Dynamic properties of carbon black filled chlorinated polyethylene/hindered phenol blends

Aggregates of carbon black (CB) in a polymer matrix have a tendency to form a CB network. The dynamic mechanical properties of binary systems of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and CB or 3,9‐bis{1,1‐dimethyl‐2[β‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methylphenyl)propionyloxy]ethyl}‐2,4,8,10‐tetraoxaspiro[5,5]‐undecane (AO‐80) and their ternary systems were investigated. It was found that the dynamic mechanical properties of those systems depend on the colloidal properties, surface oxides, and surface modification of CB. For binary systems of CPE and CB, oxidized CB gives a high modulus at low strain amplitude and a large Payne effect compared with untreated CB. In contrast, the reverse effect was observed for their ternary systems. Consequently, a good micro‐dispersion is obtainable by surface modification due to physical adsorption of AO‐80 on oxidized CB particles via hydrogen bonds. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mathematical analysis of viscometric (polymer) flow fields in capillaries: Taylor dispersion revisited

A general formulation for capillary flow of two miscible fluids – one a dilute plug of polymer fluid inserted into a fully developed Poiseuille flow of the other, a Newtonian stream – is examined for its long time behavior. Phenomenologically, the system evolves from an initial state, that of a plug within the boundaries of sharp, well defined fronts inside a Newtonian stream, to a more homogenized state in the very long time scale. This problem was addressed by G.I. Taylor but with regard to a system of two Newtonian fluids, leading to the well-known results commonly described as `Taylor axial dispersion'. In this paper, a general and systematic perturbation analysis is presented from which Taylor's result is recovered as a special case of a more general solution which applies to fluids incorporating elastic properties. In particular, the influence of viscoelasticity and (polymer) diffusivity on the observed pressure profile in the capillary conduit is examined. This effect is clearly separated out for small Peclet number flows using asymptotic and numerical analysis. The results identify the influence of fluid viscosity, elasticity, and diffusivity on the observed pressure profile and form the basis for the improved characterization of polymeric elasticity using capillaries – a finding that is of significant scientific and commercial interest. These results were obtained by the authors as a class of observations resulting from the perturbation analysis of forced-flow capillary devices in viscoelastic fluid property investigation.     

Dispersion—flocculation studies on a Goethite-clay system

Dispersion–flocculation studies on a Goethite–clay system using flocculants were carried out as a function of flocculant concentrations, pH of slurry, time of agitation and dispersant dosage. Also, the effects of pH and polymer concentrations on the adsorption behaviour of the system were investigated. Results show that well flocculated goethite was preferentially obtained from 4% goethite/kaolinite clay suspensions, with 50 ppm causticised starch in the slurry at pH values of 3–11·5 and with 50 ppm polyacrylamide at pH values of 3–8. Good flocs were also obtained on flocculation of the goethite suspension with 50 ppm polyacrylamide at pH values of 5–7, while the kaolinite suspension did not respond to the same dosage of causticised starch in the same pH range. Results further reveal that for the goethite/kaolinite suspension, the best results was obtained with 50 ppm polyacrylamide at pH values of 7–10. Based on the data generated in the study, it was concluded that causticised starch is a better flocculant than polyacrylamide for goethite suspensions although polyacrylamide is an excellent flocculant for kaolinite suspensions.     

Works of adhesion at the carbon fiber-liquid interface determined using a modified wetting technique

Works of adhesion W_SL between aqueous solutions with pH values in the range from 1 to 14 and carbon fibers from different sources, which were additionally treated in an inert atmosphere or in oxygen, were measured by use of a microbalance. These works of adhesion W_SL were found to show distinct stepwise dependencies on the pH value. The works of adhesion W_SL are attributed to dispersion interactions W_SL¹ and various acid-base interactions w_sl^ab—in the latter case between the acidic and basic surface groups of carbon and the various basic and acidic aqueous solutions.     

Electrical characterization of waterside corrosion films formed on ZrNb(1%)O(0.13%)

Oxide films formed by water oxidation at 360°C on ZrNb(1%)O(0.13%) for several durations (50-300 days) were studied by impedance spectroscopy (IS) in gaseous atmosphere. The electrical behavior of oxide layers was investigated as a function of the temperature (25-300°C) at constant oxygen partial pressure (0.3 Pa). Cole-Cole diagrams suggest a frequency-temperature equivalence. A simple electrical model has been derived from the as-deduced 14 decade master curve. Equivalent circuit includes a series association of two layers exhibiting different dielectric properties: a dense layer near the oxide-metal interface and a porous layer at the waterside. Electronic conductivity is predominant within the whole temperature range, but ionic contribution was proposed to increase for temperature higher than 170°C. During the parabolic oxidation step, the oxide thickness of the barrier layer increases but oxide growth would not be only a geometrical one. The kinetic modification to a constant oxidation rate was observed to be correlated to the increase of the dense layer thickness. Such a behavior suggests that the mechanism controlling oxidation rate is not a pure mechanism of oxygen diffusion through this layer. Finally, a qualitative model of activated electrons transport based on an hopping mechanism was proposed in order to take into account that the Arrhenius diagrams of both total conductivity and dispersion factor are characterized by a break point with two activation energy values.     

Aqueous Processing and Stabilization of Manganese Zinc Ferrite Powders via a Passivation–Dispersion Approach

A dispersion scheme for aqueous processing of manganese zinc ferrite suspensions is presented. The addition of oxalic acid leads to the formation of a uniform negative charge on the surface such that a cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneimine (PEI), adsorbs and provides electrosteric dispersion. At 0.5 w/w (weight percent with respect to the dry powder) oxalic acid addition, there is a relatively uniform negative surface charge (approximately −30 mV) within the suspension pH range investigated (3–10), eliminating the isoelectric point (pH ∼7.6) present for the as-received metal oxide powder. At the addition of 0.5 w/w PEI on an oxalate-treated surface, the surface charge is constant and positive (∼20 mV) through a wide pH range, ∼5–10. The resulting rheological data for passivation–dispersion of relatively high-solids manganese zinc ferrite suspensions (∼80 wt%) demonstrate improved colloid stability with improved rheological properties. The resulting apparent viscosity and Bingham yield point is 0.01 Pa·s (12.0 cP) and 0.24 Pa (2.4 dynes/cm²), respectively. A sulfonated napthalene-based dispersant, typically used in industry, gives an apparent viscosity and Bingham yield point of 0.03 Pa·s (32 cP) and 3.1 Pa (31 dynes/cm²), respectively.     

Microstructure evolution during metal forming processes

Recrystallization and grain growth evolutions during metal forming processes are considered. Coupling between the thermo-mechanical and microstructure processes is realized. Die forging of a rear-axle flange is simulated numerically on the base of the finite element method. Material parameters of the models are obtained experimentally. The influence of interpass and holding times on grain size distributions in the end product is shown.     

Microstructural changes accompanying repair welding in 5xxx aluminium alloys and their effect on the mechanical properties

At the shipyards, the aluminium alloy 5083 is welded with a multi-pass sequence using the metal inert gas technique. If, while checking the weld integrity either after welding or during service, defects are detected in the vicinity of the weldment, repairs are usually employed to extend the service life.

The repair method involves removal of the upper passes, depending on the thickness and re-welding under the same conditions.

Purpose of this paper is to examine the microstructural changes accompanying repair welding, define their effect on properties of primary importance and set, if possible, an upper limit as far as the number of repairs is concerned.     

Determination of gas dispersion in vapor extraction of heavy oil and bitumen

In this work, a mathematical model is developed and simulated to determine gas dispersion along with solubility during the vapor extraction (Vapex) of live oil from a laboratory scale physical model. The physical model is a rectangular block of homogenous porous medium saturated with heavy oil and bitumen. At a given temperature and pressure, the block is initially exposed on its side to a solvent gas, which diffuses into the medium and gets absorbed. The absorption of gas reduces the viscosity of heavy oil and bitumen causing it to drain under gravity. The low-viscosity “live oil” is produced at the bottom of the porous block. The production of live oil with time is accompanied by the shrinkage of oil in the block as well as its increased exposure to gas from top. These phenomena of Vapex are described by the mathematical model, which is used to calculate live oil production with various values of gas solubility and dispersion. Their optimal values are determined for the vapor extraction of Cold Lake bitumen with butane by matching calculated live oil production with its experimental values published earlier.     

Influence of the deposition atmosphere on the characteristics of Pd–Mg thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Bilayered palladium (30 nm thick)–magnesium (350 nm thick) thin films were prepared using the pulsed laser deposition technique in the presence of various background gases (Ar, He and a mixture He + H₂) under different partial pressures (47 and 27 Pa). According to the deposition atmosphere, the Pd/Mg interface shows either a sharp or an extended transition. The electrochemical hydriding properties and the mechanical stability upon cycling of the Pd/Mg film are greatly improved when an extended «intermixing» zone between the Pd and Mg layers is present. The Pd–Mg films prepared under pure helium fulfill these conditions.