Rheology of poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) and its composites with calcium carbonate

Poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) composites with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were prepared by in situ radical copolymerization of butyl methacrylate (BMA) and methacrylic acid (MA) with precipitated calcium carbonate. To compare the different rheological behaviors of the monomer mixtures with CaCO₃ and the composites, the steady and dynamic viscosities of BMA/MA/CaCO₃ and poly(BMA/MA/CaCO₃) were measured by means of steady and oscillatory shear flows. The viscosity of the mixture BMA/MA/CaCO₃ was found to increase evidently with the increasing of CaCO₃%. The influence of MA% on viscosity of BMA/MA/CaCO₃ was slight. During the in situ polymerization, the viscosity of the reacting system was measured to be enhanced by a factor of about 10⁴ from the monomer/CaCO₃ mixture to composites. The dependency of zero‐shear viscosity on molar mass of PBMA was also investigated. The relation between the zero‐shear viscosity and molar mass is η₀ = 10^?15 M_w^3.5. The evolution of the viscosity with the temperature for both PBMA and its composites was obtained and time–temperature superposition was used to build master curves for the dynamic moduli. The flow activation energies were found to be 115.0, 148.6, and 178.7 kJ/mol for PBMA, composite PBMA/CaCO₃ (90/10), and PBMA/MA/CaCO₃ (89/1/10), respectively. The viscosity of the composites containing less than 10% CaCO₃ was lower than that of pure PBMA with the same molar mass. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1376–1383, 2003     

Polystyrene/calcium carbonate nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization in the presence of maleic anhydride

Polystyrene (PS)/calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization in the presence of maleic anhydride (MA). The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, controlled stress rheometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and mechanical test. Results show that the copolymer of styrene (St) and MA formed during the polymerization acts as a compatibilizer between PS and nanometer calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) particles, resulting in an increase in the glass transition temperature of the composite. The complex modulus and the impact strength of the PS/nano‐CaCO₃ composite show an increase with the addition of MA on account of the enhanced interfacial adhesion and the increased molecular weight. SEM and SAXS analyses indicate that a finer dispersion of nanoparticles and an increased homogeneity of the PS/nano‐CaCO₃ composites are obtained with application of a small amount of MA. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci., 2013     

Poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) Copolymers with Calcium Carbonate Supramolecular Networks

Poly (butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) copolymers/calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) composites were synthesized by radical polymerization. Ca²⁺ cationic sites, present at the CaCO₃ surface, in interaction with carboxylate groups from polymer chains structured the material, particularly above the glass transition temperature. The composites were studied by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Multiplets and clusters were detected. The material's behavior is principally controlled by the methacrylic acid (MA) content in the copolymer chain and CaCO₃/MA ratio. Under well-defined conditions, ionic cross-linked materials were obtained.     

Antiscaling properties of novel maleic‐anhydride copolymers prepared via iron (II) – chloride mediated ATRP

A class of maleic anhydride copolymers (YMR‐A series) with a narrow molecular weight distribution between 500–1500 and a polydispersity of 1.0–1.11 was obtained from n‐alkylacrylamide and maleic anhydride monomers via atom transfer radical polymerization. The monomer conversion reached about 71% corresponding to 1:4 [FeCl₂] to [SA] molar ratios for (AAH/MA) copolymer initiated by CPN whereas for the polymerization initiated by MCPN the conversion reached 51.9% under similar condition showing better performance of CPN initiator. Resultant polymers were characterized by means of ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR. The inhibition behavior of these YMR‐A polymers against CaCO₃ and CaSO₄ was evaluated using static scale inhibition method. The inhibition efficiency on the calcium carbonate scale is much higher and even with 5 ppm dosage level the efficiency is around 99.33 % at pH 10.45 and temperature 70°C, where as for calcium sulfate scales the inhibition efficiency, is lower and 99.9% inhibition is observed at 7–9 ppm level. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39827.     

An investigation on the mechanical and dynamic rheological properties of single and hybrid filler/polypropylene composites based on talc and calcium carbonate

Some results of experiments on the mechanical and rheological properties of mineral filled polypropylene were presented. Single filler and hybrid filler composites of talc and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were prepared in a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. The effect of filler type, filler content, and coupling agent on the mechanical and rheological properties of the polypropylene were studied. The coupling agent was maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA). It was found that the mechanical properties are affected by filler type, filler concentration, and the interaction between filler and matrix. The tensile strength of the composite is more affected by the talc while the impact strength is influenced mostly by CaCO₃ content. The elongation at break of PP/CaCO₃ composites was higher than that of PP/talc composites. The incorporation of coupling agent into PP/mineral filler composites increased the mechanical properties. Rheological properties indicated that the complex viscosity and storage modulus of talc filled samples were higher than those of calcium carbonate filled samples while the tan δ was lower. The rheological properties of hybrid‐filler filled sample were more affected by the talc than calcium carbonate. The PP‐g‐MA increased the complex viscosity and storage modulus of both single and hybrid composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation of a low‐phosphorous terpolymer as a scale,corrosion inhibitor,and dispersant for ferric oxide

A novel low‐phosphorus terpolymer, used as scale, corrosion inhibitor, and dispersant for iron oxide, was prepared through free‐radical polymerization reaction of acrylic acid (AA), oxalic acid‐allypolyethoxy carboxylate (APEM), and phosphorous acid (H₃PO₃) in water with redox system of hypophosphorous and ammonium persulfate as initiator. Structure of the synthesized AA‐APEM‐H₃PO₃ terpolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and ¹H‐NMR. The polymer possesses excellent scale inhibition performance for CaCO₃, outstanding ability to disperse ferric oxide, and good corrosion inhibition properties. The study showed that AA‐APEM‐H₃PO₃ exhibited excellent ability to control calcium carbonate scale, with approximately 90.16% CaCO₃ inhibition at a level of 8 mg/L AA‐APEM‐H₃PO₃. The data of the light transmittance showed that, compared to hydrolyzed polymaleic acid and polyepoxysuccinic acid, AA‐APEM‐H₃PO₃ had superior ability to control iron ions scaling. The light transmittance of the solution was about 24.1% in the presence of the terpolymer when the dosage was 8 mg/L. Moreover, the corrosion inhibition efficiency could reach up to 79.77% at a dosage of 30 mg/L, with ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonic acid just 39.62%. Scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electron microscope, and X‐ray powder diffraction analysis were used to investigate the effect of AA‐APEM‐H₃PO₃ on morphology of calcium carbonate scale. The low‐phosphorous terpolymer has also been proven to be effective inhibitor of calcium carbonate even at increasing solution temperature, pH, and Ca²⁺ concentration. The proposed inhibition mechanism suggests the surface complexation and chelation between the functional groups ? P(O) (OH)₂, ? COOH and Ca²⁺, with polyethylene glycol segments increasing its solubility in water. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41447.     

Hyperbranched polyesters with carboxylic acid functional groups for the inhibition of the calcium carbonate scale

Scale deposits exist widely in industrial water‐cooling systems and oil‐production systems, causing severe damage to the equipment. The most effective way to prevent the formation of scale has been to use an inhibitor. The use of a hyperbranched polymer as an inhibitor, however, has rarely been reported. In this study, we prepared a hydroxyl‐terminated hyperbranched polyester (HBPE–OH) with trimethyloypropane as the core and 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid as an AB₂ monomer. The HBPE–OH was then modified with succinic anhydride to obtain the carboxyl‐terminated hyperbranched polyester (HBPE–COOH). The effects of the dosage, Ca²⁺ concentration, pH value, and temperature of the system on the inhibition efficiency were investigated when HBPE–COOH was used as an inhibitor of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) scale. HBPE–COOH acted as a good antiscaling inhibitor for CaCO₃; when the polyester concentration was 200 mg/L, the scale inhibition rate exceeded 70%. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction demonstrated that the mechanism of inhibition was the disturbance of the growth of the crystals and modification of the crystal morphology by the hyperbranched polyester. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46292.     

Preparation of poly(propylene carbonate)/nano calcium carbonate composites and their supercritical carbon dioxide foaming behavior

Biodegradable polymer foams are attracting extensive attention in both academic and industrial fields. In this study, an emerging biodegradable polymer, poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), was compounded with nano calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) and foamed via supercritical carbon dioxide for the first time. Four concentrations of nano‐CaCO₃, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt %, were used and the thermal properties of PPC/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were investigated. The glass‐transition temperature and thermal decomposition temperature of the PPC/nano‐CaCO₃ composites increased with the addition of nano‐CaCO₃. The morphologies of the PPC/nano‐CaCO₃ composites and the rheological results showed that homogeneous dispersions of nano‐CaCO₃ and percolated nano‐CaCO₃ networks were achieved at a nano‐CaCO₃ content of 3 wt %. Therefore, the finest cell diameter (3.13 μm) and highest cell density (6.02 × 10⁹ cells/cm³) were obtained at the same nano‐CaCO₃ content. The cell structure dependences of PPC and PPC with a nano‐CaCO₃ content of 3 wt % (PPC‐3) foams on the foaming pressure and temperature were investigated as well. The results suggested that the cell structure of PPC‐3 was more stable at different foaming conditions due to the networks of nano‐CaCO₃. Moreover, the change in pressure was more influential on the cell structure than the temperature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42248.     

Mechanical properties of polymers filled with alkyl dihydrogen phosphate treated calcium carbonate

Poly(ethylene) (PE) or poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) and alkyl dihydrogen phosphate ester (APEn, C_nH_2n+1OPO(OH)₂, n = 1, 4, 10, 12, 16) treated calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were mixed on a two roll mill. In order to improve the affinity of polymer-CaCO₃ interface, the CaCO₃ surface was treated through chemical reaction with various APEn types. The effect of carbon number of APEn on the tensile elongation and the adhesion properties between CaCO₃ particles and polymer matrix was investigated. In the case of PE/CaCO₃ series, tensile elongation, modulus of oriented samples and adhesion of polymer-CaCO₃ interface increased with carbon number of APEn (n ≦ 12). In the EVA/CaCO₃ series, the dependence of the tensile elongation on the carbon number of APEn was not clearly recognized; the adhesion at the phase interface was improved with the decrease of carbon number of APEn (n ≦ 12).     

Preparation and Application of Polymers as Inhibitors for Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Phosphate Scales

The scale inhibitor was prepared based on itaconic acid (IA), styrene p-sulfonic sodium (SSS), maleic anhydride (MA), and acrylamide (AM) as monomers, and ammonium persulfate as an initiator by the free-radical polymerization. The structure of the polymer was characterized by FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Using the static experiment method, the scale inhibition efficiency to CaCO₃, the effects of some factors (concentration of polymer, time, concentration of Ca²⁺, pH value, concentration of HCO₃ ^?, and temperature) were investigated. Using the malachite green photometric method, the scale inhibition efficiency to Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and the effects of some factors (concentration of polymer, time, Ca²⁺, pH, temperature, and the concentration of PO₄ ^3?) were also investigated. The experimental results showed that the polymer had an excellent efficiency of scale inhibition and a resistance rate of calcium carbonate scale up to 96.67%, a resistance rate of calcium phosphate scale up to 92.5%, and could be used in the system of high-temperature and high-hardness water. The polymer had good dispersing ability with respect to iron.     

Synthesis and performance evaluation of carboxyl-rich low phosphorus copolymer scale inhibitor

A novel low phosphorus terpolymer scale inhibitor P(IA-MA-SHP) was prepared by aqueous free radical polymerization using itaconic acid (IA), maleic acid (MA), and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as raw materials. It was mainly used as an efficient scale inhibitor to inhibit CaCO₃. The structures of the copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR, and the thermal properties, and scale sample crystal structure morphology of the copolymers were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of dosage, monomer ratio, temperature, and reaction time on the scale inhibition effect were investigated, and the optimal synthesis conditions were determined. The results show that: when the monomer ratio is n(IA):n(MA) = 1.0:1.0, the mass fraction of SHP is 10%, the amount of ammonium persulfate initiator is 12%, the reaction temperature is 90°C, and the reaction time is 4 h, when the dosage of the agent is 20 mg L⁻¹, the scale inhibition rate of CaCO₃ is 94.30%, while it also has a favorable inhibitory effect on CaSO₄. The results of SEM and XRD show that the copolymer scale inhibitor can distort the lattice and has a favorable adsorption and dispersion effect. In addition, it has a positive effect on controlling the scale.     

Control of corrosive water in advanced water treatment plant by manipulating calcium carbonate precipitation potential

The corrosion of metal pipes in water distribution networks is a complex electrochemical and physicochemical phenomenon between a metal surface and corrosive water. The level of corrosion in water distribution systems was controlled by manipulating the calcium carbonate precipitation potential (CCPP) concentration, and the corrosive water quality was controlled in two steps within the advanced water treatment plant (AWTP) constructed at the Institute of Water Quality Research (IWQR), Busan Metropolitan City, Korea. The 1 ^st control step was located before a coagulation process included on a rapid mixer, and the 2 ^nd control step was located after a biological activated carbon (BAC) process. The capacity of the AWTP in IWQR was 80 m³/day. The CCPP concentration was controlled from the calcium hardness, alkalinity, and pH by adding calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the above two steps. A CCPP control system was installed and operated according to the developed algorithm to maintain a CCPP range of 0–4 mg/L. The CCPP range was reasonably controlled to induce the formation of a CaCO₃ film on the surface of the simulated water distribution system (SWDS). From the result of the corrosive water control, the CCPP formed greater than 0.0 mg/L. The crystalloid structure of the scale produced by CCPP control in the inner surface of pipe was zinc carbonate hydroxide hydrate (Zn₄CO₃(OH)₆·H₂O).     

Production of nano‐calcium carbonate from shells of the freshwater channeled applesnail,Pomacea canaliculata,by hydrothermal treatment and its application with polyvinyl chloride

The use of naturally renewable shells of the freshwater channeled applesnail, Pomacea canaliculata, as a filler to replace commercial calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was investigated in this study. Ground P. canaliculata shell particles were converted to nano‐CaCO₃ particles by the displacement reaction of calcium chloride in sodium carbonate solution followed by hydrothermal treatment at 100°C for 1 h to synthesize nano‐CaCO₃ with particle sizes of 30–100 nm in diameter. The mechanical properties, in terms of the tensile strength, elongation at brake and impact strength, of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were greatly improved by mixing with nano‐CaCO₃ at 5–10 parts per hundred of resin. Additionally, the presence of nano‐CaCO₃ at the same levels increased the flame resistance and thermal stability of the PVC composite materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1620–1628, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of degree of deprotonation of maleic anhydride-allyl polyethoxy carboxylic acid copolymer on calcium scale

A hydrophilic copolymer (MA-APEA) containing carboxylic acid group and ethylene oxide group is synthesized from maleic anhydride (MA) and allyloxy polyethoxy carboxylic acid (APEA) in free radical polymerization and its structure is characterized using FT-IR, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and gel permeation chromatographic techniques. Seven polymer solutions with different degrees of deprotonation are prepared by adding caustic solution to the polymer solution. Effects of the degree of deprotonation of the polymer on curbing calcium scale and the corrosion inhibition of low carbon steel are studied. Influences of the operating conditions on inhibition against CaCO₃ scale by the polymer with different degrees of deprotonation are also investigated. Effects of the degree of deprotonation on CaCO₃ deposits/precipitate are analyzed using scanning electronic microscope and X-ray diffraction. The results show that different degrees of deprotonation of the polymer have different influences on different calcium scale and corrosion inhibition of low carbon steel. The performance of the polymer to withstand high alkalinity and high hardness and high temperature decreases with increase in the degree of deprotonation. The change in the degree of deprotonation influences the conversion of aragonite and vaterite to calcite, and hardly impacts the crystal morphology of CaCO₃ crystals. MA-APEA has proven to be an excellent calcium scale inhibitor.     

Effect of interfacial interaction on the crystallization and mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO3 composites modified by compatibilizers

To investigate the effect of interfacial interaction on the crystallization and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/nano‐CaCO₃ composites, three kinds of compatibilizers [PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA), ethylene–octene copolymer grafted with MA (POE‐g‐MA), and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer grafted with MA (EVA‐g‐MA)] with the same polar groups (MA) but different backbones were used as compatibilizers to obtain various interfacial interactions among nano‐CaCO₃, compatibilizer, and PP. The results indicated that compatibilizers encapsulated nano‐CaCO₃ particles, forming a core–shell structure, and two interfaces were obtained in the compatibilized composites: interface between PP and compatibilizer and interface between compatibilizer and nano‐CaCO₃ particles. The crystallization and mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were dependent on the interfacial interactions of these two interfaces, especially the interfacial interaction between PP and compatibilizer. The good compatibility between PP chain in PP‐g‐MA and PP matrix improved the dispersion of nano‐CaCO₃ particles, favored the nucleation effect of nano‐CaCO₃, increased the tensile strength and modulus, but reduced the ductility and impact strength of composites. The partial compatibility between POE in POE‐g‐MA and PP matrix had little effect on crystallization and mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO₃ composites. The poor compatibility between EVA in EVA‐g‐MA and PP matrix retarded the nucleation effect of nano‐CaCO₃, and reduced the tensile strength, modulus, and impact strength. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and evaluation of an environment-friendly terpolymer CaCO3 scale inhibitor for oilfield produced water with better salt and temperature resistance

The CaCO₃ deposits exist widely in the petroleum industry, causing severe damage to the equipment and production. In this article, a novel environment-friendly terpolymer scale inhibitor Poly (maleic anhydride - acrylic acid -2- acrylamide -2- methyl propanesulfonic acid) (P(MA-AA-AMPS))-containing carboxylic acid group, sulfonic acid group, and amide group was synthesized. The structure and molecular weight were characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and GPC. The static scale inhibition experiment was conducted to study the influence of factors such as the dosage, monomer ratio, temperature, pH, Ca²⁺ concentration, and concentration on the scale inhibition performance of CaCO₃. The results show that when the monomer ratio is 2.0:1.0:0.5 and the dosage is 20 mg L⁻¹, the maximum scale inhibition efficiency is 95.52%. Even when Ca²⁺ concentration exceeds 1200 mg L⁻¹ and temperature reaches 90 °C, the scale inhibition efficiency is still larger than 80%. The results of SEM and XRD show that P(MA-AA-AMPS) interferes with the growth of CaCO₃ crystal by adsorption, dispersion, and chelation. The effect leads to changes in the morphology of CaCO₃ crystals, the size of which drops from 20–30 μm to 2–5 μm. The P(MA-AA-AMPS) can transform CaCO₃ from stable calcite crystals to unstable aragonite and vaterite. Finally, the formation of CaCO₃ scale is well inhibited. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48460.     

Flame‐retardant properties of magnesium hydroxystannate and strontium hydroxystannate coated calcium carbonate on soft poly(vinyl chloride)

The flame‐retardant and smoke‐suppressant properties of soft poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) treated with zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), magnesium hydroxystannate [MgSn(OH)₆], strontium hydroxystannate [SrSn(OH)₆], ZHS–MgSn(OH)₆, ZHS–SrSn(OH)₆, MgSn(OH)₆‐coated CaCO₃, SrSn(OH)₆‐coated CaCO₃, ZHS–MgSn(OH)₆‐coated CaCO₃, and ZHS–SrSn(OH)₆‐coated CaCO₃ were studied with the limited oxygen index, char yield, and smoke density rating methods; the mechanical properties were also studied. The results showed that, with the equivalent addition of the corresponding hydroxystannate, the soft PVC treated with hydroxystannate‐coated CaCO₃ had a higher limited oxygen index than the corresponding hydroxystannate, and the soft PVC treated with the agents containing magnesium had a higher limited oxygen index than the soft PVC treated with the agents containing strontium, except for ZHS–MgSn(OH)₆‐coated CaCO₃. The improvement in the char formation of the hydroxystannate‐coated CaCO₃ was better than that of the corresponding hydroxystannate in most cases, and the aforementioned agents reduced the smoke density rating, decreased the tensile strength, and increased the elongation and impact strength basically. Thermal analysis showed that the additives promoted the evolution of hydrogen chloride, early crosslinking, and rapid charring through the strong catalyzing effect of Lewis acids. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Influence of Elastomer Modification on Impact Strength of PP/Elastomer/CaCO3 Composite

Polypropylene (PP)/elastomer/fine filler particle ternary composite was prepared using polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-butene)-block-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) or carboxylated SEBS (C-SEBS) as elastomer and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) having mean size about 160 nm as filler. First, SEBS (or C-SEBS) and CaCO₃ particles were mixed to form master batch. Second, the prepared master batch and PP matrix were kneaded. In the PP/SEBS/CaCO₃ ternary composite, CaCO₃ particles and SEBS particles were dispersed in the PP matrix separately. In the PP/C-SEBS/CaCO₃ ternary composite, CaCO₃ particles were encapsulated in C-SEBS and formed a core–shell structure at lower CaCO₃ concentration; however, some CaCO₃ particles were dispersed in PP matrix at higher CaCO₃ concentration. In the PP/SEBS/CaCO₃ composite, the impact strength increased with the amount of incorporated CaCO₃ particles. Whereas, in the PP/C-SEBS/CaCO₃ composite, the impact strength increased with the amount of CaCO₃ particles dispersed in PP matrix. The master-batch method was found to be useful for improving the dispersibility of CaCO₃ particles than the commonly used single-batch method.     

Structure development and property changes in high‐density polyethylene/calcium carbonate blends during pan‐milling

A new self‐designed mechanochemical reactor, inlaid pan‐mill, was used in studying high density polyethylene (HDPE) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) blends. The effects of CaCO₃ on the crushing and structure of HDPE matrix and the properties of HDPE/CaCO₃ blends were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed IR spectroscopy, dynamical mechanical testing analysis, capillary rheometer, and Instron material testing system were used to characterize the structure of HDPE and evaluate the properties of HDPE/CaCO₃ blends. The introduction of calcium carbonate during milling improved milling efficiency, and time needed for each cycle was greatly reduced. Oxygen‐containing groups on HDPE chains, which were produced during milling, increased interfacial interactions and improved the dispersion and distribution of calcium carbonate particles in HDPE/CaCO₃ blends. Rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties were also improved. The elongation at break of milled blends with high concentrations of calcium carbonate was significantly higher than that of unmilled blends. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1459–1464, 1999     

Effect of magnetic field on deposition and adhesion of calcium carbonate particles on different substrates

Magnetic field effects on CaCO₃ adhesion to substrates were evaluated statistically as for the number of crystals, the occupied surface area per crystal and the crystal size distributions. CaCO₃ was precipitated from Na2CO₃ and CaCl₂ solutions, which prior to precipitation were or were not exposed to a magnetic field under flowing conditions. Glass, copper and stainless steel plates were used as substrates. The precipitation process occurred at 30°C, and in the case of glass plate experiments were also conducted at 60°C. The CaCO₃ deposits were photographed using an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a camera and then the images were analyzed statistically. For each system studied 14 plates were used. It was found that in all systems the magnetic field (MF) influenced the number of crystals deposited and their size distribution. The changes were statistically significant (t-Student's test). The nature of the substrate surface was found to have a significant effect on the amount of CaCO3 deposited. However, the average amount of calcium carbonate deposited on the glass surface at 30°C determined from 14 analyzed plates was only slightly less than that from MF-treated solutions (0.689 and 0.748 mg/cm², respectively), and it was practically the same at 60°C (0.539 and 0.534 mg/cm²). At this higher temperature the deposition of calcium carbonate was reduced relative to that at 30°C. From the results obtained it may be concluded that the MF affects both nucleation and crystal growth of CaCO₃.