Analysis of the influence of the geometric features of the filler on the thermal properties and structure of the composites in the polypropylene matrix

The article presents the results of research on polymer composites based on polypropylene filled with various fillers. The physical and thermal properties of the composites are the result of the used polymer matrix as well as the properties and geometric features of the used filler. The geometric shape of the filler is particularly important in the processing of plastics in which the flow is forced, and high shearing tension occurs, which determines the high macromolecular orientation and specific arrangement of the filler particles. Thermal analysis (STA) was used in the research and photographs were taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of fractures of polymer composites. The following fillers were used: talc, fibreglass, glass beads, and a halogen-free nitrogen-phosphorus flame retardant. The test material was obtained by extrusion. Shapes for strength tests, which were subjected to scanning microscopy tests after a static tensile test, were obtained by injection. The carried-out tests allowed us to determine the influence of the type and shape of individual fillers on structural changes in the structure of polypropylene composites and the degree of sample weight loss in a specific temperature range, depending on the used filler

Parameters Influence on the Dynamic Properties of Polymer-Matrix Composites Reinforced by Fibres, Particles, and Hybrids

In this paper, we present an extensive experimental study on the dynamic mechanical properties of composites with polymer matrices, as well as a quantification of the parameters that influence these properties. Polymer-composite matrices make it possible to form any reinforcement arrangement of fibres, particles, and layers, which makes it possible to form composite materials with certain dominant mechanical properties according to the internal arrangement for the application. In this study, we focused on the dynamic properties (i.e., damping parameters, such as the loss factor (tan d), logarithmic decrement (λ), storage modulus (E′), and loss modulus (E″)) of composites with polymer matrices, including parameters such as the fibre material, fabric weaving, fibre orientation, temperature, frequency, particle size, volume of short fibres, and epoxy resin type. If other articles focus on one type of composite and 1–2 parameters, then the benefit of this article lies in our analysis of 8 mentioned parameters in the experimental analysis of 27 different types of composites with polymer matrices. The tested fibre materials were glass, aramid, and carbon; the tested woven fabrics were twill, plain, unidirectional, and satin; the temperature range was from −50 to +230 °C; the frequency was 1 Hz and 10 Hz; the particle size was 0.1–16 mm; the volume percentages of the short fibres were 3, 6, and 12 vol.% of the hybrid polymer composites and the type of polymer matrix. We used the free-damped-vibration method with vibration dynamic signal analysis and the forced-damped vibration of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis for testing. We ranked the parameters that influence the dynamic vibration properties according to the effects. Among sets of results provided in the paper, considering the storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor, the best results of the fibre composites were for aramid-fibre-reinforced polymers, regardless of the weave type, with an advantage for unidirectional fabric. The best results of the particle composites were for those with fine filler sizes that incorporated the short fibres

Analysis of the Influence of the Mould Temperature in the Weld Line Areas on Strength of the Injection Mouldings

The weld lines that occur in injection mouldings are critical areas on which depends on the strength of the mouldings. The flow of the material in the injection mould takes place through the gate and then gradually in the mould cavity. Depending on the shape of the formed object, the weld line may or may not occur. In the case of spreading of plastic streams or bypassing obstacles in the form of cores in the mould, the joining lines run down. Most often, the strength of the moulded part is the lowest in these areas and the resulting lines can cause cracking. The aim of the research presented in the publication was to evaluate the properties of particular parts of mouldings obtained from an experimental injection mould equipped with 4 weld line areas. The tests were performed using the method of thermal analysis by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis DMA. Tensile tests were performed on the parts with weld areas and the maximum crack force was determined. The morphology of the obtained fractures was observed using an optical microscope

The Impact of Selected Injection Conditions on the Properties and Structure of Molded Parts Made of HDPE with Chemical Blowing Agent

In this work, the influence of plastic injection molding conditions, mainly plasticizing conditions: plasticizing pressure (back pressure) and decompression (suck-back) after dosing on weight, thickness, mechanical properties and structure of HDPE parts obtained by injection molding with the addition of chemical blowing agent was done. In order to enable the manufacturing of correctly made molded parts under given plasticizing conditions, other parameters (hold time and hold pressure, injection velocity and injection time) were also changed. It was found that making correct molded parts using decompression requires increased hold pressure and hold time. The share of the porous structure in the parts is inversely proportional to the decompression as well as the hold pressure and hold time, while the plasticizing pressure has little effect on thickness, mass, tensile strength and elongation at maximum force, however, it affects the structure of the molded parts to some extent

The structure and properties of magnetic composites based on amorphous Fe alloys

Materials with so-called soft magnetic properties are an important object of material engineering research due to their potential application, among others, in the construction of low-loss transformer cores. Such properties are typical for alloys with an amorphous structure and with a high content of ferromagnetic elements: Fe, Co, Ni. Difficulties related with obtaining alloys which meet satisfactory dimensions result in the search for new solutions. One of them is the production of composites based on ferromagnetic powders obtained from amorphous alloys. This paper presents results of structure research for composite materials produced in a multi-stage production process. Magnetic composites were made on the basis of a bulk amorphous Fe70B20Y5Nb4Mo1 alloy produced by the injection method. On the basis of the obtained powder, two series of moldings were made: with 0.5% resin and covered with high-temperature varnish. Final composites were produced by using high temperature isostatic press. On the basis of the conducted research, it was found that the composites without resin are characterized by distinctly better magnetic properties as compared to resin-bonded composites

Performance of Biodegradable Biochar-Added and Bio-Based Plastic Clips for Growing Tomatoes

Increasing quantities of waste from using conventional plastic in agriculture and horticulture is one of the most pressing issues nowadays. Conventional plastic accessories (e.g., mulching films, clips, pots, strings, etc.) are typically fossil-derived, non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle after their use. Therefore, there is a need for biodegradable and bio-based alternatives with similar properties to conventional plastics, which can be disposed of through degradation in water, soil or compost under specific conditions. This work investigated the properties and the performance of biodegradable biochar-added and bio-based stem and arch support clips. In addition, the investigated clips were composted with tomato residues during 16 week laboratory composting. The scope of this work included: (1) the production of stem and arch support clips in a pilot installation using injection molding technology, (2) an analysis of their chemical composition, biodegradability, disintegration and phytotoxicity, (3) an evaluation of their performance in the greenhouse cultivation of tomatoes and (4) an evaluation of the composting of the clips with on-farm organic waste as an end-of-waste management method. The stem support clips during industrial composting (58 °C) degraded at 100% after 20 weeks, whereas during home composting (30 °C) the degradation was slow, and after 48 weeks the maximum weight loss was 5.43%. Disintegration during industrial composting resulted in 100% fragmentation into particles with sizes less than 2 mm. Phytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the substrates after industrial and home composting did not have a negative effect on the growth of the test plants (i.e., mustard, wheat, cuckooflower). The biochar-added stem support clips proved to be satisfactory alternatives to conventional non-biodegradable, fossil-derived clips and can be disposed of through composting. However, more work is needed to determine the optimal conditions for composting to ensure rapid degradation of the clips in relevant environments

End-of-life management of biodegradable plastic dog poop bags through composting of green waste

Plastic waste derived from plastic dog poop bags (DPBs) could be considered a negligible source of plastic waste. However, it is estimated that this kind of waste contributes to 0.6% of the total plastic waste generated worldwide, and it is expected to increase in the following years. Plastic dog poop bags can be replaced with biodegradable and bio-based alternatives. These alternatives can biodegrade in various environments such as composting, soil, or water and thus allow for end-of-life management without the risk of contaminating the environment with microplastics. However, not all biodegradable bags are always compostable. In this study, we tested composting as the end-of-life management of selected biodegradable dog poop bags (i.e., prototypes of bags and commercially available bags). We analyzed the biodegradation of selected biodegradable plastic dog poop bags during the composting of green waste in laboratory composting reactors after 4 weeks and 90 days of composting. All the investigated DPBs decomposed 100% after 90 days of composting. However, the fresh compost obtained after the 90-day composting of green waste mixed with the investigated bags containing dog poop did not demonstrate high quality

Comparison of Physical and Thermal Properties of Mulching Films Made of Different Polymeric Materials

The development of polymer materials causes their huge expansion into various areas of everyday life, as well as plant and animal production. Their chemical resistance, good physical properties, and ease of processing result in an increasing use of this group of materials. Outdoor plant production both in open plantations and greenhouses requires various types of materials supporting the vegetation process as well as protecting against pests and weeds. A large group here are various types of materials used for covers of field crops, the main role of which is to prevent uncontrolled and excessive growth of weeds and thus reduce the use of herbicides as plant protection products. Cover films also have other important functions, such as reducing direct water evaporation, better moisture retention around the root system, increasing soil temperature (faster vegetation), etc. However, as always, the problem of introducing new material into agriculture production and the difficulty of its disposal arises. In recent times, farmers’ interest in various forms of mulch to protect crops and increase yields has grown significantly. In the publication, the authors attempted to analyze selected commercial properties, but also mulch produced on a laboratory scale, based on biodegradable and petroleum-derived materials

The Investigations of Thermomechanical Properties of Polypropylene Composites

The article presents the results of the investigations of isotactic polypropylene composites with the following fillers: flame retardants, glass fiber, glass beads, and talc. The process of preparing composites and test samples is described. The investigations were performed using the DMTA method. The evaluation of thermal effects for the investigated molded parts using special device was also presented. The scope of the research included ten polypropylene composites with different content and type of fillers. These measurements allowed us to determine the influence of the filler type and content on the dynamic mechanical properties of iPP composites. The results will be useful for determining the scope of application of the mentioned materials in various fields of industry in the future