Neste trabalho foram estudados compósitos que apresentam como matriz polimérica uma blenda composta por polietileno de alta densidade (HDPE) e copolímero etileno acetato de vinila (EVA) e como nanocarga, silsesquioxano poliédrico oligomérico (POSS). Os compósitos foram processados em câmara de mistura fechada e caracterizados quanto às propriedades térmicas e morfológicas. Para a preparação dos compósitos foram variadas as concentrações dos componentes da blenda (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) e da nanocarga (0, 0,5, 1, 1,5, 2, 5 e 10%). Os resultados de processamento mostraram que o aumento da concentração de POSS na matriz polimérica provocou a agregação do mesmo na matriz polimérica. As análises de calorimetria diferencial de varredura e termogravimetria indicaram que o POSS não afetou as temperaturas de fusão, cristalização e degradação da matriz polimérica. Os resultados de raios X indicaram que a presença do EVA no compósito promoveu o aparecimento de domínios cristalinos em concentrações menores de POSS. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura indicou que as amostras com 1% de POSS apresentam distribuição homogênea na matriz polimérica. Por outro lado, ocorreu a formação de agregados nas amostras com 5% de POSS. Os valores de Tg obtidos por análise térmica dinâmico-mecânica indicaram que o POSS causou um efeito plastificante na fase HDPE e uma redução da mobilidade na fase EVA. Ocorreu um aumento nos valores de módulo de armazenamento com a incorporação de POSS na matriz polimérica. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-22T19:03:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Patricia Scapini.pdf: 2020883 bytes, checksum: 2c7249d3915135dd5f3cba151cf459db (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-22T19:03:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Patricia Scapini.pdf: 2020883 bytes, checksum: 2c7249d3915135dd5f3cba151cf459db (MD5) / In this study composites with a polymeric matrix comprising a blend of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and the copolymer ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) as the nanoclay, were processed and characterized. The composites were processed in a closed mixing chamber and characterized in terms of their thermal and morphological properties. For the preparation of the composites the concentrations of the blend components (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and of the nanoclay (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 5 and 10%) were varied. The results of the processing showed that an increase in the POSS concentration in the polymeric matrix caused the aggregation of the system. The differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analyses indicated that the POSS did not affect the melt, crystallization and degradation temperatures of the polymeric matrix. The X-ray results indicated that the presence of EVA in the composite led to the appearance of crystalline domains at lower POSS concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the samples with 1% of POSS have a homogeneous distribution in the polymeric matrix. However, the formation of aggregates occurred in samples with 5% of POSS. The Tg values obtained from the thermo dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the POSS had a plasticizing effect on the HDPE phase and caused a reduction in the mobility of the EVA phase. There was an increase in the storage modulus values with the incorporation of POSS into the polymeric matrix.

No presente trabalho, foram processados compósitos de polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD) com hidroxiapatita deficiente de cálcio (HA), com o objetivo de obter materiais com melhores propriedades mecânicas e bioatividade. A adição da HA deficiente de cálcio proporcionou um aumento no módulo de elasticidade (maior rigidez), menor resistência ao impacto e decréscimo do grau de cristalinidade do PEAD, proporcionando uma maior bioatividade ao material. A análise térmica exploratória (sistema não isotérmico) foi realizada por meio da técnica de calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e foram avaliados os teores de fosfato de cálcio e a velocidade de rotação da rosca no processamento dos materiais. No estudo da cristalização não-isotérmica observou-se uma diminuição da temperatura de cristalização com o aumento da taxa de resfriamento para todos os materiais sintetizados. A energia de ativação (Ea) da cristalização dos materiais foi avaliada por meio dos métodos Kissinger e Ozawa. A amostra com 5% de HA deficiente de cálcio e velocidade de processamento de 200 rpm foi a que apresentou menor valor de energia de ativação, 262 kJ/mol, menor desvio da linearidade e a que mais se assemelhou à matriz de PEAD sem HA. O teor de hidroxiapatita deficiente de cálcio não favorece o processo de cristalização devido à alta energia de ativação determinada pelos métodos descritos. Provavelmente, a velocidade de rotação, favorece a dispersão da carga na matriz de PEAD, dificultando o processo de cristalização. Na aplicação do método de Osawa-Avrami, os coeficientes de correlação indicaram perda na correlação linear. Estas perdas podem estar associadas a uma pequena percentagem de cristalização secundária e/ou à escolha das temperaturas utilizadas para determinar a velocidade de cristalização. Na determinação dos parâmetros pelo método de Mo, as menores percentagens de cristalização apresentaram um grande desvio da linearidade, com coeficiente de correlação bem menor que 1 e com o aumento da percentagem de cristalização, o desvio da linearidade diminui, ficando próximo de 1. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o modelo de Mo e de Osawa-Avrami não foram capazes de definir o comportamento cinético dos materiais produzidos neste trabalho. / In this work, composites of high density polyethylene HDPE with calciumdeficient hydroxyapatite were synthesized in order to obtain materials with good mechanical properties and bioactivity. The addition of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite resulted in an increase in elastic modulus (high rigidity), lower impact resistance and lower HDPE crystallinity degree, promoting, in these materials, a higher bioactivity. Scanning thermal analysis (non-isothermal system) was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and it was evaluated the calcium phosphate content added and the screw speed in the processing. In non-isothermal crystallization studies it was observed a decrease in crystallization temperature as the cooling rate was increased for all produced materials. The activation energy of crystallization was evaluated by Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The sample with 5 wt.% of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite and processed at 200 rpm screw speed showed the lower value of activation energy (262 kJ/mol) and the lower deviation from linearity. Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite does not promote the crystallization process due to the high activation energy determined by the described methods. Probably the screw speed promotes the dispersion of the filler in the HDPE matrix and hinders the crystallization process. Correlation coefficients in Osawa-Avrami method indicated loss in the linear correlation. These losses might be associated with a small percentage of secundary crystallization and/or the temperatures chosen to determine the crystallization rate. The parameters obteined from Mo method, the lower percentages of crystallization showed a great deviation from linearity, with correlation coefficient much smaller than 1, when increasing the percentage of crystallization, the deviation from linearity decreases, getting closer to 1.The results of Mo and Osawa-Avrami models were not able to set the kinetic behavior of the materials produced in this study.

O alto consumo de energia para a produção de metais e de cimento, a pressão em relação à utilização de madeira tropical e a abundância de material plástico vêm contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas e a aplicação dos termoplásticos na construção civil, em elementos estruturais que, em sua grande maioria, são constituídos de madeira, de aço e de concreto. O progresso dos materiais poliméricos pode ser comprovado pelos diversos produtos que estão sendo projetados, principalmente na Europa e nos Estados Unidos, como passarelas, dormentes, marinas, etc. Foi escolhido o polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD) reciclado, por ser um dos materiais poliméricos rígidos mais disponíveis para reciclagem. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização do PEAD reciclado. Foi determinada a composição do material polimérico (PEAD) reciclado obtido no mercado, por meio dos ensaios termoanalíticos: calorimetria exploratória diferencial e análise termogravimétrica. Os resultados mostraram que o material fornecido pela empresa de reciclagem é isento dos contaminantes comumente encontrados nos materiais reciclados e apresenta um grau de pureza bastante significativo. A determinação das propriedades mecânicas, por meio dos ensaios de tração, de compressão, de flexão e de impacto Izod, finaliza o estudo do material analisado. Nesses ensaios, a resistência obtida foi próxima dos valores encontrados na literatura, para o PEAD virgem, e pouco inferior à do concreto e à da madeira. Entretanto, a rigidez do PEAD reciclado foi bem menor que a dos materiais de construção tradicionais, sendo essa sua maior deficiência. Concluiu-se que o PEAD reciclado pode ser aplicado em elementos estruturais, desde que sejam estudadas possíveis formas de controlar sua deformabilidade, como a incorporação de nervuras, a utilização de blendas poliméricas e adição de cargas minerais e de fibras de elevado módulo de elasticidade e resistência. / The use of thermoplastics in civil engineering has been increasing considerably in the last decades. The latter is due to large amount of plastic material and high cost on a production of metals and cement for reinforced concrete, besides the lack of wood. This could be proved by the development of new thermoplastics products, especially in Europe and United States, like bridges, railway sleepers, posts, etc. Recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) was chosen due to the fact that it is one of the most rigid recycled polymers available on the recycling industry. In this study, recycled polymer has been characterized in order to determinate the recycled material composition available in the market. The characterization of recycled HDPE samples was made by thermo gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Consequently, mechanical properties were determinated by tensile test, compression test, flexural test and impact Izod. The results of thermal analysis showed that the recycled material is exempt from possible contaminants and has a significant pureness degree. Under tension, compression, bending and impact conditions, the strength was around the pure polymer and little smaller of the concrete and wood. In contrast, the stiffness was much lower in comparison to traditional materials, their worst characteristic. These problems could be overcome through the study of polymeric blends, adding high modulus and strength fibers and charges and adding ribs. Then the recycled polymer could be applied as a structural element.

Neste trabalho foram estudados compósitos que apresentam como matriz polimérica uma blenda composta por polietileno de alta densidade (HDPE) e copolímero etileno acetato de vinila (EVA) e como nanocarga, silsesquioxano poliédrico oligomérico (POSS). Os compósitos foram processados em câmara de mistura fechada e caracterizados quanto às propriedades térmicas e morfológicas. Para a preparação dos compósitos foram variadas as concentrações dos componentes da blenda (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) e da nanocarga (0, 0,5, 1, 1,5, 2, 5 e 10%). Os resultados de processamento mostraram que o aumento da concentração de POSS na matriz polimérica provocou a agregação do mesmo na matriz polimérica. As análises de calorimetria diferencial de varredura e termogravimetria indicaram que o POSS não afetou as temperaturas de fusão, cristalização e degradação da matriz polimérica. Os resultados de raios X indicaram que a presença do EVA no compósito promoveu o aparecimento de domínios cristalinos em concentrações menores de POSS. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura indicou que as amostras com 1% de POSS apresentam distribuição homogênea na matriz polimérica. Por outro lado, ocorreu a formação de agregados nas amostras com 5% de POSS. Os valores de Tg obtidos por análise térmica dinâmico-mecânica indicaram que o POSS causou um efeito plastificante na fase HDPE e uma redução da mobilidade na fase EVA. Ocorreu um aumento nos valores de módulo de armazenamento com a incorporação de POSS na matriz polimérica. / In this study composites with a polymeric matrix comprising a blend of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and the copolymer ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) as the nanoclay, were processed and characterized. The composites were processed in a closed mixing chamber and characterized in terms of their thermal and morphological properties. For the preparation of the composites the concentrations of the blend components (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and of the nanoclay (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 5 and 10%) were varied. The results of the processing showed that an increase in the POSS concentration in the polymeric matrix caused the aggregation of the system. The differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analyses indicated that the POSS did not affect the melt, crystallization and degradation temperatures of the polymeric matrix. The X-ray results indicated that the presence of EVA in the composite led to the appearance of crystalline domains at lower POSS concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the samples with 1% of POSS have a homogeneous distribution in the polymeric matrix. However, the formation of aggregates occurred in samples with 5% of POSS. The Tg values obtained from the thermo dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the POSS had a plasticizing effect on the HDPE phase and caused a reduction in the mobility of the EVA phase. There was an increase in the storage modulus values with the incorporation of POSS into the polymeric matrix.

O copolímero SBS é o aditivo mais empregado mundialmente na modificação de ligantes asfálticos, por melhorar diversas de suas características. Um dos principais problemas deste tipo de formulação é a separação de fases, que pode ser minimizada com a incorporação de aditivos. Um novo polietileno de alta densidade e baixo peso molecular oxidado (com denominação comercial TITAN 9686) foi utilizado nesta pesquisa, com o objetivo de testar a hipótese de que a adição de proporções adequadas deste aditivo possa melhorar as características reológicas do asfalto+SBS. O experimento laboratorial foi delineado com base na técnica de experimentos com misturas, englobando um total de nove formulações compostas com asfalto, SBS e TITAN. O teor de SBS variou entre 0 e 5% em peso e o de polietileno variou entre 0 e 2% em peso. Foi utilizado óleo aromático no teor de 4% em peso para todas as nove misturas. As misturas foram analisadas em três condições de envelhecimento: virgem, curto prazo (na estufa RTFO) e longo prazo (na estufa PAV). Foram realizados os seguintes ensaios reológicos: (i) de cisalhamento em regime oscilatório em diferentes condições de temperatura e frequência (para medida do módulo complexo e do ângulo de fase, usados na determinação do grau de desempenho, no cálculo dos parâmetros G*/sen(δ) e G*.sen(δ) e na construção de curvas-mestre), (ii) de viscosidade Brookfield, (iii) de fluência e recuperação sob múltiplas tensões (para medida do percentual de recuperação e da compliância não-recuperável), (iv) de varredura de amplitude linear (para cálculo do parâmetro a f e para ajuste do modelo de fadiga) e (v) de estabilidade à estocagem. Acerca das características escolhidas para mensurar a melhora ou piora das propriedades das misturas asfalto+SBS com a adição de TITAN, podem ser feitas as seguintes observações: (i) a estabilidade à estocagem é melhorada com a adição de TITAN, em particular no teores entre 1 e 2%; (ii) a sensibilidade ao envelhecimento tanto a curto quanto a longo prazos diminui com a adição de TITAN; (iii) a adição de TITAN aumenta a resistência à deformação permanente, à luz dos parâmetros Jnr e R e aumenta a sensibilidade dos ligantes asfálticos modificados com SBS a mudanças bruscas nos níveis de tensão aplicados; e (iv) a adição de TITAN contribui com o aumento da resistência à fadiga, à luz dos parâmetros Nf , a baixos níveis de deformação, e af , e a prejudica reduzindo o parâmetro Nf a altos níveis de deformação e aumentando a temperatura crítica de fadiga ou o parâmetro G*.sen(δ). Tendo por base estas evidências, é possível concluir que a adição de TITAN, em linhas gerais, melhorou a estabilidade dos ligantes asfálticos modificados com até 5,0% de SBS. Com base nas análises realizadas, é possível afirmar que teores da ordem de 1 a 2% de TITAN, para teores de SBS entre 3,0 e 5,0%, são recomendáveis, à luz das propriedades, índices e parâmetros analisados neste trabalho. / The SBS copolymer is the most widely used additive in asphalt binder modification, since it enhances many of the properties of the original material. A critical problem that arises from this type of modification is phase separation, which can be minimized by adding other modifiers to the formulation. A new oxidized, high-density polyethylene with low molecular weight (commercial designation of \"TITAN 9686\") was used in the study with the purpose of verifying the hypothesis that the addition of suitable contents of this modifier can improve the rheological properties of the SBS-modified binder. The laboratory matrix of formulations was based on the experiments with mixtures, and nine types of materials were prepared with asphalt binder, SBS and TITAN. The SBS contents ranged from 0 to 5% by weight, whereas the polyethylene contents ranged from 0 to 2% by weight. These formulations also contained 4% of aromatic oil by weight. Three aging conditions were selected: unaged, short-term aged in the rolling thin-film oven (RTFO) and long-term aged in the pressurized aging vessel (PAV). The following tests were carried out: (i) dynamic oscillatory shear at different temperatures and frequencies of loading for the determination of the complex modulus, the phase angles and the master curves, as well as the performance grades and the numerical values of the parameters G*/sin(δ) and G*.sen(δ); (ii) rotational viscosity; (iii) creep and recovery at multiple stress levels for the determination and the percent recovery and the nonrecoverable compliance; (iv) linear amplitude sweep, in order to calculate the parameter a f and fit the fatigue model to the data; and (v) storage stability. With respect to the characteristics used in the evaluation of the properties of the AC+SBS mixtures after the addition of TITAN, the following observations can be made: (i) storage stability is improved when TITAN is added to the formulation, especially at contents ranging from 1 to 2%; (ii) the sensitivity to the short-term and long-term aging processes decreased with the incorporation of TITAN; (iii) the changes in the R and the Jnr values indicate that the addition of TITAN makes the asphalt binder more resistant to rutting, and also increases the sensitivity of the SBS-modified binders to sudden increases in the stress level; and (iv) the presence of TITAN in the material leads to an increase in the fatigue resistance as based on the parameters Nf and af at low strain levels and the increases in the critical fatigue temperature and the parameter G*.sen(δ). With reference to these evidences, it is possible to conclude that the addition of TITAN generally improves the storage stability of the SBS-modified binders with no more than 5% of copolymer by weight. Based on the results of the present study, it is possible to say that percentages between 1 and 2% of TITAN by weight are recommended for SBS contents between 3 and 5% by weight.

LIBS é um método baseado na espectrometria de emissão óptica que emprega a microamostragem por ablação por laser e formação de um microplasma para a determinação dos elementos químicos presentes na amostra. Neste trabalho, o método foi avaliado para a análise de embalagens plásticas produzidas com polietileno de alta densidade e polipropileno. A construção de curvas de calibração com amostras dos polímeros contendo diferentes concentrações de Cd, Cr e Pb e a determinação desses analitos, assim como os efeitos da taxa de repetição do laser, número de pulsos, fluência e diâmetro de focalização foram estudados. O sistema LIBS utilizado foi composto por um laser pulsado de Nd:YAG operando a 064 nm, com pulsos de 5 ns e máxima energia de 360 mJ/pulso. Os sinais de emissão foram coletados por um conjunto de lentes acoplado por fibra óptica ao espectrômetro com montagem Echelle e detector ICCD. Os parâmetros instrumentais foram ajustados em 10 pulsos acumulados, 2 \'mü\'s de atraso e 6 \'mü\'s de integração. O software ESAWIN, o banco de dados de espectros atômicos e iônicos do NIST e algoritmo desenvolvido em ambiente MATLAB® foram utilizados para aquisição e tratamento dos dados. A avaliação da topografia das crateras nas placas dos polímeros foi feita por perfilometria e microscopia eletrônica de varredura, que proporcionaram informações úteis para a caracterização das crateras. As massas removidas das placas de polietileno de alta densidade e de polipropileno foram calculadas a partir dos volumes das crateras obtidos pelas análises perfilométricas. A taxa de repetição e número de pulsos do laser tiveram efeitos marcantes na ablação dos polímeros, e as principais causas foram atribuídas ao grau de cristalinidade, à temperatura de fusão cristalina (Tm) e à temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg). Os resultados desta tese indicaram que diâmetros de focalização da ordem de 600 \'mü\'m e fluências entre 50 e 85 J cm-2 podem ser recomendados para análises de PEAD e PP por LIBS com laser de Nd:YAG@1064 nm (pulsos de 5 ns) e taxa de repetição de 10Hz. Nessas condições, as curvas de calibração obtidas apresentaram boa correlação. Identificaram-se três amostras contaminadas por Cd, Cr e Pb dentre 60 embalagens plásticas analisadas. A comparação dos resultados obtidos por LIBS e ICP OES apresentou concordâncias e algumas diferenças significativas (teste t ao nível de 95% de probabilidade) que foram associadas a efeitos de matriz observados na análise dos polímeros por LIBS / LIBS is an optical emission spectroscopy technique that employs a laser for micro sampling and induction of a plasma for determination of chemical elements in a sample. In this work, LIBS was evaluated for the analysis of plastic packaging produced with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Plates of these polymers with different concentrations of Cd, Cr and Pb were prepared for evaluating the effects of laser repetition rate, number of pulses, fluence and laser focusing as well as for building the analytical calibration curves. The LIBS system was designed by using a Q-Switch Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm (5 ns, 360 mJ/pulse) and the emission signals were collected by lenses into an optical fiber coupled to a high-resolution echelle spectrometer equipped with ICCD. Instrumental parameters consisted of 10 accumulated laser pulses, 2 \'mü\'s delay time and 6 \'mü\'s integration time gate. Software ESAWIN, NIST atomic database and an algorithm develop in MATLAB® were used for acquisition and data processing. The evaluation of topographical features of craters on the plates of the polymers was carried out by perfilometry and scanning electron microscopy, and provides useful information for the characterization of the craters. The mass removal of HDPE and PP were calculated using craters volume obtained in perfilometric analysis. The repetition rate and number of laser pulses affect the ablation process in polymers. Moreover, the main properties of polymers that affect the ablation are degree of crystallinity, crystalline melting temperature (Tm) and glass transition temperature (Tg). The results indicated that laser focusing of 610 \'mü\'m and fluences between 50 and 85 J cm-2 can be indicated for LIBS analysis of HDPE and PP with Nd:YAG@1064 nm, 5 ns and 10 Hz. Under these conditions the calibration curves obtained presented good correlations and 3 samples containing Cd, Cr and Pb were identified from 60 samples from the local market. LIBS results compared well with ICP OES but some data presented significant differences by applying a t-test at 95 % confidence level, which were mainly associated to matrix effects observed in the analysis of polymers by LIBS

Polyethylene (PE) resins being non-polar in nature and having a high degree of crystallinity have limited miscibility and compatibility when blended with polar polymers. The miscibility and compatibility of these blends are generally worsened when they are prepared by direct injection moulding without a precompounding process. Such situations are commonly encountered in particular by polymer converters when blending colour and/or additive concentrates, commonly known as masterbatches. Typically, masterbatches are mixtures containing high loading of pigments and/or additives predispersed in a suitable solid vehicle (commonly known as carrier) such as a polyethylene resin. These masterbatches are usually used for the colouration of a wide range of polymers and the carrier used must therefore be compatible with these matrix (host) polymers. The preliminary stage of this study involved the investigation of the properties of blends based on high density polyethylene (HDPE) and a range of engineering thermoplastics (ABS, PC, PBT, PA6), prepared by injection moulding. Five different types of compatibilisers namely, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate (EMA) copolymer, ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA) copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylateglycidyl methacrylate (E-MA-GMA) terpolymer and maleic anhydride grafted HDPE (HDPE-g-MAH) copolymer were evaluated with respect to their efficiencies in compatibilising HDPE with the four engineering polymers. The pre-compounded HDPE/compatibiliser binary blends at 2 different blend ratios (1:1 and 3:1) were added at 15 wt% concentration to each engineering thermoplastics and test samples were produced directly by injection moulding. Results of mechanical testing and characterisation of the blends showed that glycidyl methacrylate compatibilisers, E-MA-GMA, in particular have the most universal compatibilising effectiveness for a range of engineering thermoplastics including ABS, PC, PBT, and PA6. Blends compatibilised with E-MA-GMA compatibiliser had the best notched impact performance irrespective of matrix polymer type. The presence of an acrylic ester (methyl acrylate) comonomer in E-MA-GMA resulted in increased polarity of the ii compatibiliser leading to improved miscibility with the polar matrix polymers demonstrated by fine blend morphologies, melting point depression and reduction in crystallinity of the HDPE dispersed phase. The second stage of this study involved the reactive modification of HDPE using a low molecular weight di-functional solid diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin compatibilised with HDPE-g-MAH in an attempt to improve its compatibility with ABS, PBT and PA6. The maleic anhydride moieties in HDPE-g-MAH served as reactive sites for anchoring the epoxy moieties while the HDPE backbone was miscible with the HDPE resin. An excessive amount of reactive groups resulted in the formation of crosslinked gels while the addition of EVA co-compatibiliser helped in the reduction of gel content and further improved the dispersion of the epoxy. The effectiveness of epoxy grafted HDPE (with and without EVA co-compatibiliser) in compatibilising ABS/HDPE, PBT/HDPE, and PA6/HDPE was investigated by injection moulding of 5 wt% functionalised HDPE with these matrix polymers into test bars for mechanical testing, and characterisation by differential scanning calorimtery (DSC) and optical microscopy. The reactively functionalised HDPE blends, improved the mechanical properties of ABS and PA6 blends especially with EVA as co-compatibiliser. However, the mechanical properties of PBT blends were unmodified by the functionalised HDPE which was believed to be due to end-capping of the PBT chain-ends by ungrafted epoxy resins.

The presented diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of the influence of the addition of 30, 60 and 90 % of recycled material on the structure and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), where recycled material represents both HDPE from a several years old part and material multiple reprocessed by extrusion. The changes of supramolecular structure were examined by calorimetric measurement, which did not indicate degradation of the material due to multiple extrusion. Mechanical properties were investigated by tensile tests and dynamic-mechanical analysis. Both measurements showed the same trend, where the first and second pass of the material through the extruder led to improved mechanical properties, e.g. to increase stiffness, while the influence of the third and fourth passes through the extruder had not a significant effect on the mechanical properties. In terms of the structure and mechanical properties, a positive effect of the combination of material after the second extrusion passing (30%) with virgin material was recorded.

The thesis deals with the study of the influence of concentration and different types of surfactants (Igepal CO-520, Arkopal N110, Igepal CO-890, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide and Dehyton PL) on the environmental stress cracking resistance of high-density polyethylene by means of Full Notch Creep Test. Furthermore, the influence of ligamental stress (3,5; 4,0 a 4,5 MPa), pH of the prepared active environment and type of the water used as a solvent for the surfactants on the time to failure was monitored. An accelerating effect was observed at increased concentration, stress and molecular weight. Faster failure was achieved after exposure to ionic types compared to nonionic. The rate of the notch opening was determined. The brittle and ductile behavior during the process of failure was evaluated by microscopic analysis of the morphology of the fracture surfaces. Based on the pH change after the test, the stability of the active environment was evaluated. Deteriorating quality of surfactant solutions was observed. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to detect the surfactant on the surface of the test specimen after the test.

No / The advances of the polymer melt flow-induced crystallization behaviour and its influence on mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in micron injection (MI) were studied in the present paper. Analysis of mechanical performance, including yield stress and elongation at break, for samples adopted from different regions in a molded plaque showed that a higher injection speed, a higher mold temperature and a longer cooling time could effectively enhance the yield stress but negatively promoted the ductility. Then, the mechanisms of such variation of mechanical performance and the factors affecting it were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). The super high shear rate during cavity feeding in MI molding not only induced a typical three-layered structure but also developed a highly oriented fibrously morphological structure in the skin layer. However, such fully oriented morphology was much negative in the interlayer and even could not be observed in the core layer. The results from SEM and PLM observations indicated that the orientation morphology varied significantly through the plaque's cross-section and thickness of the each layer changed with the process parameters and geometric position, and finally led to variation of the mechanical performance.