Polyester-based composites their effects

The co-continuous structure and the final rheological properties of an immiscible polymer blend are generally controlled by not only the viscoelastic and interfacial properties of the constituent polymers but also by the processing parameters. For example, the effect of plasticizer on co-continuity development in blends based on polypropylene and ethylene-propylene-diene-terpolymer (PP/EPDM), at various compositions, was studied using solvent extraction. The results showed more rapid percolation of the elastomeric component in the presence of plasticizer. However, the same fuUy co-continuous composition range was maintained, as for the non-plasticized counterparts (Shahbikian et al. 2011). It was also shown that the presence of nanoclay narrows the co-continuity composition range for non-plasticized thermoplastic elastomeric materials (TPEs) based on polypropylene and ethylene-propylene-diene-terpolymer and influences their symmetry. This effect was more pronounced in intercalated nanocomposites than in partially exfoliated nanocomposites with improved clay dispersion. It seems that the smaller, well-dispersed particles interfere less with thermoplastic phase continuity (Mirzadeh et al. 2010). A blend of polyamide 6 (PA6) and a co-polyester of... 

Such glass fiber-reinforced composites based on the unsaturated polyester thermosets are usually fabricated as sheet molding compounds (SMC) and bulk molding compounds (BMC). These are widely used in various metal replacement applications because of their cost-effectiveness, rigidity, light weight, and corrosion resistance properties particularly useful in transportation (cars and trucks), constmction, pipe, and tank applications. Automotive and tmck body panel and strucmral component applications of SMC include doors, hatchbacks, hoods, front grilles, etc. Some nonautomotive applications of SMC and BMC include sanitaryware (bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks), appliances, business machine, and electrical components. 

The aim of this research was to create novel composites for bulk applications using cellulose as reinforcement. We intented to improve properties of polymer composites reinforced with cellulose by pretreating fibers with maleic anhydride modified polypropylene (MAPP). The effect of hydrolytical treatment of cellulose on the dispersibility of fibers in polymers was also investigated. Novel materials based on bacteria-produced polyesters and cellulose were manufactured and their properties evaluated. 

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