Dynamic mechanical analysis study of the curing of phenol‐formaldehyde novolac resins

The curing reaction of typical commercial phenol‐formaldehyde novolac resins with hexamethylentetraamine (HMTA) was followed by dynamic mechanical analysis. The evolution of the rheological parameters, such as storage modulus G′, loss modulus G″, and tanδ (G″/G′), as a function of time, for samples of the phenolic resins on cloth, was recorded. The curing reaction, leading to the formation of a crosslinked structure, is described by a third‐order phenomenological equation. This equation takes into account a self‐acceleration effect, as a consequence not only of the chemical reaction of crosslinking after the gel point but of phase segregation as well. This rheokinetic model of the curing of phenolic novolac resins permits the determination of the numerical values of the kinetic equation constants. The influence of the composition, structure, and physical treatment on the curing kinetics of the novolac resins is evaluated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1902–1913, 2001     

Nelson Goodman’s Arguments Against Perspective: A Geometrical Analysis

Nelson Goodman’s highly influential book Languages of Art argued that that all visual experience is merely a cultural construct. In presenting his thesis Goodman relied on a series of geometrical arguments intended to show that the geometrical construction of perspective does not rely on the geometry of light rays. In this article I analyze the geometrical validity of Goodman’s arguments.     

Influence of Whey Protein Addition and Feed Moisture Content on Chosen Physicochemical Properties of Directly Expanded Corn Extrudates

Production of extrudates from cereals is an often-used technological process in today’s world food industry. Extrudates from corn flour produced using the twin-screw extrusion process and enriched with whey protein concentrate represent high-quality source of proteins and fats. Whey protein concentrate (WPC) as a valuable source of proteins and minerals is one of the highest-quality components for possible extrudate enrichment. In this paper, the influence of various WPC addition and some extrusion process parameters such as feed moisture content ( Q_{textHtext2 textO} Q_{{{text{H}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}}} ) on physicochemical properties of directly expanded corn flour extrudates manufactured in twin-screw co-rotating extruder was investigated. Whey protein concentrate was added in the following ratios 7.5%, 15% and 22.5% and water in 10.08, 12.18 and 14.28 L/h. Final composition of products is determined with measuring of protein, fat and water shares, water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI). With added WPC and with increase of water volume flow, there was a significant rise in total protein, fat and water content in final products, as well as lowering of WSI and rising of WAI indexes. The statistical analysis of the obtained data shows that the lowest WSI and the highest WAI had samples with the largest share of WPC (22.5%) and water volume flow of 14.28 L/h. Colour is measured for each sample, and results were represented with hue angle (H), chroma (C) and lightness (L) values. Process parameters, WPC and Q_{textHtext2 textO} Q_{{{text{H}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}}} influence the increase of saturation of C and lightness of L colour value, while H value stays unchanged. Mean value of H was 90.14 ± 1.06, which corresponds to dominance of yellow colour of samples.     

Characterization of B4C-SiC ceramic composites prepared by ultra-high pressure sintering

Additive-free boron carbide (B₄C) – silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic composites with different B₄C and β-SiC powders ratio were densified using the high-pressure “anvil-type with hollows” apparatus at 1500 °C under a pressure of 4 GPa for 60 s in air. The effect of starting powders ratio on the composites sintering behavior, relative density, microstructural development, and thermomechanical properties was studied. The sintered samples hardness was found to be in the range from 24 to 31 GPa. The thermal conductivity measurements, conducted in the temperature range from room temperature to 1000 °C, showed that the thermal diffusivity of sintered samples was between 6 and 9.5 mm²/s whereas the thermal conductivity was in the range from 16 to 28 W/(m K). The results of this study show that the high-pressure sintering can be a very effective low-temperature densification method for the obtainment of additive-free B₄C - β-SiC ceramic composites.