R. js Meri

The effect of nanosize ZnO on the properties of the selected polymer blend composites

In the current research the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the structure and properties of common thermoplastic polymers (polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), ethylene--octene copolymers (EOC)) and their binary blends is investigated. EOC content in the composites varies from 0 to 50 wt. %. The amount of nanostructured ZnO filler in the composites is changed in the interval from 0 to 5 wt. %. Tensile and frictional properties of ZnO modified nanocomposites are investigated. Results of the investigation show that ZnO additions cause increment in stiffness and strength as well as coefficient of friction of the investigated nanocomposites. The effect of ZnO modifier is the highest at low EOC content. The effect of ZnO is strongly dependent on the compatibility and crystallinity of the investigated nanocomposites.

Impact of non-functionalized and ionic liquid modified carbon nanotubes on mechanical and thermal properties of ethylene- octene copolymer nanocomposites

In this article the development and characterization of composites made from metallocene based ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) with 38% octene content, non-modified or modified multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), covalently functionalised with long chain hexadecyl moiety imidazolium ionic liquid (IL-f-MWCNTs), is presented. The procedure of MWCNTs functionalization is discussed. In order to obtain a good dispersion of the filler, composites with MWCNTs and IL-f-MWCNTs in the concentration range of 0.5-12 wt.% were made by ultrasonication / thermoplastic mixing method. The results indicated improvement in mechanical properties with increase of the filler content. The methodology of the development of EOC matrix nanocomposites with IL-f-MWCNTs showed advantages of the conductive material creation with high mechanical stiffness compared to direct melt mixing of EOC with non-modified MWCNTs. A notable enhancement of thermal stability was observed in case of both pristine MWCNTs and IL-f-MWCNTs containing EOC nanocomposites, which was attributed to scavenging action of the nanofiller. Modification of EOC with IL-f-MWCNTs showed somewhat increased efficiency in enhancing overall thermal stability of the composites because of better dispersion of the nanofiller due to compatibilizing effect of IL modifier.

Structure, micromechanical and magnetic properties of polycarbonate nanocomposites

The current study evaluates the applicability of polycarbonate (PC) for development of magnetic polymer nanocomposites with CoFe2O4 nanofiller, the amount of which was changed from 0 to 5 wt. %. Ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer in the amount of 10 wt. % was added as toughener. Upon introduction of the magnetic filler a magnetic hysteresis loop was observed: at 5 wt.% of CoFe2O4 saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite was 2,2 emu/g, remanent magnetization was 0,8 emu/g and coercivity is 1200 G. Nanoindentation tests showed that nanofiller-reinforced samples maintain reasonable plasticity characterized by work of plastic indentation, while their modulus and hardness were improved by up to 14% and 20%, correspondingly. Structural study revealed clustering of the nanofiller at the contents above 2 wt.% that led to reduction of strengthening effect.

Thermal stability of polyacetal/ethylene-octene copolymer/zinc oxide nanocomposites

In this work we investigate binary blends of polyoxymethylene and ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) and their composites with nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO). EOC content in the composites varies from 0 to 50 wt. %. The amount of ZnO filler in the composites is changed in the interval from 0 to 5 wt. %. Thermal properties of composites are investigated with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. It is observed that ZnO addition increases thermal stability of the investigated composites.

Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Melt-Processed Polyethylene Terephthalate/Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites for Thermoelectric Materials

Nanocomposites with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) mixed in a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) matrix were prepared by the melt processing method. Some mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the composites in relation to MWCNT concentration in them were investigated, and the results obtained are presented graphically.

Elastic properties of UV irradiated polyethylene-octene copolymer composites with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT Polyethylene-octene copolymer (E38) is melt compounded with carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOH) in the presence of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PEgMA). The effects of CNT-COOH in the amount of 1–10 wt. % on the mechanical properties of E38 based composite are investigated. It is revealed that addition of CNT-COOH considerably increases the stiffness and mechanical strength of the E38 based composites. The effect of UV irradiation on the structure as well as on the mechanical properties of E38/PEgMA/CNT-COOH composites is also investigated. Results of the investigation testify that UV resistance of the E38 based composites increases by increasing the content of CNT-COOH.

Modified silyl-terminated polyether polymer blends with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether epoxy for adhesive applications

Modified silyl-terminated polyether polymer (MS Polymer) was blended with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBPA) epoxy at MS Polymer/epoxy ratio from 30/70 to 70/30. MS Polymer/epoxy systems were examined for two-component adhesive formulation with additional fillers. Applicability of the MS Polymer/epoxy system at the ratio of the components 60/40 is demonstrated for the development of adhesive formulation. Rheological analysis of the components A and B shows suitable viscosity values for development of two- component adhesives formulation. Curing dynamics as well as tensile stress-strain properties and Shore A hardness of the chosen adhesive formulation are reasonable for the development of MS Polymer/epoxy type adhesive.

Rheological, mechanical and adhesion properties of two component adhesive based on modified silyl terminated polyether polymer and epoxy resin

4 types of two component adhesives based on modified silyl-terminated polyether polymer (MS Polymer) and epoxy resin are formulated. Rheological and mechanical properties as well as weathering resistance of the developed adhesives are investigated. It is shown that curing times vary in a wide range depending on the type of MS Polymer. It is also demonstrated that kinetics of cross-linked network formation of the investigated adhesives, depending on the type of MS Polymer, considerably affects mechanical characteristics of the system: Shore A hardness, tensile strength and tensile elongation. Although under the influence of UV weathering mechanical properties of the investigated systems are decreased, the remaining tensile elongation values are not less than 30%. In parallel it is revealed that adhesive formulations, developed in the framework of this research, are most suitable for bonding with stainless steel, partially suitable for bonding with aluminium and less suitable for bonding with polyvinyl chloride.

Properties of PP/MWCNT-COOH /PP composites made by melt mixing versus solution cast /melt mixing methods

An approach on improvement of the properties of polypropylene / carbon nanotube (PP/CNT) composites is reported. PP blend compositions with carboxylic acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) at filler content 1.0 wt.% were researched. One part of the composites was manufactured by direct thermoplastic mixing PP with the filler, but the other one was made from solution casted masterbatch with the following thermoplastic mixing. An increase of mechanical properties (Youngs modulus, storage modulus and tensile strength), compared to an increase of glass transition temperature indicated a reinforcement effect of CNTs on PP matrix, determined from the tensile tests and differential mechanical analysis (DMA), while the elongation was reduced, compared to PP matrix. By differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the effect of nanofiller on the reorganization of PP crystallites was observed. A noticeable enhanced effect on increase of the crystallization temperature was indicated for masterbatch manufactured composite. An increase of thermal stability was also observed, compared to pristine PP and the composite made by direct thermoplastic mixing PP with the filler.

Mechanical and thermomechanical properties of radiation modified poly(ethylene-octene)/Ni-Zn ferrite nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene-1-octene) copolymer (POE) composites filled with nickel-zinc ferrite nanoparticles have been modified by exposure to an electron beam at doses up to 500 kGy. The influence of radiation dose and ferrite content on mechanical properties has been investigated. Thermomechanical properties – thermorelaxation stresses formed in thermal heating and thermo residual stresses resulting in the process of full setting and cooling of materials have been investigated for radiation cross-linked oriented (extended up to 100%) composite samples. Increase of concentration of ferrite particles and increase of radiation dose affects a notable increase of elastic modulus and reduces the deformability in comparison to entire elastomer. Improvement of thermomechanical properties especially at low irradiation doses (100–150 kGy) have been detected for composites with increase of ferrite filler content up to 5 wt. %. It was found that gel content of POE increased up to 85% for pristine POE material with increase of irradiation dose up to 500 kGy due to the formation of cross-linked structure, increase of filler concentration up to 5 wt. % affect reduction in gel fraction due to uniform dispersion in amorphous (ethylene and substituted with hexyl branches) POE phases.