Test Equipment and Conditions

Later in this review many results are presented from tests on different cure systems carried out by the author. Conditions and equipment used are now briefly described. Cure characteristics were determined using an MDR 2000EA rheometer. Test specimens were vulcanised by compression molding in a Fontyne TP-400 press at temperatures and times indicated. 

Vulcanisate network structure was determined by equilibrium swelling in toluene using the method reported by Ellis and Welding. The volume fraction (Vr) obtained was converted into the Mooney-Rivlin 

Curing systems can be classified into four categories. Guidelines, and examples of selecting different curing systems for crosslinking are reviewed in this section. 

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Characterization, as it applies to catalyst science, is usually used to describe both the performance characteristics (evaluation) and the physical attributes (analyses) of the materials under investigation. Personnel involved in catalyst evaluation utilize custom designed equipment to determine the performance of a catalyst in a particular process. The design of the equipment typically follows that of the process, but on a much smaller laboratory scale. These simulations attempt to "mimic" the process, or parts of the process, and as such the data generated are relative not only to the process but to the test equipment and conditions (see Dartzenburg). Conversion, activity, stability, abrasion resistance, crush strength, etc. are terms often encountered in evaluation. Analysis, on the other hand, describes or measures the physical quantities of size or mat-... 

Tensile, flexural and impact tests were performed based on the ASTM D-638, ASTM D-790 and ASTM D-256 standards respectively in order to analyze the effect of adding nano-CaC03 particles on the mechanical performances of PP/ CaC03 nanocomposites. For each compound, 5 samples were tested and the mean values were considered. The specifications of testing equipment and conditions are presented in table 3. 

Table 3. The specifications of mechanical properties testing equipment and conditions...

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