Polyethylene-co-glycidyl Methacrylate Research Articles

Investigation the Phase Separation in Metallocene Linear Low Density Polyethylene/Polypropylene Blends

The present study is aimed at investigated the miscibility in binary blend the Metallocene linear low density polyethylene (PE) and the Polypropylene homo (PP). Metallocene linear low density polyethylene is one of LLDPEs but with lower density higher melt flow index (MFI) than conventional LLDPE. The polyethylene and polypropylene blends (PB) were prepare by using o-xylene as solvent and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA) as compatibilizer promote blending of immiscible homopolymers and the stability of the blend . The composites were characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Long period spacing was obtained using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).Crystallinity and melting behavior were studying by use the DSC and TGA, Metallocene linear low density polyethylene provide better behavior than the conventional LLDPE. The tensile test and DMA test were applied on the blends, which displayed improvement on the blend properties by using the PE-co-GMA and confirm the incompatible nature of the blends.

The effect of Poly-ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate efficiency and clay platelets on thermal and rheological properties of wood polyethylene composites.

Global ecological concerns have resulted in an interest in renewable natural materials. Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), wood fiber (Veneer) and containing coupling agents like nanoclay (NC) and poly-ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PEGMA) were made by melt compounding and then injection molding. In this study, the effects of two variable parameters namely nanoclay and coupling agent on the rheological and thermal properties of wood polyethylene composites (WPECs) were investigated. The study investigates the morphology phase, rheology behaviors and thermal properties by scanning electron microscope, capillary rheometer and thermal gravimetric analyzer. The SEM micrographs of the composites showed that the outer surfaces of the wood were coated by a section of amorphous lignin. The state of dispersion in HDPE/pine/clay composites was improved by EGMA because it could interact with pine flour in addition to clay. The interaction of reinforcement with coupling agent and HDPE matrix is strong based on the observation of the fracture surface of composites when EGMA is present. However the addition of 2.5% clay slightly lowered the initial degradation temperature (Td) but did not improve the thermal stability. Obviously, all the composites materials exhibit viscoelastic values greater than those of neat HDPE.

Thermoplastic Healing in Epoxy Networks: Exploring Performance and Mechanism of Alternative Healing Agents

AbstractThis paper investigates thermally activated healing in an epoxy amine network using six thermoplastic modifiers; ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), poly (ethylene‐co‐glycidyl)‐methacrylate (PEGMA), poly(vinyl‐butyral) (PVB), styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene copolymer (SEBS), acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) and polyethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid (EMAA). They all exhibit healing but varied in efficiency, repeatability and mechanism. EMAA, PEGMA and EVA display superior healing or load recovery compared with ABS, SEBS and PVB with increasing healing events. For EMAA and PEGMA this is attributed to a pressure delivery mechanism, while for EVA, it is attributed to increased viscous flow and a highly elastomeric response to damage. Adhesive binding of the fracture surfaces is also critical in restoring load. magnified image

Healing of carbon fibre–epoxy composites using thermoplastic additives

The healing efficiency and healing mechanisms of selected insoluble thermoplastics blended into an epoxy resin and its respective carbon fibre–epoxy matrix composite is investigated. The capacity of two reactive thermoplastic additives (polyethylene-co-methacrylic acid (EMAA) and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PEGMA)) and two non-reactive thermoplastics (ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)) to heal cracks in the epoxy resin network and heal delaminations in carbon–epoxy composite is determined. The thermoplastics were able to partially repair the fractured epoxy, although different healing mechanisms were operative. The thermoplastics (except ABS) were partially or completely effective in restoring the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness and fatigue resistance of delaminated composites. The healing efficiency of the thermoplastics, defined by the percentage recovery to the interlaminar fracture toughness of the composites, increased in the order: ABS (lowest), PEGMA, EVA and EMAA (highest). Healing by the reactive EMAA and PEGMA thermoplastics involves a unique pressure delivery mechanism whereas healing by the non-reactive EVA thermoplastic is controlled by its viscosity and adhesion to the fracture surfaces. ABS was ineffective as a healing agent in the composite due to its high viscosity which impeded flow into the delamination crack.

Effect of Nanoparticles on Flammability, UV Resistance, Biodegradability, and Chemical Resistance of Wood Polymer Nanocomposite

Wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) was developed by using high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), wood flour (WF), polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA), and different nanoparticles viz. nanoclay, SiO2, and ZnO. The distribution of nanoparticles was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. The change in surface morphology due to the addition of compatibilizer and nanoparticles was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface modification of nanoparticles by organic surfactant and their interaction with polymer and wood was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The UV resistance property was improved after the incorporation of clay, SiO2, and ZnO. Bacterial degradation of WPC was found to increase linearly with the incorporation of clay and nanoparticles. The degraded samples showed lower mechanical properties. Flame retarding property, chemical resistance, and water vapor resistance wer...

Effect of silica nanopowder on the properties of wood flour/polymer composite

AbstractLow‐density polyethylene (LDPE), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (1:1:1:0.5) were solution blended by using a mixture of solvents consisting of xylene and tetrahydrofuran (THF) (70:30). SiO2 nanoparticles were modified by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Wood polymer composites (WPC) were prepared by using polymer mixture, polyethylene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate (PE‐co‐GMA), wood flour, and modified SiO2. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed that the intensity of the peaks of polymer mixture decreased due to incorporation of SiO2. The dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles and morphological characteristics were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The interaction between SiO2 nanoparticles, PE‐co‐GMA, polymer mixture, and wood was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Tensile and flexural properties of the composites improved significantly due to the incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles. Thermal stability, hardness, flame retardancy, and water resistance capacity were also found to enhance. Maximum improvement in properties was observed by the inclusion of 3 phr modified SiO2 in WPC. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Effect of nanoclay and ZnO on the physical and chemical properties of wood polymer nanocomposite

AbstractWood polymer composite (WPC) was prepared by using solution blended high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(vinyl chloride) with Phragmites karka wood flour and polyethylene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate (PE‐co‐GMA). The effect of addition of nanoclay and ZnO on the properties of the composite was examined. The distribution of silicate layers and ZnO nanopowder was studied by X‐ray diffractrometry and transmission electron microscopy. The improvement in miscibility among polymers due to addition of PE‐co‐GMA as compatibilizer was studied by scanning electron microscopy. WPC treated with 3 phr each of clay and ZnO showed an improvement in thermal stability and UV resistance. Mechanical and flame retarding properties were also enhanced after the incorporation of clay/ZnO nanopowder. Both water and water vapor absorption were found to decrease due to inclusion of nanoclay and ZnO in WPC. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Effect of Different Compatibilisers and Nanoclays on the Physical Properties of Wood (Phragmites Karka)–Polymer Composites

Wood–polymer composites (WPCs) were prepared by solution blending of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (1:1:0.5), wood four, nanoclay, and compatibiliser. Compatibility among different polymers as well as with wood four was evaluated by using different kinds of compatibiliser, namely glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA). The formation of a nanocomposite was confirmed by XRD and TEM studies. SEM study showed that maximum improvement in compatibility of nanoclay-reinforced WPCs was achieved by using a mixture of compatibilisers (GMA + PE-co-GMA + PE-g-MA). FTIR study indicated an interaction between the polymer blend, wood four, nanoclay, and the compatibiliser. WPCs prepared by using blended compatibiliser, nanoclay, and 40 phr wood four exhibited maximum hardness, thermal stability, mechanical and fame-retardant properties. The water uptake capacity of blended-compatibiliser-based wood–polymer nanocomposites was lower than that of individual-compatibiliser-based nanocomposites.

Recyclability of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) matrix for controllable and productive fabrication of thermoplastic nanofibers

A high-throughput, controllable and environmentally benign fabrication process of thermoplastic nanofibers with a biobased material, cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) as the matrix was recently reported. To prove the recyclability of the CAB, a method was proposed to theoretically demonstrate the ability of the recycled polymer for repeated melt extrusions based on a comparison of thermal degradation and flow activation energy of the recycled polymers. The flow activation energy was derived from rheological behaviors of the original and recycled CAB at different temperatures. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was utilized to characterize the thermal degradation behaviors of the polymer. The change in the number average molecular weight of the recycled CAB was studied by measuring the intrinsic viscosity and the Mark-Houwink equation. To display the practical recyclability, the recycled CAB was successfully employed to serve as the matrix for the preparation of iPP (polypropylene), PTT (poly trimethylene terephthalate) and PE-co-GMA (poly (ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate)) nanofibers. The proposed quantitative method could be extended to evaluate the recyclability of the other thermoplastics.

Effect of coupling agent and nanoclay on properties of HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC blend and Phargamites karka nanocomposite

High density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were solution blended by using a mixture of xylene and tetrahydrofuran as solvent and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA) as compatibilizer. The minimum ratio of solvents to obtain a homogenous solution was optimised. Wood polymer composites (WPC) were prepared by using solution blended polymer, wood flour and nanoclay. X-ray diffraction studies of WPC treated with 1 and 3 phr nanoclay showed higher exfoliation compared to WPC treated with 5 phr nanoclay. TEM study also supported the above findings. FTIR studies indicated an interaction between wood, PE-co-GMA and clay. SEM study indicated an increase in miscibility among polymers due to addition of PE-co-GMA as compatibilizer. Thermal stability improved on addition of clay to the WPC. WPC treated with 3 phr clay showed highest mechanical properties. Hardness and water absorption were improved significantly with the addition of nanoclay to wood/polymer composite.

Studies on LDPE—Cyanoethylated lignocellulosics blends using epoxy functionalized LDPE as compatibilizer

AbstractRubberwood flour and cellulose have been plasticized by cyanoethylation and then blended with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). A small quantity of epoxy functionalized polyethylene i.e., polyethylene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate (PEGMA) has been added to further enhance the mechanical properties. The mechanical properties were measured according to the standard ASTM methods. SEM analysis was performed for both fractured and unfractured blend specimens. The mechanical properties were improved by the addition of PEGMA compatibilizer. LDPE blends with cyanoethylated wood flour (CYWF) showed higher tensile strength and modulus than cyanoethylated cellulose CYC‐LDPE blends. However CYC‐LDPE blends exhibited higher relative elongation at break values as compared with the former. The TGA analysis showed lowering of thermal stability as the filler content is increased and degradation temperature of LDPE is shifted slightly to lower temperature. DSC analysis showed loss of crystallinity for the LDPE phase as the filler content is increased for both types of blends. Dielectric properties of the blends were similar to LDPE, but were lowered on adding PEGMA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 219–237, 2006

Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene‐g‐polystyrene as the compatibilizer for polypropylene/ Polystyrene blends

AbstractPolyethylene‐g‐polystyrene (PE‐g‐PS) was synthesized as a compatibilizer for polypropylene/polystyrene­(PP/PS) blends by the living radical polymerization of styrene with polyethylene‐co‐glycidylmethacrylate (PE‐co‐GMA). The compatibilizer effect of PE‐g‐PS on the morphology and thermal properties of PP/PS blends was investigated. The crystalline temperature of PP in PP/PS blends decreased with increasing PE‐g‐PS contents. Morphologies of PP/PE‐g‐PS/PS blends showed much better dispersion of each domain for higher PE‐g‐PS contents. The molecular weight of PS segment in PP/PE‐g‐PS/PS blend was increased by addition of styrene monomer during the post melt blending process where post living radical polymerization reaction proceeded. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.