Polymer Testing

The data are used to characterise the influence of the MWCNTs state in the UHMWPE matrix, and in the tribological performance of the composites loaded with different concentrations of MWCNTs. The dispersion state of MWCNTs in the polymer matrix was assessed, along with the hardness and the wear performance. The tribological response was studied by evaluating the wear rate, fricition coefficient and wear debris.

Results of the image analysis during sintering sequences. Fusion bonding kinetics between two extruded filaments based on zein plasticized by 20w% glycerol (filament_diameter=2mm, each) at T=80°C, T=100°C, T=120°C, T=125°C, T=130°C and T=140°C (average values and standard deviations for 3 trials carried out at each temperature): - Evolution of the bonding angle, Theta [rad], between the two extruded filaments - Evolution of the convexity index, Iconvex [-], defined as the ratio between the area of the two filaments cross-section and the convex surface (the whole area including the two filaments cross-section and concavities between them). This ratio reaches a value of 1 if the fusion bonding leads to a perfect sintering of the two filaments, without residual concavity.

Drop-test data

SEM micrographs of (a-b) raw OPEFBs; (c-e) extracted micro-structured OPEFBs cellulose at different magnifications

Identification and quantification of Non Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) at low concentrations and eventually their distribution on Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) films is an important issue. As Raman spectroscopy techniques are innovative and sensitive analytical methods and do not require pretreatment and manipulation of the sample, these were used for the identification of NIAS in LDPE pellet and films, which are commonly used for food packaging applications. The aggregation state of NIAS in LDPE were observed by Raman imaging with micrometric resolution. Four main NIAS compounds were identified in granule and film surfaces by confocal Raman spectroscopy: calcite (CaCO3), calcium sulphate (CaSO4), polystyrene (PS) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in anatase form. By a semi-quantitative evaluation of the inorganic NIAS, 9.93 mg/kg of CaCO3, 1.62 mg/kg of CaSO4 and 0.17 mg/kg of TiO2 were estimated. The experimental findings achieved by Raman analysis were confirmed by the results obtained by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Moreover, the toxicity of the identified compounds was examined according to the Cramer rules.

The pressure-specific volume-temperature (pvT) relationships of polymers are basic data for polymer engineering and polymer physics. The specific volume (vsp) is not only defined by the current value of pressure (p) and temperature (T) but is also dependent on the process history of p and T. The influence of measurement processes on the pvT relationships of a semi-crystalline polymer, polypropylene (PP), has been studied using a piston-die pvT testing device. Based on the isobaric cooling/heating processes and the isothermal compression/decompression processes, the specific volume was examined as a function of cooling, heating, compression, decompression, cooling/heating rates and compression/decompression rates.

The uploaded figures contain all data presented in the manuscript

Original files of the *.xls results of tensile and bending. The names of each file correspond to the indications on the paper.

Quasistatic testing at different strain rates

Results of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis -DMA- performed on extruded filament based on zein plasticized by 20w% glycerol (diameter_filament = 2 mm; lenght_filament=20mm). The mechanical active length between the two grips is 10 mm. The extrudate is characterized in tensile mode at 1Hz, with strain set at 0.1% and heating rate at 3°C/min. Values are presented for the storage modulus (E', [Pa]), the loss modulus (E'', [Pa]) and the damping factor (tan_delta=E''/E', [-]).