Filler Particles (filler + particle)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Conductivity and Methanol Permeability of Nafion,Zirconium Phosphate Composite Membranes Containing High Aspect Ratio Filler Particles,

FUEL CELLS, Issue 4 2009
M. Casciola
Abstract Gels of exfoliated ,-zirconium phosphate (ZrPexf) in dimethylformamide (DMF) were used to prepare Nafion/ZrPexf composite membranes with filler loadings up to 7,wt.-% by casting mixtures of Nafion 1100 solutions in DMF and suitable amounts of 2,wt.-% ZrP gels in DMF. TEM pictures showed that the ZrPexf particles had aspect ratio of at least 20. All samples were characterised by methanol permeability (P) and through-plane (,thp) and in-plane (,inp) conductivity measurements at 40,°C and 100% RH. The methanol permeability of Nafion membranes containing in situ grown ZrP particles with low aspect ratio (Nafion/ZrPisg) was also determined. The methanol permeability and the swelling behaviour of the composite membranes turned out to be strongly dependent on the filler morphology. As a general trend, both permeability and swelling decreased according to the sequence: Nafion/ZrPisg > Nafion > Nafion/ZrPexf. The maximum selectivity (,thp/P,=,1.4,×,105,S,cm,3,s) was found for the membrane filled with 1,wt.-% ZrPexf: this value is seven times higher than that of Nafion. For the Nafion/ZrPexf membranes, the ratio ,inp/,thp increases with the filler loading, thus indicating that the preferred orientation of the ZrP sheets is parallel to the membrane surface. [source]


Correlation of Ultrastructure with Mechanical Properties of Nano-Hybrid Dental Composites,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 10 2009
Lena Schmitt
Determination of mechanical properties of nano-hybrid dental composites leads to strong correlation to material's ultrastructure. Not only does total filler content in percentage of weight affect the mechanical properties, but the combination of optimal filler size and shape with homogeneous distribution of filler particles and an optimal amount of different sized fillers in finally cured dental composites lead to desired mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties. [source]


The amount of newly formed bone in sinus grafting procedures depends on tissue depth as well as the type and residual amount of the grafted material

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
Zvi Artzi
Abstract Objectives: Bone replacement substitutes are almost unavoidable in augmentation procedures such as sinus grafting. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the osteoconductive capability of two different scaffold fillers in inducing newly formed bone in this procedure. Material and Methods: Sinus floor augmentation and implant placement were carried out bilaterally in 12 patients. Bovine bone mineral (BBM) was grafted on one side and , -tricalcium phosphate (, -TCP) on the contralateral side. Both were mixed (1:1 ratio) with autogenous cortical bone chips harvested from the mandible by a scraper. Hard tissue specimen cores were retrieved from the augmented sites (at the previous window area) at 12 months. Decalcified sections were stained with haematoxylin,eosin and the fraction area of new bone and filler particles was measured. In addition to the effect of the filler on new bone formation, the latter was tested to determine whether it correlated with the tissue depth and residual amount of the grafted material. Results: Bone area fraction increased significantly from peripheral to deeper areas at both grafted sites in all cores: from 26.0% to 37.7% at the , -TCP sites and from 33.5% to 53.7% at the BBM-grafted sites. At each depth the amount of new bone in BBM sites was significantly greater than that in TCP sites. However, the average area fraction of grafted material particles was similar in both fillers and all depth levels (, -TCP=27.9,23.2% and BBM=29.2,22.6%, NS). A significant negative correlation was found between bone area fraction and particle area fraction at the middle (p=0.009) and deep (p=0.014) depths in the , -TCP sites, but not at the BBM sites. Conclusion: At 12 months post-augmentation, the two examined bone fillers, , -TCP and BBM, promoted new bone formation in sinus grafting but the amount of newly formed bone was significantly greater in BBM-grafted sites. However, both exhibited similar residual grafted material area fraction at this healing period. This could imply that BBM possesses better osteoconductive properties. [source]


Aggregation of Fillers Blended into Random Elastomeric Networks: Theory and Comparison with Experiments

MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 16 2006
Mustafa M. Demir
Abstract Summary: A theoretical model describing aggregation of filler particles in amorphous elastomers is proposed. The model is based on a counting technique originally used in genome analysis to characterize the size and distribution of overlapping segments randomly placed on a DNA molecule. In the present model, the particles are first assumed to aggregate randomly upon mixing into the elastomer and their sizes are calculated. The sizes and distributions of aggregates are also studied in the presence of attractive interparticle forces. Results of the proposed model are compared with experimental data on silica-filled end-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks. Comparison of the theory and experiment shows that the random aggregation assumption where no attractive forces exist between the particles is not valid and a significant attraction between the silica particles is needed in the theory to justify the experimental data obtained using atomic force microscopy. For filler content below 1.45 vol.-%, the model agrees, qualitatively, with experiment and shows the increase in cluster size with increasing amount of filler. It also explains the increase in the dispersion of aggregate sizes with increasing amount of filler. Clustering of the primary silica particles in an imaginary volume of poly(dimethylsiloxane) network. [source]


Acrylic Bone Cements Modified With Bioactive Filler

MACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Issue 1 2009
Carlos Federico Jasso-Gastinel
Abstract Bioactive cuttlebone Sepia officinalis particles that contain collagen were used to fill poly (methyl methacrylate- co -styrene) bone cements, varying size and concentration of filler particles. Cuttlebone was characterized by X-ray diffraction and plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer. Maximum reaction temperature and cement setting time were determined for composites and reference (copolymer without filler), along with NMR determination of residual monomer concentration. Mechanical properties characterization included stress-strain, bending, compression, fracture toughness and storage modulus tests. Mechanical results for composites filled with 10 and 30% weight of cuttlebone, complied with norm requirements which opens the possibility for using cuttlebone particles as bioactive filler. [source]


Structure and dynamics of silica-filled polymers by SANS and coherent SAXS

MACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Issue 1 2002
Erik Geissler
Random crosslinking in elastomers gives birth to local variations in the crosslink density. When the network is swollen in a low-molecular-weight solvent, competition between the osmotic pressure and the local elastic constraints transforms these variations into differences in polymer concentration, the range and amplitude of which can be measured by small-angle X-ray or neutron scattering (SAXS or SANS). In filled systems, the distribution both of the polymer and of the elastic constraints is modified. By varying the proportion of deuterated solvent in the network, the scattering function of the polymer can be distinguished from that of the filler using SANS. Such measurements yield not only the internal surface area of the filler particles but also the fraction of that surface in contact with the polymer. The recently developed technique of quasi-elastic SAXS detects slow dynamic processes at wave vectors larger than those accessible with visible light lasers. This technique is used to investigate the dynamics of filler particles in uncrosslinked polymer melts. It is directly shown that the structural reorganization process of the filler following an external mechanical perturbation is diffusion-controlled. [source]


Rheological behavior of LDPE/CaCO3 blends containing EAA

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 9 2009
Aiqin Dong
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) filler particles were surface treated with organic titanate (TTS), a coupling agent. The composites were prepared by blending low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with the surface-modified fillers at various weight ratios. Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) was added to improve the adhesion of LDPE to fillers. A capillary rheometer was used to evaluate rheological properties of the LDPE/CaCO3/EAA blends. The blends were shown to be pseudoplastic with shear thinning behavior. When CaCO3 was modified by TTS (<2 wt%), the viscosity of the blends decreased quickly, and, addition of a small amount of EAA (<6 wt%) could also decrease the viscosity of the blends. The thermal behavior of these materials is evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The addition of a small amount of EAA and TTS enhances the stabilization of the blends, which could be explained by the "ball belling" action. The effects of temperature, TTS content, CaCO3 granule size, and content on the rheological property were also studied. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


The effect of interface characteristics on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of three-component polymer alloys

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 3 2002
I. Fisher
The effect of interfacial characteristics on the structure-property relationships of ternary polymer alloys and blends comprising polypropylene (PP), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and glass beads (GB) or fibers (GF) was investigated. The systems studied were based on a binary PP/EVOH immiscible blend, representing a blend of a semi-crystalline apolar polymer with a semi-crystalline highly polar copolymer. The ternary systems studied consisted of filler particles encapsulated by EVOH, with some of the minor EVOH component separately dispersed within the PP matrix. Modification of the interfacial properties was done using silane coupling agents for the EVOH/glass interface and compatibilization using a maleic anhydride grafted PP (MA-g-PP) for the PP/EVOH interface. Both glass fillers increased the dynamic modulus and decreased the damping of the neat polymers and of their binary blends, especially in the rubbery region. GF has a more profound effect on both the modulus and the damping. Glass surface treatments and compatibilization have only a marginal effect on the dynamic mechanical behavior of the ternary blends. Yet, compatibilization shifted the polymers' TgS to higher temperatures. Both glass fillers increased the elastic modulus of the binary blends, where GF performed better than GB as a reinforcing agent. GF slightly increased the strength of the binary blends while, GB reduced it. Both fillers reduced the ductility of the binary blends. The blends' mechanical properties were related to the morphology and their components' crystallinity. The compatibilizer increases both stiffness and strength and reduces deformability. [source]


Mechanical properties of recycled polyethylene ecocomposites filled with natural organic fillers

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 9 2006
F.P. La Mantia
The use of natural organic fillers in addition to postconsumer recycled polymers is getting a growing interest during the last years; this is due to many advantages they can provide in terms of cost, aesthetic properties, environmental impact. In this work, several types of wood flour (differing each other with regard to production source and particle size) were added to a recycled polyethylene coming from films for greenhouses and the effects of filler type, content, and size were investigated. Investigation was then focused on the improvement of mechanical properties, through the addition of polar copolymers (ethylene- co -acrylic acid, ethylene-vinyl acetate) and a maleic anhydride-grafted-grafted polyethylene (Licocene® PE MA 4351 TP), in order to try to overcome the poor adhesion between polar filler particles and nonpolar polymer chains. Investigation was also based on SEM micrographs. An overall positive influence of these additives was observed. Polym. Eng. Sci. 46:1131,1139, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source]


Melt processing effects on the structure and mechanical properties of PA-6/clay nanocomposites

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 8 2006
Nitin K. Borse
Polyamide-6 nanocomposites were prepared using two organoclays, Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 15A, and Cloisite Na+, which is unmodified sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) clay. Nanocomposites were prepared using two twin-screw extrusion systems: System B employing conventional mixing and residence time conditions, while System A was modified to achieve longer residence time and higher mixing efficiency. The work considers the effects of mixing conditions, residence time, and interactions between the polymer and clay surface on the structure and mechanical properties of polyamide-6 (PA-6)/clay nanocomposites. Furthermore, a comparison was made between experimental data and the predictions of composite models usually employed to predict mechanical properties of nanocomposites. The melt processing of Cloisite 30B in System A produced the highest degrees of exfoliation and the largest enhancement of mechanical properties. The aspect ratios of the filler particles in the nanocomposites were estimated from TEM micrographs and from composite models. Yield stress data were employed to calculate the values of parameter B in Pukanszky's equation, which incorporates the effects of the interfacial interaction, interfacial strength, and specific surface area of the filler particles. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1094,1103, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Chemorheology of model filled rubber compounds during curing

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 11 2001
Jianfen J. Cai
The rheological behavior and crosslinking kinetics of model filled rubber compounds during curing were investigated. The effect of chemical composition of monodisperse size particles, prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization, on dynamic moduli and gelation time of the filled compounds was studied. All filled systems showed much shorter gelation times than the pure matrix in the order PSVP < PS < PMMA , Pure Matrix. The dynamic moduli during curing increased with increasing interactions between particles and matrix. Physical crosslinking, due to either particle clustering or a network of filler particles with an adsorbed polymer layer, made a significant contribution to the overall crosslink density and the gelation of rubber compounds. As a result, the dynamic mechanical properties and curing kinetics of the rubber compounds varied with the chemical nature of the filler particles. [source]


Percolation phenomena in carbon black,filled polymeric concrete

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 9 2000
L. Rejón
Percolation in carbon black-filled polymeric concrete, is discussed based on the measured changes in electrical conductivity and morphology of the composite at different concentrations of carbon black. The percolation threshold ranged between 6 and 7 wt% (based on resin weight) of carbon black. Above this concentration, the filler particles formed agglomerates in contact with each other, suggesting that the conduction process is nearly ohmic in nature. A power law predicted by percolation theory described the behavior of the conductivity as a function of carbon black content. Microscopic analysis showed the presence of a continuous structure formed by the polyester resin and carbon black, in which silica particles were embedded. [source]


Estimation of the interaction energy between small molecules and a silica model as an approach for predicting the interaction order between elastomers and silica

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2009
León D Pérez
Abstract BACKGROUND: Many elastomers are reinforced with fillers to improve their mechanical properties; good reinforcement requires favorable interactions between the elastomeric chains and the surfaces of the filler particles. A useful goal is the development of computational methods that estimate these interactions, and thereby guide choices of fillers for elastomers based on the structures of the two components in nanocomposites in general. RESULTS: Experimental results available from inverse gas chromatography rank nitriles, aromatics and 1-alkenes with regard to the magnitude of favorable interactions with silica reinforcing particles. Calculations using the Gaussian 03 package of computer programs were carried out, both with and without corrections for superposition errors. For the nitrile compounds, the formation of hydrogen bonds was predicted, and the interactions of the aromatic and 1-alkene compounds with silica were shown to be dependent on electron transfer from the silica to the tested molecules. CONCLUSION: The method developed should be useful for ranking polymer,filler combinations in general with regard to the interactions known to be conducive to good reinforcement. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Hydroxyapatite as a filler for biosynthetic PHB homopolymer and P(HB,HV) copolymers

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2003
Antje Bergmann
Abstract This paper deals with some of the fundamental problems encountered when using a semicrystalline polymer as the matrix phase for a particulate-filled composite. As our model system we adopted poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, PHB, and two copolymers of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate and (R)-3-hydroxyvalerate, P(HB,HV), for the matrix phase, and the mineral calcium hydroxyapatite as a particulate filler. The structure and properties of compression-moulded films of various compositions were investigated by polarized light microscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering and mechanical testing. It was found that the degree of crystallinity of the matrix was lower in filled samples, and that the spherulitic crystallization of the matrix appeared to cause the filler particles to form agglomerates, which would not be as effective a reinforcement as finely dispersed primary filler particles. The tensile strength, strain-to-break and tensile modulus of samples of different compositions were analysed using well-known theories for composite behaviour. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Molecular orientation, crystallinity, and flexural modulus correlations in injection molded polypropylene/talc composites

POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 5 2010
Marcia Cristina Branciforti
Abstract In order to promote better understanding of the structure-mechanical properties relationships of filled thermoplastic compounds, the molecular orientation and the degree of crystallinity of injection molded talc-filled isotactic polypropylene (PP) composites were investigated by X-ray pole figures and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The usual orientation of the filler particles, where the plate planes of talc particles are oriented parallel to the surface of injection molding and influence the orientation of the , -PP crystallites was observed. The PP crystallites show bimodal orientation in which the c - and a*-axes are mixed oriented to the longitudinal direction (LD) and the b -axis is oriented to the normal direction (ND). It was found that the preferential b -axis orientation of PP crystallites increases significantly in the presence of talc particles up to 20,wt% in the composites and then levels-off at higher filler content. WAXD measurements of the degree of crystallinity through the thickness of injection molded PP/talc composites indicated an increasing gradient of PP matrix crystallinity content from the core to the skin layers of the molded plaques. Also, the bulk PP crystallinity content of the composites, as determined by DSC measurements, increased with talc filler concentration. The bulk crystallinity content of PP matrix and the orientation behavior of the matrix PP crystallites and that of the talc particles in composites are influenced by the presence of the filler content and these three composite's microstructure modification factors influence significantly the flexural moduli and the mechanical stiffness anisotropy data (ELD/ETD) of the analyzed PP/talc composites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]