Study of mechanical properties,oxygen permeability and AFM topography of zein films plasticized by polyols

The use of plastic for packaging has grown extensively in recent years. In this context, biodegradable films can be a source of energy saving and an important issue for environmental protection. Zein protein (prolamin of corn) is one of the best biopolymers for edible film making and polyols are convenient plasticizers for biopolymers. Polyols (sorbitol, glycerol and mannitol) at three levels (0.5, 0.7 and 1g/g zein) were used as plasticizers and the tensile properties, oxygen permeability (OP) and AFM topography of zein films were studied. Films plasticized by sorbitol had a relatively higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) than films containing glycerol and mannitol at low levels of plasticizers (0.25, 0.7g/g zein). There was no significant difference between the strain at break values (SB) of films plasticized by sorbitol and glycerol at low levels of plasticizers, while films plasticized by sorbitol had higher SB than the films containing glycerol and mannitol at a high level of plasticizer (1g/g zein). Pure zein films had low oxygen permeability (OP), and increasing the plasticizer level to 0.5g/g zein decreased OP values in films containing sorbitol and glycerol. Films containing sorbitol and mannitol had the lowest and highest OP values, respectively. AFM images were used to evaluate the surface morphology (qualitative parameter) and roughness (quantitative parameter) of zein films. Films plasticized by glycerol had smoother surfaces and a lower roughness parameter (Rq). No relationship between OP values and the roughness of the zein films was observed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of tensile and compressive characteristics of vinyl ester/glass microballoon syntactic foams

The present study is focused on the synthesis and characterization of vinyl ester/glass microballoon syntactic foams. Tensile and compressive properties of vinyl ester matrix syntactic foams are characterized. Results show that the compressive strength and moduli of several syntactic foam compositions are comparable to those of the neat matrix resin. Due to the lower density of syntactic foams, the specific compressive properties of all compositions are higher than those of the neat resin. Similar trends are observed in the tensile properties. Mechanical properties of vinyl ester matrix syntactic foams are compared to well-documented mechanical properties of epoxy matrix systems. The comparison shows that low cost vinyl ester resins, which are extensively used in marine applications, can result in syntactic foams with comparable performance to epoxy matrix systems. In addition, tensile modulus is found to be 15–30% higher than the compressive modulus for all syntactic foam compositions. This difference is related to the possibility of particle fracture in the stress range where modulus is calculated in the compressive stress–strain curves.     

Novel syntactic foams made of ceramic hollow micro-spheres and starch: theory,structure and properties

Novel syntactic foams for potential building material applications were developed using starch as binder and ceramic hollow micro-spheres available as waste from coal-fire power stations. Foams of four different micro-sphere size groups were manufactured with either pre- or post-mould gelatinization process. They were of ternary system including voids with a foam density range of approximately 0.33–0.44 g/cc. Compressive failure behaviour and mechanical properties of the manufactured foams were evaluated. Not much difference in failure behaviour or in mechanical properties between the two different processes (pre- and post-mould gels) was found for a given binder content. Compressive failure of all syntactic foams was of shear on plane inclined 45° to compressive loading direction. Failure surfaces of most syntactic foams were characterized by debonded micro-spheres. Compressive strength and modulus of syntactic foams were found to be dependant mainly on binder content but mostly independent of micro-sphere size. Some conditions of relativity arising from properties of constituents leading to the rule of mixtures relationships for compressive strength and to understanding of compressive/transitional failure behaviour were developed. The developed relationships based on the rule of mixtures were partially verified. Some formation of starch webs on failure surfaces was discussed.     

Sound Absorption Performance and Mechanism of Aluminum Foams with Double Main Pore-Porous Cell Wall Structure

To enhance the sound absorption performance of open-cell aluminum foam, the double main pores-porous cell walls (DMP-PCW) aluminum foams via infiltration casting of preforms mixed with two sizes of NaCl particles are prepared. The pore structure, sound absorption performance, and mechanism of DMP-PCW aluminum foam are investigated. The pore structure consists of double-sized main pores similar to the NaCl particles and the cell wall pores formed by the connections between NaCl particles. It is found that the static flow resistivity of DMP-PCW aluminum foam reaches an optimum value of 28105 Pa.s m⁻² when the volume proportion of small main pores increases, the size of cell wall pores decreases, and the number of cell wall pores per unit main pore surface area (NPPA) increases. At 800–6300 Hz, the average absorption coefficient is 0.89. In addition, the Wilson model predicts the sound absorption properties of DMP-PCW aluminum foam. The predicted values agree well with the measured values. The finite-element acoustic simulations and dynamic viscous-thermal permeability calculations reveal that the improved sound absorption performance of DMP-PCW aluminum foam is correlated to the enhanced sound transmission caused by increased NPPA and increased viscous-thermal loss due to the double main pore structure.     

Tailoring properties of reticulated vitreous carbon foams with tunable density

Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foams were manufactured by multiple replications of a polyurethane foam template structure using ethanolic solutions of phenolic resin. The aims were to create an algorithm of fine tuning the precursor foam density and ensure an open-cell reticulated porous structure in a wide density range. The precursor foams were pyrolyzed in inert atmospheres at 700°C, 1100°C and 2000°C, and RVC foams with fully open cells and tunable bulk densities within 0.09–0.42 g/cm³ were synthesized. The foams were characterized in terms of porous structure, carbon lattice parameters, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, electric conductivity, and corrosive resistance. The reported manufacturing approach is suitable for designing the foam microstructure, including the strut design with a graded microstructure.     

Aluminium foams for transport industry

Foamed materials are widespread in transportation industry applications. While polymeric foams have been applied for many years foamed metals are now beginning to move into the focus of interest. A powder metallurgical method which allows the production of aluminium foams with porosity levels up to 90% is described. The foams typically have closed pores and densities ranging from 0.4 to 1 g cm⁻³, so that this foamed metals float on water. The unique mechanical properties of metal foams are described. The density dependence of metal foam properties is shown with the Young's modulus, flexural strength and compression strength as examples. A non-linear dependency of these properties on the density is found and discussed. The discussion then focuses on the energy absorption properties of aluminium foams and tools to select appropriate foams for a given energy absorption task.     

蛋白发泡法制备泡沫陶瓷固化工艺研究

选用蛋清蛋白作为发泡剂, 采用蛋白发泡法制备了高孔隙率的泡沫氮化硅陶瓷. 设计了三种不同固化工艺: 常压固化、恒压固化和高压固化, 固化气压依次升高, 研究了固化气压对泡沫陶瓷开孔率、孔隙形貌和孔径分布的影响. 其中, 恒压固化制品的平均孔径和开孔率最高, 分别为210 μm和78.6%, 且孔径分布比较均匀, 常压固化次之, 高压固化制品开孔率和平均孔径最低. 常压和恒压固化制品为椭球形孔洞, 有一定的排列取向, 而高压固化制品多为规则的球形孔. 随着固化气压的升高, 制品孔壁厚度增加, 高压固化制品的孔壁厚度最高, 其压缩强度接近50 MPa.     

Processing of magnesium foams by weakly corrosive and highly flexible space holder materials

High-quality magnesium foams were fabricated by an infiltration technology using tailor-made salt–flour mixture space holders. The pore structures and mechanical properties of space holder particles as well as the resultant foam production with spherical pores were characterized in the present study. The particles after high-temperature sintering dissolved rapidly in water due to their porous structures, guaranteeing the weak corrosion and high-purity of magnesium foams. The spherical pores foams exhibited usual stress–strain behaviors and nearly isotropic properties. The yield strengths of the foams increased with the decrease of sample porosity, and the relative mechanical properties of foams were mostly dependent on their relative densities, which obeyed a power law relation. Moreover, porous magnesium materials with tunable pore structures could be fabricated owing to the flexible forming features of salt–flour mixture, showing great application prospects in bone implant material field.     

Synthesis and properties of corn zein/montmorillonite nanocomposite films

The objectives of this study were to apply fabrication techniques for the zein montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite films and characterize the obtained nanocomposite films. Zein MMT nanocomposite films were successfully produced from solvent casting and blown extrusion methods. The two methods could mix the zein MMT resulting in partially exfoliated nanocomposite structures according to X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal resistant of the zein nanocomposite films fabricated from both methods improved as the MMT content increased. However, the mechanical and barrier properties showed non-linear relationships with the MMT loadings. The impact of MMT on properties of zein films strongly depended on the preparation techniques. This can be the good starting point to further study in depth insight of the controllable MMT rearrangement in zein films which will remarkably improve zein film properties for packaging applications.     

高邻位可发性热固性酚醛树脂的合成及表征

综述了不同生产方法合成酚醛泡沫对可发性树脂基体的要求,合成了用于湿法生产酚醛泡沫的不同的反应活性的高邻位热固性酚醛树脂。利用红外光谱(IR)和凝胶色谱仪(GPC)的测试结果,分析了反应时间与树脂分子量、分子量分布和分子结构的关系,并研究树脂结构和分子量分布对泡沫成型工艺的影响,结果表明,对于具有高邻位结构的可发性热固性酚醛树脂,分子量和分子量分散系数可作为其化学反应活性评判的依据,即M-w400,-Mz/-Mw1.60为高活性;M-w480,-Mz/-Mw1.80为低活性,介于两者之间为中活性。     

Aluminium foam–polymer composites: processing and characteristics

Dissemination of closed cell metal foam unique properties (low density, efficient energy absorption, high vibration/sound attenuation) in real life products has often been difficult to realise. With advanced pore morphology (APM) aluminium foam–polymer hybrids a new and simplified process route targeted at application in foam-filled structures (e.g. automotive A-pillar) has been introduced. APM foams are made from spherical, small volume foam elements joined to each other in a separate process step. Joining the aluminium foam elements by adhesive bonding delivers composite foam with approximately 80–95 wt.% aluminium foam and 5–20 wt.% adhesive (polymer). Setting up cellular structures from spherical foam elements allows for automatic part production, good pore morphology control and cost effective aluminium foam application. An automated production line is displayed and discussed. Mechanical properties of APM aluminium foam–polymer hybrids are similar to other closed cell aluminium foams. Integration of APM foams in profiles resulted in significantly improved properties as observed for conventional closed cell aluminium foam fillings. The unique properties of APM composite foams make them an attractive alternative as a cost effective and easily applicable material of construction with targeted uses such as energy absorbing reinforcement of composite structures.     

Characterization of rigid polyurethane foams containing microencapsulated Rubitherm<Superscript>®</Superscript> RT27: catalyst effect. Part II

Catalyst Tegoamin 33 has been used for the synthesis of rigid polyurethane (RPU) foams containing microencapsulated Rubitherm^® RT27 and having a high mechanical resistance. These materials could be employed in buildings for thermal insulation and thermal energy storage (TES). The fillers content influence on the foaming process and also the foam properties was evaluated. It was observed that a foam containing up to a 18 wt% of microcapsules can be manufactured, improving the TES capacity while maintaining the mechanical properties of the neat foam. Besides, it was observed that the mechanical resistance of foams synthesized using catalyst Tegoamin 33 are higher than those obtained when catalyst Tegoamin BDE was employed, with the mechanical resistance of the foam containing 21 wt% being higher than those of foams synthesized with catalyst BDE containing only 11 wt% of fillers while maintaining the advantages of an improvement in TES capacity. A general model of reaction curve of n tank-in-series of a same time constant was used to fit the rising curves. This model allowed to predict the final volume of the synthesized foam. Finally, TES capacities and mechanical properties of the synthesized foams were in the range of those reported in literature. Moreover, foam densities satisfied the restriction established by the Spanish regulation for building applications.     

碳酸钙制备小孔径中等孔隙率类球形孔泡沫铝及其合金

与传统的Ca增黏与TiH2发泡的泡沫铝熔体发泡制备方法不同,CaCO3在铝熔体中可同时用作增黏剂和发泡剂.现有TiH2泡沫铝制备技术在制备小孔径类球形孔泡沫铝及合金方面存在困难,以轻质Ca-CO3颗粒为基础研制的新型泡沫铝增黏发泡剂,其热分解特性平缓,通过理论与实验确定了CaCO3在制备过程中的使用比例,分析了孔结构并讨论了CaCO3在铝熔体中的分解热力学问题,稳定制备出小孔径(0.4-1.1mm)、中等孔隙率(40-79%)的类球形孔泡沫铝及其合金.     

Syntactic foams from copolymers based on epoxidized soybean oil

Syntactic foams are been increasingly used as core of sandwich panels due to their light weight and good mechanical properties. This investigation evaluates the compressive, flexural and thermo-mechanical properties of syntactic foams made by embedding randomly dispersed hollow glass microspheres in bio-based resins obtained by partial substitution of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) with epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). Volume fraction of glass microballoons was 0.55 in all foam formulation. Flexural and compressive strength values decreased simultaneously with increasing ESO content. Similar trend was observed for the flexural and compressive modulus and glass transition temperature. The work further showed that mechanism of failure mainly depended on the fracture of microballoons regardless the ESO content in the formulation. Results reported herein suggest that large fractions of DGEBA can be replaced by ESO with minor effect on mechanical and thermal properties.     

Heat Transfer and Acoustic Properties of Open Cell Aluminum Foams

The aluminum open cell foams have been prepared by the conventional precision casting method to investigate the thermal and acoustic properties.A water heating system and silencers were organized as a first step for its applications.The temperature increase between the top and bottom of the foam became larger as the cell size increased in the heat transfer measurement.Sound absorption ratio of the close cell foams was 60%-100%, whereas the open cell aluminum foam showed only 10%-20% of sound absorption at low frequency.When the prototype electric water heater manufactured by combining aluminum open cell foam with a heater was heated to 100-400℃,the highest temperature of water was in the range of 16-46~C.This suggests that there could be potential for this type of heater to be used as a commercial electric water heater.Sound silencer made with the aluminum open cell foam was applied to exit of exhaustion side at air pressure line.Sound silencing effect of open-celled aluminum foam showed that the noise level went down by introducing smaller cell size foam.     

Influence of cell aspect ratio on architecture and compressive strength of titanium foams

Titanium foams have been of interest in dental and orthopedic implants over the past few decades on account of their excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. A powerful tool, X-ray computed microtomography was used to measure quantitatively the effect of pore morphology on foam architecture. Mechanical properties of titanium foams with varying pore structure were investigated. Aspect ratio of the pores was quantitatively demonstrated to affect strength, degree of anisotropy and strain-rate sensitivity of the produced titanium foams. Needle-like pored foams showed 30-55% lower strength when compared to the foams having lower aspect ratio pores. Lower aspect ratio pored foams were 3-11%, higher aspect ratio pored foams were 17-34% weaker in the direction parallel to the compaction direction when compared to the perpendicular one. High aspect ratio pores also resulted in more pronounced strain-rate sensitivity.     

基于常温干燥法的纤维素基泡沫制备及性能分析

传统的石油基泡沫难以降解,因而带来环境污染和安全问题。纤维素基泡沫借助其可生物降解的天然特性,逐渐成为研究热点。然而,目前的成型技术在很大程度上依赖于干燥条件（如冷冻干燥和超临界干燥）,存在干燥耗时长、成本高的问题,因而难以实现泡沫的规模化生产。为解决此问题,提出一种常温干燥制备可再生纤维素基泡沫的新方法。以纸浆纤维为主料、纳米纤维素为黏结剂、聚乙烯醇作为纤维分散剂和泡沫助剂,经过充分混合、发泡、排水和干燥后,制成纤维素基泡沫。最后,测试泡沫密度、孔隙率,分析导热性能、力学性能。结果表明：制备的纤维素基泡沫具有密度低（(0.015±0.002)~(0.028±0.004) g/cm3）、孔隙率高（>98%）、热导率低（(0.060±0.003)~(0.069±0.003) W/(m·K)）等特点。纤维素基泡沫在80%应变下的最大应力值为59.366 kPa,比其他文献报道的类似纳米纤维素基泡沫高37.1%。未来,纤维素基泡沫有望替代石油基泡沫,在冷链运输过程中对产品进行缓冲保护和隔热保温。     

Chemical modification of flax reinforced polypropylene composites

This paper presents an experimental study on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of nonwoven based flax fibre reinforced polypropylene composites. The effect of zein modification on flax fibres is also reported. Flax nonwovens were treated with zein coupling agent, which is a protein extracted from corn. Composites were prepared using nonwovens treated with zein solution. The tensile, flexural and impact properties of these composites were analysed and the reinforcing properties of the chemically treated composites were compared with that of untreated composites. Composites containing chemically modified flax fibres were found to possess improved mechanical properties. The viscoelastic properties of composites at different frequencies were investigated. The storage modulus of composites was found to increase with fibre content while damping properties registered a decrease. Zein coating was found to increase the storage modulus due to enhanced interfacial adhesion. The fracture mechanism of treated and untreated flax reinforced polypropylene composites was also investigated from scanning electron microscopic studies.     

Natural additives in protein coagulation casting process for improved microstructural controllability of cellular ceramics

Aiming to improve the microstructural controllability of porous ceramic, starch was introduced as a natural additive into an environmental friendly process-protein coagulation casting. Results indicated that the viscosity of alumina/starch slurries was affected by the combined effect of the total solid loading and the water uptake of starch. Furthermore, as pore former and wet foam stabilizer, starch helped to increase the open porosity and obtain a more uniform distribution of microstructures in the fabricated alumina foams. A better microstructural controllability of the alumina foam prepared by the modified protein coagulation casting process was realised which is believed to be beneficial to the multifunctional application of these ceramic foams.     

应用于包装领域的明胶泡沫性能研究

目的 制作和表征基于明胶的生物基可堆肥降解泡沫材料,并应用于包装领域。方法 明胶泡沫通过机械发泡和在周围环境中干燥制成。研究明胶含量、表面活性剂含量以及发泡温度对泡沫最大发泡倍率(MER)、收缩、密度、结构以及压缩性能的影响。此外,研究不同明胶含量样品的导热率。结果 研究的3个因素对泡沫性能和结构有显著影响。MER值和收缩是黏度相关,并极大地影响泡沫密度、力学性能以及热导率。增加明胶含量制造出了密度和压缩强度更高的泡沫(由于MER值更低)。表面活性剂质量分数从0.75%增加到1.5%由于发泡性提升造成泡沫密度轻微下降。然而,进一步将表面活性剂质量分数提升至3%造成黏度显著增加、MER值下降,从而导致泡沫密度增加。更高的发泡温度可以得到更高的MER,但是由于液态泡沫稳定时间更长,收缩程度更大,泡沫密度更大。结论 明胶泡沫展现出作为低密度传统塑料泡沫(密度小于30 kg/m³)环保替代品极具潜力的性能。研究成功实现了明胶泡沫的低热导率〔0.038～0.039 W/(m.K)〕和相对较低的收缩程度。