Hybridized Biocomposites from Agro-Wastes: Mechanical,Physical and Thermal Characterization

Agricultural wastes, oil palm trunk (OPT) veneer and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) mat were used for the preparation of hybridized plywood using 250 and 450 g/m² of urea formaldehyde (UF) as gluing agent. The mechanical (flexural strength, flexural modulus, screw withdrawal, shear strength), physical (density, water absorption, thickness swelling and delamination) and thermal (TGA) properties of the biocomposites were studied. Images taken with a scanning electron micrograph (SEM) indicated an improvement in the fiber–matrix bonding for the laminated panel glued with 450 g/m² of UF.     

A Novel Eco-friendly Blood Meal-based Bio-adhesive: Preparation and Performance

In this reported study, a renewable and eco-friendly blood meal-based (BM) bio-adhesive was developed for the plywood fabrication. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and triglycidylamine (TGA) were respectively employed as emulsifier, denaturant and crosslinking agent to modify the BM adhesive. Three-ply plywood was manufactured and its wet shear strength was tested. The solid content, residual rate, functional groups, thermal degradation behavior, and cross section micromorphology of the resulting adhesives were characterized in detail. The experimental results showed that PVA prevented the BM agglomeration, SDS unfolded the structure of protein and then TGA reacted with the exposed active groups in the BM protein molecules, forming a cross-linked structure. As a result, the thermal stability of the modified BM adhesive was improved and the cross section of the cured adhesive was more homogeneous, which enhanced the performance of the adhesive. Consequently, the wet shear strength of the plywood bonded by modified BM adhesive markedly increased by 388% to 1.27 MPa. Compared with soy bean meal-based adhesive, a higher protein content and hydrophobic amino acids content of BM are benefit for fabricating high performance bio-based adhesive, which rendered the BM adhesive practical for plywood industrial application.     

木材胶粘剂生产中的污染及防治

阐述了木材胶粘剂－脲醛树脂胶粘剂（ＵＦ）,密胺甲醛树脂胶粘剂（ＭＦ）,酚醛树脂胶粘剂（ＰＦ）生产过程中产生的废气,釜垢及碱洗废液的污染,提出了从工艺上改善排放条件及治理的方法,同时提出了控制产品中游离甲醛的方法。     

Effect of Hybrid Tackifiers on Adhesion Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber-Based Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Viscosity, peel and shear strength of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-based pressure-sensitive adhesive was studied by using hybrid tackifiers consisting of a mixture of coumarone-indene resin and petro resin. The coumarone-indene resin concentration was fixed at 40 parts per hundred parts of rubber (phr). The concentration of petro resin, however, was varied from 20 to 80 phr. Toluene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film were used as the solvent and coating substrate respectively throughout the experiment. Viscosity of adhesive was determined by a HAAKE Rotary Viscometer whereas peel and shear strength was measured by a Lloyd Adhesion Tester. Results show that viscosity and shear strength decreases with increasing petro resin concentration. However, peel strength exhibits a maximum value at 40 phr petro resin, an observation which is attributed to maximum wettability and compatibility of adhesive on the substrate. ENR 25-based adhesive exhibits higher viscosity and peel strength but lower shear strength compared to the ENR 50 adhesive system.     

Improving Water Resistance of Soy-Based Adhesive by Vegetable Tannin

In this research tannic acid was used to prepare soy-based adhesives for making plywood and fiber board. The different resin formulations were analyzed by Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and its derivative as a function of temperature (DTG) and Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the addition of tannic acid to soy-based adhesive decreased soy-based adhesive viscosity and its pH. The DSC analysis showed that the denaturation temperature of soy-based adhesives decrease by adding tannic acid. The TGA and DTG curves showed that the thermal degradation of soy flour starts above 146 °C. The FTIR spectroscopy results also showed that the soy flour amino acids appeared to react well with tannic acid. Furthermore, delamination and shear strength test results showed the good water resistance of plywood bonded with soy-based tannic acid-modified adhesive. The mechanical and physical properties such as MOR, MOE, IB, and water resistance of fiberboard were improved, by adding tannic acid to the soy-based adhesive.     

Material Properties and Influence of Molecular Weight and Testing Rate on Adhesion Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber-Based Adhesives

The effect of molecular weight and testing rate on peel and shear strength of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR-50)-based adhesive was investigated using petro resin as the tackifier. Toluene and polyethylene terephthalate were used as the solvent and substrate respectively. Peel and shear strength were determined by a Llyod Adhesion Tester operating at different rates of testing. Result shows that peel strength and shear strength increases up to an optimum molecular weight of 4.2 × 10⁴ g/mol of ENR-50. This observation is attributed to the combined effects of wettability and mechanical strength of rubber for peel strength. For shear strength, it is ascribed to the optimum cohesive and adhesive strength. Both peel strength and shear strength increases with increasing rate of testing, an observation which is associated to the viscoeslastic response of the adhesive. Thermal study, SEM and FTIR study confirms the miscibility of tackifier with ENR-50.     

Effects of Sodium Bisulfite on the Physicochemical and Adhesion Properties of Canola Protein Fractions

This study focused on investigating the potential of using canola protein fractions as bio-degradable wood adhesives. Native and sodium bisulfite (NaHSO₃)-modified canola protein fractions isolated successively at different pH values (7.0, 5.5, and 3.5) was used as adhesives. Wood specimens were assembled with adhesives at a pressure of 2?MPa at 150, 170, or 190?°C for 10?min. The adhesion performance of adhesives were evaluated by wet, soak, and dry shear strength. Their physicochemical properties: extractability, electrophoresis profiles, thermal, rheological and morphological properties were also characterized. Results showed that canola protein had the highest protein yield and purity at pH 5.5. Electrophoresis profile proved that NaHSO₃ cleaved the disulfide bonds in canola protein. This could induce extra charges (RS-SO₃ ^?) on the protein surface, leading to the reduced apparent viscosity. Thermal analysis implied that the thermal transition temperature of canola protein decreased with modification of NaHSO₃. Canola protein adhesives showed excellent dry and soak shear strength with 100?% wood cohesive failure in all curing temperatures. The wet adhesion strength of native and modified canola protein fraction adhesives at pH 5.5 and pH 3.5 (3.9?C4.1?MPa) was higher than the fractions at pH 7.0. NaHSO₃ had insignificant effects on the adhesion performance of canola protein adhesives but notably improved the handling and flow-ability properties of canola protein adhesives.     

Adhesion Properties of Adhesive Prepared from Waste Polystyrene

Solid and soft forms of waste polystyrene have been treated with coumarone–indene resin and benzene to produce a new adhesive. The adhesive is prepared from various compositions of polystyrene (13–38 wt%), coumarone-indene resin (5–7%) and benzene (57–80%). Viscosity, peel strength and tensile shear strength of the adhesive is determined by a HAAKE Rotary Viscometer, Lloyd Adhesion Tester and Instron machine, respectively. Rolling ball technique was used to measure the tackiness of the adhesive. Results show that the adhesion property increases with increase in polystyrene composition and coating thickness. This observation is attributed to the increasing wettability of adhesive on the substrate.     

Preformed Amide-containing biopolymer for Improving the Environmental Performance of Synthesized Urea–formaldehyde in Agro-fiber Composites

Investigations have continued for production high performance agro-based composites using environmentally acceptable approaches. This study examines the role of adding amide-containing biopolymers during synthesis of urea–formaldehyde (UF) on properties of adhesive produced, especially its adhesion potential. The environmental performance of UF-resin synthesized in the presence of modified amide-containing biopolymer was evaluated by evaluating the free-HCHO of both adhesive (during processing) and of the eventual engineered composite product. Also, the benefits of this synthesis-modified adhesive in enhancing the bondability of sugar-cane fibers used in engineered composite panels was evaluated and compared to using UF-resin. The results obtained show that, static bending of the produced composites varied from 27.7 to 33.13 N/mm² of modulus of rupture (MOR) and from 2860 to 3374 N/mm² of Modulus of Elasticity (MOE); while for internal bond (IB) it’s varied from 0.64 to 0.866 N/mm². Based on the ANSI and EN Standards modified UF-based agro composites produced meet the performance requirements for high grade particleboards with respect to static bending strength. These agro-based composite also tested out as having free-HCHO values of ~13 mg/100 g board.     

Sewage sludge composting: Influence of initial mixtures on organic matter evolution and N availability in the final composts

The influence of bulking agents on organic matter (OM) stability and nitrogen (N) availability in sewage sludge composts was investigated. The same sludge was composted on an industrial plant with different mixtures of bulking agents. The composting process included an active phase and a curing phase, both lasting 6 weeks, separated by the screening of composts. The OM evolution was characterised by carbon (C) and N mass balances in biochemical fractions. The OM stability and N potential availability of final composts were measured during soil incubations. During composting, the C and N losses reached more than 62% of the initial C and more than 45% of the initial N, respectively, due to C mineralisation or N volatilisation and screening. The bulking materials mostly influenced OM evolution during the active phase. They contributed to the mitigation of N losses during the active phase where N immobilisation through active microbial activity was favoured by bulking agents increasing the C:N ratio of the initial mixtures. However, the influence of bulking agents on OM evolution was removed by the screening; this induced the homogenisation of compost characteristics and led to the production of sludge composts with similar organic matter characteristics, C degradability and N availability.     

Effect of Magnesium Oxide Loading on Adhesion Properties of ENR 25/NBR Blend Adhesives in the Presence of Petro Resin and Gum Rosin Tackifiers

The adhesion properties of magnesium oxide filled epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 25)/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) blend adhesives were studied using petro resin and gum rosin as tackifiers. Toluene was used as the solvent throughout the experiment. Five different loadings, i.e. 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 phr magnesium oxide was used in the adhesive formulation. The SHEEN hand coater was used to coat the adhesive on polyethylene terephthalate at 30 and 120 µm coating thickness. The tack, peel strength and shear strength were determined by a Lloyd adhesion tester operating at 30 cm min^?1. Results shows that all the adhesion properties of the ENR 25/NBR adhesives show a maximum value at 10 phr filler loading. Loop tack and peel strength pass through a maximum, an observation which is associated to the optimum wettability of adhesive on the substrate. For the shear test, maximum shear strength occurs due to the optimum cohesive strength of the adhesive. Results also show that all petro resin based adhesives have higher adhesion properties than gum rosin based adhesive. In all cases, the adhesion properties of adhesives also increase with increasing coating thickness.     

用废旧电路板热解油制备酚醛树脂

在碳酸钙存在下，采用热解技术将废旧电路板中的树脂转化为富含酚的热解油，然后直接加入甲醛溶液反应制备热解油型酚醛树脂，实现了废旧电路板中树脂的再生，酚醛树脂的性能结构类似于氨催化的酚醛树脂。实验结果表明：在n（甲醛）：n（热解油）为1．8～2．1的条件下，无需外加催化剂，在60，80，90℃下分别反应30min制备的热解油型酚醛树脂的性能最佳，且可满足GB／T14732—93《木材工业胶黏剂用脲醛、酚醛、三氧氰胺甲醛树脂》中层压材料用酚醛树脂产品的相关标准。     

Fabrication Mechanical Properties of Unidirectional Jute/PP Composites Using Jute Yarns by Film Stacking Method

This paper mainly focuses on the fabrication process of long fibre reinforced unidirectional thermoplastic composites made using both natural (untreated) treated jute yarns. Jute yarns were wound in layers onto a metallic frame. Polypropylene films were inserted between these layers and compression moulded to fabricate unidirectional jute/PP composite specimens. Static mechanical properties were evaluated from tensile three point bending tests. Pre- post-failure examination were carried out on the test specimens using optical scanning electron microscopy to analyse the test results and investigate the correlations between their impregnation state, processing conditions, mechanical performances and fracture morphologies. For the unidirectional jute/PP film-stacked composites, the results indicated that the processing condition at the moulding temperature of 160°C and moulding pressure of 2.0 MPa for 15 min was ideally suited to obtain optimized properties. Improved wettability of resin melts due to complete matrix fusion at this processing condition facilitated thorough impregnation with minimum microstructural imperfections (microvoids) being generated. Jute/PP composites that contained treated jute yarns have shown superiority in tensile bending properties. Jute yarns polished or coated with PVA/PP (polyvinyl alcohol/polypropylene) must have contributed positively to fibre/matrix interfacial interactions leading to matrix to fibre effective stress transfer, thereby improving their reinforcing effects. Tensile strength and modulus of PP resin increased by approximately 285% and 388%, respectively, due to 50 wt% reinforcement by natural jute yarns. Further improvements in strength and modulus were achieved by approximately 14% and 10%, respectively, when treated yarns were used . The maximum bending stress modulus of jute/PP composites containing untreated yarns were approximately 190% and 460% higher than those of the virgin PP materials, and bending properties were improved by further 11% and 23%, respectively, due to coating treatments on the yarn surface.     

Properties of Distillers Grains Composites: A Preliminary Investigation

Interest in renewable biofuel sources has intensified in recent years, leading to greatly increased production of ethanol and its primary coproduct, Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS). Consequently, the development of new outlets for DDGS has become crucial to maintaining the economic viability of the industry. In light of these developments, this preliminary study aimed to determine the suitability of DDGS for use as a biofiller in low-cost composites that could be produced by rapid prototyping applications. The effects of DDGS content, particle size, curing temperature, and compression on resulting properties, such as flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, water activity, and color were evaluated for two adhesive bases. The composites formed with phenolic resin glue were found to be greatly superior to glue in terms of mechanical strength and durability: resin-based composites had maximum fiber stresses of 150–380 kPa, while glue composites had values between 6 kPa and 35 kPa; additionally, glue composites experienced relatively rapid microbial growth. In the resin composites, both decreased particle size and increased compression resulted in increased mechanical strength, while a moderate DDGS content was found to increase flexural strength but decrease Young’s modulus. These results indicate that DDGS has the potential to be used in resin glue-based composites to both improve flexural strength and improve potential biodegradability.     

酚醛树脂废水的回收预处理

酚醛树脂生产废水含酚量和含醛量都较高,采用酸性缩聚法或碱性缩聚法处理,能大大降低酚和醛的含量,而且能回收到一定量的树脂.     

Thermal,Rheological, Mechanical and Morphological Behavior of High Density Polyethylene and Carboxymethyl Cellulose Blend

In this study water soluble sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was blended with high density polyethylene (HDPE) by peroxide-initiated melt compounding technique. The compatibility of the blended polymers were carried out by silane crosslinking agent. A series of blends were prepared by varying the CMC contents up to a maximum of 50 phr. The physical properties of non-crosslinked and crosslinked blends were investigated in detail. FTIR analysis of crosslinked blend confirmed the presence of Si–O–Si and Si–O–C absorption peaks at 1050 and 1159 cm^?1. Thermal stability of crosslinked blends improved as compared to its non-crosslinked congener. Rheological study of crosslinked blends illustrated high complex viscosity and dynamic shear storage modulus. The tensile strength of virgin polyethylene was 8.1 MPa whereas the maximum tensile strength of 19.6 MPa was observed in crosslinked blend. Similarly lower deformation was observed in crosslinked blends under static load. Scanning electron microscopy of crosslinked formulations also showed strong adhesion between the polymers interface. The compatibility of HDPE and CMC is attributed to both free radical and condensation reactions.     

Geotechnical properties of municipal solid waste at different phases of biodegradation

This paper presents the results of laboratory investigation conducted to determine the variation of geotechnical properties of synthetic municipal solid waste (MSW) at different phases of degradation. Synthetic MSW samples were prepared based on the composition of MSW generated in the United States and were degraded in bioreactors with leachate recirculation. Degradation of the synthetic MSW was quantified based on the gas composition and organic content, and the samples exhumed from the bioreactor cells at different phases of degradation were tested for the geotechnical properties. Hydraulic conductivity, compressibility and shear strength of initial and degraded synthetic MSW were all determined at constant initial moisture content of 50% on wet weight basis. Hydraulic conductivity of synthetic MSW was reduced by two orders of magnitude due to degradation. Compression ratio was reduced from 0.34 for initial fresh waste to 0.15 for the mostly degraded waste. Direct shear tests showed that the fresh and degraded synthetic MSW exhibited continuous strength gain with increase in horizontal deformation, with the cohesion increased from 1 kPa for fresh MSW to 16–40 kPa for degraded MSW and the friction angle decreased from 35° for fresh MSW to 28° for degraded MSW. During the triaxial tests under CU condition, the total strength parameters, cohesion and friction angle, were found to vary from 21 to 57 kPa and 1° to 9°, respectively, while the effective strength parameters, cohesion and friction angle varied from 18 to 56 kPa and from 1° to 11°, respectively. Similar to direct shear test results, as the waste degrades an increase in cohesion and slight decrease in friction angle was observed. Decreased friction angle and increased cohesion with increased degradation is believed to be due to the highly cohesive nature of the synthetic MSW. Variation of synthetic MSW properties from this study also suggests that significant changes in geotechnical properties of MSW can occur due to enhanced degradation induced by leachate recirculation.     

Effects of leachate accumulation on landfill stability in humid regions of China

Leachate levels are important to landfill stability and safety. High leachate or water levels often lead to landfill instability, which can cause accidents. Here a case study of a landfill located in a humid region of southern China is presented. Leachate distribution and quality were systematically analyzed, and the effect of leachate level on waste-mass stability was assessed. Boreholes were drilled in the field, samples were analyzed in the laboratory, and a simulation was performed. In addition, the safety and stability of the landfill was evaluated. The leachate level in the landfill was 9–19 m, which was higher than the top of the dam crest (8–20 m). Leachate accounted for more than 1/4 of the total landfill storage capacity. The contaminant concentration of the leachate samples collected directly from the waste body was very high, with large variation among the samples. The mean concentrations of NH₃–N, BOD, and COD from the waste body were 5404, 14,136, and 22,691 mg/L, nearly 2.7, 2.4, and 1.8 times the mean concentrations in the leachate pond, respectively. Three series of shear strength parameters were used in a slope stability analysis, and a limit equilibrium method was used to calculate the factor of safety (Fs). The analysis showed that Fs could be affected by potential anisotropy in the shear strength of the waste. The minimum values of Fs corresponding to series I were 1.84 and 1.17 for units ? and II, respectively. The Fs value of unit II was significantly lower than the safe design value (1.25). In addition, Fs decreased with increase in the normalized height of the leachate level, h/H, where h is the height of the leachate mound and H is the maximum thickness of the landfill. If the h/H values of units I and II are kept below 50% and 40%, respectively, a safe design value of 1.25 for Fs can be guaranteed. Therefore, some measures to prevent risk should be considered.     

Development of Anticorrosive Poly(Ether-Urethane) Amide Coatings from Linseed Oil: A Sustainable Resource

Polyetheramide(PEtA) resin was synthesized by the condensation polymerization of N,N-bis(2-hydroxy ethyl) linseed oil fatty amide diol (HELA) with resorcinol. It was further treated with different percentage of toluylene 2-4-diisocyanate (TDI) to obtain the urethane modified polyetheramide resins (UPEtA). The structural elucidation of PEtA and urethane modified polyetheramide(UPEtA) were carried out by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. These analyses confirm the formation of PEtA and UPEtA. Physico-chemical and physico-mechanical analysis were performed by standard laboratory methods. The resin composition UPEtA-24 showed best physico-mechanical properties with scratch hardness 2.0 kg, impact resistance 150 lb/in. and good bending ability. The thermal stability and curing behavior of polymers were respectively studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal analysis shows that these coatings can be used safely upto 190 °C. The coatings of UPEtA resins were prepared on mild steel strips. The anticorrosive behavior of UPEtA coatings were investigated in acid, alkali, water and xylene. All the coatings exhibit good chemical resistance performance in acid, alkali, saline and organic solvents, while the resin UPEtA-24 shows the best performance.     

Effect of the Pretreatment with UV and Gamma Radiations on the Modification of Plywood Surface by Photocuring with Epoxy Acrylate

In order to further improve the physical properties of plywood surface that was pretreated with UV and Gamma radiation at different radiation intensities before photocuring. After pretreatment with radiation the plywood surface was coated with different prepared formulations containing epoxyacrylate (EA-1020) as an oligomer, difunctional monomers such as tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA), 2-hexadioldiacrylate (HDDA), Ethylene Glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and trifunctional monomer trimethyl propen triacrylate (TMPTA) with photoinitiator Darocur 1664. Thin polymer films were prepared on glass plate with these formulated solutions and cured under UV radiation. Pendulum hardness (PH) and gel content of the film were studied for selecting the formulations as top coat and as base coat. The polished plywood surface was coated with selected formulation and cured under UV radiation. Various rheological properties of UV cured plywood surface such as pendulum hardness, scratch hardness, microgloss, adhesion strength, percentage chipped off area and abrasion resistance were studied.