Processing and Characterization of Short-Fiber Reinforced Jute/Poly Butylene Succinate Biodegradable Composites: The Effect of Weld-Line

Fabrication of complex injection molded parts often involves the use of multiple gates. In such situations, polymer melts from different gates meld to form the molded part (weld line). This paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of the mechanical and morphological properties of short fiber reinforced jute/poly butylene succinate (PBS) biodegradable composites. The effect of a dual gated mold in the fabrication of welded specimens was a key focus of the investigation. It was observed that incorporation of jute fiber (10 wt%) conferred drastic changes on the stress–strain properties of the matrix as the elongation at break (EB), dropped from 160% in the matrix to just 10% in the composite. The tensile strength of the composite was lower than that of the matrix. However, it is noteworthy that the tensile modulus of the composite increased. Bending test also revealed that both bending strength and modulus increased with the incorporation of jute. Morphological studies of the tensile fracture surface using SEM revealed two types of failure mode. Ductile failure was indicated by plastic deformation at the initiation of fracture followed by brittle failure. The good interfacial bonding indicated between jute and PBS was attributed to positive interaction between the two polar polymers. A comparison of the non-weld and weld-line samples revealed that the weld-line composites have better mechanical integrity than the corresponding polymer matrix with weld line. The results also revealed that elongation at break and toughness are most sensitive to the presence of the weld-line whereas flexural properties are least sensitive.     

Effect of Additives on the Improvement of Mechanical and Degradable Properties of Photografted Jute Yarn with Acrylamide

The jute yarn was grafted with acrylamide monomer (AA) under ultraviolet (UV) radiation to modify its mechanical and degradable properties. A number of AA solutions of different concentrations in methanol (MeOH) along with photoinitiator Irgacure 907 [2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropanone-1] were prepared. The monomer concentration and irradiation time were optimized. Jute yarn grafted with 30% AA under UV radiation for 60 min showed of the highest polymer loading (PL) value of 22% with a enhanced tensile strength (TS) value of 195% and elongation at break (Eb) value of 256% compared to untreated jute yarn. To further improve the properties of jute yarn, a number of additives (1%) such as urea, polyvinylpyrrolidone, urethane acrylate, and urethane diacrylate were used in the AA (30%) solution. Among all the additives used, urea significantly influenced the PL (27%), TS (230%), and Eb (264%) values of the treated jute yarns. Water uptake and the degradation properties of treated and untreated jute yarn caused by simulated weathering and in soil (25% water) were also studied. The rate of degradation of grafted sample is lower then that of untreated sample. DSC studies showed the thermal stability of the AA plus urea grafted sample.     

Mechanical Properties with the Functional Group of Additives for Starch/PVA Blend Film

This paper deals with the mechanical properties and degree of swelling (DS) of starch/PVA blend film with the functional groups i.e., hydroxyl and carboxyl group, of additives. Starch/PVA blend films were prepared by using the mixing process. Glycerol (GL) with 3 hydroxyl group, sorbitol (SO) with 6 hydroxyl group, succinic acid (SA) with 2 carboxyl group, malic acid (MA) with 1 hydroxyl and 2 carboxyl group, tartaric acid (TA) with 2 hydroxyl and 2 carboxyl group and citric acid (CA) with 1 hydroxyl and 3 carboxyl group were used as additives. The results of measured tensile strength (TS) and elongation (%E) verified that both hydroxyl and carboxyl group as a functional groups increased the flexibility and strength of the film. Values of DS for GL-added and SA-added films were low. However, DS values of the films added MA, TA or CA with both hydroxyl and carboxyl group were comparatively high. When the film was dried at low temperature, the properties of the films were evidently improved. The reason is probably because the hydrogen bonding was activated at low temperature.     

Effect of Nanoscale SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as the Fillers on the Mechanical Properties and Aging Behavior of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene/Low-Density Polyethylene Blends

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was blended with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at a fixed ratio (80 wt LLDPE and 20 wt %LDPE) and filled with nanoparticles of SiO₂ and TiO₂ at a ratio up to wt 5%, so as to develop the polymeric composites suitable to preparing the agricultural micro-irrigation pipes having good environmental adaptability. These compounds were blended using calcium stearate, polyethylene wax, and titanate coupling agent as the auxiliary dispersants, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) as the toughness improver. The LLDPE/LDPE composites filled with the nanoparticles were extruded and injected to prepare the composites specimens for the performance evaluations and micro-irrigation pipe field test. The mechanical properties, thermostability, and processibility of the injected composites were investigated. The effect of heating in an oven and irradiating by ultraviolet on the mechanical properties of the composites was explored. The environmental adaptability of the micro-irrigation pipes made of the filled LLDPE/LDPE composites was evaluated making use of long-term outdoor field test in northwest China where the arid and harsh natural conditions are of great concerns. It was found that the LLDPE/LDPE blend with the LLDPE mass fraction fixed as 80% showed balanced mechanical and thermal properties and flexibility, and was suitable to be used as the basic resin matrix. The incorporation of nano-TiO₂ contributed to effectively improving the resistance to heating and ultraviolet irradiation of the composites. The composite made from 91% basic resin matrix, 6% EVA, and 3% mixed nano-SiO₂ and TiO₂, showed balanced comprehensive properties. The micro-irrigation pipes made of this filled LLDPE/LDPE composite had good environmental adaptability and service behavior in a three-year field test and were suitable to be used in arid area.