scholarly journals Effects of Expandable Graphite at Moderate and Heavy Loadings on the Thermal and Electrical Conductivity of Amorphous Polystyrene and Semicrystalline High-Density Polyethylene

Applied Nano ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-45
Author(s):  
Panagiotis A. Klonos ◽  
Lazaros Papadopoulos ◽  
Dimitra Kourtidou ◽  
Konstantinos Chrissafis ◽  
Vasileios Peoglos ◽  
...  

In this work, we prepared and investigated two series of polymer composites, wherein the matrix was either an amorphous polystyrene (PS) or a semicrystalline high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with expandable graphite (EGr) at relatively high loadings within the range 5–55 wt %. For the investigation we employed a thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry to assess the thermal transitions and evaluate the various polymer fractions (crystalline (CF), mobile (MAF) and rigid amorphous (RAF)) in addition to broadband dielectric spectroscopy and a laser flash analysis to evaluate the EGr effects on electrical conductivity, σ, and thermal conductivity, λ, respectively. In PS, EGr was found to impose an increase of the glass transition temperature and a systematic decrease of the corresponding heat capacity change. The latter was rationalized in terms of the formation of an interfacial RAF. No glass transition was recorded for HDPE whereas the fillers increased the CF moderately. As expected, σ increased with the filler loading for both matrices, up to 10−3–10−2 S/cm, resulting in a conductive percolation threshold for electrons at > 8 wt % EGr. Simultaneously, the λ of PS and HDPE were strongly increased, from 0.13 and 0.38 W·K–1·m–1 up to 0.55 and ~2 W·K–1·m–1, respectively. λ demonstrated an almost linear EGr loading dependence whereas the semicrystalline composites exhibited a systematically higher λ.

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalin Fetecau ◽  
Felicia Stan ◽  
Laurentiu Sandu ◽  
Florin Susac

This paper investigates the ability of the equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) process to induce morphological changes and hence tune the mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In this study, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), compression and cylindrical macro-indentation tests have been used to investigate the evolution of the mechanical properties of HDPE processed by ECAE up to four passes via route BC, i.e. counter clockwise 90° billet rotation about its longitudinal axis. It was found that the ECAE process induces significant plastic deformations with changes in the crystalline structure. The ECAE process increased the HDPE crystallinity by 10 to 15%. The number of ECAE passes has a significant effect on the magnitude of the mechanical properties especially on the elastic modulus and yield stress. Young’s modulus and yield strength decreased with increasing the number of ECAE passes and reached a stationary state after the third pass.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1466-1477
Author(s):  
Qingfa Zhang ◽  
Wenyu Lu ◽  
Liang Zhou ◽  
Donghong Zhang ◽  
Hongzhen Cai ◽  
...  

Biocomposites were prepared with corn straw slagging (CSS) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at four loading levels (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%) by extrusion method. CSS/HDPE composites were tested by tension, oxygen index meter, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and the scanning electron microscopy. The scanning electron microscopy showed that CSS was dispersed uniformly in the HDPE matrix and strong interfacial interaction was achieved, which had an important influence on the tensile strength of the composites. The tensile strength of the composites could be improved with proper increase of CSS and reached maximum value at 30 wt% content. Furthermore, the addition of CSS played an important role in improving the flame-retardant ability of CSS/HDPE composites, and the limited oxygen index was 31.26% at 40 wt% content, good flame-retardant effect achieved.


2020 ◽  
pp. 096739112093461
Author(s):  
WVWH Wickramaarachchi ◽  
S Walpalage ◽  
SM Egodage

Blending of two or more polymers generates a new material, which is more cost-effective than a newly synthesised material. Blending-type thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is produced by melt-mixing of a thermoplastic with a rubber. These blends have high demands associated with excellent property combinations of the parent materials. Particulate fillers are used in the rubber and plastic industry for property modification and cost reduction. In this work, six particulate fillers, namely, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate (BaSO4), kaolin, talc, Snobrite clay and dolomite were used to develop natural rubber (NR)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) TPE blends, and the most suitable filler for roofing application was identified. A series of NR/HDPE 20/80 blends were prepared by varying filler loading from 10 phr to 30 phr at 10 phr intervals using a Plasticorder. Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, hardness, impact strength and tear strength, and gel content of the blends were investigated. The addition of talc, dolomite and kaolin to NR/HDPE blend showed reduced impact strength, which is the most important property for a roofing application. The other three fillers showed improved impact strength at specific loadings. The blend with 30 phr of BaSO4 was identified as the best blend, as per the overall performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Negin Farshchi ◽  
Yalda K Ostad

Regarding the current demand for controlling plastic pollution, recycling of polymer sounds a promising solution. However, recycling causes mechanical and thermal shortcomings in polymers. Addition of nanoparticles to recycled materials may overcome these shortcomings. Nanocomposites can be achieved either by blending or through polymerization. Sepiolite as a nanoparticle enhances the thermal properties of polymers. In this study, the effect of sepiolite as a nanoparticle has been investigated on the thermal and mechanical behavior of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Hardness, density, Vicat softening temperature, melt flow rate (MFR), and differential scanning calorimetry has been investigated on recycled HDPE containing different amount of sepiolite. Results showed that both the amount of recycled HDPE and the sepiolite content affect the mechanical and thermal behavior of samples. Increasing the amount of recycled component resulted in increasing of MFR, a slight increase in density, and decrease in Vicat softening point, hardness, melting temperature, and degree of crystallization. As an opposite effect of these to factors on crystallinity of HDPE, sepiolite content has better effects to be considered separately for each recycle content. Sepiolite can be introduced as a low-cost reinforcement filler in recycling industry for tuning new compositions based on process condition, or vice versa.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1071-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Tavman ◽  
I. Krupa ◽  
M. Omastova ◽  
M. Sarikanat ◽  
I. Novak ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 1148-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spiros Tzavalas ◽  
Vasilis G. Gregoriou

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)–clay nanocomposites have been prepared using the melt intercalation technique. Organically modified montmorillonite at various loadings (0.5–7%) was used as a nanoadditive. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was utilized for the first time to monitor the stress-induced crystal-to-crystal transformations of the polyethylene matrix with respect to the clay loading as well as to the degree of mechanical strain. In addition, polarized infrared measurements revealed information on both the orientation and the stress-induced distortion of the crystals. It was concluded that the crystal-to-crystal transformations are hindered by the presence of the clay, which also prevented the crystals from orienting even at low clay loadings (1%). Finally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements confirmed the presence of the stress-induced crystalline structures in agreement with the infrared measurements.


Author(s):  
Jicheng Gao ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Yifu Shen

The aim of this work is to fabricate the high-density polyethylene–copper composites by submerged friction stir processing at different traverse speeds. The scanning electron microscopy is used to analyze the distribution of microstructure and particles. The experimental results indicated that the macrostructure morphology, microstructure and tensile strength vary depending on the traverse speed. Compared with the pure high-density polyethylene, Cu-filled polymer composites showed lower tensile strength and higher microhardness. The maximal values of the tensile strength and microhardness were achieved at traverse speeds of 30 and 15 mm/min, respectively. The thermal properties of Cu-filled high-density polyethylene composites were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The crystalline content of the composites was decreased due to the addition of copper. From the experimental tests, it can be concluded that submerged fiction stir processing has a great potential for producing polymer–metal composites.


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