Plastic and Polymer Technology (PAPT)

The degradability properties of cross linked chitosan (ODAC) filled chitosan bio-composites were investigated under swelling analysis. The swelling analysis was performed under the pH medium of 2 to 12, and recorded as swelling ratio (Qt) and swelling rate (Qr). The optimum Qt and Qr values of the bio-composites occurred at pH 7. The Qt and Qr values reduced linearly with the ODAC filler content up to 8 wt/v %. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) analysis of the bio-composites confirms a good compatibility, rigidity and homogenous of the Cs matrix and DPAC filler. This in turn increased the stability of the bio-composites as visualized by FTIR analysis of swollen sample.

Al- Based metal matrix composites used for automobile brake pad applications are fabricated through P/M route using ‘Preform powder forging’ technology. Dry sliding wear behavior of Al-MMC based brake pads against cast iron disc is studied as per ECR R-90 regulation on Krauss machine tribo-tester. It was observed that the Al- based brake pads posses lower wear rate, same order of Coefficient of friction as in resin bonded brake pads, while the temperature rise is one third as compared with resin bonded brake pads. The vibration and judder of Al based brake pads is slightly higher in comparison to resin based brake pad. Thus the present study reveals that the development of Al-based metal matrix friction composites has a great potential in making automobile brake pads and may replace the existing resin bonded brake pads in varieties of applications. The fracture surface of the brake pad is studied under SEM and it was found that the constituents are uniformly distributed in friction lay…

Polymeric films of pure poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and PVP/gelatin blend (60/40) containing various amounts of MgCl2 were prepared using a casting technique. The structural and related physical properties of the prepared films were studied using different techniques. The obtained data revealed that the addition of gelatin and magnesium chloride causes structural variation in the PVP network. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) patterns reveal that the amorphous nature of the blend increases with the concentration of magnesium chloride. Complex formation was confirmed by XRD and FT-IR analysis. The DSC results indicate that the addition of both gelatin and magnesium chloride to PVP changes the thermal behavior, such as the glass transition temperature and thermal stability. The analysis of the UV-visible optical absorption shows the decrease in the optical band gap (Eg) as dopant concentration increase. The reduced values of the optical gap improve their optical response, which can be used …

Agricultural feed stocks are one of the readily available and inexpensive lignocellulosic feed stocks for preparing cellulose nano fibrils. The very common method for isolation and separation of cellulosic fibrils from these feed stocks include successive physicochemical techniques. In this paper, a mild chemical treatment was used to remove pectinic substances and lignin, following a mechanical defibrillation using a commercial grinder to isolate nano fibres from agricultural fibres such as flax and hemp. The defibrillation process was optimized based on the strength properties of the nanofibril films. The generated nano fibres have a diameter distribution in the range of 20-100 nm with 80% fibrils in the range of 20-60 nm. The tensile strength and the modulus of the nano papers were 180-200 MPa and 9-11 GPa compared to 100-95 MPa and 5-6 GPa respectively for hemp and flax. The study showed that, the nano papers can impart high strength even in the presence of hemicelluloses present e…

In this work, we conducted a study on the extraction of natural polymer and use of natural polymer such as coagulating agent in the process of coagulation/flocculation for water treatment, which was carried out to study the removal of turbidity parameter. The natural polymer was extracted from the plant Moringa oleifera, and the extraction occurred in saline, and saline solutions were employed, so did the monovalent (KCl and NaCl) and divalent (BaCl2, CaCl2 and MgCl2). Therefore, given that the laws are becoming increasingly rigid and the requirements of the standard improvement on health is increasingly drawn attention worldwide, water treatment coagulant using natural provides greater efficiency to water treatments. Thus the use of natural polymer such as coagulating agent extracted from Moringa oleifera amid saline BaCl2 was more efficient in the removal of turbidity parameter reaching removal percentage of 99%, to water with starting turbidity of 50 and 150 y uT respectively .

In order to minimize the environmental pollution due to littered plastic packaging polypropylene (PP) films, the photodegradation of PP films was carried out under natural weathering conditions using ferric carboxylates as prodegradants. Since sunlight (energy source for the photodegradation) is abundantly available, photo-degradation has been chosen one among the various degradation technologies. The photodegradation was followed using the simplest analytical techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, mechanical properties measurements and scanning electron microscopy. All the ferric carboxylates used as prodegradants have a strong influence on the photodegradation behaviour of PP and facilitate the UV induced photooxidative degradation. The effectiveness of the prodegradants in accelerating the PP photodegradation was of the order of ferric caprate > ferric laurate > ferric myristate > ferric palmitate > ferric stearate. The plots of days of exposure required to reach a…

Thermal conductivity is an important thermal property of materials and plays an important role in determining their heat conduction/insulation capability. The present work aims to study the effect of embedded solid glass microspheres (SGM) on the effective thermal conductivity of epoxy resin. Composite samples were prepared by embedding SGMs of different sizes in the epoxy resin. Three-dimensional spheres-in-cube lattice array models were constructed using finite element method (FEM) to simulate the microstructure of composite materials for various SGM content ranging from 0 to about 17.9 vol %. Finally, guarded heat flow meter test method was used to measure the conductivity of these composites. A relevant theoretical model was deduced based on the law of minimal thermal resistance and the equal law of the specific thermal conductivity. The simulations were compared with keff values obtained from experiments and it is found that the FEM simulations and keff values of the theoretical m…

Three ply and five ply composite laminates of jute/glass-epoxy have been prepared by hand moulding technique. Tensile strength at fracture has been determined experimentally and compared to that of theoretical values. Moisture absorption capacity for both the specimens has been found out by hygrometric principle. Corrosion tests have also been carried out by experimental set up developed in house at a low cost referring to the standard ASTM B117. It has been observed that the deviation for strength of composites from theoretical values particularly for 3-ply (70%) is much more compared to that of 5-ply laminate (2%). Moisture absorption capacity of both the composites is found to be excellent (within 1.28%). Corrosion testing in 10% brine solution indicated oxidation after 24-30 hours of testing which has been justified due to gain in weight measured by gravimetric principle.