A new generation of cable grade poly(vinyl chloride) containing heavy metal free modifier

Many additives are used to improve the performance of cables in terms of increasing their flame retardancy, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and other characteristics. Unfortunately, most of these additives contain heavy metals. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to introduce a material representing a new generation of environmentally friendly heavy metal-free stabilizers for cable grade poly(vinyl chloride) that can compete with traditional materials in terms of performance and distinctive properties. This unique additive is Oxydtron, a synthetic silicate or simply nanocement. The tests performed are rheological properties represented by a capillary rheometry analysis, limiting oxygen index, and volume resistivity. The most significant improvement in Bagley correction measurements was 14.61%; 18.13%; and 27.20% more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation when using 5wt.% Oxydtron at 160 °C, 170 °C, and 180 °C, respectively. Also, the mean increases in relaxation time were 3.200 times, 8.825 times, and 12.458 times more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation with 1wt.%, 3wt.%, and 5wt.% of Oxydtron, respectively. Furthermore, the Oxydtron lowered the value of the accompanying thermal gradient of the L.O.I test, reducing the heat-affected zone. The best result was with the extrusion processing method due to the uniformity of the processing conditions. However, the thermal gradient analysis showed residual heat stress in the test samples after cutting the burning layer and re-testing the samples again; this causes them to burn faster. This situation requires caution for designs that are exposed to high temperatures without burning. The optimum improvement in volume resistivity value was 14.71% and 38.24% more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation after adding 5wt.% and 7wt.% of Oxydtron, respectively.

Rheological and mechanical properties of polypropylene/grape skin fiber composites

The use of natural fibers as fillers in polymer matrix composites is an alternative for reusing the fruit wastes that originated from the food industry. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of grape skin fiber (GSF) on the rheological and mechanical properties of polypropylene/GSF (PP/GSF) composites. The composites were prepared by extrusion followed by injection molding and characterized by rheological, morphological, and mechanical properties. Rheological measurement results showed an increase in viscosity at low frequencies. The relaxation time of the PP/GSF composites increased by about 415% with the increase in the GSF content from 1 to 3 phr. Capillary rheometry results indicated that the processability of PP was not compromised with the addition of GSF. Morphology analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a good interaction between the PP matrix and GSF and a good dispersion/distribution of the fibers in the PP matrix. The impact strength decreased by about 14 and 17% with the addition of 1 and 3 phr, respectively, of GSF to PP whereas the elastic modulus remained almost unchanged.

Forensic Facial Reconstruction Using 3D Printing

The paper presents the application of 3D printing in the forensic field in order to perform facial reconstruction on a 3D printed replica of the victim�s skull. Firstly, imagine data from a computed tomography of a skull was converted into a 3D model. Then, the 3D skull model was sliced and printed in different positions in order to optimize the 3D printing configuration. Since the quality of the 3D printing process depends on the thermal and rheological properties of the 3D printing filaments, the rheological behavior of the ABS was investigated using melt flow rate and capillary rheometry. Lastly, an accurate skull replica was achieved using the optimal printing parameters. The 3D printed skull was used to perform the facial reconstruction of the victim by the forensic team. Based on the results of the present research, the 3D printing technology is a feasible solution to obtain anatomically accurate skull replicas.

Oscillating shear capillary rheometry (OSCAR) for polymer melts

Knowing the flow parameters of a polymer melt under steady state condition is required to assess the performance of the material in die and mold design. Often, however, this is not sufficient for a full understanding of the polymer processing behavior, and information on the linear and non-linear viscoelastic behavior is needed. In this paper, the non-linear viscoelastic behavior of a polymer under shear flow has been investigated by measuring the stress response when a cyclic oscillating shear rate in a capillary rheometer is applied. The time-dependent wall shear stress has been decomposed into in-phase viscous and elastic components. A model to interpret the experimental results is presented and applied to a well-characterized polystyrene and two polyethylenes with similar rheology but different molecular structure (HDPE and LLDPE). The relevant characteristics resulting from the model, such as the generalized elastic and viscous modulus under shear, are compared and discussed.

Rheology and 3D Printability of Percolated Graphene–Polyamide-6 Composites

Graphene–polyamide-6 (PA6) composites with up to 17.0%·w/w graphene content were prepared via melt mixing. Oscillatory rheometry revealed that the dynamic viscoelastic properties of PA6 decreased with the addition of 0.1%·w/w graphene but increased when the graphene content was increased to 6.0%·w/w and higher. Further analysis indicated that the rheological percolation threshold was between 6.0 and 10.0%·w/w graphene. The Carreau–Yasuda model was used to describe the complex viscosity of the materials. Capillary rheometry was applied to assess the steady shear rheology of neat PA6 and the 17.0%·w/w graphene–PA6 composite. High material viscosity at low shear rates coupled with intense shear-thinning in the composite highlighted the importance of selecting the appropriate rheological characterisation methods, shear rates and rheological models when assessing the 3D printability of percolated graphene–polymer composites for material extrusion (ME). A method to predict the printability of an ME filament feedstock, based on fundamental equations describing material flow through the printer nozzle, in the form of a printing envelope, was developed and verified experimentally. It was found that designing filaments with steady shear viscosities of approximately 15% of the maximum printable viscosity for the desired printing conditions will be advantageous for easy ME processing.