Viscosity of bulk free radical polymerizing systems under near-isothermal and non-isothermal conditions

A viscometer-reactor assembly is used to generate data on the viscosity, η(t), of an example polymerizing system exhibiting the Trommsdorff effect, namely, the bulk free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), at different temperature conditions [near-isothermal and non-isothermal (near-step increase and near-step decrease in temperature)] and at two different initiator, 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN), concentrations. Two types of cup and bob assemblies, viz., the Haake^® SV-2 and the Haake^® HV-DIN, have been used to measure η(t) of the reaction mass, until reasonably high values of viscosity, well into the gel effect region. Only three sets of experimental data on x_m(t), M_w(t) and η(t) under near-isothermal conditions, are used to develop general correlations for the viscosity. These tuned correlations predict the values of the viscosity for a whole variety of other experimental conditions, including non-isothermal cases, reflecting that the physics of the system is well represented by them. Hence, these correlations can be used for other systems after tuning their parameters. The feasibility of on-line soft sensing is demonstrated for a few cases.     

Polymers from renewable resources. I. Castor oil-based interpenetrating polymer networks: Thermal and mechanical properties

A number of polyurethanes (PUs) were synthesized by reacting castor oil with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate and varying the NCO/OH ratio. All these polyurethanes were reacted with some acrylic monomers like ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and butyl methacrylate using a crosslinker ethylene glycol dimethyl-acrylate and benzoyl peroxide as the initiator. The physicochemical properties of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are reported. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the thermal behavior of IPNs and the evaluation of kinetic parameters. Degradation mechanism has also been investigated. Some of the mechanical properties viz. tensile strength, shore-A hardness, elongation at break, etc. are also reported. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Duration of slip-resistant shoe usage and the rate of slipping in limited-service restaurants: results from a prospective and crossover study

Several studies have indicated that slip-resistant shoes may have a positive effect on reducing the risk of slips and falls, a leading cause of injury at work. Few studies, however, have examined how duration of shoe usage affects their slip-resistance properties. This study examined the association between the duration of slip-resistant shoes usage and the self-reported rate of slipping in limited-service restaurant workers. A total of 475 workers from 36 limited-service restaurants in the USA were recruited to participate in a 12-week prospective study of workplace slipping. Of the 475 participants, 83 reported changing to a new pair of shoes at least once during the 12-week follow-up. The results show that slip-resistant shoes worn for less than six months were moderately more effective than those worn for more than six months. Changing to a new pair of shoes among those wearing slip-resistant shoes at baseline was associated with a 55% reduction in the rate of slipping (RR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23–0.89). Further research is needed to develop criteria for the replacement of slip-resistant shoes.

Practitioner Summary: The duration of usage impacts the slip-resistance properties of slip-resistant shoes. Slip-resistant shoes worn for less than six months were moderately more effective in reducing slips than slip-resistant shoes worn for more than six months. Shoe use policies should not only encourage or require their use but also include guidance on replacing slip-resistant shoes at regular intervals.     

Performance of a magnesium–lithium alloy as an anode for magnesium batteries

In this work, we describe an evaluation of an Mg–Li alloy (Li: 13 wt %) for possible use in magnesium primary reserve batteries. Higher OCP for the Mg–Li alloy have been observed in 2 M MgCl₂ and MgBr₂ electrolyte. The corrosion rate of the Mg–Li alloy is found to be in the order: MgCl₂ < Mg(COOCH₃)₂ < MgSO₄ < MgBr₂ < Mg(ClO₄)₂. Mg–Li alloys exhibit higher (81%) anodic efficiencies even when the current density is increased to 8.6 mA cm ^–2. It has been observed that Mg–Li/MgCl₂/CuO cells offer higher operating voltage and capacity than those with the conventionally used Mg–Al alloy.     

Crystallization and phase transformation kinetics of poly(1-butene)/MWCNT nanocomposites

Poly(1-butene)/MWCNT nanocomposites were prepared by simple melt processing technique. Crystallization, crystal-to-crystal phase transformation and spherulitic morphology were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and optical microscopy (OM). The non-isothermal crystallization exhibited higher values of Z_t derived from Avrami theory and lower values of F(T) obtained from Avrami-Ozawa analysis, while the isothermal crystallization revealed a significant increase in crystallization temperatures and lower crystallization half times compared to pristine PB. The observed changes in the crystallization kinetics were ascribed to the enhanced nucleation of PB in the presence of MWCNT. The nucleating activity calculated from the non-isothermal crystallization data revealed that the MWCNTs provide an active surface for the nucleation of PB. The optical micrographs exhibited significantly smaller crystallites with disordered morphology for the nanocomposites compared to the well defined spherulitic morphology for pristine PB. The rate of phase transformation from kinetically favored tetragonal to thermodynamically stable hexagonal form was noticeably enhanced as evidenced by the reduction in the half time for phase transformation from 58 h to 25 h for PB reinforced with 7% MWCNT.     

Effect of modified layered silicates and compatibilizer on properties of PMP/clay nanocomposites

The preparation and properties of poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) (PMP)/clay nano‐composites are described for the first time. The effect of clay modification and compatibilizer on the formation and properties of the nanocomposites is studied. Layered silicates modified with two types of quaternary ammonium salts are used. The X‐ray diffraction results indicate intercalation of the polymer into the intergallery spacing of the clay. Thermogravimetric analysis shows a delay in the degradation process. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows an increase in the storage modulus for the nanocomposites. The use of compatibilizer containing maleic anhydride and acrylic ester groups is explored. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3233–3238, 2003     

Deep learning for graphics recognition: document understanding and beyond

International Journal on Document Analysis and Recognition (IJDAR) -     

Epoxidized soybean oil modified using fatty acids as tougheners for thermosetting epoxy resins: Part 2—Effect of curing agent and epoxy molecular weight

A series of bio-rubber (BR) tougheners for thermosetting epoxy resins was prepared by grafting renewable fatty acids with different chain lengths onto epoxidized soybean oil at varying molar ratios. BR-toughened samples were prepared by blending BRs with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resins, Epon 828 and Epon 1001F, at different weight fractions and stoichiometrically cured using an amine curing agent, 4, 4′-methylene biscyclohexanamine (PACM). Fracture toughness properties of the unmodified and BR toughened polymer samples—including critical strain energy release rate (G_Ic), and critical stress intensity factor (K_Ic)—were measured to investigate the toughening effect of prepared BRs. It was found that the degree of phase separation and toughening were more controllable relative to similar polymers cured using the aromatic curing agent Epikure W, and the use of higher molecular epoxy resins produces a synergistic effect increasing the toughness much more than similar polymers made with lower molecular weight epoxy resins. Average BR domain sizes ranging from 200 to 900 nm were observed, and formulations with G_Ic, values K_Ic as high as 1.0 kJ/m² and 1.4 MPa m^1/2 were attained respectively for epoxy systems with T_g greater than 130°C.     

Epoxidized soybean oil modified using fatty acids as tougheners for thermosetting epoxy resins: Part 1

A series of bio-rubber (BR) reactive tougheners for thermosetting epoxy resins was prepared by grafting renewable saturated fatty acids of different chain lengths (C6-C14) onto epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) at varying molar ratios. The tunable nature of the BR systems derives from the architecture and functionality of naturally occurring molecules. Control of BR reactivity and molecular weight by varying the degree of grafting and the chain length of the fatty acid was demonstrated. The BR-toughened samples were prepared by blending BRs with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), Epon 828, and stoichiometrically curing the mixture using an aromatic amine hardener, diethyl toluene diamine (Epikure W). Fracture surface morphology studies showed that tuning of phase separated particle sizes was possible depending on the BR type and weight fraction. The resulting toughening effect was evaluated by measuring the fracture toughness of control and toughened polymer samples. The use of BRs significantly improved the critical strain energy release rate and critical stress intensity factor values of thermosetting polymer samples without significantly reducing T_g and modulus. In addition to toughening and adding renewable content to petroleum-based thermosetting epoxy systems these new tougheners have low viscosity compared to common alternatives and aid ease of processing.