scholarly journals HDPE Geomembranes for Environmental Protection: Two Case Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8682
Author(s):  
Fernando Luiz Lavoie ◽  
Clever Aparecido Valentin ◽  
Marcelo Kobelnik ◽  
Jefferson Lins da Silva ◽  
Maria de Lurdes Lopes

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes have been used for different applications in engineering including sanitation, such as landfills and waste liquid ponds. For these applications, the material can be exposed to aging mechanisms as thermal and chemical degradation, even to UV radiation and biological contact, which can degrade the geomembrane and decrease the material’s durability. This paper aims to present an experimental evaluation of two exhumed HDPE geomembranes, the first was used for 2.75 years in a sewage treatment aeration pond (LTE sample) and another was used for 5.17 years in a municipal landfill leachate pond (LCH sample). Physical and thermal analyses were used such as thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanic analysis (DMA). The thermogravimetric analyses showed significant changes in the LCH sample’s thermal decomposition probably caused by the interaction reactions between the polymer and the leachate. For the DSC analyses, the behavior seen in the LTE sample was not observed in the LCH sample. In the DMA analyses, the behavior of the LTE sample storage module shows which LCH sample is less brittle. The LTE sample presented low stress cracking resistance and low tensile elongation at break, following the DMA results.

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-68
Author(s):  
A. Chelli ◽  
L. Hemmouche ◽  
H. Ait-Sadi ◽  
D. Trache ◽  
M. Benziane ◽  
...  

Abstract The use of nano composites in elastomer blends gives outstanding mechanical properties compared to the use of micro and macro composites, even with very low nano filler content. In this paper, we studied the influence of varying proportions of natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) reinforced with nano silica on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the rubber. Mechanical characterizations were carried out with hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, modulus and toughness. For thermal analyses, we used differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In most cases, the increase in the percentage of NBR with the presence of nano silica enhances hardness, modulus and toughness, however, it reduces tensile strength, tear strength and elongation at break. It was found that nano silica has a catalytic effect on the mixture, and NBR has a catalytic effect on the decomposition of NR.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 845-851
Author(s):  
Alina Elena Coman ◽  
Augusta Raluca Gabor ◽  
Cristian Andi Nicolae ◽  
Valentin Raditoiu ◽  
Gheorghe Hubca ◽  
...  

The topic of this paper refers to the influence of the plasticizer and the processing mode upon the characteristics of the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites. Thereby, in this study two types of industrial plasticizers were used to highlight their influence upon the properties of final composites. The employed lubricant was stearic acid, the most common and cheapest additive used in the industry for cables manufacturing. For economic reasons, calcium carbonate of 2 m size was used as reinforcing agent. Further on, two sets of samples were prepared, targeting the influence of the processing mode upon the properties of final composites. Beside the structure (by FT-infrared), thermal behavior (thermal analyses and differential scanning calorimetry) and mechanical properties (dynamic mechanical analyses, tensile strength and elongation at break) of PVC composites, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and the overall morphology of the samples were also investigated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-587
Author(s):  
Alina Elena Coman ◽  
Augusta Raluca Gabor ◽  
Sergiu Stoian ◽  
Cristian Andi Nicolae ◽  
Valentin Raditoiu ◽  
...  

The composition of electrical wires and cables is of critical importance in controlling fire risks. In this respect, polyvinylchloride (PVC) composites are extensively used. Yet, PVC composites are multiple systems in which the final properties depend on the nature and size of the reinforcement or flame-retardant agent and the type of lubricant used for their preparation. Thereby, in this study two series of PVC composites, with stearic acid and calcium stearate as lubricants were prepared in parallel, and additivated with various commercial minerals as reinforcement/flame retardant agents, such as calcium carbonate, alumina trihydrate (ATH) and HMH (a mineral of hydromagnesite and huntite). Following the structure (by FT-infrared), thermal behavior (thermal analyses and differential scanning calorimetry) and mechanical properties (dynamic mechanical analyses, tensile strength and elongation at break) of PVC composites, the flame-retardant effect of the selected minerals was investigated by measuring the limiting oxygen index (LOI). Only ATH and HMH-based composites presented higher flame-resistance, relative to the control samples, making them suitable for the proposed application. The contact angle was evaluated for determining the hydrophobicity of composites when using ATH or HMH, to get an opinion about the stability of the materials in moist environments. Finally, SEM was used to determine the homogeneity of PVC samples.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-133
Author(s):  
Fernando Luiz Lavoie ◽  
Marcelo Kobelnik ◽  
Clever Aparecido Valentin ◽  
Érica Fernanda da Silva Tirelli ◽  
Maria de Lurdes Lopes ◽  
...  

The present work evaluated two high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes exhumed from mining facility constructions in Brazil. The MIN sample was exhumed from a pond for water use for the iron ore process after 7.92 years of exposure. The MIN2 sample was exhumed from a spillway channel of a ferronickel tailing dam after 10.08 years of service. The physical evaluations showed high depletion for antioxidants that work in the temperature range of 200 °C. The samples presented brittle tensile behavior and had similar behaviors between stress cracking and tensile. Low tensile elongation values and low-stress crack resistance were noted. The MIN2 sample presented a higher melt flow index (MFI) value and lower stress crack resistance. Thermogravimetric curves (TG) under synthetic air purge gas evaluation showed that both samples presented a similar behavior during the evaluation but had several mass losses. The results showed that exothermic and endothermic events occurred with loss of mass and showed no combustion events in the differential thermal analysis (DTA) curve evaluation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed no changes in the samples’ behavior. Thus, the results of tensile, stress cracking, and viscosity properties can demonstrate that changes in polymer structure occurred after field exposures.


Author(s):  
Mariane Beatriz Sordi ◽  
Ariadne Cristiane Cabral da Cruz ◽  
Águedo Aragones ◽  
Mabel Mariela Rodríguez Cordeiro ◽  
Ricardo de Souza Magini

The aim of this study was to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate degradation and biocompatibility of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) + hydroxyapatite / β-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA+HA/βTCP) scaffolds incorporating simvastatin (SIM) to verify if this biomaterial might be promising for bone tissue engineering. Samples were obtained by the solvent evaporation technique. Biphasic ceramic particles (70% HA, 30% βTCP) were added to PLGA in a ratio of 1:1. Samples with SIM received 1% (m:m) of this medication. Scaffolds were synthesized in a cylindric-shape and sterilized by ethylene oxide. For degradation analysis, samples were immersed in PBS at 37 °C under constant stirring for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Non-degraded samples were taken as reference. Mass variation, scanning electron microscopy, porosity analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry were performed to evaluate physico-chemical properties. Wettability and cytotoxicity tests were conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility. Microscopic images revealed the presence of macro, meso, and micropores in the polymer structure with HA/βTCP particles homogeneously dispersed. Chemical and thermal analyses presented very similar results for both PLGA+HA/βTCP and PLGA+HA/βTCP+SIM. The incorporation of simvastatin improved the hydrophilicity of scaffolds. Additionally, PLGA+HA/βTCP and PLGA+HA/βTCP+SIM scaffolds were biocompatible for osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells. In summary, PLGA+HA/βTCP scaffolds incorporating simvastatin presented adequate structural, chemical, thermal, and biological properties for bone tissue engineering.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Loreana C. Gallo ◽  
Noelia L. Gonzalez Vidal ◽  
Fabio F. Ferreira ◽  
María V. Ramírez-Rigo

Abstract Background Sulbactam pivoxil is an irreversible β-lactamase inhibitor that can be used with β-lactam antibiotics to improve antibacterial therapy by the oral route. Relevant properties of this drug for pharmaceutical manufacturing are not available in the open literature. In this work, a solid-state characterization of sulbactam pivoxil at the molecular, particle, and bulk levels was performed. Results Particles exhibited a mean diameter of about 350 μm, irregular shape crystals, and good flow properties. This work presents for the first time the crystal structure of this β-lactamase inhibitor obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis. Fourier-transform infrared results showed the characteristic bands of aliphatic hydrocarbons and ester groups. The differential scanning calorimetry curve exhibited a sharp endothermic peak at 109 °C corresponding to sulbactam pivoxil melting. The thermogravimetric curve revealed a mass loss at 184 °C associated with a decomposition process. This powder showed a moisture content of 0.34% and a water activity of 0.463. Potential interactions between sulbactam pivoxil and common pharmaceutical excipients were evaluated by thermal analysis. The endothermic peak and the enthalpies of melting were preserved in almost all the analyzed mixtures. Conclusion The powder was constituted by micro-sized crystals of sulbactam pivoxil that had suitable physicochemical properties for processing in controlled humidity environments. Thermal analyses suggested that sulbactam pivoxil is compatible with most of the evaluated excipients. The information obtained in the present study is relevant for the development, manufacturing, and storage of formulations that include sulbactam pivoxil.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-388
Author(s):  
Khalid Saeed Khalid Saeed ◽  
Tariq Shah and Ahmad Hassan Tariq Shah and Ahmad Hassan

Effect of graphene nanoplates (GNPs) on the properties of Nylon 6,6 (Nyl 6,6) is investigated in present study. The morphological studies presented that the GNPs were dispersed inside the Nyl 6,6 matrix. The thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) illustrated that the thermal degradation of nanocomposites samples were started at the range of 350-393 oC, which was appreciably higher than neat Nyl 6,6 (360 oC). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses revealed that the crystallization temperature (Tc) of GNPs/Nyl 6,6 increased as increased the addition of GNPs, which might be due to the nucleation effect of GNPs. The mechanical properties of Nyl 6,6 was enhanced by incorporation of GNPs upto the addition of an optimal quantity of filler (5%wt GNPs) into the polymer matrix. The stress yield and Young’s modulus of 5%wt GNPs/Nyl 6,6 was 96.79 and 1.54, N/nm2, respectively. Both Nyl 6,6 and nanocomposites samples were also used for the adsorption of Neutral red chloride (NRC) dye, which significantly remove the dye from the aqueous solution. The neat nylon 6,6 and GNPs (5 and 10 wt%)/Nyl 6,6 adsorbed about 88.49, 93.15, and 93.60% within 2 h, respectively.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Vienna Saraswaty ◽  
Rossy Choerun Nissa ◽  
Bonita Firdiana ◽  
Akbar Hanif Dawam Abdullah

THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RECYCLED-PLASTIC PELLETS OBTAINED FROM DISPOSABLE FACE MASK WASTES. The government policy to wear a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased disposable face mask wastes. Thus, to reduce such wastes, it is necessary to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of disposable face masks wastes before the recycling process and the recycled products. In this study, physicochemical characterization of the 3-ply disposable face masks and the recycled plastic pellets after disinfection using 0.5% v/v sodium hypochlorite were evaluated. A set of parameters including the characterization of surface morphology by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), functional groups properties by a fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal behavior by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile strength and elongation at break were evaluated. The surface morphological of each layer 3-ply disposable face mask showed that the layers were composed of non-woven fibers. The FT-IR evaluation revealed that 3-ply disposable face mask was made from a polypropylene. At the same time, the DSC analysis found that the polypropylene was in the form of homopolymer. The SEM analysis showed that the recycled plastic pellets showed a rough and uneven surface. The FT-IR, tensile strength and elongation at break of the recycled plastic pellets showed similarity with a virgin PP type CP442XP and a recycled PP from secondary recycling PP (COPLAST COMPANY). In summary, recycling 3-ply disposable face mask wastes to become plastic pellets is recommended for handling disposable face mask wastes problem.


Author(s):  
Nicola Bowler ◽  
Shuaishuai Liu

Aging mechanisms of two polymeric insulation materials that are used widely in nuclear power plant low-voltage cables; cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene propylene rubber/ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPR/EPDM), are reviewed. A summary of various nondestructive methods suitable for evaluation of cable insulation is given. A capacitive sensor capable of making local nondestructive measurements of capacitance and dissipation factor on cable polymers, and potentially suitable for in situ cable monitoring, is introduced.Correlating values of elongation-at-break, indenter modulus, capacitance and dissipation factor measured on a set of 47 aged flame-resistant EPR samples shows a higher correlation between indenter modulus and dissipation factor than between indenter modulus and elongation-at-break.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil S Suresh ◽  
Smita Mohanty ◽  
Sanjay K Nayak

The current investigation deals with the recycling possibilities of poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(methyl methacrylate) in the presence of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. Recycled blends of poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) are successfully formed from the plastic constituents, those are recovered from waste computer products. However, lower impact performance of the blend and lower stability of the poly(vinyl chloride) phase in the recycled blend restricts its further usage in industrial purposes. Therefore, effective utilisation acrylonitrile butadiene rubber in a recycled blend was considered for improving mechanical and thermal performance. Incorporation of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber resulted in the improvement in impact performance as well as elongation-at-break of the recycled blend. The optimum impact performance was found in the blend with 9 wt% acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, which shows 363% of enhancement as compared with its parent blend. Moreover, incorporated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber also stabilises the poly(vinyl chloride) phase present in the recycled blend, similarly Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies indicate the interactions of various functionalities present in the recycled blend and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. In addition to this, thermogravimetric analysis indicates the improvement in the thermal stability of the recycled blend after the addition of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber into it. The existence of partial miscibility in the recycled blend was identified using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy.


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