Ethylene-butyl Acrylate-glycidyl Methacrylate Research Articles

Progress in 3D printing of recycled PET

Filaments from blends of post-industrial, low-quality recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (RPET) and ethylene-butyl-acrylate-glycidyl-methacrylate (EBA-GMA) were extruded with different EBA-GMA contents, then specimens were 3D-printed by fused filament fabrication technology. It has been demonstrated that, when 0–90° layer order is applied, at 15 wt% EBA-GMA content the unnotched impact strength increases by two and a half times and the notched impact strength by nine times compared to samples printed from elastomer-free RPET. DSC and DMA measurements proved that EBA-GMA reactively bonds to PET molecules, which is indicated by the increment of rigid amorphous phase and glass transition temperature and the reduction of crystallinity. The co-polymer molecules formed in-situ during compounding create a Toughening Enhancer Interphase (TEI), which also remains after 3D printing and effectively enhances impact strength. The strain at break and tensile strength of the filaments are substantially higher than that of 3D-printed specimens due to the increasing shrinkage and the resulting increased porosity of the printed specimens with higher EBA-GMA content. However, the Young-modulus values are quite similar. The flexural strength of the 3D-printed specimens reaches 40–60% of the values of injection moulded samples. The proposed method enables the production of parts with arbitrary geometry and balanced mechanical properties from RPET, which may substitute acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Evaluation of Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Poly (Lactic Acid)/Ethylene Elastomer (EE) Blends.

The influences of ethylene-based elastomer (EE) and the compatibilizer agent ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) on the thermal degradation of PLA/EE blends were evaluated by the thermal degradation kinetics and thermodynamic parameters using thermogravimetry. The presence of EE and EBAGMA synergistically improved the PLA thermal stability. The temperature of 10% of mass loss (T10%) of PLA was around 365 °C, while in the compatibilized PLA/EE blend, this property increased to 370 °C. The PLA average activation energy (Ea¯) reduced in the PLA/EE blend (from 96 kJ/mol to 78 kJ/mol), while the presence of EBAGMA in the PLA/EE blend increased the Ea¯ due to a better blend compatibilization. The solid-state thermal degradation of the PLA and PLA/EE blends was classified as a D-type degradation mechanism. In general, the addition of EE increased the thermodynamic parameters when compared to PLA and the compatibilized blend due to the increase in the collision rate between the components over the thermal decomposition.

Molecular simulation on compatibility and mechanisms of SBS and PTW polymer modifiers in asphalt binder.

Ultrathin overlays are preventive maintenance measures; the tensile and shear stresses generated inside a structural layer under vehicle load are greater than those of conventional thickness asphalt pavement. Therefore, asphalt binders must use high-viscosity and elasticity unique cementing materials to ensure stability. To investigate the modification mechanism of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)/ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (PTW) high-viscosity modified asphalt binder suitable for ultrathin overlays, the compatibility and molecular behavior of SBS/PTW high-viscosity modified asphalt binder were analyzed by the molecular dynamics (MD) method. These research results provide a reference for preparing ultrathin overlay high-performance composite modified asphalt binder. SBS molecular models, PTW molecular models, asphalt binder molecular models, SBS/asphalt binder blend systems, and SBS/PTW/asphalt binder blend systems were sequentially constructed using Materials Studio (MS) software. The compatibility of SBS, PTW, and SBS/PTW with asphalt binder and the diffusion coefficients of SBS, PTW, and SBS/PTW in the asphalt binder were investigated separately using the MD method. The mechanical properties and molecular behavior of SBS, PTW, and SBS/PTW blended with asphalt binder were studied. The research results indicate that the compatibility of PTW with asphalt binder is better than that of SBS with asphalt binder. PTW can effectively decrease the solubility parameter of asphalt binder and improve the compatibility between SBS and asphalt binder. PTW effectively improves the diffusion coefficient and interaction energy of SBS in asphalt binder by up to 29% and 83%. In addition, SBS/PTW had a significant positive effect on the mechanical properties of the asphalt binders, increasing the elastic modulus (E), bulk modulus (K), and shear modulus (G) of the asphalt binder by 4.6%, 9.5%, and 3.5%, respectively, compared to SBS. The results indicate that the SBS/PTW modified asphalt binder composite can significantly improve the high-temperature shear resistance of asphalt binder. Meanwhile, SBS and PTW improve the self-aggregation behavior between asphalt binder component molecules. The distance between the center of mass of asphalt binder and resin system molecules is increased. PTW enhances the extensibility of the branched chains of asphalt binder component molecules and improves the interaction between asphalt binder components and the chains. This further enhances the density and stability of the asphalt binder molecular structure system, improving the physical properties of the asphalt binder.

Compatibilization of Immiscible PA6/PLA Nanocomposites Using Graphene Oxide and PTW Compatibilizer for High Thermal and Mechanical Applications

The aim of this work is synthesis a novel nanocomposite containing Polylactide (PLA) and polyamide 6 (PA6) reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) and poly ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) (PTW) compatibilizer during solvent-based method. For this purpose, GO was added to the nanocomposite with 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 phr. Morphology, rheology and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and (DMTA) which showed rougher fracture surface due to the presence of compatibilizer and an increase in the amount of graphene oxide and better dispersion of graphene oxide. The results of experimental and theoretical studies of mechanical properties showed that increasing the concentration of graphene oxide in the presence of PTW improved the tensile strength, impact strength and tensile modulus in the PA6/PTW/PLA system. The study of rheological properties showed an increase in storage modulus and complex viscosity, which also confirmed the role of PTW compatibilizer in better GO dispersion. So, PA6/PTW/PLA is a good candidate for mechanical and high thermal applications.

Improvement of mechanical properties of recycled PET by reactive toughening and post-crystallization

Noticeable increase in impact strength of recycled PET (RPET) was achieved using ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBA-GMA) type reactive terpolymer (PTW). The decrease in stiffness and heat resistance due to reactive toughening was successfully compensated by thermal annealing. Based on the results, strong correlation can be shown between crystallinity and impact strength: increasing crystallinity results in reduced impact resistance at PTW contents higher than 5 m/m%, yet a 6-time increase compared to 100 % crystallized RPET was reached with 15 m/m% PTW content. Regarding heat resistance and stiffness, crystallinity appears to be the key parameter: above a critical value of 10 % crystallinity a sharp improvement of the properties can be noticed. Based on the results, properly choosing the elastomer ratio and post-crystallization conditions, post-consumer PET can be suitable for durable engineering applications as well.

Water boosts reactive toughening of PET

During melt-processing, the molecular weight of poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET, being prone to hydrolytic degradation, decreases proportionally with its initial moisture content. Therefore, to avoid undesired deterioration of the physical and mechanical properties, PET granules or recyclates are generally dried (the residual moisture must be generally lower than 500 ppm) just prior to melt-processing. In this research, in contrast to the general practice, PET granules with increasing moisture content in the range of 30-3520 ppm, as conditioned in a climate chamber, were melt blended with a constant amount (13%) of ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBA-GMA) type reactive terpolymer by twin screw extrusion. It was found that moisture boosts the reactive toughening process, and consequently, the notched Izod impact strength increases by up to 600%. Notched impact strength higher than 50 kJ/m2 was reached only by using PET with optimal (1710 ppm) moisture level instead of fully dried granules, as starting material. It is also noteworthy that the tensile strength and stiffness of the blends showed little variation over the examined moisture content range. Scanning electron microscopic analyses show that the size of the dispersed phase decreases continuously with the increasing initial moisture content of PET, which is explained by the increasingly effective interfacial compatibilisation with the terpolymer. Compatibilisation reactions are accelerated by the low-molecular-weight PET chains of increased reactivity that are formed in situ in the presence of moisture during melt-processing. The observed phenomenon can be advantageously utilized for upgrading recycling technology.

Application of low-grade recyclate to enhance reactive toughening of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

This paper presents a new recognition in reactive toughening of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), namely the major effect of the molecular weight of PET on the evolution of the compatibilization and crosslinking reactions with ethylene‑butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBA-GMA) type reactive terpolymer, and thus indirectly on its toughening efficiency. It was found that the use of highly degraded recycled PET (rPET) grades, due to the available larger number of reactive functional end groups and increased mobility of the decreased-molecular-weight chains, multiplies the impact strength of the product compared to that of original PET (oPET) with identical EBA-GMA contents. The evinced noticeable difference between the toughening behaviour of rPET and oPET is explained by morphological and interfacial factors and connected to differences in rheological behaviour as well. The reactive oligomeric rPET macromolecules form a Toughening Enhancer Interphase (TEI) around the dispersed particles. Based on systematic analyses, conclusions were drawn regarding the quality, i.e. optimal intrinsic viscosity (IV) range, and quantity of rPET to be used to obtain high-impact-strength PET blends (notched Izod impact strength higher than 40 kJ/m2) with optimised mechanical properties, being suitable even for injection moulding applications, at significantly lower terpolymer contents (10.0–12.5 wt%) than expected. Besides, the proposed new way of utilisation of PET recyclates, especially the unmarketable highly degraded fractions, is believed to give a new driving force in PET recycling.

Effect of Ethylene–Butylacrylate–Glycidyl Methacrylate on Compatibility Properties of Poly (butylene terephthalate)/ Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends

Effect of Ethylene–Butylacrylate–Glycidyl Methacrylate on Compatibility Properties of Poly (butylene terephthalate)/ Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends

Investigating the compatibility of thermoplastic polyester elastomer/high-density polyethylene blends and its effect on the horizontal flame propagation

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the use of a terpolymer, composed of ethylene–butyl acrylate–glycidyl methacrylate (PE–BA–GMA) as a compatibiliser for blending thermoplastic polyester elastomer (Hytrel) and high-density polyethylene. We have studied the effect of adding this terpolymer on the morphology of the blends, and as a result, its effect on the mechanical properties. These properties have been further corroborated with X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD) and Dynamic Rheology of the blends. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been used to study the mode of compatibilisation, while rheology has proved useful to correlate the phase morphology with SEM. We have also studied the effect of compatibilisation of this blend on Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) and horizontal flame velocity.

Thermo-mechanical recycling effects on morphology and properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/olive husk flour composites

The effects of thermo-mechanical recycling through repeated extrusion cycles on morphology and properties of neat ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and EVA/olive husk flour (OHF) composites (70/30 w/w) with and without ethylene–butyl acrylate–glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) compatibilizer were investigated in a single screw extruder machine up to five repeated cycles. The study showed that no significant modifications in the properties of the virgin EVA/OHF composite were observed along the recycling and this stability was further enhanced in the presence of EBAGMA. Indeed after five repeated extrusion cycles, the chemical structure and properties of both uncompatibilized and compatibilized composites remained unchanged compared to the neat polymer, which was subjected likely to cross-linking, in the fifth cycle. Furthermore, SEM analysis showed a better dispersion of OHF particles in EVA matrix and a good filler–polymer interfacial adhesion, being, however, more pronounced for the compatibilized composite.

Future trends of plastic bottle recycling: Compatibilization of PET and PLA

We improved the recyclability of mixed poly(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) bottle waste. We made uncompatibilized and compatibilized PET/PLA blends of different weight ratios with a twin-screw extruder. Then, we analysed the mechanical properties, the miscibility and the thermal stability of the blends with and without compatibilizers. From the change in intrinsic viscosities (IV), we concluded that different reactions occur between the polymer chains due to the compatibilizers. We observed that when ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-BA-GMA) as compatibilizer was added, the blends became tougher; elongation at break and Charpy impact strength increased, but Young's modulus of the blends decreased. In addition, the compatibilizers improved the thermal stability of the blends and this may have been caused by a number of mechanisms.

Novel thermoplastic vulcanizates by selectively dynamic cross-linking based on PVDF/PTW blends: structure and property

ABSTRACTA novel thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) based on poly (vinylidene fluoride)/poly (ethylene–butylacrylate–glycidyl methacrylate) (PVDF/PTW) (30/70 w/w) blends has been fabricated by dynamic vulcanization due to selective cross-linking of PTW by adding small amount of 3-(2-Aminoethylamino) propyldimethoxymethylsilane (KH602). The blends with KH602 had the solid-like behavior at low frequency and enhanced viscosities and dynamic modulus. The TPV exhibited a quasi co-continuous morphology with PVDF dispersed in PTW matrix, which was different from that of PVDF/PTW blend, exhibiting phase-separated morphology with PVDF dispersed in unvulcanized PTW matrix. The resulted TPVs displayed excellent mechanical properties, and excellent strain recovery, which will be a promising coating material, especially wire and cable applications.

Preparation and properties of biodegradable poly (lactic acid)/ethylene butyl acrylate glycidyl methacrylate blends via novel vane extruder

ABSTRACTIn this work, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and elastomer ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EBA-GMA) containing epoxy groups were melt-blended using a novel vane extruder. The solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (13C-NMR) and the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy proved that epoxy groups of EBA-GMA reacted with the carboxylic acid or hydroxyl groups of PLA during melt blending, resulting in a grafted structure which improved the interfacial adhesion of PLA/EBA-GMA blends. The phase morphology, mechanical and thermal properties were investigated to identify the effect of EBA-GMA weight fraction on the properties of PLA/EBA-GMA blends. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the incorporation of EBA-GMA improved the thermal stability of PLA. The impact strength of the annealed PLA80/20EBA-GMA binary blend increased up to ten times compared without annealing process.

Rheological behavior and morphological and interfacial properties of PLA/TPE blends

ABSTRACTRheological and interfacial tension data were employed to predict the morphology and thermal and mechanical properties of noncompatibilized and compatibilized poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blends. PLA was melt blended with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and ethylene elastomer (EE) and compatibilized by ethylene–butyl acrylate–glycidyl methacrylate (EBG) in an internal mixer chamber. Both TPU and EE TPEs have higher viscosities than PLA, and the interfacial properties evaluated have revealed better adhesion between domains of PLA–TPU. The efficiency of the compatibilizer agent EBG depended on the TPE type inferred by modifications in the scanning electron microscopy images of PLA/TPE blends and by the Izod impact strength (improved by 23%). The EBG was more effective in the PLA/TPU blend. The TPEs and EBG did not affect the PLA thermal stability, and no thermal event was observed in the usual PLA extrusion and injection temperature range. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47962.

Injection molded biocomposites from polypropylene and lignin: Effect of compatibilizers on interfacial adhesion and performance

This study compares the effect of two compatibilizers on polypropylene (PP)-lignin composites. Two commercial compatibilizers: maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and ethylene butylacrylate glycidylmethacrylate (EBGMA), as well combinations of them, were used to enhance the interfacial adhesion of PP/lignin composites. The main advantage of the use of lignin as a filler in value-added composites is its great natural abundance. Polymer composites were prepared by using reactive extrusion and injection molding techniques in order to examine the effect of interfacial adhesion on the thermo-mechanical properties of PP. The incorporation of MAPP led to improvements in tensile strength, while the incorporation of EBGMA led to improvements in impact strength. The mixture of both compatibilizer type improved both tensile and impact strength. Addition of compatibilizer to the composites also showed an enhancement to the interfacial adhesion, as investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis revealed an intermolecular reaction between the compatibilizer and lignin via relevant hydroxyl groups. The water absorption decreased by incorporation of the compatibilizer.

Preparation and characterization of polylactic acid (PLA) carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Polylactic acid (PLA) was modified with poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs-COOH) with carboxyl groups by using the melt blending technique. Ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-BA-GMA) was used as a compatibilizer which can bond the CNTs-COOH nanoparticles with PLA/PBAT matrix through interaction between the epoxy and carboxyl groups. The effects of the CNTs-COOH content on the mechanical properties, thermal properties, crystallinity and morphology of PLA/CNTs-COOH nanocomposites were investigated. The results showed that the tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength of PLA could be simultaneously increased by incorporating CNTs-COOH nanoparticles. PLA/CNTs-COOH nanocomposites possessed higher thermal stability than pure PLA. The glass transition temperature and initial degradation temperature of PLA/CNTs-COOH increased as the CNTs-COOH content increased. When the CNTs-COOH content was low (≤0.5 wt%), CNTs-COOH nanoparticles could uniformly disperse in the PLA matrix. In general, CNTs-COOH was an effective filler to reinforce and toughen PLA simultaneously, and the PLA/CNTs-COOH nanocomposite with 0.5 wt% CNTs-COOH exhibited a good combination of strength and toughness.

Interfacial Interaction Analysis of Blends of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) and Poly(ethylene–butylacrylate–glycidyl methacrylate) Compatibilized by Poly(butylene succinate): Morphologies, Rheological Behavior, and Mechanical Properties

ABSTRACTPoly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene–butylacrylate–glycidyl methacrylate) (PTW) are polymers with weak interfacial adhesion. Blends based on PVDF and PTW (50/50 w/w) with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 wt%) are obtained by compression molding. The estimation of interfacial interaction among PVDF, PTW, and PBS and the properties of PVDF/PTW blends are investigated. The optimal content of PBS to form a co-continuous morphology in PVDF/PTW blends is proposed, indicating that the beneficial effect of PBS (7 wt%) on interfacial adhesion is observed. Overall, estimating interfacial adhesion is a critical issue for designing PVDF/PTW blend with excellent performance, which has a prospect in coating.

Blends of polylactic acid with thermoplastic copolyester elastomer: Effect of functionalized terpolymer type on reactive toughening

This study is an attempt to explore the effectiveness of thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPCE) as a toughening agent for improving the impact strength of PLA. Biobased Hytrel® thermoplastic copolyester of polyether glycol and polybutylene terephthalate was selected as the TPCE of choice for this study. Blends of PLA/Hytrel at varying weight ratios were prepared using extrusion followed by injection molding technique. Optimal synergies of two polymers were found in the PLA/Hytrel (70/30) blend, showing impact strength of 234 J/m, a sixfold increase compared to neat PLA. In order to obtain further enhancement in toughness, different functionalized terpolymers were added to accomplish reactive compatibilization. A series of functionalized terpolymers, ethylene methyle acrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate (EMA‐GMA), ethylene butyl acrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate (EBA‐GMA), ethylene methyl acrylate‐maleic anhydride (EMA‐MaH), and ethylene butyl acrylate‐maleic anhydride (EBA‐MaH) were selected. Comparing PLA ternary blends with different terpolymers, GMA containing terpolymers showed better impact toughness compared to MaH terpolymer blends. Unique fracture surface morphology showing debonding cavitation and massive shear yielding in the ternary blends containing EMA‐GMA resulted in super toughened blends. Highest zero shear viscosity and storage modulus was also observed for ternary blends with EMA‐GMA. Under the processing conditions and blend ratio investigated, EMA‐GMA showed better efficiency in improving the toughness of the PLA blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:280–290, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Preparation of PLA-based nanocomposites modified by nano-attapulgite with good toughness-strength balance

Polylactic acid (PLA) was modified by poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and nano-attapulgite (AT) using the melt blending technique. Ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-BA-GMA) was used as a compatibilizer which can bond the AT nanoparticles with PLA/PBAT matrix by interaction between the epoxy and hydroxyl groups. The effects of the AT content on the mechanical properties, thermal properties, crystallinity and morphology of PLA/PBAT/ATT nanocomposites were investigated. The results showed that the tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength of PLA/PBAT could be simultaneously increased by incorporating AT nanoparticles. PLA/PBAT/AT nanocomposites possessed higher thermal stability than pure PLA/PBAT. In the ternary composite system of PLA/PBAT/AT, AT acted as a heterogeneous nucleating agent and was able to increase the crystallization temperature. When the AT content was low (≤2.5 wt%), AT nanoparticles could uniformly disperse in the PLA/PBAT matrix. In general, AT was an effective filler to reinforce and toughen PLA/PBAT blend simultaneously, and the PLA/PBAT/AT nanocomposite with 2.5 wt% AT exhibited a good combination of strength and toughness.

Morphology and properties of bio-based poly (lactic acid)/high-density polyethylene blends and their glass fiber reinforced composites

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blends of various proportions and their glass fiber reinforced composites were prepared by melt-compounding. The miscibility, phase morphology, thermal behavior and mechanical properties of the blends were investigated. The blends were immiscible systems with two typical morphologies, spherical droplet and co-continuous, and could be obtained at various compositions. Water contact angle and SEM images indicated that PLA and HDPE are immiscible but can be successfully compatibilized by ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (PTW). Thermal degradation of all blends led to two weight losses, for PLA and HDPE. The incorporation of HDPE improved the thermal stability of the blend. With the addition of 5 wt% PTW, the impact strength of PLA/HDPE/PTW blends (60/40/5 w/w/w) is increased to 18.0 kJ/m2. The effect of glass fiber (GF) on the morphology and mechanical properties of PLA/HDPE/PTW blends (60/40/5 w/w/w) was also investigated. The addition of GF improved the thermal stability of the PLA/HDPE/PTW blends to some extent. The tensile strength of these blends increased and impact strength decreased with increasing GF content.