Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a popular method for the characterization of the cure kinetics of thermosetting materials. The experiments may be carried out under isothermal or temperature program modes. Several authors have pointed out the fact that the kinetic rate expressions for non‐isothermal experiments must be different from the isothermal ones; however, this fact has been neglected in practice. In this work, we present a kinetic characterization of a thermosetting system using a phenomenological model for the reaction rate expression and DSC data from isothermal and non‐isothermal experiments. In general, thermosetting materials exhibit the vitrification phenomenon which stops the reaction before complete conversion is achieved. Vitrification is taken into account in both Isothermal and temperature programmed experiments.

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A study of the viscosity rise during free radical crosslinking polymerization is presented. Techniques were developed for monitoring isothermal viscosity rise during fast polymerization reactions. The chemical system used was composed of a dimethacrylate resin in styrene monomer, t-butyl perbenzoate initiator, and hydroquinone as the inhibitor. When reduced viscosity is plotted versus conversion, data at all temperatures collapsed into a single curve. A theoretical equation is suggested for the time required to reach the gel point in free radical crosslinking polymerization with inhibition. This equation showed good agreement with experimental observations.

Some design strategies for structural reaction injection molding (S‐RIM) and resin transfer molding (RTM) are presented. Our approach makes use of moldability diagrams to define the parameters necessary to meet the process requirements. Moldability diagrams are presented for the filling and curing steps. The criterion for selecting the amount of fiber reinforcement, injection time, catalyst level, and process temperatures in order to optimize properties and demold time is described.

This study was intended to evaluate the bactericidal effect of electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) and chlorinated water on populations of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on avocados (Persea americana var. Hass). In the first experiment, inoculated avocados were treated with a water wash applied by spraying tap water containing 1 mg/liter free chlorine for 15 s (WW); WW treatment and then spraying sodium hypochlorite in water containing 75 mg/liter free chlorine for 15 s (Cl75); WW treatment and then spraying alkaline EOW for 30 s (AkEW) and then spraying acid EOW (AcEW) for 15 s; and spraying AkEW and then AcEW. In another experiment, the inoculated avocados were treated by spraying AkEW and then AcEW for 15, 30, 60, or 90 s. All three pathogen populations were lowered between 3.6 and 3.8 log cycles after WW treatment. The application of Cl75 did not produce any further reduction in counts, whereas AkEW and then AcEW treatment resulted in significantly lower bacterial counts for L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 but not for Salmonella. Treatments with AkEW and then AcEW produced a significant decrease in L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 populations, with estimated log reductions of 3.9 to 5.2, 5.1 to 5.9, and 4.2 to 4.9 log CFU/cm², respectively. Spraying AcEW for more than 15 s did not produce any further decrease in counts of Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7, whereas L. monocytogenes counts were significantly lower after spraying AcEW for 60 s. Applying AkEW and then AcEW for 15 or 30 s seems to be an effective alternative to reduce bacterial pathogens on avocado surfaces.

SYNOPSISPolymers of butyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate with different morphologies were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. Four types of polymers were obtained copolymer, coreshell, three layer, and a core-shell with a copolymer layer of variable composition (gradient). The effect of the morphologies on the mechanical and rheological properties of these polymers was studied. It was found that when the same overall composition was used the properties of the polymer can be varied from those of rigid plastic to those of an elastomeric material. It was also found that increasing the content of butyl acrylate (BA) improves the mechanical properties and the presence of a copolymer zone improves the impact resistance of the material.

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