sulphur (98% soluble in CS2 ), AECI, South Africa; and polyisoprene (IR), Karbochem, South Africa.X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) of modified p5 was conducted using a Philips PW 1729 X-ray generator coupled to a PW 1840 diffractometer and electron micrographs of filler particles were obtained using a Philips XL30 scanning electron microscope. Scanning X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SXPS) analyses of fillers were performed with a Quantum 2000 Scanning ESCA Microprobe. The nitrogen surface area of fillers was determined using a Gemini 2370C V4.01 BET multipoint surface area analyser. The Du Pont thermal analysis equipment and techniques, i.e. differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetry (TG) have been described previously.8To obtain an adsorption isotherm, weighed amounts of silica were added to a number of TESPTbenzene solutions of known concentrations and allowed to stand for 2 h. The supernatant solutions were then filtered and analysed for TESPT by UV absorption spectroscopy.For bound rubber determination a modification of the method involving a wire cage9 as a sample holder was used. Rubber samples of ~0•2 g, containing 40 phr filler, were cut into smaller pieces (~0•02 g) and placed in wire cages. The wire cages were made by folding 320 mesh (45 mm) stainless steel wire cloth into square pouches (25×25 mm), and sealing them by crimping the edges with thin strips of sheeted aluminium. Caged samples were then placed individually in 120 mL glass bottles containing 100 mL cyclohexane, which was replaced every 24 h for 3 days. Samples were swirled three times a day and maintained at 18-20°C. After 3 days, samples (in their
The use of waste materials to make eco-friendly wood-polymer composites has been explored by many researchers for academic and industrial purposes due to the low cost, biodegradability, and availability of waste wood flour. Polypropylene (PP)/ground tyre rubber (GTR)/wood flour (WF) composites were prepared using an internal batch mixer at a temperature of 165 °C for 8 min, and the samples were injection-moulded at 190 °C with a pressure of 6 MPa. The design of the experimental approach was used to determine and optimize the proportions of each component in the composites. The morphology of the untreated composites showed more voids and the agglomeration of fillers, namely WF and GTR, in the PP matrix. Fewer voids, as well as improved distribution, were observed in the compatibilized composites. The incorporation of ethylene-1-butene as a compatibilizer improved the thermal stability and elongation at the break of the composites. The addition of WF increased the elongation at break and decreased the tensile strength of the composites. Overall, the use of statistically designed experiments has aided in attaining the optimum formulations of the wood flour–polymer composites.
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