Physical Properties and Non-Isothermal Crystallisation Kinetics of Primary Mechanically Recycled Poly(l-lactic acid) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)

The physical properties and non-isothermal melt- and cold-crystallisation kinetics of poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biobased polymers reprocessed by mechanical milling of moulded specimens and followed injection moulding with up to seven recycling cycles are investigated. Non-isothermal crystallisation kinetics are evaluated by the half-time of crystallisation and a procedure based on the mathematical treatment of DSC cumulative crystallisation curves at their inflection point (Kratochvil-Kelnar method). Thermomechanical recycling of PLLA raised structural changes that resulted in an increase in melt flow properties by up to six times, a decrease in the thermal stability by up to 80 °C, a reduction in the melt half-time crystallisation by up to about 40%, an increase in the melt crystallisation start temperature, and an increase in the maximum melt crystallisation rate (up to 2.7 times). Furthermore, reprocessing after the first recycling cycle caused the elimination of cold crystallisation when cooling at a slow rate. These structural changes also lowered the cold crystallisation temperature without impacting the maximum cold crystallisation rate. The structural changes of reprocessed PHBV had no significant effect on the non-isothermal crystallisation kinetics of this material. Additionally, the thermomechanical behaviour of reprocessed PHBV indicates that the technological waste of this biopolymer is suitable for recycling as a reusable additive to the virgin polymer matrix. In the case of reprocessed PLLA, on the other hand, a significant decrease in tensile and flexural strength (by 22% and 46%, respectively) was detected, which reflected changes within the biobased polymer structure. Apart from the elastic modulus, all the other thermomechanical properties of PLLA dropped down with an increasing level of recycling.

Enhanced crystallisation kinetics of edible lipids through the action of a bifurcated streamer

The type of environment generated by an ultrasonic source is shown to alter the crystallisation of an oil. In particular a bifurcated streamer, with its unusual dual cluster, is surprisingly efficient at accelerating crystallisation.

Non-Isothermal Crystallisation Kinetics of Polypropylene at High Cooling Rates and Comparison to the Continuous Two-Domain pvT Model

The modelling of the correlation between pressure, specific volume and temperature (pvT) of polymers is highly important for applications in the polymer processing of semi-crystalline thermoplastics, especially in injection moulding. In injection moulding, the polymer experiences a wide range of cooling rates, for example, 60 °C/min near the centre of the part and up to 3000 °C/min near the mould walls. The cooling rate has a high influence on the pvT behaviour, as was shown in the continuous two-domain pvT model (CTD). This work examined the Hoffman–Lauritzen nucleation and growth theory used in the modified Hammami model for extremely high cooling rates (up to 300,000 °C/min) by means of Flash differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements. The results were compared to those of the empirical continuous two-domain pvT model. It is shown that the Hammami model is not suitable to predict the crystallisation kinetics of polypropylene at cooling rates above 600 °C/min, but that the continuous two-domain pvT model is well able to predict crystallisation temperatures at high cooling rates.