Diffusion of additives and plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride): 4. A programmed temperature technique for the determination of the diffusion parameters of three dialkylphthalates

A programmed temperature technique has been developed for the measurement of the self-diffusion coefficients of additives in polymers. This has been applied to the diffusion of three dialkylphthalate plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride). Values of the self-diffusion coefficients and the calculated activation energies obtained in this way have been compared with values previously obtained from measurements at constant temperature. It has been shown that the programmed temperature technique gives a very rapid method for the estimation of the activation energy of self-diffusion.     

Effect of surface free energy on the adhesion of biofouling and crystalline fouling

Pipelines and heat exchangers using seawater as coolant suffer from biofouling. Biofouling not only reduces heat transfer performance significantly, but also causes considerable pressure drop, calling for higher pumping requirements. It would be much more desirable if surfaces with an inherently lower stickability for biofouling could be developed. In this paper, a cost-effective autocatalytic graded Ni-Cu-P-PTFE composite coating with corrosion-resistant properties was applied to reduce biofouling formation. The experimental results showed that the surface free energy of the Ni-Cu-P-PTFE coatings, which were altered by changing the PTFE content in the coatings, had a significant influence on the adhesion of microbial and mineral deposits. The Ni-Cu-P-PTFE coatings with defined surface free energy reduced the adhesion of these deposits significantly. The anti-bacterial mechanism of the composite coatings was explained with the extended DLVO theory.     

The role of the surface free energy in the selection of a suitable excipient in the course of a wet-granulation method

Pellets containing metronidazole were produced in a centrifugal granulator, with hydroxypropylcellulose (Klucel LF®) as binding agent, and corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose (Vivapur 101®) and lactose as excipients. The wettability of the pharmaceutical powders was assessed by means of contact angle measurements, and the dispersive and polar surface energies were determined. The spreading coefficients, the work of adhesion and the work of cohesion were calculated and correlated with the pellet properties (friability, bulk and tapped density, and porosity). The aim was to investigate the role of the surface free energy of one- and two-component powder compositions in pellet production. The interactions between the particles were found to be connected with the measured pellet parameters. It was concluded that, in the course of the growth of the pellets, the particle sizes of the pharmaceutical powders and the interactions between them are important. If the work of cohesion of the binder is lower than the work of cohesion of the substrate and the work of adhesion, then the optimal amount of the binding agent is that which coats the particles uniformly in minimal quantity and in continuous layer.     

聚硅氧烷-丙烯酸酯共聚物互改性产物的表面特性

通过测定参照液体在固体表面的接触角，计算固体的表面能及固体／液体接触体系的粘附功，考查了聚硅氧烷-丙烯酸酯共聚物互改性产物的表面特性及其对粘接性能影响。     

The Interlaminar Bond Strength of Flexible Polymer-Metal Laminates

An alternative test method to the traditional 180° “T” peel test has been developed for the measurement of interlaminar bonding in three-ply (polyester/aluminium/polypropylene) flexible-packaging, laminate materials. The new test is thought to involve mixed mode I (opening) and mode II (shearing) failure, and takes into account the yielding of the polypropylene layer during testing. The method allows more direct comparisons between materials to be made, and allows the measurement of strong bonds, where a peel test would result in yield or fracture of the substrate arms before debonding.     

Thermodynamic Criteria for the Maximum and Minimum Strength of Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials

The overall performance and reliability of composite materials are, in most cases, dependent upon the behaviour of the reinforcement-matrix interface, particularly upon its ability to transfer stress.

A theory for predicting thermodynamic conditions for the maximum and zero-adhesion at the reinforcement-matrix interface is tested in this paper, based on experimental data. Proposed is a model of the relationship between mechanical properties of composite materials (tensile strength, flexural strength, Young's modulus and impact resistance) and energetic properties of matrix and reinforcement expressed by the energy ratio a = γ_l/γ₂.     

Numerical Analysis of the Constrained Blister Test

The constrained blister test is investigated through finite element analysis to determine the applicabilities and the limitations of the new technique. Numerical results confirm that the strain energy release rate asymptotically approaches a constant value. These results also show that the test technique and the approximate solution for strain energy release rate are applicable for some practical cases.     

An evaluation of commercial nickel catalysts during hydrogenation of soybean oil

The activities of several commercial nickel catalysts were determined by measuring their activation energies. Among these catalysts, G95E, Resan 22, Nysosel 222 and 325, all with low activation energy, were more active than DM3 and G95H, which had higher activation energy. However, the less active catalysts increased the linoleate selectivity of soybean oil during hydrogenation. The yields of bothtrans isomers and winterized oil were higher for the more selectively hydrogenated oil catalyzed by the less active catalysts. In the sensory evaluation, the fractionated solid fat that contained moretrans isomers was lower in flavor scores than the fractionated liquid oil after hydrogenation and winterization of soybean oil.     

Transitions of saturated monoacid triglycerides: Modeling conformational change at glycerol during α→β′→β transformation

The glycerol region geometry of modeled saturated monoacid triglycerides was altered by bond rotations and minor angle distortions to convert theoretical α-forms into bent β′- and β-forms. Direct α to β conversion involves lateral disruption of fatty chain packing to generate side-chain character typical of the β-form. Such disruption, which could contribute to fat bloom, allows additional molecular movement and shifts in molecular mechanics energy (MME) that may approximate thermal changes observed by differential scanning calorimetry during α to β transformations. Energy calculations at 100 points throughout each transformation identified plausible conversion routes. A two-stage conversion, α to either of two stereospecific β′-forms bent at glycerol followed by subsequent conversion to β, showed less chain movement and more favorable MME than direct α to β conversion. The preferred path, based on energy profiles of each conversion, involves a β′-D form and rotation of carbonyl to α-carbon bonds in chain #2 and a side chain (chain #3).     

Thermoelectric properties of SbNCa3 and BiNCa3 for thermoelectric devices and alternative energy applications

Thermoelectric properties of two antiperovskites SbNCa₃ and BiNCa₃ are calculated using first principles calculations. High values of Seebeck coefficients are observed for these materials. Electrical and thermal conductivities are also calculated. Increase in thermal conductivity and decrease in electrical conductivity are found with increasing temperature. The maximum values of thermal conductivity are 92×10¹⁴  W/m K s and 88×10¹⁴  W/m K s for SbNCa₃ and BiNCa₃ respectively at a temperature of 900 K. The peak values of 5×10²⁰/Ω m s and 5.2×10²⁰/Ω m s are achieved for n-type SbNCa₃ and BiNCa₃ respectively at a temperature of 300 K. Figure of merit is achieved for these materials at room temperature which shows that these materials can be useful for thermoelectric devices and alternative energy sources.