Density and Morphological Properties of Some Reinforced Polymers

The morphology of some reinforced blends of Polystyrene (PS) and Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) were estimated by density measurements, showing a definite pattern except that the filler composition increases the densities of the blends with 30/70, 20/80 and 10/90, PS/PVAc having highest values than other compositions. Also, photomicrographs of the different blends show a two phase system appearing bright (PVAc phase) and the other appearing black (PS phase) in virtually all the micrographs, even though the heterogeneity due to phase inversions is relevant for some compositions. For some composition a domain distribution shows considerable miscibility within the range of compositions. KEYWORDS: Phase inversions, domain distribution, miscibility, phase system

The Effects of Iron Filling On Some Mechanical and Physical Properties of a Sawdust Particleboard

This research work was aimed at producing particleboard from sawdust (matrix) and iron filling (particulate) under the same conditions as ordinary particleboard produced from sawdust alone and their properties compared. Sawdust –iron fillings particleboards were produced using a sawdust of particle size 1.18mm and iron fillings of size 300μm, 20g binder (urea formaldehyde) concentration, hot pressing temperature of 160°C, applied pressure of 10 tons equivalent to 12.5Mpa, hot pressing time of 12 minutes throughout the production of the particleboards. The weight of sawdust was kept constant (50g) while the weight of iron filling was varied (i.e from 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50g). A controlled sample of only sawdust particleboard was produced and tested under the same condition as those of the sawdust- iron filling particleboard. The mechanical properties tested showed that the particleboard from 40g iron filling has the highest mechanical properties (MOR, MOE and UTS of 255.20Mpa, 432.43Mpa and 22Mpa). Particleboard produced from only sawdust alone was found to have the least mechanical properties that is MOR, MOE and UTS of 140.63Mpa, 46.19Mpa and 7Mpa respectively. The water absorption and thickness swell test results showed that the particleboard of 40g iron fillings has the highest water resistance capacity and least thickness swell of 33.69% and 5.87% respectively

Fabrication and Characterization of Locally Woven Polyester Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites

Properties of composite moulded using locally woven polyester fibre werestudied. The results showed that though properties of polyester resin were improved upon, but were far lower than composites obtained using fibre such as glass. The density of the composite was low compared to glass fibre reinforced composite. The composite moulded at pressure of 388.132kN/m2has the best properties; tensile strength 85MN/m2, modulus of elasticity 1.846GN/m2, impact strength 227.5kJ/m2 and modulus of rupture 9.910GN/m2

The Swelling Behaviour of Polystyrene (PS)/ Polyvinylacetate (Pvac) Blends in Different Solvents and the Effects of Ą-Cellulose used as Filler on the Electrical Conductivity

The effect of the variation of the type of solvent responsible for the differences in the swelling kinetics of Polystyrene (PS) and Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) blends was studied. The results showed that the nature of solvent control or affects the degree of swelling. Also, 1-V characteristics attemperature range of 323-363K shows promising semi conducting ability which appreciated with amount of filler in the polymer-polymer matrix.Keywords: Swelling behavior, Polystyrene (PS) - Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc)  blends, electrical conductivity, filler compositio