2.7 and 3.8, whereas the ratio of Young’s modulus of E₂₅/E₅₀ was between 1.6 and 2.6.     

聚苯乙烯改性纳米SiO_2/低密度聚乙烯接枝聚苯乙烯复合材料的制备及表征

为制备接枝聚乙烯与SiO2的复合材料,赋予其新的特殊性能,首先,通过预辐照和悬浮接枝技术制备了低密度聚乙烯接枝聚苯乙烯(LDPE-g-PS),通过表面接枝制备了PS改性纳米SiO2(PS@nano-SiO2);然后,将LDPE-g-PS与PS@nano-SiO2熔融共混,制备了PS@nano-SiO2/LDPE-g-PS复合材料;最后,利用FTIR、SEM、DSC和电子拉力机等对材料的结构及性能进行了研究。结果表明:PS已经分别接枝到LDPE和纳米SiO2上;在PS@nano-SiO2/LDPE-g-PS复合材料中,SiO2在LDPE-g-PS内达到纳米级分散,并形成独特的纤维状网络结构;2wt%PS@nano-SiO2/LDPE-g-PS复合材料的冲击强度比LDPE-g-PS提高了99.3%;与LDPE-g-PS相比,PS@nano-SiO2/LDPE-g-PS复合材料的结晶温度升高,击穿场强比LDPE的高1.4倍。所得结论表明PS@nanoSiO2/LDPE-g-PS复合材料的性能较好。     

Low temperature electrical conductivity of low-density polyethylene/carbon black composites

The study deals with the electrical characteristics of carbon black/low-density polyethylene (CB/LDPE) composites of various CB filler concentrations (10, 15, and 20 wt.%). The DC electrical conductivity was studied as a function of filler concentration in low temperature range 25–285 K. It was found that the composites exhibit negative temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) at low temperatures and high enhancement in the electrical conductivity with both temperature and carbon black concentration. The observed increase of conductivity with the filler concentration was interpreted through the percolation theory. The dependence of the electrical conductivity of the given composites on temperature (25–285 K) was analyzed in terms of a formula in consistence with Mott hopping mechanism.Visiting scientist from the Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid-Jordan.     

Processing,characterization and modeling of recycled polypropylene/glass fibre/wood flour composites

Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most common thermoplastic materials in the world. There is a need to recycle the large amount of this used material. To overcome the environmental problems, related to the polymer waste, PP was recycled and used as a matrix material in different composites that can be used in high value applications. In this paper, composites made of recycled polypropylene (RPP) reinforced by glass fibres and/or wood flour of the palm tree were prepared, characterized and modeled. The mechanical and thermal properties of these recycled polymer matrix composites (RPMCs) were measured experimentally and modeled theoretically. The mechanical properties included tensile modulus, tensile strength and hardness, whereas thermal properties included thermal stability, melting and crystallinity percentage content were studied. In addition we applied the functionally graded materials concept, the elastic finite element analysis of a layered functionally graded pressurized pipe, which is one of the practical industrial applications, was accomplished in order to have some insight on the performance of such RPMCs. The results reveal that the desired mechanical and thermal properties met the requirements of a wide range of practical applications which can be attained by adding the considered fillers. Also, the proper selection of the layers of the pressurized pipe, which was made of RPMCs, led to decrease of the induced stresses and accordingly increased the operational safety.     

改性芳纶纤维增强木粉/高密度聚乙烯复合材料的力学性能

采用螺杆挤出机研究了添加连续芳纶纤维增强木粉/高密度聚乙烯（CAF-WF/HDPE）复合材料,为改善CAF与WF/HDPE复合材料界面相容性,分别采用磷酸和硅烷偶联剂处理纤维。对比表面处理前后的CAF形态分析显示,经过处理的CAF表面粗糙度增加;采用磷酸和硅烷偶联剂处理,纤维束从基体中的拔出强度分别提高了94.9%和77.6%,表明处理后的CAF与WF/HDPE复合材料的界面结合强度有所提高。对比WF/HDPE复合材料,在挤出成型过程中加入未处理CAF,CAF-WF/HDPE复合材料拉伸强度、弯曲强度和冲击强度分别提高了32.1%、35.1%、515.1%;CAF采用硅烷偶联剂处理后,CAF-WF/HDPE复合材料对应的力学性能分别提高了42.0%、37.4%、550.2%。动态力学分析表明:表面处理后CAF与WF/HDPE复合材料的界面相容性得到改善。      

Theoretical modelling of tensile properties of short sisal fibre-reinforced low-density polyethylene composites

The experimentally observed tensile properties (tensile strength and modulus) of short sisal fibre-reinforced LDPE with different fibre loading have been compared with the existing theories of reinforcement. The macroscopic behaviour of fibre-filled composites is affected by fibre loading, orientation and length of the fibres in the continuous medium. The interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix also plays a major role in controlling the mechanical properties of the fibre-filled composites. In this study, a comparison is made between experimental data and different theoretical models. Composite models, such as parallel and series, Hirsch, Cox, Halpin–Tsai, modified Halpin–Tsai and modified Bowyer and Bader, have been tried to fit the experimental data. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Experimental study of the thermal and wear properties of recycled polyethylene/breadfruit seed hull ash particulate composites

The experimental study of the thermal and wear properties of developed composite material from recycled polyethylene/breadfruit seed hull ash particulate (BFSHAp) composites were investigated. The composites were produced by compounding and compressive moulding method. Thermogravimetric analyzer was used for the thermal analysis. The wear test was performed using pin on disc machine. Both tests were conducted using full factorial design of three factors-two levels. Scanning electron microscope was used for the morphology of the samples before and after the wear test. The results obtained show that for the thermal analysis the temperatures of weight loss from 10% to 100% (777.33) was the most significant parameter having the highest statistical influence on the thermal decomposition, followed by breadfruit fruit seed hull ash (520.11) and the interaction between the temperatures of weight loss from 10% to 100% and breadfruit fruit seed hull ash (133.75). The wear rate, the sliding speed (p = 0.0021), applied load (p = 0.0060), BFSHAp (0.0060) has the great influence on the wear behavior of the developed composites. The interaction between applied load/BFSHAp (0.0061) also has an influence on the wear. The values obtained from the empirical models were found to compare favorably with the experimental values. These models performances were therefore found to be satisfactory and show good predictability.     

基于数字图像相关技术的木纤维/高密度聚乙烯复合材料界面力学行为

以木纤维/高密度聚乙烯(WF/HDPE)复合材料界面应变为研究对象,采用数字图像相关技术(DIC)探究WF(质量分数为10wt%~40wt%)及改性聚磷酸铵(mAPP)阻燃剂(质量分数为10wt%~25wt%)对WF/HDPE复合材料应变分布及传递的演变规律,并结合力学性能测试和SEM对其拉伸性能、冲击性能、界面结合进行分析。结果表明:随着WF添加量从10wt%增至30wt%,WF/HDPE复合材料应变传递较为平稳,由受力两端向复合材料轴中心均匀传递,当WF添加量为30wt%时,高应变在复合材料上约1/2区域得到了有效传递,此时,复合材料的拉伸强度和冲击强度分别达21.5 MPa和10.22 kJ/m2。但当WF添加量增加至40wt%时,WF/HDPE复合材料的拉伸承载端部出现应力集中,阻碍了其内部应变的均匀传递。mAPP阻燃剂加剧了WF与HDPE界面间的脱粘行为,削弱了WF与HDPE之间的机械啮合作用力。当mAPP阻燃剂添加量从10wt%增加至25wt%时,WF/HDPE复合材料开始出现多个分散的高应变区域,全场应变传递出现不规则分布。当mAPP阻燃剂添加量达25wt%时,WF/HDPE复合材料应变分布呈两极化趋势,导致复合材料的拉伸强度和冲击强度分别降低为15.5 MPa和5.49 kJ/m2。      

Date palm wood flour/glass fibre reinforced hybrid composites of recycled polypropylene: Mechanical and thermal properties

Recycled polypropylene (RPP) based hybrid composites of date palm wood flour/glass fibre were prepared by different weight ratios of the two reinforcements. Mixing process was carried out in an extruder and samples were prepared by injection molding machine. Recycled PP properties were improved by reinforcing it by wood flour. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of wood flour reinforced RPP increased further by adding glass fibre. Glass fibre reinforced composites showed higher hardness than other composites. Morphological studies indicated that glass fiber has good adhesion with recycled PP supporting the improvement of the mechanical properties of hybrid composites with glass fiber addition. Addition of as little 5 wt% glass fibre to wood flour reinforced RPP increases the tensile strength by about 18% relative to the wood flour reinforcement alone. An increase in wood particle content in the PP resulted in a decrease in the degree of crystallinity of the polymer. The tensile strength of the composites increased with an increase in the percentage of crystallinity when adding the glass fibre. The improvement in the mechanical properties with the increase in crystallinity percentage (and with the decrease of the lamellar thicknesses) can be attributed to the constrained region between the lamellae because the agglomeration is absent in this case.     

Design analysis of three-layered structural composites based on post-consumer recycled plastics and wood residues

Three-layered structural composites were produced from municipal plastic wastes and wood flour residues to investigate the effects of design parameters on their flexural and impact performance. The studied parameters include wood content, thickness of individual composite layers, as well as stacking sequence and configuration (symmetric and asymmetric structures). The results indicate that the core layer has a lower influence on the flexural properties of structural beams in comparison with the skins. But depending on beam configuration (stacking sequence), different flexural characteristics can be obtained using the same composite layers. The classical beam theory was used to predict the flexural modulus with high precision. In addition, performance of the beams under impact tests was shown to be independent from their stacking sequences and layer thicknesses for each configuration.     

Effect of carrageenan on properties of biodegradable thermoplastic cassava starch/low-density polyethylene composites reinforced by cotton fibers

Applications of biodegradable thermoplastic starch (TPS) have been restricted due to its poor mechanical properties, limited processability and high water uptake. In order to improve properties and processability, thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) was compounded with low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The TPCS/LDPE blend was, then, modified by a natural gelling agent, i.e. carrageenan and natural fibers, i.e. cotton fibers. All composites were compounded and processed using an internal mixer and an injection molding machine, respectively. It was found that stress at maximum load and Young’s modulus of the TPCS/LDPE composites significantly increased by the addition of the carrageenan and/or the cotton fibers. The highest mechanical properties were obtained from the TPCS/LDPE composites modified by both the carrageenan and the cotton fibers. Percentage water absorption of all of the TPCS/LDPE composites was found to be similar. All modified composites were also degraded easier than the non-modified one. Furthermore, all the composites were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Characterization of polyester composites from recycled polyethylene terephthalate reinforced with empty fruit bunch fibers

Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) was synthesized from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which acted as a matrix for the preparation of UPR/empty fruit bunch fibers (EFB) composite. Chemical recycling on fine pieces of PET bottles were conducted through glycolysis process using ethylene glycol. The unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) was then prepared by reacting the glycolysed product with maleic anhydride. FTIR analysis of glycolyzed product and prepared UPR showed that cross-links between unsaturated polyester chain and styrene monomer occurred at the unsaturated sites which resulted in the forming of cross-linking network. The preparation of UPR/EFB composite was carried out by adding EFB into prepared UPR matrix. The effects of surface treatment on EFB with sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH), silane coupling agent and maleic anhydride (MA) were then studied. The experimental results showed that treated EFB have higher values of tensile and impact strength compared with untreated EFB. The best results were obtained for silane treatment followed by MA and NaOH treatments where the tensile strength was increased by about 21%, 18% and 13% respectively. SEM micrographs of the tensile fracture surfaces of UPR/EFB composite also proved that treatment on EFB has increased the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and UPR matrix compared to the untreated UPR/EFB composite.     

模压成型的杨木纤维/高密度聚乙烯复合材料蠕变性能和蠕变模型

采用长为850~2 000 μm的杨木纤维(PWF)增强高密度聚乙烯(HDPE), 利用模压成型法制备了PWF/HDPE复合材料, 对其进行了弯曲力学性能测试、无缺口简支梁冲击强度测试、24 h弯曲蠕变-24 h回复性能测试、1 000 h蠕变性能测试及蠕变后残余弯曲力学性能测试, 并利用两参数指数模型、Findley指数模型及四元件Burgers模型拟合蠕变曲线。结果表明: PWF/HDPE复合材料的弯曲强度为21.14 MPa, 弹性模量为2.31 GPa, 无缺口冲击强度为6.77 kJ/m2;24 h形变为0.803 mm, 24 h回复率为78.46%, 蠕变后弯曲强度下降了6.45%, 而弹性模量增加了8.95%;1 000 h形变为0.809 mm, 蠕变后弯曲强度保留了72.35%, 弹性模量增加了10.67%;3种模型中, 四元件Burgers模型拟合PWF/HDPE复合材料蠕变性能的效果较好。      

杨木纤维尺寸对热压成型杨木纤维/高密度聚乙烯复合材料力学和蠕变性能的影响

采用热压成型法制备了4种不同尺寸, 即125~180 μm、180~425 μm、425~850 μm和850~2 000 μm的杨木纤维(PWF)/高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)复合材料, 并对PWF/HDPE复合材料进行了弯曲性能测试、冲击性能测试、动态热力学分析(DMA)、24 h蠕变-24 h回复测试和1 000 h长期蠕变测试。结果表明:PWF的尺寸过大或者过小均不利于提高PWF/HDPE复合材料的弯曲性能, 增强效果最好的是425~850 μm PWF/HDPE复合材料, 其弯曲强度达到26.71 MPa, 弹性模量达到2.73 GPa;PWF长度从180 μm增加到2 000 μm, PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗冲击性能变化不大;125~180 μm PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗冲击性能较差;短PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗蠕变性能较差, 不适合在长期负载的条件下工作, 而850~2 000 μm的长PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗长期蠕变性能最好, 且回复率最高, 为78.46%;1 000 h形变仅为0.809 mm, 对比其他尺寸的PWF/HDPE复合材料1 000 h 形变的平均值降低了48.00%。      

协同处理对湿热环境下木粉/聚乙烯复合材料表面性质演变的影响

采用硅烷偶联剂涂覆与等离子体放电协同处理的方法处理木粉/聚乙烯(WP/PE)复合材料表面,以改善其胶接性能。利用胶接强度测试、FTIR和X射线光电子能谱研究了硅烷偶联剂涂覆和等离子体放电的协同表面处理对WP/PE湿热环境下表面性质演变的影响,探究协同处理的WP/PE胶接接头湿热环境下的胶接耐久性。结果表明,协同处理后,WP/PE表面有含氧极性基团生成,且在偶联剂与材料表面之间形成了化学键接,胶接性能大为改善。湿热环境下,虽然处理试样的表面没有新的化学基团产生,但表面元素的化学环境发生了改变。WP/PE表面在湿热环境下的性质演变会直接影响其胶接接头的耐久性。协同表面处理能够降低湿热环境下WP/PE表面性质的改变程度,从而提高WP/PE的胶接性能,尤其是湿热环境下的胶接耐久性能。     

Epitaxial crystallization of linear low-density polyethylene on high-density polyethylene

The oriented crystallization of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. From morphology and electron diffraction, it is confirmed that epitactic growth of LLDPE lamellae on the HDPE crystals takes place with an adoption of the HDPE crystal thickness at the interface and a continuous thinning of the LLDPE lamellae in the interface. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermooptical properties of composites based on cadmium sulfide nanoparticles stabilized in a low-density polyethylene matrix

The thermooptical properties of composites based on a low-density polyethylene matrix containing stabilized cadmium sulfide nanoparticles have been studied. The optical absorption coefficient and refractive index have been measured in the samples with various concentrations of nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer matrix. It is established that, upon reaching a certain temperature, the subsequent heating and cooling of a sample are accompanied by hysteresis in the optical properties.     

Morphology,mechanical properties,and dimensional stability of wood particle/high density polyethylene composites: Effect of removal of wood cell wall composition

Variation in the chemical composition of wood cell walls has a significant influence on the properties of wood plastic composites (WPCs). This study investigated the effect of removal of hemicellulose and/or lignin on the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of WPCs. Four types of wood particles with various compositions including native wood flour (WF), hemicellulose-removed particle (HR), holocellulose (HC), and α-cellulose (αC) were prepared and compounded with high density polyethylene (HDPE) in an extruder, both with and without maleated polyethylene. Injection molding was used to make test specimens. The HR-based composites exhibited the best water resistance. The HC-based composites obtained a greater tensile modulus but a lower water resistance. The highest values for tensile strength, elongation at brake, toughness, and impact strength were achieved by the composites filled with αC.     

Studies of surface-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Wood flour (WF)/polypropylene (PP) composites have been made by extrusion and hot press compression molding. The composite water uptake and flexural properties were investigated. The composite fracture surfaces were studied by SEM. WF esterified with octanoyl chloride was used in WF/PP composites to improve the composites’ water resistance. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was also studied and compared with esterification by acid chlorides. Esterification by octanoyl chloride reduced the composite water uptake. However, the C₈ chain is still not long enough to form effective entanglements with the PP matrix. So, despite enhancements in hydrophobic interactions, flexural strengths and flexural moduli decreased. MAPP (MW = 47000) polymer chains can entangle with the matrix polypropylene molecules. Therefore, when MAPP’s maleic anhydride functions esterify WF surface hydroxyls, improved water resistance and composite flexural properties were achieved. The modifier chain length is of critical importance and more important than the surface density of hydrophobic groups for improving WF–PP interfacial adhesion and composite mechanical performance.