Márcia Christina Amorim Moreira Leite

Caracterização mecânica e morfológica de compósitos de polipropileno e fibras de coco verde: influência do teor de fibra e das condições de mistura

Polypropylene composites containing 10, 20 and 30% in volume of green coconut fiber were prepared in a Haake chamber at various processing temperatures and shear rates. The flexural modulus and morphological characteristics of the composites were evaluated and compared with pure polypropylene. Optimization experiments indicated that a temperature of 170 °C, shear rate of 60rpm and green coconut fiber content of 30% showed the best properties by flexural modulus. These observations were confirmed by a morphology analysis.

Preparation of composite materials containing iron in a cross-linked resin host based on styrene and divinylbenzene

Iron composite materials based on styrene/divinylbenzene network hosts were produced using aqueous suspension polymerization. The effects of different kinds of porogen agent, toluene, toluene/n-heptane mixture or a toluene solution of polyphenyleneoxide on the bulk density, swelling in toluene and ferromagnetic properties of these materials were evaluated. The specific area and average porous diameter of network resins were characterized by BET and BJH methods, while the iron content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The morphology of the composites was studied by both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. All the spherical beads, irrespective of their sizes, have agglomerated iron particles located only on their surface. The particles have exhibited ferromagnetic behavior, with a coercivity of 328.69 Oe. The porogen agents used affect the iron particle distribution on the bead surfaces.

Efficiency of light-emitting diode and halogen units in reducing residual monomers.

INTRODUCTION In this in-vitro study, we aimed to compare the residual monomers in composites beneath brackets bonded to enamel, using a light-emitting diode (LED) or a halogen unit, and to compare the residual monomers in the central to the peripheral areas of the composite. METHODS Twenty bovine teeth preserved in 0.1% thymol were used in this study. Ten teeth were used to standardize the thickness of the composite film, since different thicknesses would cause different absorbance of light. Brackets were bonded to 10 bovine incisors, with the halogen light (n = 5) and the LED (n = 5). The brackets were debonded, and the remaining composite on the enamel surface was sectioned in 2 regions: peripheral (0.8 mm) and central, resulting in 2 subgroups per group: central halogen (n = 5), peripheral halogen (n = 5), central LED (n = 5), and peripheral LED (n = 5). The spectrometric analysis in the infrared region was used to measure the free monomers with the attenuated total reflectance method. RESULTS Normal distribution was tested by using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Data were compared by 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P <0.05. The LED group showed fewer residual monomers than did the halogen group (P = 0.014). No differences were found among the regions (P = 0.354), and there were no interactions between light type and region (P = 0.368). CONCLUSIONS LED leaves less residual monomer than does the halogen light, even with half of the irradiation time; there were no differences between the central and peripheral regions, and no interaction between light type and region.

Avaliação da biodegradação de compósitos de poli(ε-caprolactona)/fibra de coco verde

Biodegradable polymers such as poly (e-caprolactone) (PCL) have received increasing attention. New properties are achieved when these polymers are used in composites with natural fibers. Several methods exist for the chemical modification of the fiber to improve adhesion to the polymer matrices. This work deals with the biodegradation in simulated soil of PCL/coconut fiber composites (before and after fiber chemical modification by acetylation - reaction) with the evaluation of mass loss and morphology. Infrared spectroscopy has shown the efficiency of fiber acetylation. The composites buried in simulated soil presented weight loss. The degradation of the samples was confirmed by the morphology modification observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Microscopy analysis. The thermal properties analyzed with Differential Scanning Calorimetry have shown differences in the crystallinity content of the matrix with the fiber incorporation.

Nanocompósitos de Poliamida 6 e Argila Organofílica: Estudo da Cristalinidade e Propriedades Mecânicas

Nanocomposites of polyamide 6 and Claytone 40 organoclay were prepared with the melt intercalation technique using an internal mixer chamber coupled with roller type rotors. The addition of increasing amounts of Claytone 40 into the PA6 matrix was evaluated for the degree of dispersion, crystallinity, thermal and mechanical properties. The compositions were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical properties. The diffraction patterns and microscope images suggest the formation of partially exfoliated or intercalated structures, which was associated with an increase in stress values and elastic modulus. The comparison of DSC and XRD results from the mixtures revealed changes in the behavior of crystalline structures, thus indicating that the PA6 crystallinity is correlated with the mechanical properties.

Pirólise de resíduos poliméricos gerados por atividades offshore

Solid wastes from oil and gas offshore exploration and production activities, after characterization of polymeric classes and thermal identification analysis tests, were pyrolysed under an inert atmosphere at 450 °C. The pyrolysis oil was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) gas chromatography mass spectrometry (CG/EM), indicating high generation of paraffin, olefines and aromatics.

Analysis of networks based on styrene and divinylbenzene containing iron anchored using variable pressure scanning electron microscopy

There is great demand for the development of composite materials containing small metal or metal oxides particles, owing to their variable properties and wide application. However, microscopic evaluation of these materials using high‐vacuum scanning electron microscopy is difficult because the samples must undergo a series of preparation steps to reach a high image quality and to avoid becoming shrunk inside the microscope vacuum chamber. Thus, in this study, we used variable pressure scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the morphology and iron distribution on the surface of magnetic microspheres based on poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene). These materials were obtained by suspension copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene in the presence of fine iron particles. Energy‐dispersive X‐rays were also used to analyse distribution of the iron particles. The results indicate that, under the conditions used, magnetic microspheres with a relatively narrow size distribution were formed. Moreover, the micrographs show that agglomerated iron particles appeared only on the microsphere surface.

Nitrile rubber and carboxylated nitrile rubber resistance to soybean biodiesel

Biodiesel has been considered a suitable substitute for petroleum diesel, but their chemical composition differs greatly. For this reason, biodiesel interacts differently than petroleum diesel with various materials, including rubbers. Therefore, the resistance of some elastomers should be thoroughly evaluated, specifically those which are commonly used in automotive industry. Nitrile rubber (NBR) is widely used to produce vehicular parts that are constantly in contact with fuels. This paper aimed to assess the resistance of carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) with 28% of acrylonitrile content to soybean biodiesel in comparison with non-carboxylated nitrile rubber samples, with high and medium acrylonitrile content (33 and 45%). NBR with medium acrylonitrile content showed little resistance to biodiesel. However, carboxylated nitrile rubber even with low acrylonitrile content had similar performance to NBR with high acrylonitrile content.

CHAPTER 23:Life Cycle Analysis, Ageing and Degradation Behaviour of Natural Rubber Based Blends and IPNs

Polymeric materials have the potential to generate a significant impact on the environment throughout their life cycle, including depletion of finite, non-renewable resources and generation of solid waste. Therefore, it is essential to identify more sustainable ways of using and managing polymers. Thus, it becomes quite important to evaluate the ageing and degradation of these polymers. The purpose of the present chapter is to give an overview of recent works carried out in the field of life cycle analysis, ageing and degradation of natural rubber based blends and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs).