Mechanical characteristics of tire/clay modified epoxy used in fabrication of medical prostheses and artificial human parts
Epoxy is used in many dental and medical applications such as manufacturing prostheses. This polymer is not toxic and is a good candidate for easily forming of artificial hand, leg, etc. In recent years, the recycled waste tire has been concerned as inexpensive modifier for improving the toughness characteristics of many thermoset resins such as epoxy. Herein, the influence of addition of nanoclay on mechanical characteristics of waste tire-modified epoxy was investigated. Mechanical properties i.e. compressive and flexural characteristics, fracture toughness and impact strength of the samples were investigated. The fracture surfaces of the specimens were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover the glass transition temperature (T ) of the samples were measured. Results reveal that nanoclay can improve the g mechanical characteristics of waste tire-modified epoxies.
Studies on epoxy modified with recycled rubber
This work covers studies on systems with car tire regrind used as the toughening phase in epoxy resins. Different surface modification techniques were used to improve the compatibility at the interface between the rubber particles and the epoxy matrix. Silane coupling agents, plasma surface modification and acrylic acid/benzoylperoxide were used to enhance the surface properties of rubber particles. Rubber parts of ground used car tires, with or without surface treatment, were mixed with epoxy. This mixture was poured into molds to obtain mechanical test specimens according to ASTM standards. After curing, mechanical tests were performed and the fractured surfaces of the specimens were examined under Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM. Throughout the studies, changes in mechanical properties were followed by an increase in the volume percentage of rubber particles and by the effect of different surface treatment processes applied on rubber. A decrease in tensile properties and impact resistance was observed in general as compared to unmodified epoxy. On the other hand, slight increases in fracture toughness values were observed in all surface treated cases.
Preparation of aromatic polyesters by the direct polycondensation reaction with diphenyl chlorophosphate in pyridine
The direct polycondensation reaction of diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP) as a new condensing agent in pyridine was used for the preparation of polyarylene esters. High-molecular-weight polymers can be prepared by reacting a pyridine solution of dicarboxylic acids and DPCP in the presence of LiCl, followed by treating with a pyridine solution of bisphenols. About an equivalent of LiCl, and 30 mol % excess of DPCP were most favorably added. Effects of the initial reaction of the acids and DPCP, and of dropwise addition of bisphenols on the polycondensation were investigated. Polycondensations of several hydroxybenzoic acids were also carried out with limited success.