Monofilaments for artificial turf applications

Lack of resilience and fibrillation are the major problems encountered in the applications of monofilaments. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a bending test to assess the resilience of a monofilament and to correlate this with the results obtained with a newly developed apparatus: a 12m Lisport. The measurements of the ball roll distance with the 12m-Lisport are representative of the resilience and fibrillation resistance of the yarns in artificial turf applications. The density of the polymer, the drawing conditions and the geometry of the monofilaments are important parameters for the resulting resilience and fibrillation behaviour

Polyethylene/Dibenzylidene Sorbitol: effect of composition on space charge of polymeric insulation systems

This paper examines the effects of 1,3:2,4- dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS), a low-molecular organic molecule, on the space charge distribution in polyethylene. Morphological studies of the blends show the presence of a DBS network in the host system. Avrami analysis shows an increase in the nucleation density of polyethylene with the nucleating agent. Accumulation of space charge is one of the main causes of failure for high voltage cables and it depends on many factors such as additives, materials and treatment. In the present study we investigate the effects of different quantities of DBS in a blend of polyethylene. The space charge response during a stressing period and decay after removal of the applied electric field were observed. The results show that space charge accumulations are dependent on the concentration of the nucleating agent. In particular, the decay in a sample with 0.3 % DBS indicates shallow traps, whilst samples containing 1 and 3 % DBS show evidence of deep trap charges

Practical guidelines on the application of migration modelling for the estimation of specific migration

The aim of this practical guidance document is to assist the users of the described diffusion models to predict conservative, upper bound specific migration values from plastic food contact materials for compliance purposes. Explanatory guidance tables and practical examples of migration modelling are provided. This document is an updated version of the report "Estimation of specific migration by generally recognised diffusion models in support of EU Directive 2002/72/EC" (Simoneau, 2010) concerning the current legal basis (Regulation (EU) No 10/2011) and the use of migration models for the estimation of specific migration from plastic multi-layers. This document represents the current validity of the models based on constant periodical evaluations of new experimental migration data performed by the Task Force on Migration Modelling chaired by the Directorate General Joint Research Centre of the European Commission on behalf of Directorate General Health and Consumers. The members of the Task Force are R. Brandsch, C. Dequatre, E.J. Hoekstra, P. Mercea, M.R. Milana, A. Schäfer, C. Simoneau, A. Störmer, X. Trier and O. Vitrac.JRC.I.1-Chemical Assessment and Testin

Applicability of generally recognised diffusion models for the estimation of specific migration in support of EU Directive 2002/72/EC

The aim of this document is to assist the users of the described model to predict conservative, upper bound migration values for compliance purposes by providing appropriate explanatory guidance, tables for and practical examples of migration modelling. This document represents the current validity of the models based on constant periodical evaluations of new experimental migration data performed by a task force of experts co-ordinated the EC DG Joint Research Centre on behalf of Commission Services DG SANCO. The main contributors to this document are (in alphabetical order): R. Brandsch, B. Brands, R. Franz, M. Klatt, MR Milana, O. Piringer, A. Schaefer, C. Simoneau, X. Trier, and O. VitracJRC.DG.I.2-Chemical assessment and testin

Electrical and Mechanical Properties of new Recyclable Power Cable Insulation Materials based upon Polyethylene Blends

Chemically crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) has been used as electrical insulation for power cables since the 1970s due to its favourable combination of electrical and mechanical properties. However, as the electrical engineering community has become increasingly aware of the life cycle environmental impacts, XLPE has come under scrutiny for its lack of recyclability and the high process energies used in its manufacture. Although technologies are being developed to facilitate the re-use of XLPE at the end of its initial service life, the use of this material is inferior to fully recyclable and low process energy alternatives. In this investigation, we concentrated on the use of binary blends of linear and branched polyethylene (LPE / BPE) as potential replacement materials for XLPE, since such systems have the potential to combine comparable mechanical properties and enhanced breakdown strength with good recyclability. We compare the thin film AC ramp breakdown behaviour of blends as a function of temperature up to 97 oC. These consist of the same BPE in virgin and crosslinked states and in a blend with 20wt% LPE. These data are augmented with dynamic mechanical analysis. In concert, these data indicate that with appropriate morphological control the blended thermoplastic material exhibits superior properties to XLPE under conventional operating conditions and may even be suitable for higher temperature operation than XLPE. The paper will discuss the importance of polymer blending and blend physical properties in the context of the process requirements and the implications for cable manufacture and on cable electrical and environmental performance in comparison with XLPE

A proof of concept on real-time air quality monitoring system

According to the Department of Environment Malaysia, Air Pollutant Index (API) is an indicator for the air quality status at any particular area. API is calculated based on average concentration of air pollutants such as Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), ground level Ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM10), each over their respective period of averaging time. A sub-index for each pollutant is determined separately based on a predetermined standard and the highest sub- index is used as the API (Department of Environment Malaysia, 2000). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) (2010) defines PM10 as "Inhalable coarse particles," such as those found near roadways and dusty industries, are larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2010). Typically, the concentration PM10 is the highest among all pollutants in Malaysia and therefore it determines the API value (APIMS DOE Malaysia, 2015)

Use of a transport-impregnators industrial chips to reduce pulping

The changes in the density of technological chips in the deformation of the suspension "chips-lye" in the experimental setup. Calculated parameters of the pipe boot to provide circulation along with the transportation technology of impregnation of wood chips.Исследованы изменения плотности технологической щепы при деформации суспензии «щепа-щелок» в экспериментальной установке. Рассчитаны параметры трубопровода загрузочной циркуляции для обеспечения наряду с транспортированием пропитки технологической щепы