Evaluation of properties of concrete coating composites based on polyurethane and reinforcing fibers

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) coatings on the mechanical properties of concrete structures, especially those used in the production of power distribution poles. These coatings consist of carbon, glass, hybrid, and aramid fibers embedded within a polyurethane matrix. Aramid fabrics from discarded ballistic garments were used to produce FRP. To achieve this, flexural, Charpy impact, and adhesion tests were conducted on the FRP-reinforced concrete. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed on the fracture regions of materials tested for impact resistance. The results indicated that all fabrics utilized in the study enhanced the mechanical properties of the concrete specimens in terms of flexural strength and toughness. The observed differences between the fiber types can be attributed to the unique chemical structures of each fiber and their respective interactions with the PU matrix at the interface. These findings suggest that such coatings can significantly improve the mechanical performance of concrete structures

Efeito da incorporação de nanopartículas de TiO2 na estrutura e propriedades de blendas de polipropileno e poli(hidroxibutirato) submetidas a testes de envelhecimento acelerado

O polipropileno (PP) tem uma degradação natural lenta e representa um importante constituinte na gestão dos resíduos sólidos, enquanto o poli(hidroxibutirato) (PHB) é um polímero biodegradável, mas tem as desvantagens de dificuldade de processamento e custo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de nanopartículas de TiO2, do método de processamento e do envelhecimento acelerado na estrutura e propriedades da mistura PP/PHB/TiO2. As amostras foram produzidas por etapas de extrusão e injeção e foram caracterizadas por MEV/EDS, FTIR e análise térmica. Os resultados mostraram que a incorporação de 3% de nanopartículas de TiO2 levou a um aumento do tamanho médio da fase dispersa rica em PHB. A mudança na sequência da adição de nanopartículas de TiO2 permitiu guiar a incorporação desses nanocomponentes para a fase rica em PP. As misturas produzidas se mostraram mais estáveis termicamente do que PHB puro e a adição de TiO2 foi eficaz em aumentar a estabilidade térmica dos compósitos. As análises termogravimétricas e por FTIR mostraram que blendas contendo nanopartículas de TiO2 tiveram sua degradação mais afetada nos ensaios de envelhecimento acelerado. Os ensaios de extração com solvente mostraram que um maior conteúdo de produtos de fotodegradação puderam ser extraídos de amostras contendo mais elevadas concentrações de TiO2

Etoposide-Loaded Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Intravitreal Implants: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Etoposide-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) implants were developed for intravitreal application. Implants were prepared by a solvent-casting method and characterized in terms of content uniformity, morphology, drug-polymer interaction, stability, and sterility. In vitro drug release was investigated and the implant degradation was monitored by the percent of mass loss. Implants were inserted into the vitreous cavity of rabbits? eye and the in vivo etoposide release profile was determined. Clinical examination and the Hen Egg Test-Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) method were performed to evaluate the implant tolerance. The original chemical structure of the etoposide was preserved after incorporation in the polymeric matrix, which the drug was dispersed uniformly. In vitro, implants promoted sustained release of the drug and approximately 57% of the etoposide was released in 50 days. In vivo, devices released approximately 63% of the loaded drug in 42 days. Ophthalmic examination and HET-CAM assay revealed no evidence of toxic effects of implants. These results tend to show that etoposide-loaded implants could be potentially useful as an intraocular etoposide delivery system in the future