PBT/Thermoplastic Elastomer Blends—Mechanical,Morphological, and Rheological Characterization

The blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) at a blending composition of 10–30 wt.% TPE were prepared with an objective to enhance impact toughness of PBT. Two different grades of PBT were selected based on carboxyl end group and viscosity. Melting behavior, mechanical properties, morphology, and rheology of the blends were studied. At all levels of TPE, PBT showed negligible changes in its melting and crystallization temperature; however, percentage crystallinity decreased with an increase in the amount of thermoplastic elastomer. The notched as well as unnotched Izod impact strength of PBT increased with the incorporation of TPE, the increase being about 47% (unnotched) and 54% (notched) with low molecular weight PBT and 18% (unnotched) and 70% (notched) with high molecular weight PBT at 10% TPE level. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of the blends decreased steadily as the weight percent of TPE increased. Analysis of the tensile data using predicted theories indicated that at TPE levels of 30 wt.%, the blends cannot take excessive stress because the interfacial adhesion is lowered. Small angle light scattering (SALS) studies of the samples indicated the decreased rate of crystallization and, hence, an increase in spherulitic radius in the presence of TPE. The increasing incorporation of TPE in PBT/TPE blends increased the shear thinning behavior and hence eased processability.     

Mechanical Properties of Ternary Blends of ABS + HIPS + PETG

The effect of a commercial styrene/butadiene/styrene-based compatibilizer (Styroflex) on the tensile and impact properties of ternary blends of poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS), high impact poly(styrene) (HIPS) and poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) (PETG) was investigated. The tensile yield strengths and the moduli of the blends were of similar magnitude as the parent polymers. However, notched Charpy impact properties showed significant deviations with high synergy in ABS/PETG blends and strong antagonism in HIPS/PETG blends. Addition of Styroflex improved the impact properties of all blends containing HIPS and ABS. Dynamic mechanical analysis studies confirm the phase separated nature of ABS/PETG binary blends.     

Studies on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Ternary Blends of Polyethylenes Having Fixed Percentage of High-Density Polyethylene—II

Six film samples of varying compositions of low-density polyethylene (LDPE); (20–45 wt%) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE); (25–45 wt%) having a fixed percentage of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at 30 wt% have been extruded by melt blending in a single screw extruder (L/D ratio = 20:1) of uniform thickness of 2 mil. The tensile strength and elongation at break have been found to increase up to 40 wt% with LLDPE addition, starting from 25 wt% LLDPE, in the blends and then decreased. The blend sample containing 30 wt% LDPE, 40 wt% LLDPE, and 30 wt% HDPE (sample C-300) was found to be more thermally stable blend amongst all the prepared blends. In most of the blends, two exothermic peaks appeared that showed the formation of immiscible blend systems; this was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis.     

Morphological and Rheological Characteristics of PVP–CeO2 Blends

This work focuses on the flow behavior of the blend comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone and cerium (IV) oxide (CeO₂) particles in submicron size, under low shear rates. The polyvinyl pyrrolidone–CeO₂ blends have been prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and viscometry. The generation of core–shell morphology was verified from the scanning electron micrographs. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the blend formed is of porous nature. The particle size of CeO₂ increases with the concentration of both CeO₂ and polymer due to aggregation. The blend containing as high as 35?wt% of CeO₂ was found to exhibit pseudo-plastic response under low shear rate. The reasons for the observed morphology and other properties along with mechanism were explained. The main factor, which governs the properties of the end product, was van der Waals attractive forces that exist among the constituents of the system prepared.     

Study on the Mechanical,Rheological, and Morphological Properties of Short Kevlar™ Fiber/s-PS Composites

This article deals with oxy-fluorinated short Kevlar^TM fiber reinforcement and its effect on the dynamic, mechanical, and rheological properties of the syndiotactic polystyrene composites. The composites were prepared using a twin-screw extruder at 20 rpm and the resulting composite was molded under injection molding. The study shows that the addition of oxy-fluorinated Kevlar^TM fiber into the syndiotactic polystyrene matrix significantly affects the dynamic mechanical properties of the composite by appreciably increasing storage modulus. Rheological properties reveal a significant enhancement of viscosity of the treated composite, due to the formation of a strong interface between fiber and matrix. Oxy-fluorinated fiber incorporation leads to improved tensile strength, elastic modulus, and impact strength of the resulting composite as a result of better fiber-matrix adhesion at the interface.     

Cure Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Short Nylon Fiber Reinforced Natural Rubber–Reclaimed Rubber Blends

Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of short nylon fiber reinforced natural rubber–reclaimed rubber blend was studied. Minimum torque, maximum–minimum torque and cure rate were increased by the addition of fiber. Tensile and tear properties were enhanced by the addition of fibers. Introduction of fibers decreased the resilience and abrasion loss. Heat build up and compression set were higher for the composites.     

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate and Polycaprolactone–Organoclay Nanocomposite: Thermal,Mechanical and Morphological Properties

Organoclay of the type Cloisite^® 20A (C-20A) with two structurally different but semicrystalline polymer matrices was studied. Polycaprolactone (PCL), a linear, biodegradable polymer, and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), a branched copolymer, were chosen to prepare polymer clay nanocomposites via the melt-blending method. The results show that the structure of a polymer matrix plays a significant role towards compatibilization with the silicate layers of the clay. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed an exfoliated-intercalated mixed morphology for the PCL matrix. However, for the EVA matrix, silicate layers agglomerated to form tactoids and resulted primarily in an intercalated morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the nature of the interactions between the polymer and the filler. The thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and indicated that, with an increase in clay loading, the thermal stability was reduced for both matrices. Tensile tests suggested that Young’s modulus improved for the EVA matrix with an increase in clay dosage whereas for PCL the modulus was found to be highest for 8% clay loading.     

Study on Mechanical Properties and Crystallization Behavior of Polypropylene and Its Blends Modified by β Crystalline Form Nucleating Agent

The influence of β crystalline form nucleating agent (β nucleator) on the mechanical properties of homo-polymerized polypropylene (PPH), random-copolymerized polypropylene (PPR), block-copolymerized polypropylene (PPB), and PPH/PPR/PPB blends was studied. Polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) were used to characterize the crystalline morphology and behavior. The results indicated that α crystalline form of polypropylene (PP) had transformed to β crystalline form by adding 0.5% β nucleator; in the meantime, the toughness of PP and its blends was enhanced. That is, 0.5% β nucleator helped to improve the notched impact strength of PPH, PPR, and PPH/PPR/PPB blends by 130%, 40%, and 40%, respectively, without losing the tensile strength and flexural strength.     

Rheology and Mechanical Properties of PVC/Acrylonitrile–Chlorinated Polyethylene-Styrene/MAP-POSS Nanocomposites

The nanocomposite of the Poly(vinyl chloride)/acrylonitrile-chlorinated- polyethylene-styrene (ACS)/methylacryloylpropyl-contaning polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MAP-POSS) (PVC/ACS/MAP-POSS) was prepared. Plasticizing behavior, dynamic rheology behavior and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The results showed that the plastic time decreased with increasing MAP-POSS content. The dynamic storage modulus G ′, loss modulus G″ and complex viscosity η* of the nanocomposites all exhibit a monotonic change with increasing frequency, and all have maximum when MAP-POSS content is 4 wt%, at the same frequency. The MAP-POSS can be used as an efficient process aid and impact aid of PVC/ACS blend at appropriate content.     

Preparation,Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Glass and Jute–Epoxy/Epoxy Polyurethane Composites

Glass and jute (treated and untreated) composites of epoxy resin of 1,1′-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxy phenyl)cyclohexane(EMC) cured using 20% triethylamine as a hardener (G-EMCT-20 and J-EMCT-20) and EMC- polyurethane of toluene diisocyanate (J-EMCPU and TJ-EMCPU) have been prepared by a hand layup technique under 27.58 MPa pressure and at 150°C for 4 h. G-EMCT-20, J-EMCT-20, J-EMCPU and TJ-EMCPU showed 275, 96.5, 37.3 and 31.5 MPa tensile strength; 351, 84, 10 and 24 MPa flexural strength; 5837, 2758, 1277 and 1619 MPa elastic modulus; 24.6, 7.1, 1.9 and 1.6 kV/mm electric strength; and 1.4 × 10¹³, 1.1 × 10¹¹, 7.7 × 10¹⁰ and 3.6 × 10¹⁰ ohm cm volume resistivity, respectively. Fairly good to excellent mechanical and electrical properties of the composites indicated their industrial applications in building and construction, electrical and electronic industries.     

In situ–Directed Growth of Organic Nanofibers and Nanoflakes: Electrical and Morphological Properties

Organic nanostructures made from organic molecules such as para-hexaphenylene (p-6P) could form nanoscale components in future electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, the integration of such fragile nanostructures with the necessary interface circuitry such as metal electrodes for electrical connection continues to be a significant hindrance toward their large-scale implementation. Here, we demonstrate in situ–directed growth of such organic nanostructures between pre-fabricated contacts, which are source–drain gold electrodes on a transistor platform (bottom-gate) on silicon dioxide patterned by a combination of optical lithography and electron beam lithography. The dimensions of the gold electrodes strongly influence the morphology of the resulting structures leading to notably different electrical properties. The ability to control such nanofiber or nanoflake growth opens the possibility for large-scale optoelectronic device fabrication.     

Effects of Silanes Alone and Their Blends with HEMA on Resin–Titanium Bonding

Abstract

Two organofunctional silane coupling agents alone and two silane blend systems with HEMA were evaluated in vitro as adhesion promoters for bonding bis-GMA resin to a silica-coated titanium surface. The silanes were applied onto tribochemically silica-coated titanium surfaces. Experimental bis-GMA resin stubs were applied and photo-polymerized onto titanium. The specimens were subjected to three different conditions: (1) dry storage for 24 h, (2) storage in de-ionized water at 37°C for six months and (3) alternating storage in de-ionized water at 37°C and thermocycling (6000 cycles, 5–55°C) for 6 months. Shear bond strengths of the resin to titanium were measured using a universal testing machine. Surface examination was made with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after the bond strength test. Highest shear bond strength was obtained with 3-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane stored in dry condition (20.2 ± 3.2MPa), and the lowest value was obtained with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (ESPE Sil) in alternating water storage and thermocycling condition (1.4 ± 0.6 MPa). The type of storage condition affected significantly the shear bond strength (p < 0.05). The shear bond strength obtained from dry storage was the highest, while the shear bond strength obtained from alternating water storage and thermocycling condition was the lowest. Interfacial failure was the main failure mode (87.2%) followed by mixed failure (9.4%) and cohesive failure (3.4%). The addition of 0.5 vol%. HEMA into silane primers did not improve the shear bond strength between the experimental resin and silica-coated titanium.     

Cure Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber–Layered Clay Nanocomposites

The effect of interlayer distance of nanoclay on mechanical properties, cure characteristics, and swelling resistance of natural rubber (NR) in varying clay proportion were studied. X-ray diffraction results of nanocomposite with 10 phr of nanoclay showed the formation of an intercalated structure. The rate of vulcanization and maximum torque value of the nanocomposite are higher than the gum compound. Nanocomposites with clay having higher interlayer distance shows superior mechanical properties. Mechanical properties gradually increase with increase in clay loading up to 10 phr. A 50% increase in tensile strength and about 150% increase in modulus at 300% elongation were observed for the nanocomposite with 10 phr clay loading. Better barrier properties offered by the nanocomposites due to the presence of tortous path was confirmed by the Nielson's model.     

Effect of Direct Dyes on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of α-Keratin Fibers

Fibre Chemistry - The effect of direct dyes on the physical and mechanical properties of human hair (a-keratin fibers) in the native state and subjected to bleaching with Estel haute couture...     

Influence of TiO2-Modification on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse–EVA Composites

The effect of nano-particles of TiO₂ on the mechanical and thermal properties of sugarcane bagasse (SCB)–ethylene co-vinyl acetate (EVA) composite was investigated. Composite materials were prepared using a melt-mix intercalation method on a rheomex mixer coupled with a single screw extruder. differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric (TG) analyser and an Instron, were used to probe the thermal and mechanical properties of the samples. Composites with TiO₂ were compared with those without TiO₂ but with the same content of sugarcane bagasse (SCB). After the addition of TiO₂, the tensile strength increased by 10%, from 11.26 MPa for neat EVA, which correlated with the enthalpy of fusion, however, the tensile strength decreased by 18% at higher SCB loading. Elongation at break decreased from 463 to 0% as the filler (SCB) was increased which was inversely proportional to the modulus. The composite showed an improved thermal stability with the addition of TiO₂.     

Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Glass–Ceramics Based on Slate and Natural Raw Materials

Silicon - In recent years, utilization of raw materials was increased to produce natural low-cost glass–ceramic materials with distinct properties and appropriate for various applications....     

Effect of Oleic Acid-modified Nano-CaCO_3 on the Crystallization Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene

1 INTRODUCTION Isotactic polyprolylene (PP) is a large tonnage polymer and has been widely used in various engi- neering areas owing to its attractive properties, such as low cost, low weight, anti-corrosion, good mechanical properties and processability. Its production and con- sumption rates are increasing more rapidly in com- parison with other polymers. However, PP shows poor impact toughness at room and lower temperatures so as to restrict its application in structural materials. Am…     

In situ Reaction Synthesis and Mechanical Properties of TaC–TaSi2 Composites

TaC–TaSi₂ composites were fabricated at 1700°C by an in situ reaction/hot pressing method using Ta, Si, and graphite as initial materials. TaSi₂ content was 0–100 vol%. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. It was found that the relative densities of composites were above 97.5% when the volume content of TaSi₂ was above 10%. The TaC/10 vol% TaSi₂ composite presented the highest flexural strength of 376 MPa. When the TaSi₂ content was 30–50 vol%, the composites showed the highest fracture toughness of about 4.3 MP·am^1/2. In addition, the composites could retain high Young's modulus up to at least 1525°C.     

Reaction Synthesis and Mechanical Properties of TiB2–AlN–SiC Composites

TiB₂–AlN–SiC (TAS) ternary composites were prepared by reactive hot pressing at 2000°C for 60 min in an Ar atmosphere using TiH₂, Si, Al, B₄C, BN and C as raw powders. The phase composition was determined to be TiB₂, AlN and β-SiC by XRD. The distribution of elements Al and Si were not homogeneous, which shows that to obtain a homogeneous solid solution of AlN and SiC in the composites by the proposed reaction temperatures higher than 2000°C or time duration longer than 60 min are needed. The higher fracture toughness (6·35±0·74 MPa·m^1/2 and 6·49±0·73 MPa·m^1/2) was obtained in samples with equal molar contents of AlN and SiC (TAS-2 and TAS-5) in the TAS composites. The highest fracture strength (470±16 MPa) was obtained in TAS-3 sample, in which the volume ratio of TiB₂/(AlN+SiC) was the nearest to 1 and there was finer co-continuous microstructure. ©     

Effects of Cr2O3 on Properties of Alumina—spinel Castable

The effects Cr2O3 on properties of alumina-spinel castable has been discussed in this paper,The results show that modulus of rupture(MOR) and cold crushing strength(CCS) of the alumina-spinel castable can be improved when Cr2O is added to this material.At higher temperature,Cr2O3 moves into the melt and raises its viscosity,forming high creep resistance bonding phase,so the thermal shock resistance and slag corrosion resistance are improved.