Injection Molding and Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

The use of biodegradable/bio-based polymers is of great importance in addressing several issues related to environmental protection, public health, and new, stricter legislation. Yet some applications require improved properties (such as barrier or mechanical properties), suggesting the use of nanosized fillers in order to obtain bio-based polymer nanocomposites. In this work, bionanocomposites based on two different biodegradable polymers (coming from the Bioflex and MaterBi families) and two different nanosized fillers (organo-modified clay and hydrophobic-coated precipitated calcium carbonate) were prepared and compared with traditional nanocomposites with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as matrix. In particular, the injection molding processability, as well as the mechanical and rheological properties of the so-obtained bionanocomposites were investigated. It was found that the processability of the two biodegradable polymers and the related nanocomposites can be compared to that of the HDPE-based systems and that, in general, the bio-based systems can be taken into account as suitable alternatives.

Scanning acoustic microscopy investigation of weld lines in injection-molded parts manufactured from industrial thermoplastic polymer

“…Injection molding is one of the most widely used mass-production of manufactured polymers. It is an attractive process because of its versatility in forming various shapes with high degree of complexities ( Mistretta et al, 2018 ; Chen and Turng, 2005 ). In injection molding, the plastic polymer is subjected to a multi-phase process including heating, plasticizing, pressurizing, and infusion to the mold.…”

The Use of Waste Hazelnut Shells as a Reinforcement in the Development of Green Biocomposites

“…Biocomposites prepared in the same manner as described above (coronating twin-screw extruder) were injection-molded using a Negri Bossi EOS-65 industrial injection molding machine (Negri Bossi, ColognoMonzese, Italy); see Figure 2 . The injection temperature profile was established on the basis of previous work [ 35 ]. That is, from die to hopper, the temperatures for the MB matrix were 190, 180, 170, and 170 °C; for the biocomposites of MB, the temperatures were 200, 190, 180, and 180 °C.…”

Effect of Cooling Agent on Temperature Profile During Molding Injection: Case Study for Polylactic Composites

“…Over the last years, PLA was used in composition of blends with other polymers and in composites with materials such as starch, cellulose and glass fibers [18,19], with lower cost and adequate properties. The nanocomposites of PLA with inorganic or organic substances have numerous advantages regarding the mechanical properties and present an accelerated biodegradation [1,20]. PLA can be processed by many technologies (extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, foaming, fiber spinning, 3-D printing), but a high number of products are realized by injection molding.…”