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The effect of Crosslink density on Cut and Chip resistance was affected on a typical 100 percent styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)-based tire tread compound. In order to successfully develop products for tires used in off-road or poor roads and other demanding rubber applications, it is important to understand the C&C effect in rubber. Crosslink density varied by varying the sulphur to the accelerator ratio and also by changing the process aids. Basic polymer, filler and other ingredients such as activators and anti-degradants have remained unchanged. In the first setup, the sulphur was kept constant and the accelerator varied and the reverse was done in the second setup. It was made to achieve different crosslink density by changing the oil dosage and adding different resins. An attempt has been made to correlate Cut and Chip resistance to other physical properties. All these tests have been identified and optimized by the traditional tire tread compound.

The chemical composition of a hybrid resin made of natural Dammar resin and epoxy resin (along with the related hardener), in proportion of volume of 60 and 40%, respectively, was studied based on EDS analysis. The results of the study are presented in this paper. The presence of epoxy resin was necessary to generate a rapid polymerization process. The material details of the hybrid resin were investigated using SEM. A high-resolution image of a hybrid resin sample was obtained. The weight loss of the hybrid resin at certain temperature values using thermo gravimetric analysis was measured. In addition, the surface roughness of the hybrid resin was characterized using two methods. By the first method, the classical one, the roughness was measured using two profile parameters and five analysis lines, namely the functional dependence between the roughness height and the gray level of the analyzed surface image. By the second method, the average roughness method, the surface texture of a hybrid resin specimen was measured and the roughness profile was obtained as the difference between the primary profile and the middle line of the filter determined with the Gaussian profile filter. Finally, several possible areas of use of this type of resin have been proposed based on the properties obtained.

In this work, biodegradable Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) was modified through adding a new organic additive N, N`-bis(benzoyl) 1, 4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid dihydrazide (NABH). A comparison on crystallization of the pure PLLA and PLLA/NABH revealed that the NABH as effective heterogeneous nucleation sites enhanced PLLA𠏋 crystallization, and an increase of NABH loading was able to further accelerate crystallization rate of PLLA; whereas a faster cooling rate was not conducive to PLLA𠏋 crystallization, but the appearance of obvious crystallization peak upon cooling at 30ºC/min confirmed the advanced enhancing role of NABH for PLLA crystallization again. The investigation on influence of the final melting temperature on the crystallization behavior of PLLA showed that the 170 ºC was optimum final melting temperature for enhancing crystallization, even the onset crystallization temperature of PLLA/NABH were higher than 150ºC. The melting processes of PLLA/NABH after different crystallization not only could reflect the previous crystallization, but also depended on crystallization temperature and heating rate. Thermal decomposition results showed that the existence of NABH slightly weakened thermal stability of PLLA, and the maximum difference in onset thermal decomposition temperature was only 9.4ºC comparing with the pure PLLA. However, the presence of NABH in PLLA matrix seriously weakened optical property.

This work is devoted to the preparation and characterization of some polystyrene/multiwall carbon nanotubes (PS/MCNT) systems. The dispersion of the reinforcement agent within the PS medium was done via sonication and the resulting nanocomposites containing 0-40 wt% MCNTs were achieved by solution blending procedure. Shear flow and viscoelastic properties were tested by means of rheology, revealing some changes in the sample microstructure. Dispersion curves of the matrix and low filled nanocomposite were registered at variable temperatures. The theoretical refractive index and corresponding dielectric constant at optical frequencies were analyzed as a function of the system composition. Heat transport in the reinforced materials was examined by computer modeling, which enabled calculation of thermal conductivity. Electrical transport features were assessed using a theoretical approach relying on the physical properties of each phase. The surface adhesion of the samples with various materials was determined to check the suitability for applications in technical or bio-related fields.

In the presented study, the load induced long-term behavior of a biocomposite material is analyzed. The studied material is a unidirectional flax fiber reinforced epoxy resin, material, whose quasi-static mechanical properties can compare with those of glass fiber composites. Samples with a fiber direction of 0° were subjected to two types of multi-level creep-recovery tests, one with a varying creep duration, and the other with a varying creep stress, with the purpose of discriminating the viscoplastic and viscoelastic behavior of the composite. Results show a significant viscous response in time, dependent on both creep duration and creep stress, up to 20% of the elastic one. Sample damage is absent, leading to the conclusion that the viscoplastic response is caused by the permanent reorganization of the fiber’s internal structure.

This aim of this paper is to perform a study on the way the material of the fittings that can be welded through eletrofusion on polyethylene pipes withstands. The process is observed by means of the thermal and fast cameras. Also we intend to analyze the way the assembly consisting of the polyethylene fitting and pipe behaves during welding. The stresses caused by the welding process are observed, as well as the concurrent welding of the tapping tee and the branch saddle tee.

Heat cured polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been used as denture bases since 1937. PMMA is a vinyl polymer, made by free radical vinyl polymerization from the monomer methyl methacrylate [1]. After the success of using as prosthetic material in the mouth, PMMA began to be used in other areas, for example in facial prosthetics, for facial epitheses. The facial epitheses are exposed permanently to ambiental changes (temperature, air currents, humidity). Secondary, for a better esthetic effect, in facial epitheses PMMA often contain variables quantities of natural fibers (cotton, wool). Our study has analyzed how a PMMA facial epithesis reacts to temperature changes during heat exposure in the summer, especially depending on the amount of fiber it contains, considering that the biological interface between the prosthesis and facial tissues is sensitive to heat [2].

Nowadays, the investigation of both classic and new materials for blast mitigation applications is a subject intensively approached in the scientific literature. Due to their mechanical behavior, the polyurethane foams are materials with high potential for this type of applications. Within the current paper a EUROPLASTIC® polyurethane foam grade mixed with fly ash ceramic micro powder was experimentally investigated. Using a single stage gas gun, the dynamic response of polyurethane/fly ash ceramic foam was thoroughly evaluated in terms of specific stress vs volumetric strain curves response and dissipated kinetic energy, also.

The paper presents the structural and dimensional differences of rectangular shape samples manufactured by selective laser sintering (SLS) according to three process sinterization energies. In this study we determine the geometrical and structural characteristics of biocompatible PA2200 polyamide manufactured at a low energy density E1, and intermediate value E2 and a high energy density E3. Relaying on these results, four custom-made medical parts have been built using biocompatible polyamide PA2200 powder, in order to evaluate their performances.

Cranioplasty is a surgical procedure that is used to correct any defect in skull bones after a previous decompresive craniectomy, usually made for traumatic brain injuries, with ischemic or hemorragic nature, or after a tumor removal. A composite for modeling on a defect in skull bones was prepared by crosslinking poly(methyl methacrylate) in the presence of barium sulfate. The crosslinking rate of methyl polymethacrylate in the presence of the benzoyl peroxide initiator, the N, N-dimethyl-β-toluidine polymerization accelerator and the hydroquinone polymerization inhibitor allows modeling according to the location and size of the defect. Thus, the concentration of composite precursor components was optimal for this purpose. The TGA diagram shows the almost total consumption of methyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate monomers in the crosslinking process of methyl polymethacrylate with the formation of the composite. This technical study demonstrate the efficacy of this treatment, as well as to show all the possible scenarios in such procedures.