Yes / Highly oriented long-chain-branched poly (lactic acid) (LCB-PLA) was prepared and the structure evolution was studied in the process of solid die drawing by compared with poly (lactic acid) (PLA). During drawing, samples underwent not only die drawing process but also free drawing process. Drawing speed presented a prominent effect on the free drawing process, while die thickness showed a more obvious influence on the die drawing process. For PLA, free drawing process mainly contributed to its final orientation degree and crystallinity, and thus the mechanical properties of PLA were greatly influenced by drawing speed. However, for LCB-PLA, die drawing process made a greater contribution to the final orientation degree and crystallinity, and its mechanical properties were mainly affected by die thickness. Under the same drawing condition, the tensile strength and modulus of LCB-PLA were always higher than those of PLA, and reached up to 228 MPa and 7.2 GPa, respectively, which basically met the requirement for born fixation materials. Samples which only underwent die drawing showed obvious “sandwich” structure, and the thickness of the oriented skin layer for LCB-PLA was thicker than that for PLA, suggesting that shear-induced orientation can be easily retained due to the enhanced entanglement between long branched chains. After drawing, LCB-PLA samples showed smaller lamellae size (Llateral) but larger long period (Lac) compared with PLA, suggesting that the low chain mobility restricted the motion of chain slipping of LCB-PLA and thus resulted in the fragmentation of neighboring crystal lamella by chain stretched-out.

No description available.

La importancia estructural de las emulsiones asfálticas utilizadas como “Riego de Liga” en pavimentos construidos con mezclas asfálticas en caliente ha sido predominantemente ignorado. En el cálculo estructural se asume que estas se comportan de manera monolítica. Sin embargo esto no ocurre en la realidad. En el presente estudio se evalúa, mediante ensayos de corte del tipo LCB (Laboratorio de Caminos de Barcelona), la influencia de las variables mas significativas en la resistencia de adherencia entre las capas de la carpeta asfáltica. Con este propósito, se desarrollo una metodología experimental y se utilizaron como Riego de Liga 3 emulsiones asfálticas de tipo convencional (CRS-1, CSS-1H y Spramul ML) y una experimental con características termo-adherentes (M1). Entre las variables analizadas se destacan: dosis de riego, propiedades de las emulsiones, temperatura de compactación y contaminación de riegos ya quebrados. Se utilizaron como parámetros de referencia probetas monolíticas y probetas de doble capa sin riego de adherencia en la junta. De los resultados obtenidos se puede decir que: • Si se mantienen dosis de residuo entre 0.10 lt/m2 y 0.30 lt/m2 no se aprecian diferencias significativas en términos de resistencia. La dosis óptima de residuo para las distintas emulsiones se encuentra entre los 0.11 y 0.21 lt/m 2 , valores inferiores a los aplicados y recomendados comúnmente. • Cualquier tipo de contaminación del residuo o de disminución de la temperatura de compactación recomendada, reduce considerablemente el porcentaje de adherencia. • La emulsión M1 presentó los mejores resultados, alcanzando valores constantes en torno al 85% de la resistencia monolítica. • Para comparar los testigos obtenidos a partir de las probetas WTT es necesario reducir el porcentaje de adherencia de las probetas en un 30% en relación a las probetas monolíticas. La metodología empleada es una herramienta efectiva para la obtención de una dosis óptima para cualquier tipo de emulsión, sin necesidad de emplear grandes equipos o gran cantidad de recursos. Podría ser una herramienta de diseño confiable y de fácil aplicación.

As propriedades de selagem de filmes plásticos são um dos principais gargalos para o aumento de produtividade em processos de empacotamento automático de produtos, em que é necessário otimizar a velocidade do envase, a temperatura de solda e a qualidade da embalagem de forma a garantir a integridade do produto embalado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as características do polímero que mais influenciam nas propriedades de selagem de filmes de polietileno metalocênico. Foram produzidos nove filmes de 3 camadas por coextrusão em que se variou a composição da camada de selagem com o uso de sete tipos de polietilenos. Seis PEs foram obtidos com catalisadores metalocênicos, sendo que quatro possuem alto teor de comonômero (mPEUBD), além de um PEBD obtido através de polimerização via radical livre em altas pressões. Características intrínsecas de cada polietileno, como tipo e teor de comonômero, distribuição de massa molar, distribuição de composição química e propriedades reológicas foram correlacionadas com as propriedades de selagem, mecânicas e ópticas dos filmes. Verificou-se que quanto maior o teor de comonômeros e quanto mais larga a distribuição de composição química no PE metalocênico utilizado na camada de selagem, maior a sua efetividade em reduzir a temperatura de solda e maior a resistência mecânica da região de selagem do filme. Polietilenos com ramificações longas, apesar de apresentar melhor processabilidade, apresentam pior desempenho na selagem. Em relação às propriedades mecânicas e ópticas, os filmes apresentaram maior resistência ao impacto e à perfuração, maior alongamento no escoamento e maior transparência e brilho com o uso de mPE com maior teor de comonômeros, em detrimento de uma redução na resistência ao rasgo e rigidez. / Sealing properties of plastic films are one of the main bottlenecks to raise productivity in automatic form-fill-seal packaging processes, and it is necessary to optimize speed, sealing temperature and packaging quality to ensure integrity of the packaged product. The objective of this study was determine the polymer characteristics that most influence sealing properties of films produced with metallocene polyethylene. Nine 3-layer films were produced by coextrusion varying the composition of sealing layer by using seven types of polyethylenes. Six PEs were obtained with metallocene catalysts (mPE), where four of them have high comonomer content (mULDPE), and one LDPE obtained by free radical polymerization at high pressures. Intrinsic characteristics of each polyethylene, such as type and content of comonomer, molar mass distribution, chemical composition distribution, thermal behavior and rheological properties were determined and correlated with sealing, mechanical and optical properties of the films. It has been found that the higher the comonomer content and the broader its chemical composition distribution in metallocene PE used in the sealing layer, the greater its effectiveness in reducing the sealing temperature, with improves on mechanical strength of sealing region. Polyethylenes with long chain branches, despite better processability, showed poorer sealing performance. Regarding mechanical and optical properties, films produced with mULDPE presented greater impact and puncture resistance, better transparency and gloss, and poorer stiffness and tearing resistance.

Despite of their costs, titanium alloys are often used for structural applications due to their high performance to density ratio that allows the manufacturers to reach the aimed mechanical properties. Users are more and more inclined to turn towards the ƓÒ-metastable alloys since they provide a wider range of processing conditions, very attractive corrosion resistance and higher strength levels in comparison to the ƓÑƓyƓÒ alloys. Nevertheless, these alloys present a high sensitivity to the variation in the applied heat- or thermomechanical treatment influencing the final mechanical properties. That is why the understanding of the relationships existing between these heat- or thermomechanical treatments and the corresponding modifications of the microstructures, as well as the influence of several characteristics of the microstructure on the mechanical properties under static and cycling loading conditions is of primary importance. This research allows to characterise and to better understand the precipitation and growth sequences of the ƓÑ phase in the Ti-LCB alloy during classical heat- and thermomechanical treatments in order to be able to predict the microstructure resulting from a defined treatment. Furthermore, to improve the understanding of the relationships existing between the manufacturing process, the corresponding microstructures modifications, and the mechanical properties, tensile tests are performed on the different microstructures and microstructural parameters playing an important role on the static properties are identified. Microstructural features governing the static fracture process in two different microstructures are determined by using a micromechanical model based on a physical understanding of the mechanisms of damage. Finally, the crack initiation and the first stage of crack propagation under high cycle fatigue conditions are investigated at a local scale on two different microstructures.

Despite of their costs, titanium alloys are often used for structural applications due to their high performance to density ratio that allows the manufacturers to reach the aimed mechanical properties. Users are more and more inclined to turn towards the ƓÒ-metastable alloys since they provide a wider range of processing conditions, very attractive corrosion resistance and higher strength levels in comparison to the ƓÑƓyƓÒ alloys. Nevertheless, these alloys present a high sensitivity to the variation in the applied heat- or thermomechanical treatment influencing the final mechanical properties. That is why the understanding of the relationships existing between these heat- or thermomechanical treatments and the corresponding modifications of the microstructures, as well as the influence of several characteristics of the microstructure on the mechanical properties under static and cycling loading conditions is of primary importance. This research allows to characterise and to better understand the precipitation and growth sequences of the ƓÑ phase in the Ti-LCB alloy during classical heat- and thermomechanical treatments in order to be able to predict the microstructure resulting from a defined treatment. Furthermore, to improve the understanding of the relationships existing between the manufacturing process, the corresponding microstructures modifications, and the mechanical properties, tensile tests are performed on the different microstructures and microstructural parameters playing an important role on the static properties are identified. Microstructural features governing the static fracture process in two different microstructures are determined by using a micromechanical model based on a physical understanding of the mechanisms of damage. Finally, the crack initiation and the first stage of crack propagation under high cycle fatigue conditions are investigated at a local scale on two different microstructures.

No description available.

As propriedades de selagem de filmes plásticos são um dos principais gargalos para o aumento de produtividade em processos de empacotamento automático de produtos, em que é necessário otimizar a velocidade do envase, a temperatura de solda e a qualidade da embalagem de forma a garantir a integridade do produto embalado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as características do polímero que mais influenciam nas propriedades de selagem de filmes de polietileno metalocênico. Foram produzidos nove filmes de 3 camadas por coextrusão em que se variou a composição da camada de selagem com o uso de sete tipos de polietilenos. Seis PEs foram obtidos com catalisadores metalocênicos, sendo que quatro possuem alto teor de comonômero (mPEUBD), além de um PEBD obtido através de polimerização via radical livre em altas pressões. Características intrínsecas de cada polietileno, como tipo e teor de comonômero, distribuição de massa molar, distribuição de composição química e propriedades reológicas foram correlacionadas com as propriedades de selagem, mecânicas e ópticas dos filmes. Verificou-se que quanto maior o teor de comonômeros e quanto mais larga a distribuição de composição química no PE metalocênico utilizado na camada de selagem, maior a sua efetividade em reduzir a temperatura de solda e maior a resistência mecânica da região de selagem do filme. Polietilenos com ramificações longas, apesar de apresentar melhor processabilidade, apresentam pior desempenho na selagem. Em relação às propriedades mecânicas e ópticas, os filmes apresentaram maior resistência ao impacto e à perfuração, maior alongamento no escoamento e maior transparência e brilho com o uso de mPE com maior teor de comonômeros, em detrimento de uma redução na resistência ao rasgo e rigidez. / Sealing properties of plastic films are one of the main bottlenecks to raise productivity in automatic form-fill-seal packaging processes, and it is necessary to optimize speed, sealing temperature and packaging quality to ensure integrity of the packaged product. The objective of this study was determine the polymer characteristics that most influence sealing properties of films produced with metallocene polyethylene. Nine 3-layer films were produced by coextrusion varying the composition of sealing layer by using seven types of polyethylenes. Six PEs were obtained with metallocene catalysts (mPE), where four of them have high comonomer content (mULDPE), and one LDPE obtained by free radical polymerization at high pressures. Intrinsic characteristics of each polyethylene, such as type and content of comonomer, molar mass distribution, chemical composition distribution, thermal behavior and rheological properties were determined and correlated with sealing, mechanical and optical properties of the films. It has been found that the higher the comonomer content and the broader its chemical composition distribution in metallocene PE used in the sealing layer, the greater its effectiveness in reducing the sealing temperature, with improves on mechanical strength of sealing region. Polyethylenes with long chain branches, despite better processability, showed poorer sealing performance. Regarding mechanical and optical properties, films produced with mULDPE presented greater impact and puncture resistance, better transparency and gloss, and poorer stiffness and tearing resistance.

As propriedades de selagem de filmes plásticos são um dos principais gargalos para o aumento de produtividade em processos de empacotamento automático de produtos, em que é necessário otimizar a velocidade do envase, a temperatura de solda e a qualidade da embalagem de forma a garantir a integridade do produto embalado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as características do polímero que mais influenciam nas propriedades de selagem de filmes de polietileno metalocênico. Foram produzidos nove filmes de 3 camadas por coextrusão em que se variou a composição da camada de selagem com o uso de sete tipos de polietilenos. Seis PEs foram obtidos com catalisadores metalocênicos, sendo que quatro possuem alto teor de comonômero (mPEUBD), além de um PEBD obtido através de polimerização via radical livre em altas pressões. Características intrínsecas de cada polietileno, como tipo e teor de comonômero, distribuição de massa molar, distribuição de composição química e propriedades reológicas foram correlacionadas com as propriedades de selagem, mecânicas e ópticas dos filmes. Verificou-se que quanto maior o teor de comonômeros e quanto mais larga a distribuição de composição química no PE metalocênico utilizado na camada de selagem, maior a sua efetividade em reduzir a temperatura de solda e maior a resistência mecânica da região de selagem do filme. Polietilenos com ramificações longas, apesar de apresentar melhor processabilidade, apresentam pior desempenho na selagem. Em relação às propriedades mecânicas e ópticas, os filmes apresentaram maior resistência ao impacto e à perfuração, maior alongamento no escoamento e maior transparência e brilho com o uso de mPE com maior teor de comonômeros, em detrimento de uma redução na resistência ao rasgo e rigidez. / Sealing properties of plastic films are one of the main bottlenecks to raise productivity in automatic form-fill-seal packaging processes, and it is necessary to optimize speed, sealing temperature and packaging quality to ensure integrity of the packaged product. The objective of this study was determine the polymer characteristics that most influence sealing properties of films produced with metallocene polyethylene. Nine 3-layer films were produced by coextrusion varying the composition of sealing layer by using seven types of polyethylenes. Six PEs were obtained with metallocene catalysts (mPE), where four of them have high comonomer content (mULDPE), and one LDPE obtained by free radical polymerization at high pressures. Intrinsic characteristics of each polyethylene, such as type and content of comonomer, molar mass distribution, chemical composition distribution, thermal behavior and rheological properties were determined and correlated with sealing, mechanical and optical properties of the films. It has been found that the higher the comonomer content and the broader its chemical composition distribution in metallocene PE used in the sealing layer, the greater its effectiveness in reducing the sealing temperature, with improves on mechanical strength of sealing region. Polyethylenes with long chain branches, despite better processability, showed poorer sealing performance. Regarding mechanical and optical properties, films produced with mULDPE presented greater impact and puncture resistance, better transparency and gloss, and poorer stiffness and tearing resistance.

Yes / The shape memory effect of highly oriented long‐chain‐branched poly(lactic acid) (LCB‐PLA) prepared through solid‐phase die drawing technology was studied by comparison with PLA. When the recovery temperature increased from 60°C to 120°C, for PLA, only one‐step recovery at about 80°C can be observed and the recovery ratio was below 21.5%, while, for LCB‐PLA, multiple recovery behavior with high recovery ratio of 78.8% can be achieved. For oriented PLA, the recovery curve of the final sample showed the same trend with that of sample suffering just free drawing; while for oriented LCB‐PLA, the recovery curve of the final sample showed the same trend with that of sample suffering just die drawing. After shape recovery, the mechanical properties of LCB‐PLA showed a linear downward trend with the recovery temperature. Together with amorphous phase, the oriented mesomorphic phase, which formed during solid die drawing, can act as switching domains. And thus, upon heating, the chain segment of amorphous phase relaxed at first and triggered the first macroscopical shape recovery, leading to the decrease of long period (Lac) and the thickness of the amorphous layer (La). Then, with further increasing temperature, the oriented mesomorphic phase gradually relaxed resulting subsequently multi‐shape recovery, and the Lac and the La further decreased. Therefore, by regulating the recovery temperature of oriented LCB‐PLA, the shape recovery ratio and mechanical strength can be controlled effectively, and thus the self‐reinforced and self‐fastening effect can be achieved simultaneously for PLA as bone fixation material.