End-use properties

A large number of natural cellulosic fibers from plant sources exist, including jute, hemp, ramie, kenaf, urena, sisal, henequen, abaca, pina. 

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Product characterization aims at defining their end-use properties by means of conventional standard measurements related as well as possible — and in any case, being the object of a large consensus— to end-use properties. We cite for example that octane numbers are supposed to represent the resistance of gasoline to knocking in ignition engines. 

However, this conventional method presents a certain number of limitations. In the first place, the traditional end-use property itself can be difficult to determine. Consider the cetane number for example is it a good characterization of diesel fuel with respect to its behavior in commercial diesel engines In the second place, concern for protecting the environment imposes new specifications which are often specifications linked to the composition of products very low content of certain contaminants, reduced levels of certain families of compounds, or even a specific compound as already discussed. 

Poly(vinyhdene chloride) (PVDC) film has exceUent barrier properties, among the best of the common films (see Barrier polymers). It is formulated and processed into a flexible film with cling and tacky properties that make it a useful wrap for leftovers and other household uses. As a component in coatings or laminates it provides barrier properties to other film stmctures. The vinyUdene chloride is copolymerized with vinyl chloride, alkyl acrylates, and acrylonitrile to get the optimum processibUity and end use properties (see Vinylidene chloride monomer and polymers). 

Poly etrafluoroethylene is manufactured and sold in three forms granular, fine powder, and aqueous dispersion each requires a different fabrication technique. Granular resins are manufactured in a wide variety of grades to obtain a different balance between powder flows and end use properties (Pig. 1). Pine powders that are made by coagulating aqueous dispersions also are available in various grades. Differences in fine powder grades correspond to their usefulness in specific appHcations and to the ease of fabrication. Aqueous dispersions are sold in latex form and are available in different grades. A variety of formulation techniques are used to tailor these dispersions for specific appHcations. 

The four key properties of inks are drying, rheology, color, and end use properties. Use properties are those considerations that determine how printed substrates function throughout all processing and usage from the time of printing throughout the useflil life of the printed product. 

Flexo and gravure inks are both known as Hquid inks because of their low viscosity. The inks for both systems have basic components in common with inks for other printing processes. Vehicles disperse and carry the pigment, and also contribute most to the end use properties. Colorants provide color. Solvents dissolve resins in the vehicle and determine drying rate. Additives modify ink properties to overcome deficiencies. 

Highly branched fractions of nonuniformly branched resins have low molecular weights and are easily soluble, even at room temperature, in saturated hydrocarbons. These highly branched fractions are called extractables, an excessive amount of which in an LLDPE resin can be detrimental to certain end use properties, especially in food packaging appHcations. 

Modified Bismaleimides. Bismaleknide resins may be further modified and blended with other thermoset resins or reactive diluents to achieve either specific end-use properties or processibiUty. Thermoset resins that can be used for modification are unsaturated polyesters, vinylesters, cyanate esters, and epoxies. 

High-pressure lamination constitutes a large market for water-borne polychloroprene adhesives. The choice of the polymer has a high impact on end-use properties. 

Other fluorine-containing plastics These materials, in general, attempt to compromise between the exceptional end-use properties of p.t.f.e. and the processability of ordinary thermoplastics. Examples include polychlor-trifluorethylene, tetrafluorethylene-hexafluorpropylene copolymers (FEP resins) and polyvinylidene fluoride. Polyvinyl fluoride is available in film form (Tedlar) with excellent weathering resistance. 

Finch at (28), show three "stratifying polymerizers" rather than the design combinations described earlier by Ruffing et al (27). The reactors operate at inlet and outlet temperatures respectively of 120 to 135°C, 135 to 145°C, and 145 to 170 C. The first reactor effluent contains 18 to 20% polystyrene and a portion of this stream is recirculated back to the reactor inlet such that the inlet stream polystyrene concentration is as high as 13.5%. This recirculation is claimed to improve rubber phase particle size control and end use properties. 

All composite liquids are produced by the chemical processing industries, and chemical engineers face continuing challenges in tailoring their end-use properties. Some of these challenges are illustrated in the following examples ... 

The molecular weight distribution (MWD) is of vital importance for polymers of all types. It determines the ease of manufacture, the ease of fabrication, and the end-use properties of the polymer. A proper kinetic description of a polymerization requires determination of the molecular weight distribution of the polymer in addition to the usual concepts of conversion and selectivity. 

Nearly all polymerization processes and products require a post-reaction process to remove and reduce to an acceptable level residual monomer(s), solvent or diluent. End use properties can be adversely affected by high levels of residuals through toxicity, odor, or poor physical properties. In the cases of residual solvent or diluent, a separation process involving the evaporation of the volatile components (devolatilization) can be used. Devolatilization can be used for residual monomer removal, but completing the polymerization of monomer is an attractive alternative when applicable. Polymerization finishing is usually accomplished with an increase in temperature to kick-off a finishing initiator or the addition of an initiator. (D For the dispersion... 

The stabilizer or stabilization system used depends on the heat and shear likely to be experienced by the polymer during processing, the end use application requirements, such as clarity or color, and the health concerns. A major health issue has been identified with the lead salts and soaps, because of their relative solubility and their corresponding potential to leach into water. For this reason, lead stabilizers currently find use only when other stabilizer systems do not provide the necessary stabilization or end use properties. Wire and cable sheathing is the only remaining application where the use of the lead stabilizer systems is widespread. Since most humans do not chew on wires (though mice, rats, and squirrels do) and lead-based stabilizers provide superior electrical properties, lead salts persist in this application. 

Solvent Formulation System. Another technology area which cuts across product lines is solvent formulation. For each pound of coatings applied, cost of solvents represents an appreciable portion of the total cost. Solvent raw material cost can be as much as one-third of the total raw material cost of coating manufacturers. In addition, solvent formulation affects many end use properties, such as aesthetics, coverage, application latitude, functional properties, etc. For our computerized solvent formulation system, we have developed a number of models which predict properties of solvent blends known to be important in solvent formulation. 

Approximate Nature of the Results. For practical reasons, models are not developed to represent completely the interrelations of all the variables and to predict the end use properties we look for. Knowing the weaknesses of the model, at times discourages people from using them. Perhaps the strongest argument for using a model which is only a partial representation of reality is that it is better than no representation at all. In addition, our experience has shown that models are most useful if used judiciously and in conjunction with experimental work. 

The crystallization kinetics of commercial polyolefins is to a large extent determined by the chain microstructure [58-60]. The kinetics and the regime [60] of the crystallization process determine not only the crystalline content, but also the structure of the interfaces of the polymer crystals (see also Chapter 7). This has a direct bearing on the mechanical properties like the modulus, toughness, and other end use properties of the polymer in fabricated items such as impact resistance and tear resistance. Such structure-property relationships are particularly important for polymers with high commercial importance in terms of the shear tonnage of polymer produced globally, like polyethylene and polyethylene-based copolymers. It is seen that in the case of LLDPE, which is... 

Classifying polymers in their crosslinked state according to end-use properties, polymer networks include vulcanized rubbers, crosslinked thermosetting materials, protective coatings, adhesives, polymeric sorbents, microelectronics materials, soft gels, etc. Polymer networks in contrast to uncrosslinked polymers,... 

The selection of monomers for preparation of copolyesters is based on applying established structure/property principles and is usually driven by new market needs and applications with specific end-use properties in mind. Thus, attempts to develop amorphous or semicrystalline CHDM-based polyester compositions for applications requiring greater heat resistance or higher heat deflection temperatures have generally followed the theme of incorporating bulky or rigid constituents to further enhance the desirable thermal properties of CHDM-based... 

Thermosetting plastics offer many advsuitages in end-use properties for high-performance applications (6.7). They suffer from greater difficulty in processing, and from the low utility of manufacturing scrap, which therefore becomes solid waste, and constitutes a double econcanic burden. The scrap can of... 

Such a variety of effects suggests that (1) Further analytical study would be required to understand them theoretically, but (2) Broader practical study would pinpoint formulations which would permit the recycler to optimize critical end-use properties. This would be useful primarily in epoxy moldings and castings, and in adhesive formulations. 

In the processing of foods and additives, rheological and mechanical properties, which determine end use properties are of primary significance. These properties are also related to others such as the impact of taste. Taste is the perception on the taste buds on the surface of the tongue, and colloidal properties will thus have an important role. Gels are also known to be used in many food products. The stability of food products is determined by colloidal stability in many systems (Dickinson, 1992 Friberg, 1976). 

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