TY - JOUR
T1 - An improved technique for dispersion of natural graphite particles in thermoplastic polyurethane by sub-critical gas-assisted processing
AU - Huang, An
AU - Wang, Hankun
AU - Ellingham, Thomas
AU - Peng, Xiangfang
AU - Turng, Lih Sheng
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2019/9/29
Y1 - 2019/9/29
N2 - Dispersing fillers uniformly is the main technological challenge when considering nanocomposites. In this paper, a novel and efficient sub-critical gas-assisted processing (SGAP) technique is explored—an environmentally benign process that utilizes compressed CO2 to help effectively disperse aggregated natural graphite particles (NGPs) (3 wt%) in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. A twin-screw extruder (TSE) equipped with a simple CO2 injection unit consisting of a standard gas cylinder, regulator, valve, and metal hose is employed for the melt mixing. Results from the structural, thermal, rheological, mechanical, microcellular injection molding, dielectric, and thermal conductive properties of the SGAP pellets, in addition to the resultant TPU/NGP nanocomposites, confirmed significantly improved dispersion compared to those obtained via conventional melt blending in the TSE. This technique offers a simple, cost-effective approach to the large-scale production of high-performance polymer nanocomposites without the requirement for complicated processing steps such as supercritical fluid (SCF) processes or chemical treatments.
AB - Dispersing fillers uniformly is the main technological challenge when considering nanocomposites. In this paper, a novel and efficient sub-critical gas-assisted processing (SGAP) technique is explored—an environmentally benign process that utilizes compressed CO2 to help effectively disperse aggregated natural graphite particles (NGPs) (3 wt%) in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. A twin-screw extruder (TSE) equipped with a simple CO2 injection unit consisting of a standard gas cylinder, regulator, valve, and metal hose is employed for the melt mixing. Results from the structural, thermal, rheological, mechanical, microcellular injection molding, dielectric, and thermal conductive properties of the SGAP pellets, in addition to the resultant TPU/NGP nanocomposites, confirmed significantly improved dispersion compared to those obtained via conventional melt blending in the TSE. This technique offers a simple, cost-effective approach to the large-scale production of high-performance polymer nanocomposites without the requirement for complicated processing steps such as supercritical fluid (SCF) processes or chemical treatments.
KW - Microcellular injection molding (MIM)
KW - Natural graphite particles (NGPs)
KW - Sub-critical gas-assisted processing (SGAP)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85070869191&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.107783
DO - 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.107783
M3 - 文章
AN - SCOPUS:85070869191
SN - 0266-3538
VL - 182
JO - Composites Science and Technology
JF - Composites Science and Technology
M1 - 107783
ER -