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Flexural Properties (flexural + property)
Selected AbstractsFlexural properties of glass fibre reinforced acrylic resin polymersAUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2006IH Tacir Abstract Background: In recent years, glass fibres have been used to strengthen denture base resins. A major difficulty in using reinforcing fibres with multiphase acrylic resins, such as powder liquid resins, is inadequate impregnation of the fibres with the resin. Methods: This investigation examined the reinforcing effect of glass fibres on the fracture resistance and flexural strength of acrylic denture base resins. Eighty identical specimens were formed in specially designed moulds in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The four experimental groups were prepared and these consisted of conventional acrylic resin and the same resin reinforced with glass fibres. Ten specimens were fabricated in a standardized fashion for each experimental group. Flexural strength was tested using a 3-point universal testing machine. Results: In this study, statistically significant differences were found in the flexural strength of the specimens (P<0.05). The injection-moulded, fibre-reinforced group had significantly lower flexural strength than the injection-moulded group (P<0.001), and the microwave-moulded, fibre-reinforced group had lower flexural strength than the microwave-moulded group. The fracture resistance was significantly higher in the injection-moulded, fibre-reinforced group than in the injection-moulded group (P<0.05), and the fracture resistance was significantly higher in the microwave-moulded, fibre-reinforced group than in the microwave-moulded group. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the flexural strength of heat-polymerized PMMA denture resin was improved after reinforcement with glass fibres. It may be possible to apply these results to distal extension partial and complete denture bases. [source] Physicochemical evaluation of silica-glass fiber reinforced polymers for prosthodontic applicationsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2005Gökçe Meriç This investigation was designed to formulate silica-glass fiber reinforced polymeric materials. Fused silica-glass fibers were chosen for the study. They were heat-treated at various temperatures (500°C, 800°C and 1100°C), silanized, sized and incorporated in two modified resin mixtures (A and B). The flexural properties in dry and wet conditions were tested and statistically analyzed, and the content of residual methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, dimensional changes with temperature, water sorption and solubility were determined. Woven fibers [36.9% (wt/wt)], heat-treated at 500°C, gave the highest strength values for the polymeric composites (an ultimate transverse strength of 200 Mpa and a flexural modulus of 10 GPa) compared with the fibers heat-treated at other temperatures. There was no statistically significant difference in the measured flexural properties between resins A and B regarding fiber treatment and water storage time. These fiber composites had a small quantity of residual MMA content [0.37 ± 0.007% (wt/wt)] and very low water solubility, indicating good biocompatibility. It was suggested that silica-glass fibers could be used for reinforcement as a result of their anticipated good qualities in aqueous environments, such as the oral environment. [source] Compomers in restorative therapy of children: a literature reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2007NORBERT KRÄMER Objective., The restoration of carious primary teeth plays an underestimated role in paediatric dentistry. This is astonishing for many reasons, not least because many new materials have been introduced in recent years. New or modified techniques and materials, with better aesthetics and flexural properties, allow minimally invasive treatment. A transfer of techniques between different dentitions, however, may be problematic because of both micromorphological differences and compliance. Therefore, this paper deals with options for restoring primary teeth and the early stages of the mixed dentition using polyacid-modified composites, the so-called compomers. Methods., Medline and Embase were scanned from 1990 through 2006. Furthermore, a hand-search of nonlisted but peer-reviewed papers was performed. The search items were compomer*, dent*, primary* and deciduous*, which identified 109 relevant publications. Conclusions., Based on high clinical success rates, compomers are now an effective alternative to other materials for restorative therapy in the anterior and posterior primary teeth. A minimum amount of compliance is still mandatory in order to allow for a few minutes of adhesive pretreatment and layering without contamination. If this is not the case, compomers make no sense. Stainless steel crowns are still the most effective from of restoration for severely decayed primary molars. [source] Amine functional chloroaniline acetaldehyde condensate-modified epoxy networksJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008T. Maity Abstract An investigation was carried out to modify the fracture toughness of cured diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) resin networks with amine functional chloroaniline acetaldehyde condensate (AFCAC) as toughening agent. The resulting networks displayed significantly improved fracture toughness. The AFCAC was synthesized by the condensation reaction of chloroaniline and acetaldehyde in the acid medium (pH-4) and characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, viscosity measurements, and mole of primary and secondary amine analysis. The DGEBA and AFCAC were molecularly miscible but developed a two-phase microstructure upon network formation. Epoxy/AFCAC compositions were systematically varied to study the effect of concentration on the impact, adhesive, tensile, and flexural properties of modified networks. The dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy studies showed two-phase morphology in the cured networks where AFCAC particles were dispersed. The AFCAC-modified epoxy network was thermally stable up to around 338°C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Effect of quasi-carbonization processing parameters on the mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008Donghwan Cho Abstract In this work, quasi-carbon fabrics were produced by quasi-carbonization processes conducted at and below 1200°C. Stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabrics and quasi-carbon fabrics were used as reinforcements of phenolic composites with a 50 wt %/50 wt % ratio of the fabric to the phenolic resin. The effect of the quasi-carbonization process on the flexural properties, interfacial strength, and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic composites was investigated in terms of the flexural strength and modulus, interlaminar shear strength, and storage modulus. The results were also compared with those of a stabilized PAN fabric/phenolic composite. The flexural, interlaminar, and dynamic mechanical results were quite consistent with one another. On the basis of all the results, the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic composites increased with the applied external tension and heat-treatment temperature increasing and with the heating rate decreasing for the quasi-carbonization process. This study shows that control of the processing parameters strongly influences not only the mechanical properties of quasi-carbon/phenolic composites but also the interlaminar shear strength between the fibers and the matrix resin. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Theoretical investigation of elastic flexural properties for multistranded orthodontic archwiresJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002Brian K. Rucker Abstract The bending and torsional stresses during flexure were detailed and simplified for a single twisted strand, which emulates a spring. General expressions were derived to evaluate the elastic properties (i.e., strength, stiffness, and range) of multistranded wires by combining the effects of a number of outer twisted strands, with or without an inner strand. Specific expressions were solved for single-stranded, twisted, and coaxial wires. Initially, we considered the following multistranded wire configurations: two- (twin), three- (triple), four-strand (quad) twisted, and coaxial wires. The elastic properties of the twin and quad wires were essentially subsets of the triple wire. For a given overall wire diameter (D) and helix angle (,), the ranges of multistranded wires were independent of wire configurations. By varying the , from 45 to 85°, the D from 0.394 to 0.546 mm (15.5 to 21.5 mil), and the stress at the proportional limit from 1.03 to 3.28 GPa (150 to 475 ksi), the theoretical elastic properties of triple and coaxial stainless steel wires matched many of the properties of conventional nickel titanium leveling wires. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 338,349, 2002 [source] Effect of simulated resin-bonded fixed partial denture clinical conditions on resin cement mechanical propertiesJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 8 2003M. P. Walker summary The purpose of this study was to determine changes in flexural properties of resin cement under simulated resin-bonded fixed partial denture (RBFPD) clinical conditions using aqueous ageing and cyclic loading. Panavia F flexural modulus and strength were measured by static loading to failure after 48-h and 60-day aqueous ageing at 37 °C with and without simulated cyclic occlusal loading. Panavia F sorption and solubility were also measured. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the morphology of the fractured surfaces. A two-factor anova (P , 0·05) indicated that cyclic loading produced a significant increase in the flexural modulus with no significant effect on the flexural strength. Conversely, aqueous ageing time produced a significant decrease in flexural strength with no effect on the flexural modulus. The SEM fracture analysis indicated that resin matrix fracture occurred in static-aqueous specimens; while in the aqueous-cycled specimens, resin matrix fracture occurred in addition to an increasing proportion of filler/resin interface fracture. Collectively, these outcomes suggest that initial degradation under simulated resin cement clinical function may be related to breakdown of the filler/resin interface bond, which could contribute to in vivo RBFPD resin cement cohesive failure. [source] Influence of fibre position on the flexural properties and strain energy of a fibre-reinforced compositeJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 7 2003A. Ellakwa summary, The introduction of laboratory-processed composite systems and fibre reinforcement techniques have increased the possibilities for the prosthetic replacement of missing tooth tissues. Laboratory fabrication variables may significantly influence the properties of the final prosthesis. During the construction of a fibre-reinforced bridge it is necessary to place the fibre at some distance from the fitting surface of the restoration in the pontic region. No guidelines are available for optimal fibre placement in this respect. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of placing ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre at five different distances from the tensile side of test samples on flexural properties and the strain energy stored within the dental composite. The results of this investigation showed that whilst moving the fibre reinforcement away from the tensile side by up to 1·5 mm led to a significant reduction in flexural strength, there was no significant decline in the increase in strain energy stored within the tested composite until this distance was exceeded. [source] The influence of fibre placement and position on the efficiency of reinforcement of fibre reinforced composite bridgeworkJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 8 2001A. E. Ellakwa The effect of placement of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres on the flexural properties and fracture resistance of a direct dental composite was investigated. The UHMWPE fibres are increasingly being used for the reinforcement of laboratory fabricated resin composite crown and bridgework. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a commonly used laboratory fabrication variable on the in vitro strength of beam shaped specimen simulating a three-unit fixed bridge. Four groups (10 specimens per group) of Herculite XRV were prepared for flexural modulus and strength testing after reinforcement with UHMWPE fibres. Two groups of control specimens were prepared without any fibre reinforcement. Half the specimen groups were stored in distilled water and the other groups were stored dry, both at 37 °C for 2 weeks before testing. The results of this study showed that placement of fibre at or slightly away from the tensile side improved the flexural properties of the composite in comparison with the unreinforced control specimen groups whilst the mode of failure differed according to fibre position. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation revealed that placement of the fibre slightly away from the tensile side favoured crack development and propagation within the resin bridging the interfibre spaces in addition to debonding parallel to the direction of fibre placement. Laboratory fabrication variables may effect the strength of fibre reinforced bridgework significantly. [source] MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A FRIED CRUST,JOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 1 2001ISABEL LIMA A restructured potato model system was fried in canola oil for 5, 10, or 15 min at 170, 180, or 190C and tested in a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer. Selected mechanical properties were measured using puncture and three-point bending cells. Forces involved in puncture were a combination of tension, compression, and shear, while the three-point bend test studied the crust flexural properties. Crust deformability seemed to be governed by internal structural yielding. Maximum force at rupture increased significantly with both frying time and temperature. Failure criteria identified and standardized types of failure observed during bending tests. [source] Tribological behaviour of polymeric coatings.LUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005Part I. Aramid particle-reinforced epoxy nanocomposite systems Abstract An epoxy-based nanocomposite containing a low concentration of nanometric TiO2 (4 vol. %), graphite powder (7.21 vol. %), and 2,14 vol. % aramid particles was developed as a coating material. The mechanical and tribological performance of the composites was investigated. The epoxy filled only with TiO2 possessed significantly improved impact strength and flexural properties, whereas the further incorporation of graphite and aramid particles had a deleterious effect on most of the mechanical properties, except the modulus. The tribological behaviour of the composites was tested in sliding and fretting modes. Under sliding conditions, the addition of nanometric TiO2 alone significantly improved the wear resistance and decreased the coefficient of friction compared to the neat epoxy. The sliding wear and friction behaviour was further enhanced with the incorporation of graphite and aramid particles. Contrary to the sliding wear behaviour, the fretting wear and friction behaviour was worse for the epoxy filled only with TiO2, but was significantly enhanced by the incorporation of graphite and aramid particles. The optimum aramid particle content for sliding and fretting wear of the epoxy-based nanocomposite was determined as 10 vol. %. [source] Influence of Processing Temperature on Microcellular Injection-Moulded Wood,Polypropylene CompositesMACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 10 2006Andrzej K. Bledzki Abstract Summary: Microcellular wood fibre reinforced polymer materials are significant because of their possibility to reduce the density of automotive components through microcellular structure, process and product part advantages, and as a new development with bio-fibre strengthened plastics. Soft wood fibre reinforced PP composites in box part and panel shape were prepared by an injection moulding process. Polymeric microspheres as a chemical foaming agent (endothermic) were used to produce the microcellular composites. The influence of injection moulding processing temperature on the microcellular structure and properties (tensile and flexural properties, notched charpy impact strength) was investigated by varying the temperature over the 150,170,°C, 160,180,°C and 170,190,°C. A comparative study of cell morphology, weight reduction and mechanical properties was conducted between box part and panel. Microcell morphology, cell size, shape and distribution were investigated using scanning electron micrographs. The results indicated that the lower processing temperature should be below the range of 170,190,°C and processing temperature at 160,180,°C, where the composites showed finer cellular structure compared to other processing temperatures. The mechanical properties did not differ with the variation of processing temperature regardless of composite types (box part or panel). Cellular structure changes in the box part were found considering near or far from injecting point. Microcellular injection-moulded box part (geometry: 150,×,100,×,70 mm3 in size) of soft wood fibre,PP composites. [source] Biodegradable Polylactide and Its Nanocomposites: Opening a New Dimension for Plastics and CompositesMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 14 2003Suprakas Sinha Ray Abstract The academic and industrial aspects of the preparation, characterization, mechanical and materials properties, crystallization behavior, melt rheology, and foam processing of pure polylactide (PLA) and PLA/layered silicate nanocomposites are described in this feature article. Recently, these materials have attracted considerable interest in polymer science research. PLA is linear aliphatic thermoplastic polyester and is made from agricultural products. Hectorite and montmorillonite are among the most commonly used smectite-type layered silicates for the preparation of nanocomposites. Smectites are a valuable mineral class for industrial applications because of their high cation exchange capacities, surface area, surface reactivity, adsorptive properties, and, in the case of hectorite, high viscosity, and transparency in solution. In their pristine form, they are hydrophilic in nature, and this property makes them very difficult to disperse into a polymer matrix. The most common way to overcome this difficulty is to replace interlayer cations with quaternized ammonium or phosphonium cations, preferably with long alkyl chains. In general, polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites are of three different types: (1) intercalated nanocomposites, in which insertion of polymer chains into the layered silicate structure occurs in a crystallographically regular fashion, regardless of polymer to layered silicate ratio, with a repeat distance of few nanometer; (2) flocculated nanocomposites, in which intercalated and stacked silicate layers are sometimes flocculated due to the hydroxylated edge,edge interactions between the silicate layers; (3) exfoliated nanocomposites, in which individual silicate layers are uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix by average distances that totally depend on the layered silicate loading. This new family of composite materials frequently exhibits remarkable improvements in its material properties when compared with those of virgin PLA. Improved properties can include a high storage modulus both in the solid and melt states, increased flexural properties, a decrease in gas permeability, increased heat distortion temperature, an increase in the rate of biodegradability of pure PLA, and so forth. Illustration of the biodegradability of PLA and various nanocomposites. [source] Nanoclay-reinforced syntactic foams: Flexure and thermal behaviorPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 8 2010Mrinal C. Saha Syntactic foams containing 60 vol% of hollow glass microballoons in epoxy matrix are modified with untreated nanoclays using combined mechanical and ultrasonication methods. Effects of nanoclays on flexure and thermal behavior of syntactic foams are investigated by adding different amount of nanoclays in the range of 1,3% by weight. Microscopic examinations and physical property characterization are performed to determine the interactions among constituent materials and the void formation during fabrication. It is found that the syntactic foams with 2 wt% nanoclays show the highest improvement in flexural properties (,42% strength and ,18% modulus) and dynamic mechanical properties (,30% storage modulus and ,28% loss modulus) properties. Thermal decomposition temperature is found to be unaffected by the addition of nanoclays, whereas a continuous reduction in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is observed. An examination of failure surface indicates that the failure is initiated on the tension side of the flexure sample due to fracturing of microballoons. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1332,1342, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Preparation and properties of dipropargyl ether of bisphenol A-modified bismaleimide resins and compositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2008Zhuxia Rong A kind of modified bismaleimide resin, with good heat resistance and processing properties for advanced composites, was developed. The modifier, dipropargyl ether of bisphenol A (DPBPA), was prepared by a phase-transfer catalyzing procedure, characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, and elementary analysis, and used to modify 4,4,-bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMDPM). The thermopolymerization of a DPBPA-modified BMDPM resin was followed up by FTIR. The curing of the resin was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter and gelation characterization. The relation of viscosity and temperature was used to characterize the processability of the resin. The results of DMA analysis showed that the cured DPBPA-modified BMDPM resins had a glass transition temperature higher than 320°C. The carbon fiber (T700) reinforced composites showed excellent flexural properties at ambient temperature and at 250°C. DPBPA could effectively improve mechanical properties without deteriorating heat resistance of the BMDPM resin a lot. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Effect of clay exfoliation and organic modification on morphological, dynamic mechanical, and thermal behavior of melt-compounded polyamide-6 nanocompositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2007Smita Mohanty Abstract Polyamide-6/clay nanocomposites were prepared employing melt bending or compounding technique followed by injection molding using different organically modified clays. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the molecular dispersion of the modified clays within the matrix polymer. Mechanical tests revealed an increase in tensile and flexural properties of the matrix polymer with the increase in clay loading from 0 to 5%. C30B/polyamide-6 nanocomposites exhibited optimum mechanical performance at 5% clay loading. Storage modulus of polyamide-6 also increased in the nanocomposites, indicating an increase in the stiffness of the matrix polymer with the addition of nanoclays. Furthermore, water absorption studies confirmed comparatively lesser tendency of water uptake in these nanocomposites. HDT of the virgin matrix increased substantially with the addition of organically modified clays. DSC measurements revealed both , and , transitions in the matrix polymer as well as in the nanocomposites. The crystallization temperature (Tc) exhibited an increase in case of C30B/polyamide-6 nanocomposites. Thermal stability of virgin polyamide-6 and the nanocomposites has been investigated employing thermogravimetric analysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:153,162, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Mechanical properties of injection molded long fiber polypropylene composites, Part 1: Tensile and flexural propertiesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2007K. Senthil Kumar Innovative polymers and composites are broadening the range of applications and commercial production of thermoplastics. Long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics have received much attention due to their processability by conventional technologies. This study describes the development of long fiber reinforced polypropylene (LFPP) composites and the effect of fiber length and compatibilizer content on their mechanical properties. LFPP pellets of different sizes were prepared by extrusion process using a specially designed radial impregnation die and these pellets were injection molded to develop LFPP composites. Maleic-anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA- g -PP) was chosen as a compatibilizer and its content was optimized by determining the interfacial properties through fiber pullout test. Critical fiber length was calculated using interfacial shear strength. Fiber length distributions were analyzed using profile projector and image analyzer software system. Fiber aspect ratio of more than 100 was achieved after injection molding. The results of the tensile and flexural properties of injection molded long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene with a glass fiber volume fraction of 0.18 are presented. It was found that the differences in pellet sizes improve the mechanical properties by 3,8%. Efforts are made to theoretically predict the tensile strength and modulus using the Kelly-Tyson and Halpin-Tsai model, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:259,266, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastic Engineers [source] Mechanical characterization of new glass fiber reinforced epoxy compositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2004D. Ratna Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites were made using CTPEGA [carboxyl terminated poly(ethylene glycol) adipate] modified epoxy as a matrix and characterized for their flexural properties, impact strength and interlaminar shear stress (ILSS). The volume fraction of glass was about 0.45 for all the composites. The concentration of CTPEGA in the matrix was varied gradually from 0 to 40 phr (parts per hundred parts of resin), to investigate the effect of CTPEGA concentration on the mechanical properties of the composites. It was found that the flexural strength and ILSS gradually decreases with increase in CTPEGA concentration. However, the impact strength of the composites increases up to 20 phr of CTPEGA concentration and decreases thereafter. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the fracture surface indicates massive plastic deformation in modified epoxy based composites. Polym. Compos. 25:165,171, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source] Mechanical property improvement of carbon fiber reinforced polybenzoxazine by rubber interlayerPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2003Hatsuo Ishida The rubber interlayer method was chosen in order to improve the properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polybenzoxazine composites. The resin used is benzoxazine based on bisphenol-A, formaldehyde and 3,5-xylidine. The effect of rubber concentration on the flexural properties of the composites is investigated. Sized and desized carbon fiber woven fabrics are used to study the effect of the sizing materials on the mechanical properties. The delamination toughness of the composites is increased by the ATBN rubber interlayer with increasing ATBN concentration. The strength of the composite also increased, but an anomalous concentration effect has been observed. [source] Characterization of a rigid silicone resinPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 1 2003M. B. Chan-Park Silicone resins have been used as binders for ceramic frit coatings and can withstand temperatures of 650°C to 1260°C. Conceptually, silicone resins can potentially be used as matrices for high temperature fiber-reinforced composites. The mechanical and thermal properties of a commercially available silicone resin, Dow Corning® 6-2230, were characterized. Neat 6-2230 resin was found to have inferior room temperature mechanical properties such as flexural, tensile and fracture properties when compared to epoxy. The room temperature flexural properties and short beam shear strength of the silicone/glass composites were also found to be lower than those of epoxy/glass composite with similar glass content. However, the silicone resin had better elevated temperature properties. At an elevated temperature of 316°C, the retentions of flexural modulus and strength were 80% and 40% respectively of room temperature values; these were superior to those of phenolic/glass. Unlike the carbon-based resins, the drop in flexural properties of the silicon/glass laminates with temperature leveled off with increase in temperature beyond 250°C. The resin weight loss at 316°C in 100 cm3/min of flowing air was small compared to other carbon-based resins such as PMR-15 and LaRC TPI. Only Avimid-N appeared comparable to Dow Corning® 6-2230. [source] A phenomenological study of the mechanical properties of long-fiber filled injection-molded thermoplastic compositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2000V. K. Stokes Tensile and flexural tests on specimens cut from rectangular injection-molded plaques show that long-fiber filled thermoplastic composites are complex, non-homogeneous, anistropic material systems. Like all fiber-filled materials, they exhibit through-thickness nonhomogeneity as indicated by differences between tensile and flexural properties. The in-plane orientation of fibers in through-thickness layers causes the material to have in-plane anisotropic properties. However, these long-fiber filled materials exhibit an unexpectedly large level of in-plane nonhomogeneity. Also, the effective mechanical properties of these materials are strongly thickness dependent. The thinnest plaques exhibit the largest differences between the flow and cross-flow tensile properties. These differences decrease with increasing thickness. A methodology for part design with this class of materials is discussed. [source] Effectual dispersion of carbon nanofibers in polyetherimide composites and their mechanical and tribological propertiesPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 10 2010Bin Li The use of proliferation of nanotechnology in commercial applications is driving requirements for minimal chemical processing and simple processes in industry. Carbon nanofiber (CNF) products possess very high purity levels without the need of purification processing before use and are in growing demand for this quality. Polyetherimide (PEI) has excellent mechanical and thermal performance, but its high viscosity makes its nanocomposites processing very challenging. In this study, a facile melt-mixing method was used to fabricate PEI nanocomposites with as received and physically treated CNFs. The dispersion of CNFs was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmitted optical microscopy, and electrometer with large-area electrodes. The results showed that the facile and powerful melt-mixing method is effective in homogeneously dispersing CNFs in the PEI matrix. The flexural and tribological characteristics were investigated and the formation of spatial networks of CNFs and weak interfacial bonding were considered as competitive factors to enhanced flexural properties. The composites with 1.0 wt% CNFs showed flexural strength and toughness increased by more than 50 and 550%, respectively, but showed very high wear rate comparable with that of pure PEI. The length of the CNFs also exerted great influences on both mechanical and tribological behaviors. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1914,1922, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Thermal, mechanical, and diffusional properties of nylon 6/ABS polymer blends: Compatibilizer effectPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 7 2000Seung Phil Jang The thermal, mechanical, and water absorption properties of blends of nylon 6 (PA6) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) with and without the compatibilizer maleic anhydride (MAH) were studied. Polymers were melt-blended using a twin screw extruder, and injection molded into sheets. Tensile and impact properties, hardness, heat deflection resistance, and dimensional stability were enhanced by the incorporation of MAH. Synergistic effects were observed for tensile elongation and flexural properties. The melting temperature and the thermal stability were not significantly affected by the incorporation of MAH. The mechanical property enhancement by the introduction of compatibilizer was explained by the formation of a micro-domain structure in the blends. The equilibrium water uptake increased with increasing concentration of PA6, and the diffusion coefficient was determined from the water transport kinetics at different temperatures. Activation energy was extracted from the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient. No compatibilizer effect was observed in the swelling behavior. [source] Wood/plastic composites co-extruded with multi-walled carbon nanotube-filled rigid poly(vinyl chloride) cap layerPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2010Shan Jin Abstract Wood/plastic composites (WPCs) can absorb moisture in a humid environment due to the hydrophilic nature of the wood in the composites, making products susceptible to microbial growth and loss of mechanical properties. Co-extruding a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)-rich cap layer on a WPC significantly reduces the moisture uptake rate, increases the flexural strength but, most importantly, decreases the flexural modulus compared to uncapped WPCs. A two-level factorial design was used to develop regression models evaluating the statistical effects of material compositions and a processing condition on the flexural properties of co-extruded rigid PVC/wood flour composites with the ultimate goal of producing co-extruded composites with better flexural properties than uncapped WPCs. Material composition variables included wood flour content in the core layer and carbon nanotube (CNT) content in the cap layer of the co-extruded composites, with the processing temperature profile for the core layer as the only processing condition variable. Fusion tests were carried out to understand the effects of the material compositions and processing condition on the flexural properties. Regression models indicated all main effects and two powerful interaction effects (processing temperature/wood flour content and wood flour content/CNT content interactions) as statistically significant. Factors leading to a fast fusion of the PVC/wood flour composites in the core layer, i.e. low wood flour content and high processing temperature, were effective material composition and processing condition parameters for improving the flexural properties of co-extruded composites. Reinforcing the cap layer with CNTs also produced a significant improvement in the flexural properties of the co-extruded composites, insensitive to the core layer composition and the processing temperature condition. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] | ||||||||||||||||