Thermoplastic composties of polystyrene: Effect of different wood species on mechanical properties

Both softwood (spruce) and hardwood (aspen and birch) species in the form of different pulps (e.g., sawdust, chemithermomechanical pulp, explosion pulp and OPCO pulp) have been used (10–40 wt% composite) as reinforcing fillers for thermoplastic composites of polystyrene. Mechanical properties, are examined, e.g., tensile modulus, tensile strength at maximum point, and the corresponding elongation and energy as well as impact strength of compression molded composites. To improve the compatability of wood fibers which are hydrophilic and the polymer matrix which is hydrophobic, poly[methylene(polyphenyl isoeyanate)] (2 and 8 wt % of polymer) was used as a coupling agent. The mechanical properties of the treated composites are improved up to 30% in fiber content whereas a downward trend for untreated composites was observed when an increase in fiber content occurred. The overall improvements in mechanical properties due to the addition of isocyanate can be explained by the linkage of isocyanate molecules with fiber matrix through the chain of covalent bonds and the interaction of π-electrons of benzene rings of polystyrene as well as isocyanate. As a result, poly[methylene(polyphenyl isocyanate)] forms a bridge between fiber and polymer on the interfaces. This result is instrumental for efficient stress transfer between cellulose fibers and thermoplastics. The performance of different pulps of various wood species as reinforcing fillers for thermoplastic composites is also examined.     

Effect of Extreme Conditions On the Mechanical Properties of Wood Fiber-Polystyrene Composites. Ii. Sawdust as a Reinforcing Filler

The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of composites of polystyrene filled with sawdust of hardwood aspen and softwood spruce have been investigated under various extreme conditions, for example, exposure to water at room temperature for 14 days and at boiling temperature for 24 h, as well as heat exposure at ± 105°C for 5 days and at -20°C for 2 h. Mechanical properties improve due to the treatment of the composites with a coupling agent [e.g., 3% poly [methylene(polyphenyl isocyanate)] (PMPPIC)], or by using coated (10% polymer ± 8% PMPPIC) or grafted (styrene) fibers. the treated composites or treated fiber-filled composites also showed more dimensional stability compared to nontreated composites. In addition, mechanical properties improve due to the treatment of the composites under different extreme conditions compared to normal ones. From the experimental results, it is suggested that different compounding methods of preparation of composites play an important role in improving the mechanical properties of the wood fiber-filled thermoplastic composites, even under extreme conditions.     

Effect of recycling on the mechanical properties of wood fiber–polystyrene composites. Part I: Chemithermomechanical pulp as a reinforcing filler

The feasibility for recycling composites of polystyrene-hardwood aspen fiber (chemithermomechanical pulp or CTMP) was tested by evaluating the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the original polymer and the recycled composites. The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of composites were investigated under extreme conditions (e.g., exposure to boiling water and at room temperature as well as exposure to +105°C and −20°C). The influence of coupling agent, e.g., 3% poly[methylene (polyphenyl isocyanate)] (PMPPIC), and various treatments, e.g., fiber coated with 10% polymer +8% PMPPIC and grafted with polystyrene 89.1% add-on, on the properties of the composites have also been studied. Compared with the original composites, the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the recycled composites did not change significantly even after exposure to extreme conditions. Moreover, the treated composites offered improved properties compared with nontreated and original polymer under all experimental conditions.     

Influence of maleic anhydride as a coupling agent on the performance of wood fiber-polystyrene composites

The lack of polar groups in thermoplastics (e.g., in polystyrene) provides low adhesion with cellulosic fibers. To improve compatibility between reinforcement and matrix, maleic anhydride (MA) was selected as a coupling agent for wood fiber-filled polystyrene composites. In general, the mechanical properties improved along with increased concentrations of MA, initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and wood fiber up to a certain limit and then decreased. The concentrations of MA and fiber which produced maximum improvements in the mechanical properties varied according to wood species, pulping techniques and type of polystyrene. Moreover, properties were further enhanced when another coupling agent (e.g., isocyanate) was used in addition to the MA.     

Effect of Recycling on the Mechanical Properties of Wood Fiber-Polystyrene Composites. II. Sawdust as a Reinforcing Filler

The recycling behavior of sawdust, both hardwood and softwood, filled polystyrene composites was observed by measuring the mechanical properties and dimensional stability under normal conditions (room temperature) as well as extreme ones (e.g., exposure to water at room temperature and boiling temperature, and to heat at +105°C and ?20°C). Mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the original and recycled composites—that is, nontreated and treated ones (e.g., 3% isocyanate, coated fiber-filled and grafted fiber-filled)—are compared under all extreme conditions. the behavior of the recycled composites did not change significantly. Furthermore, treated wood fiber-filled thermoplastic composites offered superior mechanical properties and dimensional stability under all extreme conditions, even after recycling.     

Composites of polyvinyl chloride—wood fibers: IV. Effect of the nature of fibers

The suitability of different pulps (e.g. chemithermomechanical, kraft, tempure, temalfa, cotton, and sawdust) as well as various wood species (e.g. softwood, spruce; hardwood, aspen and birch) as the reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composites of PVC (two different grades) have been evaluated on the basis of mechanical properties. Mechanical properties of the non-treated composites were improved by the addition of a coupling agent [poly (methylene (polyphenyl isocyanate))] either in pure state or in solution, and by the pre-treatment of the fibers by encapsulation. The order of reactivity of the pulps varies widely with the change in the grades of thermoplastics and the quality of treatment. Due to the interference of properties of the pulps in the composites, the relative reactivity changes.     

Performance of treated hybrid fiber reinforced-thermoplastic composites under extreme conditions. IV. Use of glass fiber and sawdust as hybrid fiber

The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of hardwood aspen in the form of sawdust and surface-treated glass fiber-polystyrene composites were evaluated under various extreme conditions, e.g., variation in the testing temperature (from +25° to ?20°C), exposure to boiling water and heat in an oven at +105°C. The compatibility of wood fiber with glass fiber and with polystyrene improved by precoating the wood fiber with a coupling agent, e.g., 8% isocyanate, 4% silane and polymer. The mechanical properties of the composites, in particular, treated sawdust/glass fiber-filled composites, increased under extreme conditions in comparison with those filled with nontreated sawdust/glass fiber. Under the same conditions, dimensional stability also supports this observation.     

Physical properties of epoxy resin self‐reinforced with organic rigid‐rod compounds

In this study, nanoscale organic rigid‐rod compounds were utilized as self‐reinforcing composites to enhance the physical properties of an epoxy resin diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA). First, DGEBA was used to react with an aromatic diisocyanate of methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) to form an urethane linkage. Next, four different organic rigid‐rod compounds including 4′‐hydroxyphenyl‐4‐hydroxybenzoate, phenyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate, 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol, and 2‐naphthol were incorporated to react individually with the remaining isocyanate groups of the MDI units after the previous step. Finally, the four different rigid‐rod‐modified DGEBA systems were examined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electric microscopy, and mechanical property analyses. Each of the four rigid‐rod‐reinforced DGEBA systems exhibited greatly improved mechanical properties, e.g., higher tensile strengths and fracture energies. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1281–1288, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of Polar Monomers on the Performance of Wood Fiber Reinforced Polystyrene Composites. I. Evaluation of Critical Conditions

Abstract

Wood fibers and nonpolar thermoplastics, e.g. polystyrene, are not the ideal partner for the preparation of composites because of a wide difference in their polarity. In the present study, polarity of the polystyrene was modified by the introduction of a—COOH group, through the reaction with maleic anhydride (MA) in the presence of an initiator (benzoyl peroxide: BPO) in a roll mill at the elevated temperatures. Optimum conditions for the preparation of polar polystyrene have been investigated. The temperature of the roll mill, i.e., the reaction temperature, and reaction time varied between 160–175°C and 10–15 min., respectively. The concentrations of the monomer, (MA) as well as the initiator (BPO), also varied: 0–10% and 0–2% (by weight of polymer), respectively. The mechanical properties of chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP)-filled modified polystyrenes were evaluated. The effect of 3% coupling agent [e.g. poly(methylene (polyphenyl isocyanate))] (PMPPIC) on the mechanical properties of the same composites was also determined.

Generally, mechanical properties of the composite materials were enhanced when modified polymers were used as base polymers. Moreover, the extent of the improvement in mechanical properties depends on the reaction temperature and time, as well as on the concentrations of the monomer (maleic anhydride) and initiator. Maximum improvements in mechanical properties occur when the temperature was maintained at 175°C for 15 min. In addition, preferred concentrations of both the monomer and initiator were found to be 5% and 1% (by polymer weight), respectively. Once again, properties were further accelarated when coupling agent (e.g. PMPPIC) was used in addition to the modified polystyrene. The improvements in mechanical properties (over those of the original polymer and those of composites containing unmodified polymers) indicate that the compatibility between hydrophilic cellulosic fiber and hydrophobic polymer has increased.     

Effect of fiber treatment on the mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced polystyrene composites. Part II. Use of glass fiber and wood pulp as hybrid fiber

The mechanical properties of polystyrene reinforced with a mixture of hardwood aspen chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) and surface-treated glass fiber have been studied. The adhesion of cellulose fiber to glass fiber as well as to thermoplastics improved thanks to various surface treatments of CTMP, e.g. coating with polymer+isocyanate or with silane, and grafting with polystyrene. In general, compared with non-treated CTMP-filled composites, the mechanical properties improved when surface-treated wood fiber was used as a filler. Experimental results indicate better compatibility between treated wood fiber and surface-treated glass fiber as well as polystyrene and, consequently, the mechanical properties were enhanced.     

A novel synthetic strategy to aromatic-diisocyanate-based waterborne polyurethanes

Based on aromatic diisocyanate [e.g., 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI)], a novel synthetic strategy to waterborne polyurethanes was introduced. Ionized polyoxyethylated amine (NPEO) played an important role in the preparation process as both a polyether soft segment and an internal emulsifier. First, a segmented surfactant prepolymer was synthesized. Second, the prepolymer was charged to a water dispersion of a hydrophobic polyol [e.g., polytetrahydrofuran (PTMO)] directly to obtain a stable emulsion. Third, a chain-extension procedure was performed directly in water with PTMO to achieve a stable aqueous polyurethane dispersion. Neither aliphatic diisocyanate nor excess isocyanate group fraction was added. An extra end-capping reaction or external emulsifier was also unnecessary. Films cast from emulsions exhibited reasonable mechanical properties. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 1621–1626, 1998     

Studies on the preparation and properties of particle boards made from bagasse and PVC. I: Effects of operating conditions

Under study were the mechanical properties of particle boards comprised of ground sugarcane bagasse, PVC, and poly{methylene (polyphenyl isocyanate)} [PMPPIC]. The effects of different parameters, e.g. mixing temperature, molding conditions - platen temperature, time and pressure, particle size of bagasse, concentration of PVC and PMPPIC, as well as dilution of PMPPIC, on the mechanical properties of the resulting particle boards were also investigated. In general, the properties of particle boards change with the variation of mixing and molding conditions. A mixing temperature of 175°C and molding conditions [platen temperature, 190°C; time, 10 min; and pressure, 3.8 MPa] were believed to be optimal conditions of compounding particle boards. Both the mechanical properties and the density of particle boards of bagasse with a mesh size of 60, improved up to 20 weight % of PVC and 10 weight % of PMPPIC.     

Surface modification of wood fibers using maleic anhydride and isocyanate as coating components and their performance in polystyrene composites

The effect of surface modification of various wood fibers [e.g. woodflour and chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) of hardwood aspen, and woodflour of softwood spruce] by precoating with only maleic anhydride (MA) and/or poly[methylene (polyphenyl isocyanate)] (PMPPIC) in the presence of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) on the mechanical performance of modified fiber-filled polystyrene (PS 201 and PS 525) composites has been studied. The effects of the concentration of fiber, MA, PMPPIC, and BPO on the mechanical properties of the composites have also been evaluated. As opposed to unmodified fiber-filled composites, most of the mechanical properties of the modified fiber-filled composites increased with an increase in the concentration of BPO, MA, and/or PMPPIC up to a certain limit, and then either decreased or levelled off. The properties improved even more when both MA and PMPPIC were used as compared with the use of only one of them. The optimum concentrations of BPO, MA, PMPPIC, and fiber vary according to the wood species, the nature of the fiber, and the type of polystyrene. Compared with woodflour, CTMP is believed to be by far the best as far as the mechanical properties of the modified fiber-filled composites are concerned.     

Composites of poly(vinyl chloride) and wood fibers. Part II: Effect of chemical treatment

This study examines the influence of different cellulose treatments, including coating by latex or by grafting with polymer/vinyl monomers, as well as with various additive dispersants (e.g., stearic acid or anhydrides) and coupling agents (e.g., maleic anhydride, abietic acid, and linoleic acid). The mechanical properties are examined for poly(vinyl chloride) treated hardwood (chemithermomechanical pulp and sawdust). In most cases, properties are improved compared with untreated composites. Among all methods, grafting was found to be the most effective. Coupling agents show better performance compared with dispersants. Linoleic acid is believed to be the best coupling agent.     

Influence of coupling agents and treatments on the mechanical properties of cellulose fiber–polystyrene composites

Wood fibers of aspen in the form of chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) and Tembec 6816 have been used as reinforcing fillers in different varieties of polystyrene. The tensile strength, elongation, and energy at maximum point, as well as tensile modulus at 0.1% strain is reported. Also revealed is the optimum condition of compression molding. The influence of different coupling agents, such as poly[methylene(polyphenyl isocyanate)], silanes (A-172, A-174, A-1100), and grating on the mechanical properties of composites is discussed. The extent of increase in mechanical properties depends on the weight percentage of fibers, the concentration of coupling agents, and the grafting level (add-on %). Coating followed by an isocyanate treatment appears to be the best treatment. In addition, the isocyanate treatment and grafting are superior to the silane treatment. Experimental results are explained on the basis of possible interactions among cellulose fiber-coupling agent-polymer in the interfacial area.     

Polyurethane ionomers. I. Structure–properties relationships of polyurethane ionomers

The influence of chemical structure on mechanical properties of polyurethane ionomers (PU ionomers) has been examined. NCO-terminated prepolymers prepared from primarily 4,4-methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol (PTMO) were chain extended with tertiary amine-containing diols and the ionomers obtained by quaternization of the prepolymers. The N-methyldiethanolamine chain extender gave the best physical properties. The mechanical properties of the PU ionomers were improved with decreasing chain length of PTMO and with increasing concentration of quaternary ammonium centers (or NCO/OH ratio of PU prepolymers). A lower degree of quaternization resulted in a decrease in the mechanical properties of the resulting PU ionomers, but their properties could be improved by post-quaternization. The adhesion of the PU ionomers to aluminum and the glass transition temperature increased with increasing concentration of quaternizing centers.     

Studies on mechanical properties of polyethylene–organic fiber composites. I. Nut shell flour

Composites were made from polyethylene and an organic fiber (pecan shell and peanut hull flour) using a compression-molding technique. Studies of variations in molding temperature (145–180°C), fiber concentration (0–40% by weight), and fiber mesh size (100, 200, and 325) were correlated to the mechanical properties of the composites (tensile strength, elongation, fracture energy, modulus, and impact strength). In untreated nut shell composites, tensile strength decreased steadily as the fiber concentration increased. This was due to poor bonding between the untreated fiber and polymer. Polyisocyanate was used as a coupling agent and its effect on mechanical properties of the composites was studied. Significant improvement in tensile strength was achieved with an isocyanate coupling agent, but it had no effect on modulus of the composites. Both untreated and isocyanate-treated composites had lower impact strength values; further composite matrix modifications would be necessary to maintain or improve impact strength.     

Emulsion of polyurethane having thermosetting properties. II. Relation between the mechanical properties of film and the polyurethane structure

A self-emulsifiable polyurethane emulsion having thermosetting property was prepared by the following procedure: the polyurethane–urea–amine was first prepared by the reaction of diethylene–triamine with a prepolymer containing terminal isocyanate groups in a ketone solvent, and then the primary amino group in the polyurethane–urea–amine was reacted with epichlorohydrin. The mixture was neutralized with an aqueous acid, and finally the ketone solvent was removed by distillation in vacuo. In the polyurethane, polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) was the base polymer functioning as the soft segment. The present paper reports the effects of the following variables on the mechanical properties of the film prepared from the polyurethane emulsion, i.e., the M _n of PTMG, the molar ratio of diethylene–triamine (DTA) to prepolymer containing terminal isocyanate groups, the structure of the isocyanate end group and the molar ratio of tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) with PTMG. The best elastomer property was realized when M_n of PTMG was 2000, TDI/PTMG molar ratio was 2.0, and prepolymer/DTA molar ratio was 0.85.     

废旧聚甲醛/改性竹纤维复合材料的力学性能研究

采用碱(NaOH)、硅烷偶联剂(KH560)、异氰酸酯(IPDI)等不同处理方法对废旧聚甲醛/竹纤维（POM/BF）复合材料的界面进行调控,研究了竹纤维改性方法和竹纤维含量对复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明,NaOH+IPDI和NaOH+KH560能够实现对复合材料界面的调控,利用NaOH+2 %IPDI对BF进行处理后,POM/BF复合材料［BF为20 %（质量分数,下同）］的弯曲强度增加了13.38 %,拉伸强度为50.36 MPa;利用NaOH+5 %KH560对BF进行调控处理后,POM/BF复合材料的弯曲强度增加了12.61 %,拉伸强度为46.87 MPa;NaOH+2 %IPDI对BF的处理具有更好的效果,BF含量为20 %时复合材料的力学性能最佳。     

Polyurethane triblock copolymers with mono‐disperse hard segments. Influence of the hard segment length on thermal and thermomechanical properties

Polyurethane triblock copolymers were synthesized by reacting 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI)‐endcapped poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) with mono‐amine‐amide (MMA) units. Four different MMA units were used, i.e. no‐amide (6m), mono‐amide (6B), di‐amide (6T6m) and tri‐amide (6T6B), based on hexylamine (6m), 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine (6), terephthalic acid (T), and benzoic acid (B). The PTMO had a molecular weight of 2000 g/mol. Thermal and thermo‐mechanical properties were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The structure of the carbonyl bond was explored by infra‐red analysis and the elastic behavior of the materials by compression set experiments. The triblock polyurethanes with mono‐disperse, hard end‐segments displayed low molecular weights (3200–3800 g/mol). The crystallinity of the MDI urethane‐urea group was found to depend on the structure of the amide. Increasing the number of amide bonds in the mono‐disperse hard segment increased the modulus and the hard segment melting temperature, and decreased the compression set values. The low temperature properties were hardly affected by the amide length. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.