Since decades, nucleation, or the ability of certain organic or inorganic substances to trigger the crystal growth, has been empirically used in the plastics industry. Talc, for instance, is a well-known nucleating agent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and other polymers, that allows one to enhance the crystallisation rate of the polymer material and to control its spherulites size. The exact mechanism involved in this nucleation had however remained unknown at the onset of this thesis. Through electron diffraction, performed on thin PET films nucleated by macroscopic talc particles as model samples, this work demonstrates an epitaxial relationship between polymer and substrate and thus confirms the seemingly ubiquitous role of epitaxy in the nucleation of polymers. However, in order to compare the talc-nucleated morphology of PET with the virgin one, new methods of sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have also been developed. Coupled with theoretically justified image analysis techniques, they allow the direct observation of PET crystalline lamellae, both in the bulk and in thin films. Analyses of the semicrystalline structure in the reciprocal and direct spaces were performed from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data and from observations by TEM on melt-crystallised samples. These independent results were shown to be in good agreement and bring strong evidence in favour of a semicrystalline space-filling model, where the average crystalline thickness is slightly smaller than the average width of the amorphous regions. Discrepancies between characteristic distances derived by several methods from the same experimental results were attributed to the broad distribution of thicknesses, in contrast with the ideal linear stack model commonly used to analyse the data.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETE) packaging is becoming an increasingly popular choice of packaging material for milk, but has the disadvantage of releasing odorous acetaldehyde into food matrices. Sensory detection group thresholds for acetaldehyde in whole, low fat and nonfat unflavored milks were 3939, 4020, and 4040 ppb respectively with no significant difference due to fat level. Chocolate flavored milk and spring water showed detection thresholds levels for acetaldehyde of 10048 and 167 ppb respectively. This information assisted in determining if acetaldehyde migration from the package to the product would influence the flavor of the product. Whole milk was packaged in glass, high density polyethylene (HDPE), amber PETE, clear PETE, and clear PETE with UV light block and was exposed to fluorescent light of 1100-1300 lux (100-120 FC) at 4oC for 18 days. Sensory and chemical analysis and was done on milk from all containers over a period of 18 days. Emphasis was on oxidation, acetaldehyde and lacks freshness off-flavors and byproducts. All volatile flavor compounds studied (acetaldehyde, pentanal, dimethyl disulfide, and hexanal) were increased in light-exposed milk samples. Amber PETE showed the least amount of oxidation off-flavor, while clear PETE with UV block showed significantly less oxidation off-flavor than glass, clear PETE or HDPE on day 7 and 18. Acetaldehyde was not detected by sensory analysis in either light-exposed or light-protected samples. Chemical analysis showed relative acetaldehyde levels in glass (2220 ppb), HDPE (1265 ppb), amber PETE (3397 ppb), clear PETE (2930 ppb), and clear PETE with UV light block (1754 ppb) were all below concentrations found for human flavor threshold. / Master of Science

The effect of antiplasticization on barrier properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been investigated through transport measurements and some supplementary characterization techniques including dynamic mechanical measurements and solid state 13C cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR. Our oxygen and carbon dioxide transport results were well described by a combination of the free volume based interpretation and interaction energy estimation. Transport characterization and DSC techniques verified that there exists a third element, a de-densified amorphous fraction in crystallized PET. Both oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities at 1 atm at 35ºC in PET with different crystallinities were well described by the Nielsen model due to the presence of an adjustable parameter, Ar, even though it is based on a two phase model. The comparison of the barrier improvement factor (BIF) values for samples annealed at 100ºC demonstrated that a combination of antiplasticization and crystallization allows for very efficient chain packing, which significantly improves the barrier properties of PET. A thorough molecular level study using dynamic mechanical analysis supported the synergistic effect of antiplasticization and crystallization on the molecular motion in PET. Lastly, a vapor/gas permeation system with a new concept of a flexible humidity and methanol vapor partial pressure clamp was designed and constructed. Even though its permeation results are not available at this point, its operational feasibility was well verified by pre-calculations and physical explanations. This system may be used for future studies to evaluate barrier properties of PET or modified PET samples.

No description available.

In this study, 20/80 (weight %) Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) /High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Microfibrillar Reinforced Composites (MFC) were prepared by using high density polyethylene (HDPE) as the matrix material, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) as the reinforcing component. Ethylene n-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-nBA-GMA) and ethylene methyl acrylate (E-MA) as the compatibilizers in 1, 5, and 10 wt. %. The objective of this study is to produce MFCs based on PET and HDPE via extrusion-drawing-injection method and to characterize as extruded, as drawn and injection molded materials in terms of morphologies, and mechanical and thermal properties. In addition, the effect of compatibilizer type and content on properties of PET-HDPE composites was studied. For comparison purposes, conventional PET-HDPE composites with and without compatibilizer were prepared. Also, the effect of screw speed and drawing speed on the morphologies and mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. The effect of low and high injection temperature molding on morphologies were also observed. SEM analyses showed that, extruded blends became oriented after drawing. The fibrillar structure was preserved after injection molding. High injection molding temperature destroyed the structure of PET microfibers. In addition, it was also observed that the adhesion between HDPE and PET improved with the addition of the compatibilizers. Tensile strength and tensile modulus values of PET/HDPE MFCs increased with increasing drawing speed. Increasing the screw speed resulted in a slight decrease in tensile strength values. Addition of the compatibilizers to the system decreased tensile strength and tensile modulus values. Results of impact tests designated that the impact strength of the materials with and without MFC structure increased with the increasing amounts of E-nBAGMA. DSC analyses pointed out that, melting temperatures of HDPE and PET phase did not change significantly with increasing drawing speed or with the addition of the compatibilizer. As the drawing speed increased from 2.7 m/min to 6.2 m/min, degree of crystallinity of the drawn samples of the PET phase increased.

The objectives of this study are to synthesize sub-micron sized zinc borate and to use them with other flame retardant additives in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) based composites. The study can be divided into two parts. In the first part, it was aimed to synthesize sub-micron sized zinc borate (2ZnO.3B2O3.3.5H2O) with the reaction of zinc oxide and boric acid. For this purpose, low molecular weight additives or surfactants were used in the syntheses to prevent the agglomeration and to decrease particle size. Effect of type of surfactant and its concentration / effect of using nano-sized zinc oxide as reactant on the synthesis, properties and morphology of 2ZnO.3B2O3.3.5H2O were investigated. Synthesized zinc borates were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The results were compared with a commercial zinc borate, Firebrake (FB). Characterization results showed that at least in one dimension sub-micron size was obtained and synthesized zinc borates did not lose their hydration water until the process temperature of the composites. In the second part of the study, PET based composites, which mainly included synthesized sub-micron sized zinc borates were prepared by using a co-rotating twin screw extruder and injection molding machine. Synergist materials such as boron phosphate (BP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) were also used in the composite preparation. The composites were characterized in terms of flammability and mechanical properties. Flammability of composites was determined by using a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) test. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elastic modulus, elongation at break and impact strength were also studied. According to LOI and impact tests, the composites containing 3 wt. % BP and 2 wt. % zinc borate which was modified with poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride), 2PSMA05/3BP and 2PSMA1/3BP have higher LOI and impact values when compared to neat PET.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of component concentrations and addition order of the components, on the final properties of ternary nanocomposites composed of poly(ethylene terephthalate), organoclay, and an ethylene/methyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate (E-MA-GMA) terpolymer acting as an impact modifier for PET. In this context, first, the optimum amount of the impact modifier was determined by melt compounding binary PET-terpolymer blends in a corotating twin-screw extruder. The amount of the impact modifier (5 wt. %) resulting in the highest Young&rsquo / s modulus and reasonable elongation at break was selected owing to its balanced mechanical properties. Thereafter, by using 5 wt. % terpolymer content, the effects of organically modified clay concentration and addition order of the components on ternary nanocomposites were systematically investigated. Mechanical testing revealed that different addition orders of the materials significantly affected mechanical properties. Among the investigated addition orders, the best sequence of component addition (PI-C) was the one in which poly(ethylene terephthalate) was first compounded with E-MA-GMA. Later, this mixture was compounded with the organoclay in the subsequent run. Young&#039 / s modulus of not extruded pure PET increased by 67% in samples with 5 wt. % E-MA-GMA plus 5 wt. % clay loading. The highest percent elongation at break was obtained as 300%, for the addition order of PI-C, with 1 wt. % clay content, which is nearly 50 fold higher than that obtained for pure PET. In X-ray diffraction analysis, extensive layer separation associated with delamination of the original clay structure occurred in PI-C and CI-P sequences with both 1 and 3 wt. % clay contents. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that, at these conditions exfoliated structures resulted as indicated by the disappearence of any peaks due to the diffraction within the consecutive clay layers.

Polymeric composites are any of the combinations or compositions that comprise two or more materials as separate phases, at least one of which is a polymer. By mixing a polymer with another material, such as glass, carbon, or another polymer, it is often possible to improve the desired properties of the polymer. In this study, ternary composites were prepared by using recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET as the matrix material, short glass fiber (SGF) as the reinforcing filler and thermoplastic elastomer as the impact modifier. Bottle grade recycled PET was mixed in a twin screw extruder with a thermoplastic elastomer which is a terpolymer of ethylene/methyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate (E-MA-GMA), and E type short glass fiber is fed to the extruder from a side feeder. During this study, recycled PET was mixed with from 10 to 50 wt. % elastomer, and SGF was added to the system in the range from 10 to 40 % by weight. Processing parameters were kept constant during extrusion. The composites were then compression molded for characterization experiments. The produced composites were characterized in terms of their mechanical and thermal properties and morphologies. Melt behavior and fiber length distribution of the composites were also determined for selected composites. In ternary systems with 10 % elastomer, highest tensile strength values were observed. High tensile and flexural moduli values were obtained for the composites containing 20 % elastomer. Results of impact tests designated that impact strength increased significantly after 30 % elastomer content. Thermal analyses of the composites were done by using a DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimeter). Degree of crystallinity of ternary system decreased with increasing elastomer content, but melting points of the composites were not affected significantly. SEM micrographs showed that the adhesion between the matrix and fiber increased considerably with elastomer addition.

Nesse trabalho foi analisada a viabilidade da utilização de poli(tereftalato de etileno) reciclado, PET, como agente de contenção de areia, utilizando o PET virgem e o poli(óxido de metileno), POM, para comparação. As amostras recebidas foram caracterizadas utilizando ressonância magnética nuclear de carbono-13 (13C-NMR), calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), análise termogravimétrica (TG), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM) e cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (SEC). Também foram realizados ensaios mecânicos para avaliação da permeabilidade de um pacote de grãos, segundo as normas API RP 61 e API RP 58. Dessa forma, uma quantidade pré-definida dos polímeros granulados foi confinada separadamente em células cilíndricas metálicas, juntamente com substâncias normalmente utilizadas no tratamento de formações portadoras de hidrocarbonetos (como HCl a 15%, Dietileno-triamino-penta-acetato de potássio a 10 % e mistura de solventes, tais como xileno 45 %, óleo diesel 45 % e butilglicol 10 %) e também a petróleo e água do mar. As amostras foram submetidas a temperatura e pressão constantes, além de agitação por rotação, na temperatura de 70 C e na pressão de 24,1 MPa. Os ensaios duraram de 24 a 96 horas para os produtos químicos mais agressivos e 172 dias para a água do mar e o petróleo. Para os testes mais longos, foram coletadas amostras periodicamente, a fim de se verificar as condições de cada polímero, utilizando as técnicas anteriormente citadas, com exceção de 13C-NMR. A permeabilidade foi analisada ao final do período de exposição previsto. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os observados para os polímeros não-expostos, sendo constatada a degradação do POM quando em contato com HCl a 15 %, mas sem observar variações significativas que indicassem a degradação apreciável de qualquer dos tipos de PET nas condições testadas, sendo concluído que a utilização do PET reciclado como agente de contenção de areia é viável. / This work analyses the viability of applying recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, as sand control agent, using virgin PET and poly(methylene oxide), POM, for comparison means. The polymer samples were characterized by carbon-13 magnetic nuclear resonance (13C-NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Also, mechanical experiments were performed, in order to determine the grain pack permeability, according to API RP 61 and API RP 58. In this way, a predefined amount of polymer grains were separately confined into cylindrical metallic cells, with substances commonly used to treat hydrocarbon formations (15 % HCl, 10 % potassium diethylene triamine pentaacetate and a solvent mixture, like xylene 45 %, diesel oil 45 % and EGMBE 10 %) and sea water and petroleum, likewise. The samples were submitted to a temperature of 70oC, a pressure of 24,1 MPa, which were maintained constant. Cell rotational agitation did not varied in the experiments. The exposure time was 24 and 96 hours, for the aggressive chemical products, and 172 days for sea water and oil. During the latter period, samples were periodically collected to test the polymer conditions, using all the above techniques, but the 13C-NMR. The pack permeability was analyzed only by the end of each established exposition period. The test results were compared to those obtained to non-exposed polymers and they have shown that POM was degraded by 15 % HCl. On the other hand, PET samples did not present significant changes under test conditions. Therefore, it has being concluded that the use of recycled PET as sand control agent is viable.

Nesse trabalho foi analisada a viabilidade da utilização de poli(tereftalato de etileno) reciclado, PET, como agente de contenção de areia, utilizando o PET virgem e o poli(óxido de metileno), POM, para comparação. As amostras recebidas foram caracterizadas utilizando ressonância magnética nuclear de carbono-13 (13C-NMR), calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), análise termogravimétrica (TG), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM) e cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (SEC). Também foram realizados ensaios mecânicos para avaliação da permeabilidade de um pacote de grãos, segundo as normas API RP 61 e API RP 58. Dessa forma, uma quantidade pré-definida dos polímeros granulados foi confinada separadamente em células cilíndricas metálicas, juntamente com substâncias normalmente utilizadas no tratamento de formações portadoras de hidrocarbonetos (como HCl a 15%, Dietileno-triamino-penta-acetato de potássio a 10 % e mistura de solventes, tais como xileno 45 %, óleo diesel 45 % e butilglicol 10 %) e também a petróleo e água do mar. As amostras foram submetidas a temperatura e pressão constantes, além de agitação por rotação, na temperatura de 70 C e na pressão de 24,1 MPa. Os ensaios duraram de 24 a 96 horas para os produtos químicos mais agressivos e 172 dias para a água do mar e o petróleo. Para os testes mais longos, foram coletadas amostras periodicamente, a fim de se verificar as condições de cada polímero, utilizando as técnicas anteriormente citadas, com exceção de 13C-NMR. A permeabilidade foi analisada ao final do período de exposição previsto. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os observados para os polímeros não-expostos, sendo constatada a degradação do POM quando em contato com HCl a 15 %, mas sem observar variações significativas que indicassem a degradação apreciável de qualquer dos tipos de PET nas condições testadas, sendo concluído que a utilização do PET reciclado como agente de contenção de areia é viável. / This work analyses the viability of applying recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, as sand control agent, using virgin PET and poly(methylene oxide), POM, for comparison means. The polymer samples were characterized by carbon-13 magnetic nuclear resonance (13C-NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Also, mechanical experiments were performed, in order to determine the grain pack permeability, according to API RP 61 and API RP 58. In this way, a predefined amount of polymer grains were separately confined into cylindrical metallic cells, with substances commonly used to treat hydrocarbon formations (15 % HCl, 10 % potassium diethylene triamine pentaacetate and a solvent mixture, like xylene 45 %, diesel oil 45 % and EGMBE 10 %) and sea water and petroleum, likewise. The samples were submitted to a temperature of 70oC, a pressure of 24,1 MPa, which were maintained constant. Cell rotational agitation did not varied in the experiments. The exposure time was 24 and 96 hours, for the aggressive chemical products, and 172 days for sea water and oil. During the latter period, samples were periodically collected to test the polymer conditions, using all the above techniques, but the 13C-NMR. The pack permeability was analyzed only by the end of each established exposition period. The test results were compared to those obtained to non-exposed polymers and they have shown that POM was degraded by 15 % HCl. On the other hand, PET samples did not present significant changes under test conditions. Therefore, it has being concluded that the use of recycled PET as sand control agent is viable.