A Linear Relationship between the Mechanical, Thermal and Gas Barrier Properties of MAPE Modified Rubber Toughened Nanocomposites

Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) clays were prepared by melt compounding followed by compression molding. The addition of clay as well as compatibilizer agent (maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE)) considerably improved the tensile properties of nanocomposites systems. The largest improvement in mechanical and thermal properties occurred at clay loading levels of 4% (2-8 wt %) with MAPE system. Interestingly, the increased in tensile properties also resulted in improve in thermal and barrier properties. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis (DSC) revealed that the barrier property of nanocomposite was influenced by the crystalline percentage of nanocomposite. Along with crystalline percentage, the crystallization temperature, Tc and melting temperature, Tm were also improved with OMMT and MAPE agent. The d-spacings of the clay in nanocomposites were monitored using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and the extent of delamination was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The wide angle of XRD patterns showed the increased interplanar spacing, d of clay layers, indicating enhanced compatibility between polymer matrix and OMMT with the aid of MAPE agent. TEM photomicrographs illustrated the mixed intercalated and partial exfoliated structures of the nanocomposites with OMMT and MAPE agent

RIGS16-176-0340/The studies on environmentally safe biopolymer derived from natural based algae

In the efforts to sustain the environment, biodegradable plastic has become a great alternative to replace conventional plastic. Hence, this study focuses on a potential biodegradable plastic. In the current study, the properties of algae (matrix) were investigated by adding acetic acid and cinnamon powder as filler and antimicrobial agent. The amount of acetic acid varies from 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5%, while, the cinnamon content between 1, 3 and 5%. The film was fabricated using the solution casting method. Upon fabrication, the physical and mechanical properties of the films were characterized using tensile test, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis and biodegradation test. Based on the results, the addition of acetic acid and cinnamon are capable of affecting the tensile property of the algae film. Initially, it indicated that the acetic acid reduced the tensile property and affected the elongation at break of the algae film. However, the tensile strength of the film was altered by adding a certain amount of cinnamon. The maximum tensile strength was achieved by the addition of 5% cinnamon which exhibited a good intermolecular interaction between the algae and cinnamon molecules. The tensile strength which was measured at 4.80 MPa correlated with the morphological structure. The latter was performed using SEM, where, the surface showed the absence of a separating phase between the algae and cinnamon blend. Moreover, the addition of acetic acid into the algae film clearly indicated that the acetic acid molecules affect the adjacent molecules by increasing the distance and reducing the internal force giving more flexibility to the film. This was evidenced by the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis which confirmed the occurrence of no chemical reaction between the algae and acetic acid. The C-H stretching due to the formation of intermolecular and intramolecular bonds between algae and carboxylic acid groups corresponds to the water-related absorbance. As for the biodegradable analysis, the addition of acetic acid into cinnamon, demonstrated low moisture absorption thus decelerating the degradation due to low swelling rate and microorganism activity. In conclusion, good tensile properties and longer degradation rate are achievable with the addition of 0.3% of acidic acid with 5% of cinnamon blended with the algae matrix

Effects of high energy radiation on mechanical properties of PP/EPDM nanocomposite

Nanocomposites are the materials that are created by introducing nanoparticulates that always referred to as filler into the matrix. Blends of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene monomer EPDM)/Montmorillonite (MMT) were treated by compatibilizer MAPP and irradiation of electron beam. The effects on mechanical properties for both samples were compared with the untreated nanocomposites. Because each samples used different portion of clay loading, the effects of clay loading on mechanical properties is also observed. The sample is characterized by using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), tensile test and impact test

Hazardless nanocomposite for gas barrier potential

Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and Organically Modified Montmorillonite (OMMT) clays were made by melt compounding followed by compression molding. Tensile testing, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the nanocomposites. The addition of clay, compatibilizer agent (Maleic Anhydride Polyethylene (MAPE)) and the exposure under Electron Beam Irradiation (EB) considerably improved the tensile properties of the composite system. Tensile Strength (MPa) and Tensile Modulus (MPa) were found to increase significantly with increasing clay content and decreasing as the clay content exceeds 4 wt% values. The largest improvement in composite mechanical properties occurred at clay loading levels of 4% (2-8 wt %) with EB Irradiation system followed by MAPE and unirradiated/untreated systems. Nearly 67% increase in tensile strength and 64% increase in tensile modulus were observed with EB irradiated system. The d spacings of the clay in nanocomposite were monitored using XRD and the extent of delamination was examined by TEM. The wide angle of XRD patterns showed the increased d-spacing of clay layers, indicating enhanced compatibility between HDPE and OMMT with the EB irradiated and addition of MAPE. TEM photomicrographs illustrated the intercalated and partially exfoliated structures of the nanocomposite with OMMT and MAPE system

Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of a rapidly solidified as-cast TiZrHfNiCu high entropy bulk metallic glass

This paper aims to investigate the thermal behavior and crystallization kinetics of TiZrHfNiCu high entropy bulk metallic glass (HE-BMG) alloy using the standard procedure of Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) annealing technique. The alloy was produced using an arc melting machine with a critical diameter of 1.5 mm. The crystallization kinetics and phase transformation mechanism of TiZrHfNiCu HE-BMG was investigated under the isochronal condition at a single heating run based on the Johnson-Mehl- Avrami (JMA) theory. In isochronal heating, the apparent activation energy for glass transition and crystallization events was analyzed by Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The average activation energy value for crystallization of TiZrHfNiCu amorphous alloys in isochronal modes was 226.41 kJ/mol for the first crystallization and 297.72 kJ/mol for second crystallization stages. The crystallization mechanism of the first step was dominated by two- and three-dimensional growth with increasing nucleation rate, while the crystallization mechanism in the second stage was dominated by two-dimensional crystallization growth with a constant nucleation rate. The diffusion mechanism result proved the theory of sluggish atomic diffusion of HEA at elevated temperature

The role of tin and magnesium in assisting liquid phase sintering of aluminum (Al)

This study aims to investigate the effect of tin (Sn) and magnesium (Mg) on the sintering response of sintered Al. Although this topic has been extensively reported, details on the combined effect of Sn and Mg that function as sintering additives are still limited. The current study discusses the effect of the combined use of Sn and Mg to assist aluminium (Al) in liquid phase sintering via the powder metallurgy technique. The results demonstrated that the densities of sintered Al increased from 2.5397 to 2.575 g/cm3 as the Sn content increased from 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % respectively. Accordingly, the physical characteristics of sintered Al were transformed from black to silver, which confirmed the reduction in the oxygen content (oxide layer reduction) from 0.58 to 0.44 wt. % respectively. Additionally, the microstructure of the resultant sintered Al demonstrated that effective wetting by Sn addition was obtained at its maximum content of 2.5 wt. % with a greater micro pores reduction and better metallurgical bonding between Al particles. Therefore, the introduction of different Sn content, along with Mg element, was found to further improve the sintering response of the resultant sintered Al that consequently improved its densities and physical characteristics

Influence of agro-based reinforcements on the properties of aluminum matrix composites: a systematic review

Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) have been extensively studied primarily due to higher strength-to-weight ratio, lower cost, and higher wear resistance properties. However, increasing demand for economical and energy-efficient materials in the automotive, aerospace and other applications is tailoring research area in the agro-based composite materials. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review work is to study the influence of agro-based reinforcements on the tribological and mechanical properties of AMC’s processed by various techniques. It was observed that the processing conditions can be designed to obtain uniform structures and better properties AMCs. The agro-waste reinforcement materials, such as rice husk ash, bamboo stem ash, coconut and shell ash can result in a reduction in the density of AMC’s without compromising mechanical properties. Moreover, the efficient utilization of the agro-waste leads to a decrease in manufacturing cost and prevents environmental pollution, hence, can be considered as a sustainable material. The state-of-the-art revealed that the agro-based reinforcements do not form brittle composites, as in the case of ceramic reinforced composites. Hence, the study concludes that the agro-based AMCs have great potential to act as a replacement for costly and environmentally hazardous ceramic reinforced-AMCs which can especially be used in various automotive applications that demand higher strength-to-weight ratio, lower cost, and higher wear resistance

Treatment of waste engine oil using optimized acid/clay refining method

This paper addresses the treatment of waste engine oils(WEO)by acid/clay refining method using glacial acetic acid. An optimization of the process parameters in terms of settling time, stirring speed and mixing temperature for treating the WEO was performed using Response Surface Methodologyto improve the quality of treated lubricating oil.The quality of the treated WEO (Castrolbrand) was evaluated in termsof viscosity index and flash point value. The treated fuel qualityis found to have about 95% similarity to the fresh oil used as a standard at thesettling time of 24 hours, temperature of 50 °C and mixing speed of 150 rpm. Analysis of variances (ANOVA) showed that settling time plays the most significant parameters of the process followed by the mixing temperature. Solid contaminants which were collectedafterthetreatment wereanalyzed using SEM-EDS. Theycontained rough heteregenous shaped particles with elements such as carbon (97%), calcium (1.12%), zinc (0.74%), sulphur (0.73%) and phosphorus (0.29%). Then, four different brands of WEO (Liqui Moly, Castrol, Shell and Pennzoil) were treatedat the optimized conditionsto determine the feasibility of the method to treat any brandsof WEO. It can be concluded that the optimized treatement method is suitable to treat most of WEO.The findingsofthis study provide theinformation on thebest process condition for treating WEO as well as thesolid contaminants presentin it

Mechanical properties of gracilaria lichenoides reinforced bioplastic film

In this study, the mechanical properties of gracilaria lichenoides with additional of plasticizer and filler were evaluated. For samples with the addition of 5.5% of plasticizer, produced low tensile strength and this results is vice versa with elongation at break results. The tensile strength of the bioplastic continuously decreases from 14.8 to 2.7MPa as the plasticizer increases up from 1.5% to 5.5%. This phenomenon was analyses under scanning electron microscope (SEM), it shows that, the formation of pores and crystal agglomeration at sample with 5.5% glycerin. To alter these flaws, squid bone is introduce as filler to the bioplastic. Based on the analysis, additional of 6% filler content did alter the tensile strength up to 8 MPa with 3% of the elongation at break