Evaluation of alkane sulfonic acid catalysts and derivatives for curing activity in a melamine/acrylic polyol coating formulation using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

FTIR measurements may be able to replace more laborious physical property determinations and thus serve as an efficient screening methodology in catalysis driven processes. This possibility was considered in evaluating alkane sulfonic acids catalyst performance to promote the cure of a melamine resin with acrylic polyols. The example chosen here is an evaluation of alkane sulfonic acid derivatives to measure catalytic efficiency of the cure reaction between hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM) and an acrylicpolyol. The IR measurements provided information on the extent of reaction, via monitoring the disappearance of the OH stretching mode at 3472 cm⁻¹ associated with the acrylic polyol. This method may also be used to provide detailed information on reaction kinetics and insight into the cure mechanism. As the reaction proceeds, the coating’s properties change and IR measurements can serve as a probe for these changes. 900 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406.     

Influence of structure of iron nanoparticles in aggregates on their magnetic properties

Zero-valent iron nanoparticles rapidly aggregate. One of the reasons is magnetic forces among the nanoparticles. Magnetic field around particles is caused by composition of the particles. Their core is formed from zero-valent iron, and shell is a layer of magnetite. The magnetic forces contribute to attractive forces among the nanoparticles and that leads to increasing of aggregation of the nanoparticles. This effect is undesirable for decreasing of remediation properties of iron particles and limited transport possibilities. The aggregation of iron nanoparticles was established for consequent processes: Brownian motion, sedimentation, velocity gradient of fluid around particles and electrostatic forces. In our previous work, an introduction of influence of magnetic forces among particles on the aggregation was presented. These forces have significant impact on the rate of aggregation. In this article, a numerical computation of magnetic forces between an aggregate and a nanoparticle and between two aggregates is shown. It is done for random position of nanoparticles in an aggregate and random or arranged directions of magnetic polarizations and for structured aggregates with arranged vectors of polarizations. Statistical computation by Monte Carlo is done, and range of dominant area of magnetic forces around particles is assessed.     

Applications of infrared spectroscopy to customer problems in the vinyl industry

Identifying polymers, additives and contaminants presents unique challenges. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) coupled with spectral searching techniques is a very efficient and powerful methodology to answer most identification questions. It is based on the unique IR spectrum characteristic of each compound. This paper outlines procedures employed in the identification of typical PVC formulations, starting with the resin and proceeding to impact modifier, process aids, lubricants, stabilizer system and fillers. The emphasis is on FT-IR microscopy as the most versatile approach requiring small samples and minimal to no sample preparation. Other commonly used FT-IR techniques are also outlined. Wet separation protocols, applicability and limitations as related to FT-IR analysis are discussed. Typical examples include vinyl siding, packaging and bottle formulations as well as contaminants often encountered in these formulations and raw materials.     

Comparative psychometric analysis of vector and isochrone cardiac activation maps

Isochronal cardiac activation maps can be constructed from local activation times associated with spatial locations, and are frequently used to study cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac velocity vector mapping has been proposed as an alternative method to study cardiac activation in both clinical and research environments. Velocity vectors inherently contain more information than scalar measures of latency, but it is unknown how vector maps and isochronal maps compare when they are used to identify patterns and features associated with arrhythmias. In order to quantitatively compare these two visualization methods, eight cardiologists were asked to complete forced-choice tasks in which they selected ablation sites based on synthetic vector or isochronal maps. Maps varied in arrhythmia complexity, number of vectors or activation times included, and errors in magnitude or angle for maps of velocity vectors. Quantitative comparison was achieved by using psychometric functions to characterize the learning curve and the total number of measurements needed in order to choose a correct ablation site. For simple arrhythmias, performance with vector maps was superior to isochronal maps. Subjects required fewer measurements, and learned more rapidly by studying vector maps. For more complex arrhythmias, there was no significant difference in performance between vector and isochronal maps. However, arrhythmia features were clearer with vector maps, even though this clarity did not necessarily change the ablation site choice. When errors were added to vector maps, performance was satisfactory for angle errors < 55 degrees, and speed errors did not affect performance.     

Improvement in volume resistivity and morphology of a blend of polyolefin elastomer with linear low-density polyethylene

A silane moisture-cured polyolefin elastomer/linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) blend was prepared through a two-step silane-grafting method (Sioplas Process) in an industrial scale twin-screw extruder. The silane-grafted compound was used to make wire and cable coatings. In this work, the effect of some interactive parameters on quality of the products prepared by the above method has been studied, while so far, there have been less experimental investigations. The volume resistivity of cross-linked compound was changed from 2.96 × 10¹⁴ to 7.41 × 10¹⁴ Ω cm with increasing LLDPE component by maximum 10 wt%. Surface morphology of the product was corrected with reduction in benzoyl peroxide (BPO) concentration from 0.2 wt% to 0.13 wt%. BPO at this level acted as an initiator in grafting reaction of vinyl trimethoxysilane. The curing condition and specimen preparation method by injection molding and/or extrusion were factors which influenced the hot-set test results at 200 °C. The results of tensile and elongation studies showed a maximum value of 9 MPa and 397% for the tests, after 6 h curing. With increases in curing time at a specified temperature, the gel content of the cross-linked compound was increased and reached its maximum value. The maximum gel content values were found to be approximately 60%, 80%, and 82% at temperatures of 25, 60, and 85 °C, respectively. The hardness, density, and tear strength of the samples did not vary significantly with the curing temperature.