Search Results (3)

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a versatile and sustainable polymer used in various applications. This research explores the use of orotic acid (OA) and ethylene bis-stearamide (EBS) as nucleating agents to enhance the quiescent crystallization of PLA within the temperature range of 80 °C to 140 °C. Different blends were produced via melt processing before analyzing via DSC, XRD, and SEM. Our results show that both nucleating agents significantly accelerated the crystallization process and reduced the incubation time and the crystallization half-time. The most promising results were obtained with 1% EBS at 110 °C, achieving the fastest crystallization. The XRD analysis showed that at 80 °C, the disordered α’phase predominated, while more stable α phases formed at 110 °C and 140 °C. Combining the 1% nucleating agent and 110 °C promotes densely packed crystalline lamellae. The nucleated PLA exhibited a well-organized spherulitic morphology in agreement with the Avrami modeling of DSC data. Higher nucleating agent concentrations yielded smaller, more evenly distributed crystalline domains. Utilizing OA or EBS in PLA processing could offer enhanced properties, improved processability, and cost-efficiency, making PLA more competitive in various applications. Full article

The performance of plastic components in water-bearing parts of industrial and household appliances, often in the presence of harsh environments and elevated temperatures, critically relies on the mechanical and thermal polymer stability. In this light, the precise knowledge of aging properties of polymers formulated with dedicated antiaging additive packages as well as various fillers is crucial for long-time device warranty. We investigated and analysed the time-dependent, polymer-liquid interface aging of different industrial performance polypropylene samples in aqueous detergent solution at high temperatures (95 °C). Special emphasis was put on the disadvantageous process of consecutive biofilm formation that often follows surface transformation and degradation. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy were used to monitor and analyse the surface aging process. Additionally, bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation was characterised by colony forming unit assays. One of the key findings is the observation of crystalline, fibre-like growth of ethylene bis stearamide (EBS) on the surface during the aging process. EBS is a widely used process aid and lubricant enabling the proper demoulding of injection moulding plastic parts. The aging-induced surface-covering EBS layers changed the surface morphology and promoted bacterial adhesion as well as biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Full article

In this study, graphene-modified asphalt (GMA) was prepared from SK-70# matrix asphalt and ethylene bis(stearamide) (EBS). Based on the uniform design method, a model was created using Data Processing System (DPS) software and First Optimization (1stOpt) software using the graphene mixing amount, EBS mixing amount, shear rate, shear time, and shear temperature as factors and using the asphalt penetration, softening point, force ductility, SHRP-PG test, and multistress creep recovery data as indices. Calculations and analysis showed that the optimal composition and preparation parameters of GMA are as follows: the graphene proportion is 20‰, the EBS proportion is 1%, the shear rate is 6000 r.p.m., the shear time is 180 min, and the shear temperature is 140 °C. The prepared GMA had a significantly improved softening point, low-temperature fracture energy, antirutting factor, and creep recovery rate, indicating that adding graphene can improve the high- and low-temperature performance of asphalt. The prepared GMA was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The dispersibility of graphene in asphalt was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and Image-Pro Plus imaging software. The results show that graphene can exist in asphalt in a stable form, which increases the loose-layered structure of stacked asphalt or gum. The intense adsorption effect of graphene strengthens the ordered structure of asphalt. However, due to its dispersibility characteristics, some graphene exists in asphalt in clustered form. When the graphene-to-dispersant ratio approaches the optimal value, the dispersant changes the form of graphene in asphalt from irregular clusters to regular clusters and from large, distinct clusters to small, indistinct clusters. When dispersant cannot uniformly disperse graphene in asphalt, graphene clusters primarily form medium-sized grains. Full article