Thermal stability of melt-blended poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/polyamide 66 (PA66)/graphene nanoplatelets (GnP)

In recent times the blending of different biodegradable materials to produce nanocomposites with improved properties has been a significant point of discourse by many researchers. This study reports a melt blend of poly (lactic acid) (PLA), polyamide (Nylon 66) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnP). The thermal stability and chemical functional characteristics of the nanocomposites produced were succinctly investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The blending was carried out by using a twin-screw extruder at a revolution speed and time of 50 rpm and 20 minutes, respectively. The composition of GnP in the PLA/PA66 was varied from 0 – 5 wt.%. The results showed that the increased of the GnP concentrations improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. It was also observed that a strong interaction between the polymeric materials as demonstrated by the FTIR analysis. The use of a low concentration of graphene in PLA/PA66 blend has been demonstrated to improve the thermal stability of the nanocomposites

Mechanical and thermal properties of polyurethane/neoprene/ graphene blends

This work investigated the properties of the polyurethane/neoprene/graphene nanocomposites blends specifically in mechanical and thermal aspects for solid ankle cushion heel (SACH) foot in the prosthetic application. The aim of this work was to study the effect of neoprene and graphene contents in mechanical and thermal properties of polyurethane/neoprene/graphene blends. Polyurethane is one of the most frequently used polymers in the medical devices, footwear, automotive and construction industries. Polyurethane which is high mechanical strength, high thermal withstands and flexibility was blended with the additives, neoprene and graphene to reduce the rigidity and enhances the mechanical properties for a prosthetic foot. A solution mixing method was used to prepare the samples with different formulations of polyurethane, neoprene and graphene. The samples were analyzed and characterized in terms of mechanical, thermal and morphology properties. The result shows that the optimum composition blended with 97 wt% polyurethane, 2 wt% neoprene and 1 wt% graphene. The sample possesses high tensile strength (14.38 MPa) and high Young’s modulus (1.11 MPa), high thermal stability, elastic and flexible. The use of a low amount of graphene in polyurethane and neoprene blend has been demonstrated to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites