scholarly journals Effect of Natural Rubber in Polyethylene Composites on Morphology, Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Mastalygina ◽  
Ivetta Varyan ◽  
Natalya Kolesnikova ◽  
Maria Isabel Cabrera Gonzalez ◽  
Anatoly Popov

Compounding natural additives with synthetic polymers allows developing more eco-friendly materials with enhanced biodegradability. The composite films based on low-density polyethylene (PE) with different content of natural rubber (NR) (10–30 wt%) were investigated. The influence of NR content on structural features, water absorption and mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The 70PE/30NR composite is characterized by the uniform distribution and the smallest size of NR domains (45 ± 5 μm). A tensile test was satisfied by the mechanical properties of the biocomposites, caused by elasticity of NR domains. The tensile strength of 70PE/30NR composite film is 5 ± 0.25 MPa. Higher water absorption of PE/NR composites (1.5–3.7 wt%) compared to neat PE facilitates penetrating vital activity products of microorganisms. Mycological test with mold fungi and full-scale soil test detected the composite with 30 wt% of NR as the most biodegradable (mass loss was 7.2 wt% for 90 days). According to infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, NR consumption and PE structural changes in the biocomposites after exposure to soil occurred. The PE/NR composites with enhanced biodegradability as well as satisfied mechanical and technological properties have potential applications in packaging and agricultural films.

2017 ◽  
Vol 737 ◽  
pp. 287-293
Author(s):  
Sudsiri Hemsri ◽  
Patthamas Bunsripirat ◽  
Punnakit Nakkarat

Wheat gluten (WG) plastics are inherently brittle and sensitive to water. In this research, wheat gluten was blended with epoxidized natural rubber containing 50 mol% epoxide group (ENR-50) to improve flexibility and water resistance of WG plastics. Three plasticizers (i.e. glycerol (Gly), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were used to enhance polymer chain mobility and process ability of WG phase in the blends. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to evaluate plasticizing efficiency of plasticizers on WG. The DSC result revealed that an excellent plasticizer for WG was glycerol which could remarkably reduce glass transition temperature (Tg) of WG. Furthermore, effect of plasticizer types and contents (0, 10, 20 and 30wt% with respect to protein weight) on morphology, mechanical properties and water absorption of the WG/ENR blends was investigated. It was found that an enhancement in ductility and impact strength of the blends was observed with increasing plasticizer content. Among the plasticized WG/ENR blends, the glycerol-plasticized blend provided better homogenous morphology and superior results in tensile and impact properties. On the other hand, the Gly-plasticized WG/ENR blend showed a low water resistance compared with the blends plasticized with PEG and DOP as well as the unplasticized WG/ENR blend.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 2158
Author(s):  
Nanci Vanesa Ehman ◽  
Diana Ita-Nagy ◽  
Fernando Esteban Felissia ◽  
María Evangelina Vallejos ◽  
Isabel Quispe ◽  
...  

Bio-polyethylene (BioPE, derived from sugarcane), sugarcane bagasse pulp, and two compatibilizers (fossil and bio-based), were used to manufacture biocomposite filaments for 3D printing. Biocomposite filaments were manufactured and characterized in detail, including measurement of water absorption, mechanical properties, thermal stability and decomposition temperature (thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA)). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to assess the fracture area of the filaments after mechanical testing. Increases of up to 10% in water absorption were measured for the samples with 40 wt% fibers and the fossil compatibilizer. The mechanical properties were improved by increasing the fraction of bagasse fibers from 0% to 20% and 40%. The suitability of the biocomposite filaments was tested for 3D printing, and some shapes were printed as demonstrators. Importantly, in a cradle-to-gate life cycle analysis of the biocomposites, we demonstrated that replacing fossil compatibilizer with a bio-based compatibilizer contributes to a reduction in CO2-eq emissions, and an increase in CO2 capture, achieving a CO2-eq storage of 2.12 kg CO2 eq/kg for the biocomposite containing 40% bagasse fibers and 6% bio-based compatibilizer.


Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Tan Yi ◽  
Minghui Qi ◽  
Qi Mo ◽  
Lijie Huang ◽  
Hanyu Zhao ◽  
...  

Composite films of polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) were prepared by adding thermoplastic starch (TPS) (TPS/PBAT) and nano-zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) (TPS/PBAT/nano-ZnO). The changes of surface morphology, thermal properties, crystal types and functional groups of starch during plasticization were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, synchronous thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrometry, mechanical property tests, and contact Angle and transmittance tests. The relationship between the addition of TPS and the tensile strength, transmittance, contact angle, water absorption, and water vapor barrier of the composite film, and the influence of nano-ZnO on the mechanical properties and contact angle of the 10% TPS/PBAT composite film. Experimental results show that, after plasticizing, the crystalline form of starch changed from A-type to V-type, the functional group changed and the lipophilicity increased; the increase of TPS content, the light transmittance and mechanical properties of the composite membrane decreased, while the water vapor transmittance and water absorption increased. The mechanical properties of the composite can be significantly improved by adding nano-ZnO at a lower concentration (optimum content is 1 wt%).


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-143
Author(s):  
S. A. Awad

Abstract This paper aims to describe the thermal, mechanical, and surface properties of a PVA/HPP blend whereby the film was prepared using a solution casting method. The improvements in thermal and mechanical properties of HPP-based PVA composites were investigated. The characterization of pure PVA and PVA composite films included tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of TGA and DSC indicated that the addition of HPP increased the thermal decomposition temperature of the composites. Mechanical properties are significantly improved in PVA/HPP composites. The thermal stability of the PVA composite increased with the increase of HPP filler content. The tensile strength increased from 15.74 ± 0.72 MPa to 27.54 ± 0.45 MPa and the Young’s modulus increased from 282.51 ± 20.56 MPa to 988.69 ± 42.64 MPa for the 12 wt% HPP doped sample. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that at elevated temperatures, enhanced mechanical properties because of the presence of HPP was even more noticeable. Morphological observations displayed no signs of agglomeration of HPP fillers even in composites with high HPP loading.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 3962
Author(s):  
Abdul Shakoor Shar ◽  
Caili Zhang ◽  
Xieqing Song ◽  
Yunxuan Weng ◽  
Qiuyue Du

Polymer/clay composites are an innovative class of materials. In this study, we present a facile method for the preparation of biodegradable and robust PLA/organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) composite films with excellent gas barrier performance. When the design of PLA/OMMT composite films, in addition to making OMMT have good intercalation effect in the matrix, the compatibility of intercalating polymer and matrix should also be considered. In this work, two polymers with high gas barrier properties, namely poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), were selected to intercalate OMMT. The morphology and microstructures of the prepared PLA/PVA/OMMT and PLA/EVOH/OMMT composites were characterized by the X-ray diffraction measurement, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was shown that the good dispersibility of PVA in the PLA matrix, rather than the intercalation effect, was responsible for the improved gas barrier and mechanical properties of PLA/PVA/OMMT composite. The elongation at break increases from 4.5% to 22.7% when 1 wt % PVA is added to PLA/OMMT. Moreover, gas barrier of PLA/PVA1/OMMT measured as O2 permeability is 52.8% higher than that of neat PLA. This work provides a route to intercalate OMMT interlayer with high gas barrier polymers and thus can be a useful reference to fabricate PLA/OMMT composites with improved gas barrier and mechanical properties. A comparison of oxygen permeabilities with existing commercial packaging films indicates that the biodegradable PLA/PVA/OMMT may serve as a viable substitute for packaging film applications.


Author(s):  
Hesham Moustafa ◽  
Soma El-Mogy ◽  
Saber A. Ibrahim ◽  
Anhar Awad ◽  
Nabila A. Darwish

ABSTRACT In this study, eggshell (ES) wastes were used as a renewable reinforcing material in natural rubber (NR) composite to limit carbon production. Long bio-alkyd resin (LAR) was also used to envelope the inorganic ES particles and to aid in dispersing the filler in the NR matrix. The effect of the coated ES filler (ESR) in the rubber mix on the morphology, mechanical properties, and swelling was investigated. The ES filler and its biocomposites were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared imaging microscope (FT-IR-IM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphological data reveal that the resin enhances the dispersion of the ES filler in the NR matrix. These data were confirmed by the results obtained from FT-IR-IM. The swelling and mechanical properties were significantly improved when the coated filler was used in NR matrix, especially at 20 wt.% ESR. DSC thermograms revealed that the increase in the resin caused the glass transition temperature (Tg) to be shifted to a lower temperature. The obtained results show that the bioenveloping ESR can be used as potential alternative for green tire and vehicle applications rather than conventional petroleum-based filler.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Muñoz ◽  
J. A. García-Manrique

In the context of sustainable development, considerable interest is being shown in the use of natural fibres like as reinforcement in polymer composites and in the development of resins from renewable resources. This paper focuses on eco-friendly and sustainable green composites manufacturing using resin transfer moulding (RTM) process. Flax fibre reinforced bioepoxy composites at different weight fractions (40 and 55 wt%) were prepared in order to study the effect of water absorption on their mechanical properties. Water absorption test was carried out by immersion specimens in water bath at room temperature for a time duration. The process of water absorption of these composites was found to approach Fickian diffusion behavior. Diffusion coefficients and maximum water uptake values were evaluated; the results showed that both increased with an increase in fibre content. Tensile and flexural properties of water immersed specimens were evaluated and compared to dry composite specimens. The results suggest that swelling of flax fibres due to water absorption can have positive effects on mechanical properties of the composite material. The results of this study showed that RTM process could be used to manufacture natural fibre reinforced composites with good mechanical properties even for potential applications in a humid environment.


Tribologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 278 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Aneta NIEMIEC

The article presents the results of research on the impact of structural changes in polyether ether ketone (PEEK) on its mechanical properties. The polymer was exposed to gamma radiation at a dose of 50 and 150 kGy, and the radiation energy was 4 MeV. Changes in the degree of crystallinity and the related changes in the glass transition and melting temperature for the polymer were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mechanical properties were determined using the micro-mentoring method. The tests showed a change in the degree of crystallinity in the range of several degrees and a significant increase in the glass transition temperature. In terms of mechanical properties, the reduction of hardness and Young’s modulus was observed. Observed changes, especially in terms of changes in the structure of the polymer under the influence of radiation, are difficult to explain, which requires conducting further research, especially in the range of irradiation parameters used. Further research is important because PEEK is used in many fields, especially in conditions conducive to corrosion and the influence of radiation.


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