ABSTRACT:In this study, some of the physical and anatomical properties of Chestnut Blight Diseased (CBD) wood were investigated, and the study also included observations using Raman spectroscopy. The objective of these investigations was to determine the extent of the damage that is done to the wood of the diseased chestnut trees, which must be removed from the forest and used in the manufacture of industrial products. It was indicated that most of the adverse effects of the disease were in the vascular cambium. There was a clear indication of deterioration of the wood in the last growth ring next to vascular cambium. In the diseased secondary xylem region next to vascular cambium; vessel diameter, vessel frequency and vessel element length had a decrease, and vessel and other cells were irregular compared to healthy wood. Spores were detected and identified as Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill). Annual ring properties (annual growth ring width, latewood percentage, etc.) were similar in diseased wood compared to healthy wood. The Raman spectroscopy results showed no significant changes in the structure of the cell wall or its components. After removing the diseased parts, unlimited usage of formerly wood is possible. Heat treatment of the wood is suggested before use in the interest of sanitation and dimensional stability. PROPRIEDADES FÍSICAS E MORFOLÓGICAS E ESPECTROSCOPIA RAMAN DE MADEIRA DE CASTANEA SATIVA MILL. AFETADA PELO CANCRO DO CASTANHEIRORESUMO: Neste estudo, algumas das propriedades físicas e anatômicas de madeira afetada pelo cancro do castanheiro (CBD) foram investigadas, e o estudo também incluiu observações usando espectroscopia Raman. O objetivo destas investigações foi determinar a dimensão do dano que é causado na madeira dos castanheiros doentes, que devem ser removidos da floresta e utilizados na fabricação de produtos industriais. Foi avaliado que a maioria dos efeitos adversos da doença esta localizado no câmbio vascular. Há uma clara indicação de deterioração da madeira no último anel de crescimento junto ao câmbio vascular. Na região doente do xilema secundário ao lado do câmbio vascular o diâmetro, frequência e comprimento do vaso eram menores, e os vasos e outras células eram irregulares comparados à madeira saudável. Esporos foram detectados e identificados como Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill). Propriedades dos anéis anuais (largura de anéis de crescimento anual, porcentagem de lenho tardio, etc.) foram similares em madeira doente e madeira saudável. O resultado da espectroscopia Raman não mostrou mudança significativa na estrutura da parede celular ou dos seus componentes. Depois de retirar as partes doentes, o uso ilimitado da madeira é possível. Tratamento térmico da madeira é sugerido antes da utilização para fins de saneamento e estabilidade dimensional.

In many plastic applications, improvement of the flame retardancy is a very significant topic. Polypropylene (PP) is used in many applications such as housing industry due to its cost performance efficiency. Enhancement of flame retardancy properties of PP is necessary in many applications. In this study, the investigation focuses on the synergistic effect of mica mineral and IFR in enhancing the flame retardancy properties of PP in order to achieve cost competitive solution, so as to provide that different/various ratios of IFR and mica mineral were added into PP to compose 30 wt% of the total mass of the polymeric compounds. The synergistic effect of mica mineral with IFR in PP was investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), glow wire test (GWT), UL-94 test, thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), and mechanical tests. The results from LOI, UL 94, and GWT tests indicated that mica added to PP/IFR compound has a synergistic flame retardancy effects with the IFR system. When the content of mica was 6 wt%, LOI value of PP compound reaches to 34.9% and becomes V-0 rating (3.2 mm) in UL 94 flammability tests and compounds pass GWT tests both at 750 and 850°C.

A melt blending method was used to prepare acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer and polyethylene terephthalate blends to develop a new blend which can withstand higher temperatures required especially for automotive or home appliance paint curing processes. Blends were characterized by rheological, thermal and mechanical properties. Dimensional stability at 125 C was used to correlate with injection molded part shrinkage. The melt viscosity-composition curves for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/ polyethylene terephthalate blends exhibited a trend like the rule of mixtures in which adding acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene to polyethylene terephthalate improved the processability. Scanning electron microscopy examination revealed different morphologies depending on the composition such as dispersed, co-continuous and phase

The effects of different fillers on physical, mechanical, and optical properties of styrenic-based thermoplastic elastomers were investigated by experimental study. Poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene] block copolymer (SEBS)-based thermoplastic elastomer composites were prepared in a co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder, using silica and calcite as filler materials with three different particle sizes. The loading ratios in the composites were varied. Hardness, density, tensile strength, tear strength, compression set, wear resistance, transmittance, and haze measurements were performed. Thermal properties and morphological structure were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results show that, an interaction between silica and the polymer matrix exists, whereas calcite does not show any interaction with the polymer. Therefore, it is concluded that, calcium carbonate can be used in the composite as filler for cost efficiency, whereas silica can be used as reinforcing material in SEBS-based thermoplastic elastomer composites, when optical properties are also concerned.