Hybridization effect on the mechanical properties of curaua/glass fiber composites

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of hybridizing glass and curaua fibers on the mechanical properties of their composites. These composites were produced by hot compression molding, with distinct overall fiber volume fraction, being either pure curaua fiber, pure glass fiber or hybrid. The mechanical characterization was performed by tensile, flexural, short beam, Iosipescu and also nondestructive testing. From the obtained results, it was observed that the tensile strength and modulus increased with glass fiber incorporation and for higher overall fiber volume fraction (%Vf). The short beam strength increased up to %Vf of 30 vol.%, evidencing a maximum in terms of overall fiber/matrix interface and composite quality. Hybridization has been successfully applied to vegetable/synthetic fiber reinforced polyester composites in a way that the various properties responded satisfactorily to the incorporation of a third component. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Utilização de resíduo lignocelulósico na obtenção de chapa de madeira aglomerada homogênea e compósito reforçado com fibra de vidro-E

This research is about the use of the coconut´s endocarp (nucifera linn) and the waste of derivatives of wood and furniture as raw material to technological use. In that sense, the lignocellulosic waste is used for manufacture of homogeneous wood sheet agglomerate (LHWS) and lignocellulosic load which take part of a polymeric composite with fiber glass E (GFRP-WC). In the manufacturing of the homogeneous wood sheet agglomerate (LHWS), it was used mamona´s resin as waste s agglutinating element. The plates were taken up in a hydraulic press engine, heated, with temperature control, where they were manufactured for different percentage of waste wood and coconuts nucífera linn. Physical tests were conducted to determine the absorption of water, density, damp grade (in two hours and twenty-four hours), swelling thickness (in two hours and twenty-four hours), and mechanical tests to evaluate the parallel tensile strength (internal stick) and bending and the static (steady) flexural. The physical test´s results indicate that the LHWS can be classified as bonded wood plate of high-density and with highly water resistant. In the mechanical tests it was possible to establish that LHWS presents different characteristics when submitted to uniaxial tensile and to the static (steady) flexural, since brittle and elasticity module had a variation according to the amount of dry endocarp used to manufacture each trace of LHWS. The GFRP-WC was industrially manufactured by a hand-lay-up process where the fiber glass E was used as reinforcement the lignocellulósic´s waste as load. The matrix was made with ortofitalic unsaturated polyester resin. Physical and mechanical tests were performed in presence of saturated humidity and dry. The results indicated good performance of the GFRP-WC, as traction as in flexion in three points. The presence of water influenced the modules obtained in the flexural and tensile but there were no significant alteration in the properties analyzed. As for the fracture, the analysis showed that the effects are more harmful in the presence of damp, under the action of loading tested, but despite this, the fracture was well defined starting in the external parts and spreading to the internal regions when one when it reaches the hybrid load

Study of the production of polyesters for polyurethanes at pilot plant scale

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química

Development of a new U 200 pultrusion die to produce GRP composite profiles using different thermosetting resins

In this work, a steel heated pultrusion die was designed, developed and manufactured to produce U200 glass fibre reinforced thermosetting matrix (GRP) profiles. The finite element analysis (FEA) was used to predict and optimise the developed die heating by using cylindrical electrical powered cartridges. To assess the new die performance it was mounted in the 120 kN pultrusion line of the Portuguese company Vidropol SA and used to produce continuously U200 profiles able to meet all requirements specified for the E23 grade accordingly to the European Standard EN 13706: 2002. After setting up the type, orientation and sequence of layers in laminate, orthophthalic, isophthalic and bisphenolic unsaturated polyester as well as vinylester resins were used to produce glass fibre reinforced U 200 composite profiles. An appropriated catalyst system was selected and the processing variables optimised for each case, namely, pultrusion pull-speed and die temperature. Finally, the produced U200 profiles were submitted to visual inspection, calcination and mechanical tests, namely, flexural, tensional and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests, to assess their accomplishment with the EN 13706 requirements.

Using a new developed die and different types of thermosetting resins to produce U200 profiles by pultrusion

In this work, a new steel heated pultrusion die was designed, developed and manufactured to produce U200 glass fibre reinforced thermosetting matrix (GRP) profiles. The finite element analysis (FEA) was used to predict and optimise the developed die heating by using cylindrical electrical powered cartridges. To assess the new die performance it was mounted in the 120 kN pultrusion line of the Portuguese company Vidropol SA and used to produce continuously U200 profiles able to meet all requirements specified for the E23 grade accordingly to the European Standard EN 13706: 2002. After setting up the type, orientation and sequence of layers in the U 200 laminate, different types of thermosetting resins were used in its production. Orthophthalic, isophthalic and bisphenolic unsaturated polyester as well as vinylester resins were used to produce glass fibre reinforced U 200 composite profiles. All applied resins were submitted to SPI gel tests in order to select the more appropriated catalyst system and optimise the processing variables to be used in each case, namely, pultrusion pull-speed and die temperature. The best pultrusion operational conditions were selected by varying and monitoring the pull-speed and die temperature and, at the same time, measuring the temperature on the manufactured U 200 profile during processing. Finally, the produced U200 profiles were submitted to visual inspection, calcination and mechanical tests, namely, flexural, tensional and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests, to assess their accomplishment with the EN 13706 requirements.

Modification of Natural Rubber using Thermoset Resins

This thesis presents the findings of a study on incorporating vanous thermoset resins into natural rubber for property improvement. Natural rubber is an important elastomer with the unique attribute of being a renewable agricultural product. The study was undertaken to investigate the extent to which the drawbacks of natural rubber, especially its poor thermal and oil resistance propel1ies could be nullified by blending with common thermoset resins. A thorough and comparative understanding of the perfonnance of different resins from this viewpoint will be beneficial for both natural IUbber processors and consumers. In this study the thennoset resins used were epoxy resin, phenolics, epoxidised phenolics and unsaturated polyester resin.The resins were incorporated into NR during compounding and their effects on the properties of NR were studied after vulcanization. Properties were studied for both gum and filled N R compounds. The important properties studied are cure characteristics, mechanical properties, ageing propel1ies, thermal propel1ies, crosslink density and extractability. Characterization studies were also conducted using FTIR, TGA and DSC.Improvement in mechanical properties was noticed in many cases. The results show that most resins lead to a reduction in the cure time of NR. The perfonnance of epoxy resin is most noticeable in this respect. Mechanical properties of the modified IUbber show maximum improvement in the case of epoxidised novolacs. Most resins are seen to improve the thermal and oil resistance propel1ies of NR. Epoxy novolacs show maximum effect in this respect also. However the presence of tillers is found to moderate the positive effects of the thermoset resins considerably.

Modification of Phenol Formaldehyde Resin for Improved Mechanical Properties

Phenolic resins suffer from the presence of microvoids on curing. This often leads to less than satisfactory properties in the cured resin. This disadvantage has limited the use of phenolic resins to some extent. This study is an attempt to improve the mechanical properties of the phenolic resol resins by chemical modification aimed at reducing the microvoid population. With this end in view various themoset resins synthesised under predetennined conditions have been employed for modifying phenolic resols. Such resins include unsaturated polyester, epoxy and epoxy novolac prepolymers. The results establish the effectiveness of these resins for improving the mechanical properties of phenolics. Experimental and analytical techniques used include FTIR, DMA, TGA, SEM and mechanical property evaluation. While most of the modifier resins employed give positive results the effect of adding UP is found to be surprising as well as impressive.

Concreto celular polimérico: influência na adição de resíduo de poliéster insaturado termofixo

This work addresses the production of lightweight concrete building elements, such as plates, prefabricated slabs for pre-molded and panels of fencing, presenting a singular concrete: the Lightweight Concrete, with special properties such low density and good strength, by means of the joint use of industrial waste of thermosetting unsaturated polyesters and biodegradable foaming agent, named Polymeric Lightweight Concrete. This study covered various features of the materials used in the composition of the Polymeric Lightweight Concrete, using a planning of factorial design 23, aiming at studying of the strength, production, dosage processes, characterization of mechanical properties and microstructural analysis of the transition zone between the light artificial aggregate and the matrix of cement. The results of the mechanical strength tests were analyzed using a computational statistics tool (Statistica software) to understand the behavior and obtain the ideal quantity of each material used in the formula of the Polymeric Lightweight Concrete. The definition of the ideal formula has the purpose of obtaining a material with the lowest possible dry density and resistance to compression in accordance with NBR 12.646/92 (≥ 2.5 MPa after 28 days). In the microstructural characterization by scanning electron microscopy it was observed an influence of the materials in the process of cement hydration, showing good interaction between the wrinkled face of the residue of unsaturated polyesters thermosetting and putty and, consequently, the final strength. The attaining of an ideal formula, given the Brazilian standards, the experimental results obtained in the characterization and comparison of these results with conventional materials, confirmed that the developed Polymeric Lightweight Concrete is suitable for the production of building elements that are advantageous for construction

Estudo da incorporação de resíduo industrial polimérico ao CAP

This work presents the incorporation of an industrial polymeric waste into a petroleum asphalt cement with penetration grade 50-60 (CAP 50-60). The main goal of this research is the development of a polymer-modified asphalt, with improvements in its physical properties, in order to obtain a more resistant material to the traffic loads. Furthermore, the use of this polymeric waste will result in economic and environmental benefits. The CAP 50-60 used in this research was kindly supplied by LUBNOR Lubrificantes e Derivados de Petróleo do Nordeste (produced in Fazenda Belém Aracati - Ceará) and the industrial polymeric waste was provided by a button manufacturer industry, located in Rio Grande do Norte state. This polymeric waste represents an environmental problem due to its difficulty in recycling and disposal, being necessary the payment by the industry to a landfill. The difficulty in its reuse is for being this material a termofixed polymer, as a result, the button chips resulting from the molding process cannot be employed for the same purpose. The first step in this research was the characterization of the polymeric waste, using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Based on the results, the material was classified as unsaturated polyester. After, laboratory experiments were accomplished seeking to incorporate the polymeric waste into the asphalt binder according to a 23 experimental factorial design, using as main factors: the polymer content (2%, 7% and 14%), the temperature of the mixture (140 and 180 oC) and the reaction time (20 and 60 minutes). The characterization of the polymer-modified asphalt was accomplished by traditional tests, such as: penetration, ring and ball softening point, viscosity, ductility and flash point temperature. The obtained results demonstrated that the addition of the polymeric waste into the asphalt binder modified some of its physical properties. However, this addition can be considered as a feasible alternative for the use of the polymeric waste, which is a serious environmental and technological problem.

Estudo do comportamento mecânico de um eco-compósito para aplicação como painéis divisórios de ambientes

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo o estudo do comportamento mecânico de um eco-compósito em estrutura laminada para aplicação como painéis divisórios de ambientes utilizando uma resina comercial poliuretana a base natural de óleo de mamona, uma resina comercial de poliéster insaturada e um tecido de juta como reforço, obtido de sacarias. A fração em massa de produto natural (juta) ou de base natural (poliuretana a base de óleo de mamona) totalizou 44,32%, habilitando sua denominação como eco-compósito. Foram realizados os ensaios de tração, de compressão, de flexão, de impacto Charpy e de impacto por queda de dardo nos materiais constituintes do compósito para verificação da contribuição de cada material para as propriedades do compósito. Os ensaios de tração foram realizados na matriz de poliuretana, na matriz de poliéster, no tecido de juta, na matriz híbrida (resina de poliuretana e resina de poliéster) e no compósito. Os ensaios de compressão foram realizados na matriz de poliuretana, na matriz de poliéster, na matriz híbrida e no compósito. Os ensaio de flexão foram realizados na matriz de poliéster, na matriz híbrida e no compósito. Os ensaios de impacto foram realizados na matriz de poliuretana, na matriz de poliéster, na matriz híbrida e no compósito. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o compósito apresenta bom comportamento quando submetido a impacto e a esforços de tração.

Influência da Espessura nas Propriedades Mecânicas de Compósitos Híbridos Interlaminares de Curauá/Vidro/Poliéster

The interest in the use of vegetable fibers (e.g. jute, sisal and curaua) for more noble applications, such as reinforcement in polymeric composite materials, has increased over the years due to a variety of aspects, especially those related to environmental legislation and community awareness regarding the life cycle of products. In this context, the aim of this work is to develop hybrid interlaminate curaua/glass/insaturated polyester composites by hot compression molding and to analyze their mechanical properties as a function of the thickness of the laminate. The short beam strength of the thickest sample decreased due to its higher void content. Furthermore, the thinnest sample showed lower hardness, and lower impact, tensile and Iosipescu shear strength, partly attributed to its lower fiber volumetric fraction. Thus, in general, the most adequate laminate was the one comprising eight layers, four of which were of glass fiber and four of curaua fiber, but only if flexural loading is not critical.

Phase behavior, crystallization, and morphology in thermosetting blends of a biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-type epoxy resin and poly(ε-caprolactone)

Thermosetting blends of a biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-type epoxy resin (PEG-ER) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared via an in situ curing reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) and maleic anhydride (MAH) in the presence of PCL. The miscibility, phase behavior, crystallization, and morphology of these blends were investigated. The uncured PCL/PEGDGE blends were miscible, mainly because of the entropic contribution, as the molecular weight of PEGDGE was very low. The crystallization and melting behavior of both PCL and the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segment of PEGDGE were less affected in the uncured PCL/PEGDGE blends because of the very close glass-transition temperatures of PCL and PEGDGE. However, the cured PCL/PEG-ER blends were immiscible and exhibited two separate glass transitions, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. There existed two phases in the cured PCL/PEG-ER blends, that is, a PCL-rich phase and a PEG-ER crosslinked phase composed of an MAH-cured PEGDGE network. The crystallization of PCL was slightly enhanced in the cured blends because of the phase-separated nature; meanwhile, the PEG segment was highly restricted in the crosslinked network and was noncrystallizable in the cured blends. The phase structure and morphology of the cured PCL/PEG-ER blends were examined with scanning electron microscopy; a variety of phase morphologies were observed that depended on the blend composition. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clay-based polymer nanocomposites: Research and commercial development

This paper reviews the recent research and development of clay-based polymer nanocomposites. Clay minerals, due to their unique layered structure, rich intercalation chemistry and availability at low cost, are promising nanoparticle reinforcements for polymers to manufacture low-cost, lightweight and high performance nanocomposites. We introduce briefly the structure, properties and surface modification of clay minerals, followed by the processing and characterization techniques of polymer nanocomposites. The enhanced and novel properties of such nanocomposites are then discussed, including mechanical, thermal, barrier, electrical conductivity, biodegradability among others. In addition, their available commercial and potential applications in automotive, packaging, coating and pigment, electrical materials, and in particular biomedical fields are highlighted. Finally, the challenges for the future are discussed in terms of processing, characterization and the mechanisms governing the behaviour of these advanced materials.

Phase behavior, crystallization, and nanostructures in thermoset blends of epoxy resin and amphiphilic star-shaped block copolymers

This article reports thermoset blends of bisphenol A-type epoxy resin (ER) and two amphiphilic four-arm star-shaped diblock copolymers based on hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO). 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) was used as a curing agent. The first star-shaped diblock copolymer with 70 wt% ethylene oxide (EO), denoted as (PPO-PEO)(4), consists of four PPO-PEO diblock arms with PPO blocks attached on an ethylenediamine core; the second one with 40 wt% EO, denoted as (PEO-PPO)(4), contains four PEO-PPO diblock arms with PEO blocks attached on an ethylenediamine core. The phase behavior, crystallization, and nanoscale structures were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering. It was found that the MDA-cured ER/(PPO-PEO)(4) blends are not macroscopically phase-separated over the entire blend composition range. There exist, however, two microphases in the ER/(PPO-PEO)(4) blends. The PPO blocks form a separated microphase, whereas the ER and the PEO blocks, which are miscible, form another microphase. The ER/(PPO-PEO)(4) blends show composition-dependent nanostructures on the order of 10-30 nm. The 80/20 ER/(PPO-PEO)(4) blend displays spherical PPO micelles uniformly dispersed in a continuous ER-rich matrix. The 60/40 ER/(PPO-PEO)(4) blend displays a combined morphology of worm-like micelles and spherical micelles with characteristic of a bicontinuous microphase structure. Macroscopic phase separation took place in the MDA-cured ER/(PEO-PPO)(4) blends. The MDA-cured ER/(PEO-PPO)(4) blends with (PEO-PPO)(4) content up to 50 wt% exhibit phase-separated structures on the order of 0.5-1 mu m. This can be considered to be due to the different EO content and block sequence of the (PEO-PPO)(4) copolymer. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Thermal degradation of a brominated bisphenol a derivative

The thermal degradation of 2,6,2',6'-tetrabromo-4,4-pm-isoproylidene-di phenol (tetrabromobisphenol A) (TBBPA) has been investigated and a mechanism for its thermal degradation is suggested. TBBPA is a comonomer widely used in epoxy and in unsaturated polyester resins to impart fire retardance. These resins find a common use in electric and electronic equipment. The presence of bromine atoms is the key factor in fire retardant activity, while on the other hand it represents an ecological problem when pyrolytic recycling is programmed at the end of the useful life of such items. However, pyrolysis is the more advantageous recycling system for thermosetting resins and thus efforts should be made to control the pyrolysis in order to avoid or minimize the development of toxics. Homolytic scission of the aromatic bromine and condensation of aromatic bromine with phenolic hydroxyl are the main processes occuring in the range 270-340°C. A large amount of charred residue is left as a consequence of condensation reactions. HBr and brominated phenols and bisphenols are the main volatile products formed. Brominated dibenzodioxins structures are included in the charred residue and not evolved in the volatile phases.