Effect of ultrasound on the morphology and properties of polypropylene/inorganic filler composites

The effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the rheology, structure, and properties of PP/inorganic filler composites were studied. Scanning electron microscopy showed that ultrasound increased the orientation degrees of acicular fillers to the flow direction. WAXD indicated that ultrasound vibration induced sheet fillers orient with its surface perpendicular to the direction of the ultrasound vibration. The orderly rearrangements of fillers in the polymer melt induced by ultrasound vibration can reduce the steric hindrances in the flow field and increase the flowability of the PP/inorganic filler composites. The effect of ultrasound on reducing the apparent viscosities is very prominent, especially at lower shear rate. Ultrasound has an even more marked effect on reducing the apparent viscosities of composites containing fillers of larger size. With ultrasound vibration, the mechanical properties of the composites are also improved because of the orientation and uniform dispersion of fillers in the matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1553–1560, 2005     

Paste extrusion of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): Surface tension and viscosity effects

The effects of the lubricant physical properties on the processing of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine powder resins are studied. Lubricants having different surface tension and viscosity were used; the two properties changed independently. These effects were studied by using dies of various contraction angle and reduction ratio for resins having a variety of molecular architecture. It was found that the wettability (surface tension) of the lubricant strongly affects the pressure needed to extrude the PTFE pastes. The viscosity of the lubricant was also found to play a significant role in the process since a lubricant with a low viscosity causes the paste to be extruded at a lower pressure. These effects of the physical properties on the extrusion pressure influence significantly the mechanical properties of the final extrudates. The latter are functions of the degree of fibrillation, which is significantly influenced by the wettability and viscosity of lubricants. Finally, the effects of die geometry on extrusion pressure and mechanical properties of extrudates were also assessed in order to determine the geometrical characteristics and operation conditions for the optimization of the process.     

In situ formation and compounding of polyamide 12 by reactive extrusion

The anionic polymerization of lauryllactam was initiated at 270°C using sodium hydride as an initiator and N,N′‐ethylene‐bisstearamide (EBS) as an activator (NaH:EBS molar ratio of 2). Polymerization occurred in less than 2 min and was successfully performed in an internal mixer and a twin‐screw extruder with corotating intermeshing screws (Werner & Pfleiderer ZSK 25). The content of residual monomer, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis, was lower than 0.5 wt %. Molecular weight, as measured by size exclusion chromatography, was governed by the lauryllactam:NaH molar ratio calculated on a M_n of 25 kg/mol at a constant NaH:EBS molar ratio of 2. Blends were prepared in situ by polymerization of lauryllactam solutions of various polymers. When poly(ethylene‐co‐butylacrylate) (Lotryl®; Atofina) was dissolved in lauryllactam, rubber‐toughened polyamide 12 blends were obtained. Mechanical properties of the injection‐molded polymers were examined by stress–strain as well as notched Charpy impact tests at different temperatures. Blend morphologies were imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 344–351, 2003     

Al2TiO5-ZrTiO4-ZrO2 Composites: A New Family of Low-Thermal-Expansion Ceramics

The characterization and properties of ceramic composites containing the phases Al₂TiO₅, ZrTiO₄, and ZrO₂ are described. The range of compositions investigated gives very low average thermal expansions (α_24–1000°C as low as −2.0 × 10⁻⁶°C⁻¹) and excellent high-temperature stability. The low thermal expansions are apparently due to a combination of microcracking by the titanate phases and a contractive phase transformation by the ZrO₂. The crystal chemistry and microstructure of the product are processing dependent. Although the composites represent a complex microcracking system, the low thermal expansions and high-temperature stability make them potential candidates for commercial applications requiring thermal shock resistance.     

Thermoplastic extrusion—the mechanism of the formation of extrudate structure and properties

Systems processed by thermoplastic extrusion can be regarded as heterophase polymer melts of incompatible water-plasticized biopolymers. In the process of thermoplastic extrusion, proteins and polysaccharides are melted at high pressure and temperature below the temperature region of their thermal decomposition. Dispersed particles of these systems can be deformed in flow. The mixed-melt anisotropic structure, formed in flow, is fixed by rapid conversion of the melt jet that lets the extruder die from a viscous state to a rubber-like state and then to a glassy state caused by cooling and drying. Incompatibility of proteins and polysaccharides in their water-plasticized melt mixtures impacts on structure formation and texturization during thermoplastic extrusion. Presented at the 20th ISF World Congress and 83rd AOCS Annual Meeting and Expo, May 10–14, 1992, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.     

400kt／a硫铁矿制酸装置挖潜扩能改造

介绍400 k t/a硫铁矿制酸装置的挖潜改造。通过调整工艺技术指标,增加少量设备和催化剂,将硫酸装置的生产能力从400 k t/a提高到450 k t/a,改造后各项技术经济指标均达到要求,2005年第1季度实现利润1 479万元,取得了明显的经济效益。     

辐照改性聚丙烯拉伸流变行为及其挤出发泡的研究

通过在线形聚丙烯中加入双官能团丙烯酸酯类单体,经小剂量γ射线高能辐照,制备了高熔体强度聚丙烯,研究了其拉伸流变行为及其在挤出发泡方面的应用。Rheotens拉伸流变测试表明,辐照改性后由于形成了长支化分子结构,聚丙烯的熔体强度、拉伸黏度显著提高,具有明显的应变硬化特征。实验表明,ZnO可明显降低AC发泡剂分解温度,缓和分解放热;在辐照改性制备的高熔体强度聚丙烯中加入AC／ZnO复合发泡剂,可挤出发泡得到泡孔尺寸较为均一、分布均匀、具有闭孔结构的发泡材料。     

Effect of degree of polymerization on gelation and flow processability of poly(vinyl chloride)

The effect of degree of polymerization (DP) on the gelation and flow processability of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was studied. Sheets with adjusted degree of gelation were prepared by rolling rigid pipe formulation suspension PVC compounds with DPs of 800, 1050 and 1300 by changing the milling temperature. Their degrees of gelation were measured with DSC and their capillary flow properties were measured with a capillary rheometer at 150, 170 and 190°C and the effect of DP on the relation between gelation and flow processabilities was studied. Because of the higher shearing heat during milling, the sample with the higher DP had a higher history temperature and thus tended to show a higher degree of gelation. The viscosity increased as the gelation increased. The dependency of viscosity on DP was higher at higher milling and extrusion temperatures and thus at a higher degree of gelation and a lower shear rate. This was assumed to be attributed to the more prominent uniform molecular flow as against the particle flow. The die swell increased with increasing the milling and extrusion temperatures and hence with increasing the gelation. A sample with a lower DP tended to show a larger die swell and this tendency was even more pronounced at the higher extrusion temperature. The melt fracture easily occurred when a sample with advanced gelation was extruded at low temperature. Whereas at low milling temperatures a sample with the lower DP showed a lower critical shear rate at onset of melt fracture, and thus easily generating melt fracture, at high milling temperatures it showed a higher critical shear rate and hence scarcely generated melt fracture. These experimental results were explained by the fact and concept that a sample with a lower DP shows a higher increase in the gelation during extrusion and/or the slighter feature of particle flow as against the uniform molecular flow at the same gelation level. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1915–1938, 2004     

Thermal Expansion of Solid Solutions in the ZrTiO4—In2O3—M2O5 (M = Sb, Ta) System

Axial and dilatometric thermal expansions and phase transformations were studied for solid solutions having the α-PbO₂ structure in the ZrTiO₄—In₂O₃—M₂O₅ (M = Sb, Ta) system with nominal formulas of Zr _x Ti _y In _z Sb _z O₄ and Zr _x Ti _y In _z Ta _z O₄ where x + y + 2 z = 2. With increased substitution of z , the cell volume increased, the difference in the b parameters at room temperature between those quenched from 1400° and 1000°C decreased, and the thermal expansion decreased. The axial thermal expansion of ZrTi _y In _z · Ta _z O₄ with z = 0.3 was almost identical with that of HfTiO₄, and those with z = 0.4 and z = 0.45 were smaller than that of HfTiO₄. Unit-cell volumes of these compound were compared with those of single oxides to make it clear that the unit-cell volume of ZrTiO₄ was small anomalously and to distinguish the normal and abnormal substitution systems. These results were explained by the working hypothesis proposed for these compounds.     

Melt‐spinning process of a tetrafluoroethylene– hexafluoropropylene copolymer

An industrial melt‐spinning process of tetrafluoroethylene– hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP) using an extruder was studied. The novel “spinneret,” having both a large‐diameter spinning nozzle and a high‐temperature vessel, was used to solve the problem of filament breakage on the spinning line caused by high melting viscosity of FEP. The extruder, with its long feed zone, was newly designed to function with a geared pump. The strength of fibers increased with drawing of as‐spun fiber. FEP fibers up to six denier were continuously produced through long‐run production. According to this new process, FEP fibers can be supplied for textile or industrial application. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2366–2371, 2002