Jasenka Jelenčić

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Immiscible SAN/EPDM Blends Filled by Nano Filler

The compatibilizing effect of nano sized calcium carbonate filler on immiscible blends of styrene-co-acrylonitrile/ethylene propylene diene (SAN/EPDM) was examined. The surface energy of the calcium carbonate was modified by stearic acid. The compatibility of SAN/EPDM blends was studied by following the glass transition temperature T g by DSC. SEM was used to observe the blend morphology and the X-ray analyzer was used to detect the calcium from filler in samples. Mechanical properties of the blends were determined, and related to changes of polymer-filler interactions and morphology. The results suggest that the morphology of the SAN/EPDM blends studied was affected by the reduction of surface energy of the filler.

Characterization of the natural rubber vulcanizates obtained by different accelerators

Abstract Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) is one of the most commonly used accelerators in natural rubber latex technology because of the properties of the corresponding vulcanizates. Many studies using this accelerator have shown the presence of carcinogenic nitrosamines and therefore its unsuitability for the production of some goods. The possibility of the substitution of the accelerator zinc diethyldithiocarbamate with zinc mercaptobenzothiazole, diphenylguanidine, or their combination, in the vulcanization of NR latex films was investigated. Four series of films were prepared by sulphur vulcanization, changing the accelerator and accelerators concentration in a latex composition. The data covering the estimation of the network structure through crosslink density and distribution of different crosslink types, mechanical properties, and resistance to heat and ozone degradation are presented. The influence of the type and concentration of accelerators on these properties of vulcanized films was considered. The results show that the combination of accelerators zinc mercaptobenzothiazole/diphenyl-guanidine may be regarded as a proper substitute for zinc diethyldithiocarbamate as far as good film properties are desirable.

Influence of the network on the interaction parameter in system EPDM vulcanizate-solvent

Swelling measurements in six organic solvents were carried out on samples of dicumyl peroxide crosslinked ethylene–propylene–diene (EPDM) having various crosslink densities. The Flory–Huggins interaction parameter χ was determined for EPDM vulcanizates 312 and 812 as well as their mixture 312/812 using the Flory–Rehner equation. The results show that the χ parameter for the crosslinked polymer is greater than for the uncrosslinked one and is a linear function of the crosslink density. The swelling behavior of the networks were also interpreted by the Flory–Erman theory using the structural factor F4′ to characterize the network and its behavior during the swelling. The obtained χ values indicate that broadening of the molecular mass distribution, in the Gaussian region of distribution, mixture 312/812, increases interactions with solvents.

Change of network structure of natural rubber vulcanizate with thermal aging

The effect of sulfur accelerators during the curing process in natural rubber (NR) was investigated. The samples were prepared by adding the same fraction of various types of accelerators in the compound and all samples were cured at the same temperature but for two different times. Determination of the molecular massbeween crosslinks immediately after vulcanization shows the crosslink density in the samples, which differs for different accelerators. After that, the same samples undergo thermal aging and the changes of the crosslink dinsity were studied. During the first period of thermal aging, additional crosslink were observed and then a period of deterioration of the network structure is following. From the obtained relults of the molecular mass between crosscan be drawn about the most suitable accelerator for use in certain conditions and applications. To predict the behavior of vulcanizates under various effects as heat and radiation, it is important to know more about the chemical structure of the network. The changes of crosslink density in the investigated samples were followed by eqiomobrium swelling and by mechanical measurements. IR spectroscopy was used to study the changes of the crosslink bridges. The influence of aging time on the maximum tensile strength, for NR vulcanizates cured 5 min.

Study of the Compatibilizer Effect on Blends Prepared from Waste Poly(ethylene-terephthalate) and High Density Polyethylene

Abstract In this work mechanical recycling of waste poly(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET) in the presence of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was studied. The fraction of HDPE in PET/HDPE blends was 3, 5, 6 and 10 wt.%. Isocyanate HI compatibilizer was first synthesized and then added to the blends at a fraction of 5 wt.%. Ethylene-propylene-diene masterbatch (EPDM-M) was prepared by mixing and added in fraction of 15, 30 and 50 wt.%. All PET/HDPE blends studied were characterized by scanning electron microscopy SEM, differential scanning calorimetry DSC and melt flow rate (MFR). Blends prepared with isocyanate HI compatibilizer were also studied by FTIR spectroscopy. Appearance of new vibrations in the FTIR spectra confirms that during the blending reactions between isocyanate HI compatibilizer and blend components appear. Results show that used compatibilizers significantly improved compatibility of polymers in studied blends. From the results it is obvious that immiscibility of PET and HDPE can be overcome.

The surface energy as an indicator of miscibility of SAN/EDPM polymer blends

Surface properties of blends prepared of styrene-acrylonitrile and ethylene-propylene-diene changing the homopolymer proportions and compatibilized by high impact polystyrene have been studied by contact angle measurement. The surface free energy of interphase of homopolymers pairs, work of adhesion, and wetting coefficient were calculated using Wu’s geometric mean method and the total surface free energy and acid–base components of the blends by using van Oss, Good and Chaudhury method. Blends were also characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis and by scanning electron microscopy. The miscibility of studied blends was estimated through changes of surface free energy, energy of interface and through the shifts of glass transition temperature and changes in morphology. From the results, it can be seen that added compatibilizer reduces the interface energy and provides more homogenous system by interfacial segregation and rearrangements of molecules at the blend surface. The results of morphological observations reveal that the addition of a small percentage of compatibilizer decreases the domain size of the dispersed phase and enhances the compatibility of the blends.

Effect of preparation on morphology-properties relationships in SAN/EPDM/PCC composites

Mechanical and morphological properties of composites containing styrene—acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer, ethylene— propylene—diene (EPDM) polymer, and different types of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) were investigated and their properties were analyzed in regard to PCC surface properties and the way of sample preparation (with or without use of a masterbatch (MB)). Contact angles of test liquids on PCC samples were measured in order to determine surface free energies of filler and to predict strength of filler—polymer interactions. Filler—polymer interactions play a significant role in determining preferential localization of the filler in the composite. The tensile and impact strength results of the composites without the MB show much higher values than composites prepared with the MB. Significant decrease of tensile strength is observed for the samples prepared with the MB due to change in morphology, which is elongated dispersed EPDM particles in SAN matrix, compared to the samples prepared without the MB that have droplet morphology.

Reactive Extrusion of SAN/EPDM blends

Abstract The blending of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) and three different types of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) by reactive extrusion was studied and the free radical initiators: 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-(t-butylperoxy)hexane (Luperco 101 XL), 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-(t-butylperoxy)hexyne-3 (Luperco 130 XL), α,α′-di(t-butylperoxy)diisopropyl-benzene (Peroximon F40) and 2,2-azo-di-(2-acetoxy)propane (Luazo AP) were used. Besides, structural characteristics of the obtained blends, some rheological and mechanical properties were also established. The rheological behavior was determined using rheometer and corotating extruder. Measurements of mechanical properties included: tensile strength, impact strength and elongation at break have been made. Blends were separated on its structural components SAN, EPDM, graft (EPDM-g-SAN) and gel content, which were further characterized by solution viscosimetry and IR spectrophotometry. The obtained results elucidate the reactions that occur during extrusion process. The dominant grafting reaction was observed in blends prepared by using a Peroximon F40 as an initiator also showing outstanding mechanical and processing characteristics.

Study of masterbatch effect on miscibility and morphology in PET/HDPE blends

The present work studies the morphology in poly(ethylene-terephthalate)/polyethylene (PET/HDPE) polymer blends and its impact on blend properties. Mixing process in blend preparation is the important parameter for the type of obtained blend morphology and final blend properties, so two different mixing processes were used. In the first one, all components are mixed together while another one includes two step mixing procedure using two different types of masterbatch as compatibilizers for PET/HDPE system. Such blends can be considered in terms of PET polymer recycling in the presence of HDPE impurities in order to find suitable compatibilizers, which will enhance the interactions between these two polymers and represents the possible solution in recycling of heterogeneous polymer waste. The morphology of the studied PET/HDPE blends was inspected by scanning electron microscopy to examine the influence of the mixing process and various compositions on blends morphology, and interactions between PET and HDPE. The surface properties were characterized by contact angle measurements. The effect of the extrusion on the samples thermal behaviour was followed by DSC measurements. FTIR spectroscopy was used for the determination of interactions between blend constituents. It can be concluded that the type of mixing process and the carefully chosen compatibilizer are the important factors for obtaining the improved compatibility in PET/HDPE blends.

Thermal decomposition of fire-retarded high-impact polystyrene and high-impact polystyrene/ethylene–vinyl acetate blend nanocomposites followed by thermal analysis

Blend nanocomposites of high-impact polystyrene and ethylene–vinyl acetate at a ratio of 3:1, with the addition of aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)3 and diphenyl 2-ethylhexyl phosphate (DPO) as fire retardants (FRs) and silica (SiO2) nanofiller were prepared by extrusion. Thermal decomposition, mechanism and kinetics of degradation of the studied samples were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The fire-retarded samples were characterized by following the degradation kinetics obtained from TGA data by recording the samples at four different heating rates. That enables us to determine one of the kinetic parameters, activation energy (E a) of thermal decomposition. The effect of high concentration of FRs on morphology and properties of the studied samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and mechanical properties. The obtained results show that the FRs delay thermal decomposition, particularly in combination with SiO2 nanofiller, which significantly contributes to slowing down the degradation process.