Radmila Ž. Radičević

Preparation and Thermal Stability of Elastomers Based on Irregular Poly(urethane-isocyanurate) Networks

The objective of this study was to investigate the thermal stability of poly(urethane-isocyanurate) networks with increasing amount of dangling chains. In order to improve thermal stability of elastomeric materials, networks were prepared by adding some heat resistant isocyanurate rings as a junction points by catalytic cyclotrimerisation of telechelic diisocyanates. The thermal degradation kinetics of samples has been studied by means of high-resolution thermal analyzer SDT Q600 TA Instruments, under nitrogen atmosphere. The activation energy for the two step reactions of thermal decomposition of different species was calculated and compared.

The Properties of Dangling Chain-Networks Prepared by Cyclotrimerisation of Telechelic Diisocyanates

Here, as part of our experimental investigations dealing with poly(urethane-isocyanurate) networks, we investigate model irregular networks with increasing amount of dangling chains. In our study such an irregular network topology was obtained by partial substitution of a diol for a monohydroxy component during the preparation of isocyanate terminated precursors. Telechelic diisocyanates were synthesized from aromatic diisocyanate (2,4-TDI), α,ω-dihidroxypoly (oxypropylene) (PPG 2000), and diethyleneglycolmonomethylether (an aliphatic low-molecularweight monool component). The networks in undiluted state were prepared by cyclotrimerisation, in the presence of a catalyst. The network properties were estimated by multiple extraction in solvent, differential scanning calorimetry and photoelastical measurements. Independently of mechanical testing, the fraction and concentration of dangling and elastically active network chains were evaluated by the theory of branching processes (cascade theory). The influence of dangling chains on the mechanical properties was analyzed.

The Effect of Nucleants on the Crystallization Behavior of Isotactic Polypropylene

In the present work, the crystallization of isotactic polypropylene by adding three different kinds of nucleating agents (pyromellitic dianhydride, NaCl, SiO2) has been studied. The glass transition temperatures were determined using DSC and DMA method. The crystallinity indices of isothermally crystallized polypropylene were derived from DSC and wide-angle x-ray diffraction measurements. The influence of crystallization temperature on the size of crystallites and the relative amount of thermodynamically less stable -crystalline form was estimated by the x-ray analyses.

Primena veštačkih neuronskih mreža za matematičko modelovanje uticaja sastava i uslova proizvodnje na svojstva PVC podnih obloga

The application of PVC floor coverings is strongly connected with their end-use properties, which depend on the composition and processing conditions. It is very difficult to estimate the proper influence of the production parameters on the characteristics of PVC floor coverings due to their complex composition and various preparation procedures. The effect of different processing variables (such as time of bowling, temperature of bowling and composition of PVC plastisol) on the mechanical properties of PVC floor coverings was investigated. The influence of different input parameters on the mechanical properties was successfully determined using an artificial neural network with an optimized number of hidden neurons. The Garson and Yoon models were applied to calculate and describe the variable contributions in the artificial neural networks. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 45022]

Modification of epoxy resins with thermoplastic segmented polycarbonate-based polyurethanes

In this work, epoxy hybrid materials were synthesized by addition of thermoplastic segmented aliphatic polyurethanes with good elastic properties. The modified epoxy samples were obtained by curing of previously homogenized mixture of prepared polyurethane melts, epoxy resin and crosslinking agent Jeffamine D-2000. The influence of different weight content of polyurethanes (5, 10 and 15 wt. % compared to pure epoxy resin) as well the influence of different hard segments of elastomers (20, 25 and 30 wt. %) on the curing of modified epoxy systems was studied. The curing was followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in dynamic regime from 30 to 300°C, at three heating rates (5, 10 and 20°C/min). With the increase of hard segments content of polyurethanes added in higher concentration (10 and 15 wt. %) into epoxy matrix, the temperature of maximum ratio of curing was shifted to lower values (from 205 to 179°C). Obtained DSC data were analyzed using two integral methods (Ozawa-Flynn-Wall and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose) and one differential kinetic model (Friedman). The significant differences were observed in the second part of the epoxy curing (for the reaction degrees higher than 60 %), where the values of activation energies remarkably increase. The addition of polyurethane elastomers retarded the curing process due to decreased mobility of reactant molecules caused by higher viscosity of reaction mixture. By detailed analysis of determined kinetic parameters, it is concluded that the influence of slow diffusion is more pronounced in the presence of thermoplastic polycarbonate-based polyurethanes, which confirmed their effect on the mechanism of epoxy curing. The highest tensile strength and hardness showed the DGEBA modified with the polyurethane with highest hard segment content. Increasing the hard segment content of polyurethane and its concentration in matrix, the tensile strength of modified epoxy was increased. The elongation at break of modified epoxy samples was significantly improved by addition of polycarbonate-based polyurethanes with low hard segment content, due to higher content of flexible soft segment chains. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 45022), i Pokrajinski Sekretarijat za nauku i tehnoloski razvoj (projekat 114-451-2396/2011-01). Autor iz Praga duguje zahvalnost „the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic“ (Czech Science Foundation, project No. P108/10/0195).]

Synthesis and curing of alkyd enamels based on ricinoleic acid

A combination of an alkyd resin with a melamine-formaldehyde resin gives a cured enamel film with the flexibility of the alkyd constituent and the high chemical resistance and hardness of the melamine resin at the same time. The melamine resin is a minor constituent and plays the role of a crosslinking agent. In this paper, alkyd resins of high hydroxyl numbers based on trimethylolpropane, ricinoleic acid and phthalic anhydride were synthesized. Two alkyds having 30 and 40 wt% of ricinoleic acid were formulated by calculation on alkyd constant. Alkyds were characterized by FTIR and by the determination of acid and hydroxyl numbers. Then synthesized alkyds were made into baking enamels by mixing with melamine-formaldehyde resins (weight ratio of 70:30 based on dried mass). Two types of commercial melamine resins were used: threeisobutoxymethyl melamine-formaldehyde resin (TIMMF) and hexamethoxymethyl melamine resin (HMMMF). Prepared alkyd/melamine resin mixtures were cured in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) under non-isothermal mode. Apparent degree of curing as a function of temperature was calculated from the curing enthalpies. Kinetic parameters of curing were calculated using Freeman-Carroll method. TIMMF resin is more reactive with synthesized alkyds than HMMMF resin what was expected. Alkyd resin with 30 wt% of ricinoleic acid is slightly more reactive than alkyd with 40 wt% of ricinoleic acid, probably because it has the high contents of free hydroxyl and acid groups. The gel content, Tg, thermal stability, hardness, elasticity and impact resistance of coated films cured at 150°C for 60 min were measured. Cured films show good thermal stability since the onset of films thermal degradation determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is observed at the temperatures from 281 to 329°C. Films based on alkyd 30 are more thermal stable than those from alkyd 40, with the same melamine resin. The type of alkyd resin has no significant effect on the gel content and the hardness of film. Hardness of cured film increases with increasing of Tg. The values of the films elasticity are satisfied for all prepared samples and are independent on the type of alkyd or melamine resin. The impact resistances of coated films are very high.

Morphology and viscoelastic properties of sealing materials based on EPDM rubber

In this applicative study, the ratio of active and inactive filler loadings was the prime factor for determining the dynamic–mechanical behaviour of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubbers. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the structure of reinforced dense and microcellular elastomeric materials. The effects of filler and blowing agent content on the morphology of composites were investigated. Microcellular samples cured in salt bath show smaller cells and uniform cell size compared with samples cured in hot air. Dynamic–mechanical thermal analysis showed appreciable changes in the viscoelastic properties by increasing active filler content, which could enable tailoring the material properties to suit sealing applications.