Atomistic simulations of functionalization of aramid fiber-epoxy nanocomposite

Owing to its high degree of crystallinity and orientation, the surface of aramid fiber is smooth, causing its low bonding strength with polymer matrix. This has restricted the application of aramid fiber in reinforced polymer materials. Effective methods are by introducing functional groups through surface modification and by increasing its surface roughness thereby greatly improving its bonding strength with the polymer. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study fiber functionalized with hydroxyl (OH), carboxyl (COOH), and the silane coupling agent as nanofillers for polymer nanocomposites. The interfacial characteristics and the mechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites are investigated. The results show that the functionalization can enhance the interfacial shear stress and tensile strength. The functional group not only provides a stronger interface, but also provides additional mechanical interlocking effect, which effectively improves load-bearing transmission capacity. The analysis of the micro-mechanism from the energy level also provides new insights for the functionalized design of nanocomposites.     

Simple approach for the plasma treatment of polymeric membranes and investigation of the aging effect

The modification of the surface characteristics after treatment with plasma in polymeric materials, such as the aging phenomenon, calls the attention of research in the area of nonthermal plasma technology. In this work, a direct treatment with dielectric-barrier discharge plasma was used on the surfaces of ultrafiltration membranes. The measurements of the contact angle with water, attenuated total reflectance accessory, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy-MEV were performed on the surfaces to verify changes after plasma treatment and to understand the occurrence and timing of the plasma aging effect. In the analysis of the membrane performance, hydraulic permeation and protein retention tests were performed. The results showed an improvement in wettability and hydrophilic properties in the post-treated membranes. The study of reversibility/aging of the post-plasma surface is important for research that deals with the modification of polymeric membranes. Changes in surface morphology, topography and wettability of the membranes were observed up to seven days after treatment, with a tendency to return to the initial characteristics of the membranes.     

The use of Bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulphane for surface modification of silica,ferrite and kenaf fiber filled natural rubber composites; comparison of aqueous solvent deposition,dry blend and integral blend methods

In this work, Bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulphane was employed for surface modification of silica, ferrite and kenaf fiber filled natural rubber composites using aqueous solvent deposition, dry blending and integral blend methods. The efficiency of each method and the preferred modification method for improving the mechanical performance of natural rubber composites was assessed. The appearance of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peak around 1088 cm⁻¹ for all types of fillers provided evidence that silane interaction had occurred between the fillers and rubber and the formation of siloxane linkages were quantitatively determined by the crosslink density measurement. The surface treatment by dry method for silica and ferrite fillers showed significant improvement of tensile performance at approximately 67% and 34% compared to those with untreated fillers. For kenaf fiber-filled rubber composites, the surface treatment by aqueous solvent deposition showed the highest tensile improvement of 59% compared to the dry blending and integral blend method.     

High-thermal conductivities of epoxy composites via p-phenylenediamine interfacial modification and process intensification

High loadings of fillers are usually needed to achieve high-thermal conductivity (TC) of polymer-based composites, which inevitably sacrifices processability and meanwhile causes high-cost. Therefore, it is of great significance to achieve high-TC composites under low-filler loading. Here, a novel p-phenylenediamine (PPD) modified expanded graphite (EG-PPD)/epoxy (EP) composite with high TC and low-filler content was successfully prepared via pre-dispersion and vacuum assisted mixing strategy. With the improved interfacial compatibility between EG and EP by PPD, the prepared EG-PPD/EP composite exhibited excellent thermal management performance, resulting in the TC of which reached 4.00 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ with only 10 wt% (5.59 vol%) of EG-PPD, which is approximately 19 times higher than that of pure EP. Meantime, the interface thermal resistance of EG-PPD/EP composite between EG-PPD and EP is reduced by 33% compared with EG/EP composite. This composite with excellent TC property is expected to be used in thermal management field.     

Enhanced interfacial adhesion of aramid fiber reinforced rubber composites through bio-inspired surface modification and aramid nanofiber coating

In order to improve the interfacial adhesion between aramid fiber (AF) and rubber matrix, a simple and facile method of aramid nanofiber (ANF) coating is demonstrated in this article. Tannic acid (TA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) are polymerized in an alkaline solution to form a thin TA/PEI (TP) layer that is deposited on the surface of AF to introduce functional groups such as hydroxyl and amino groups. Then, the ANF coating is utilized to construct nanostructures on the surface of AF to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the rubber. Through hydrogen bonding and/or π-π stacking between the TP layer and the ANF, the ANF coating is firmly attached to the surface of AF. Compared with the untreated fiber, the interfacial adhesion of AF coated with ANF after 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 deposition cycles is increased by 27.8%, 29.1%, 31.5%, 43.1%, and 30.3%, and the mechanical properties of the fibers remain almost unchanged. This method shows its advantages of simple, facile, and time-effective, which is of great significance for industrial applications.     

Effects of different porous fillers on interfacial properties of poly (vinyl alcohol) hybrid films

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based hybrids have demonstrated broad liquid separation applications but separation performances are constrained by the compatibility between fillers and polymer, and thus it is essential to study the interfacial properties of these hybrids. In this work, PVA hybrids with four different porous fillers have been fabricated and characterized with Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, swelling and contact angle tests. Swelling results show that PVA has a degree of swelling (DS) of 79% in water but the swelling is compressed after adding fillers and the DS for PVA hybrids has decreased by 19%, 17%, 15%, and 9% for 30 wt% loading of ZIF-8, UiO-66, Hβ and ZSM-5, respectively. For methanol and its 10 wt% aqueous solution, similar swelling results are obtained due to mutual interactions among the filler, polymer and test liquids. Based on water and glycerol contact angle results, the surface energy of PVA is estimated to be 40.56 Nm⁻¹ and it drops to 27.39 Nm⁻¹ after adding less hydrophilic ZIF-8 or rise to 48.56 Nm⁻¹ after introducing more hydrophilic ZSM-5. The high-film hydrophilicity and then large surface energy have rendered methanol/water sorption selectivity of PVA hybrids decrease to some extent or vice versa.     

Simple approach to fabricate MXene/cellulose paper for electromagnetic interference shielding applications

A simple approach was developed to fabricate high-performance MXene/cellulose (MC)-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding papers. The oriented MXene sheets located on one side of cellulose filter paper construct a continuous conductive layer, endowing the MC paper with high electrical conductivity (240.1 S/m) and excellent EMI shielding effectiveness (29.3 dB for 0.192-mm thickness) at an MXene content of 0.72 vol%. Moreover, the EMI shielding effectiveness of four stacked MC papers reached 40.5 dB. This result means that 99.9911% of the microwave radiation is attenuated, and 0.0089% is transmitted, through the four-piece MXene/cellulose filter papers. Therefore, MC paper has promising properties for excellent EMI shielding materials in current electronic devices.     

铝箔表面反光特性与轧制润滑条件关系的探讨

铝箔表面的反光率是轧辊表面状态的反映，铝箔表面反光率差和铝箔表面反光率比与轧制的润滑条件密切相关。重点讨论了它们之间的关系。     

自由曲面数控加工走刀方向的优化研究

走刀方向对数控加工的效率有重要影响，尤其对于多曲面拼接自由曲面不规则轮廓区域的数控加工。针对现有自由曲面数控加工过程走刀方向优化研究存在的问题，提出了基于曲面数控加工区域划分的走刀方向优化策略，建立了简化的刀具轨迹计算模型和加工时间模型，并用实例加以验证，取得了满意的效果。     

Quality improvement of ball-end milled sculptured surfaces by ball burnishing

In this paper, the use of the ball burnishing process to improve the final quality of form tools (moulds and dies) is studied. This process changes the roughness of the previously ball-end milled surfaces, achieving the finishing requirements for plastic injection moulds and stamping dies. Ball burnishing can be easily applied in the same machining centres as those used for milling. In this way, both lead times and production costs can be dramatically reduced.

Both the burnishing system and its main parameters are taken into account, considering their influence on finishing. Workpiece surface integrity is ensured due to the surface smoothing effect of process and the associated cold working. Examples of different materials, machined surfaces, and industrial applications are explained, with respect to the maximum and mean surface roughness achieved.

The main conclusion is that using a large radial depth of cut in the previous ball-end milling operation, together with a small radial depth during burnishing can produce acceptable final roughness. Savings of production times are high, as burnishing is applied using the maximum linear feed of the machine, while milling must be made at moderate feeds. Moreover, ball burnishing NC programming is less critical and needs less care in its definition than CAM for milling.