polymerguru

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share: Runaway Polymerisation Polymerisation is a chemical reaction, or process in which a monomer or a mixture of monomers is converted into a polymer such as polystyrene. Styrene polymerises slowly at normal ambient temperatures but very rapidly at elevated temperatures. It can be accelerated by heat, the lack of dissolved oxygen, the lack of a polymerisation inhibitor, and when contaminated by oxidising agents and most halides. The polymerisation process is exothermic and, if the resulting heat is not removed, the bulk styrene temperature may rise to a level at which polymerisation is self-sustaining and very rapid. This is referred to as ‘runaway polymerisation’ and will usually be initiated by temperatures above 65°C. During a runaway polymerisation, the cargo will expand causing pressure to increase to the point that vapour is released from tank vents or p/v valves. In some cases, the resulting build-up of pressure is sufficient to rupture the tank. Case Stu

Mountains of used plastic bottles get thrown away every day, but microbes could potentially tackle this problem. Now, researchers in ACS Central Science report that they’ve developed a #plastic -eating E. coli that can efficiently turn polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into adipic acid, which is used to make nylon materials, drugs and fragrances. Utilizing #Biosynthetic Pathways to Make Adipic Acid: Previously, a team of researchers including Stephen Wallace engineered a strain of E. coli to transform the main component in old #PETbottles , terephthalic acid, into something tastier and more valuable: the vanilla flavor compound vanillin. At the same time, other researchers engineered microbes to metabolize terephthalic acid into a variety of small molecules, including short acids. So, Wallace and a new team from the University of Edinburgh wanted to expand E. coli’s biosynthetic pathways to include the metabolism of terephthalic acid into adipic acid, a #feedstock for many every

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Polymer crazing does not immediately imply failure or loss of properties. Due to fibrillar content, crazes can show a strength similar to the non-crazed material. Highly oriented fibrils can actually develop higher strength than the bulk material, so that stress at break may be retained. On the other end, crazes are significant defects that will usually compromise elongation at break or impact performance, or drive a quicker failure in Fatigue, where fibrils are repeatedly beaten up, particularly at low or negative R ratios. Source:Vito leo Follow: http://polymerguru.blogspot.com #polymers #crazingeffect #failure #propertieschange

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Recycled Plastics on Flooring: One can use recycled plastics in various applications in today's world. It can be mixed with virgin,bitumen and other materials for road applications.Based on the requirements,relative humidity and condition of the road,the recycled plastic materials Polyolefins,pvc,polyolefins,engineering plastics and rubbers can be added.The thickness of the road and performance has to be met with the highways department norms.There have been quite number of roads have been tried on various materials and formulations in many places across the world.This has open the door to the recycled plastics to be filled in this market segment. Recycled plastic materials are easy to source out for this flooring application and the demand is going to increase many fold when the government forms the regulations on recycled plastics for highways and construction applications.This will improve the quality of the existing road.There are couple of options c

SABIC is enabling Charge Amps to manufacture electric vehicle (EV) chargers with a housing made from certified renewable  #polycarbonate (PC), a first for the industry. SABIC is supplying Charge Amps with its certified renewable grade LEXAN™ PC, supporting the EV charger provider’s commitment to develop the circular bioeconomy and help mitigate climate change issues. Using Bio-feedstock that Does Not Compete with the Food Chain SABIC’s renewable PC from its TRUCIRCLE™ portfolio is made from second-generation bio-feedstock that is not in competition with the food chain. The new industrial process contributes to reduce CO₂ emissions in manufacturing and installation and fully meets EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) regulations. EVs are an essential component of #decarbonization strategies being adopted by governments and enterprises around the world. #EV is now an increasingly viable alternative to internal combustion engines to reduce the carbon footprint. The availability of

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Carbon Fiber Hat Picture this: you finally managed to buy the carbon fiber bike of your dreams... Now you just need a bottle holder! Would you choose a polymeric/metal one? NO, OF COURSE NOT! Now why not add a lightweight and sleek carbon fiber fedora to your outfit? Plus, it's a conversation starter, as people are bound to ask, "Is your hat made of carbon fiber? That's so cool!" So, if you want to stand out from the crowd and rock a hat that's both stylish and innovative, a carbon fiber fedora is the way to go! Or you might want to have a carbon fiber knuckle for personal protection with a touch of innovation. After all, nothing can bring more joyfulness to a "composites-head" than using your favorite material to beat the shit of some criminals! If you are a die hard composites fan and did not get excited about these products... Come on!  Sometimes it is not just a question of necessity... It's a matter of why not.... And

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Ever wondered why fibers in GF filled materials always end up with an L/D of about 20 ? If you consider a diluted case (to avoid fiber-fiber damage), and also forget for a moment the fibers pinned in the frozen skin that could snap in bending mode, you are left with the effect of flow shear stress on fiber damage. And it turns out that fiber rotation due to shear produces a cyclic switch from tension to compression as shown in the picture. While the tension will never do any harm to the glass fiber (far too low), the compression load will trigger buckling and will snap the fibers just like you can snap raw spaghetti between your fingers ! At L/D=20 the buckling load threshold is so high that damage by flow becomes unlikely. Source:Vito leo Follow: http://polymerguru.blogspot.com #plastics #glassfiber #injectionmolding #compression #fiberdamage