Novel biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [PHBV]/graphene nanocomposites were prepared by solution casting. The thermal properties, crystallization behavior, microstructure, and fracture morphology of the composites were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show that graphene layers are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies show that the well dispersed graphene sheets act as nucleating agent for crystallization. Consequently, the mechanical properties of the composites have been substantially improved as evident from dynamic mechanical and static tensile tests. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) showed an increase in temperature of maximum degradation. Soil degradation tests of PHBV/graphene nanocomposites showed that presence of graphene doesn’t interfere in its biodegradability
As in the case of fibers, the mechanical properties of plastic composites containing mica flakes are extremely sensitive to flake orientation in the direction of an applied stress, so that even a small angular displacement can cause major reductions in the strength, modulus, and fracture toughness. In order to encourage parallel alignment of mica flakes in a thermoplastic composite, two methods of flow orientation were examined. In the first series, rectangular billets of mica-filled, high-density polyethylene were hot-pressed in order to C~U S C longitudinal melt flow in a narrow channel. A parallel series ofexperiments was also carried out with mica-filled polypropylene in which the composite was extruded and calendered into a thin, continuous strip. In both processing techniques, the resulting extensional flow produced large increases in the tensile and flexural properties. The performance of the mica-filled polypropylene was limited by its tendency to fibrillate during rolling. Drop-impact measurements recorded a four-fold increase in fracture toughness. The increased tensile and flexural properties were attributed to both the greater degree of parallel alignment of the mica flakes and the increased molecular orientation in the direction of flow. Such flow orientation methods appear necessary if the full benefit of' mica-flake reinforcement is to be achieved
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