Fabrication and Design of a Mechanical Polymer Mixer

Abstract

Polymer nanoparticle composites present industrial potential in many applications. However, some limitations for the application of these composites are due to the non-uniformity of their mechanical properties. One of the main issues of that drawback is the lack of uniform distribution of the nanoparticle’s reinforcement inside the polymer matrix. In other words, uniform distribution of nanoparticles throughout polymer matrices presents a crucial issue for obtaining sound parts of fair enough mechanical properties. That would present a limitation for use in different areas of applications. A mechanical mixer with a special design has been developed during the present work. A prototype mixer has been carried out, and used for the synthetization of polystyrene carbon nanoparticles, (CNP’s) composites. The design of the developed mechanical mixer is based on the principle of subjecting the mixture of CNP’s and Polymer to multi-shearing strokes in a bi-directions extrusion die during heating at appropriate temperature for a specific time. The produced composites have been subjected to metallographic examination, and mechanical testing to investigate the effectiveness of using the developed mechanical mixture. Metallographic examination of specimens of the produced composites parts using SEM have shown fair enough distribution of the carbon nanoparticles throughout the polymer matrix. The mechanical properties of the produced composites have been evaluated, and the results showed comparable values with respect to those dismantled in publications.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Polymer nanocomposites are frequently used in packaging, energy, safety, transportation, military systems, electromagnetic shielding, sensors, catalysis, and the information sector [1-3]. They are significant materials for both industrial and scientific reasons.

Polymer nanocomposites provide enormous possibilities for the future of these materials by providing solutions to several real-world issues and everyday difficulties. The idea behind Polymer nanocomposite design is that surface area and size are linked to much increased reactivity [4].

Because of the novel design, polymer nanocomposites have moved rapidly in manufacturing. These new materials often have superior characteristics than pure polymers and/or polymer composites. Depending on the intended usage, a variety of natural, synthetic, biopolymer, and elastomer polymers have been employed to create these materials, which may include varying amounts of nanoparticles [5–13]. The novel design depends on selecting the appropriate polymer-nanoparticle combination and preparation method to produce these new materials with desirable properties. The most popular techniques for obtaining these materials are melt extrusion, solution dispersion (which includes spray drying and nanoprecipitation), and in situ polymerization. Every procedure is unique. The final morphology of polymer nanocomposites is crucial, regardless of the method, and is determined by interactions between polymers and nanoparticles that provide optimal dispersion and distribution of the nanoparticles inside the polymer matrix [10–14]. The technique used to create the polymer nanocomposite affects the final morphology as well.

These materials may be generated by several techniques, the most popular being melt extrusion, solution dispersion (which includes spray drying and nanoprecipitation), and in situ polymerization. Every procedure is unique. However, regardless of the method, the ultimate morphology of all polymer nanocomposites is dependent on interactions between polymers and nanoparticles that will provide optimal dispersion and distribution of the nanoparticles within the polymer matrix [14–18].

Since its inception in the early 1930s, the hot melt extrusion method has quickly become the most extensively utilized processing technology in the plastic, rubber, and food manufacturing sectors. Hot melt extrusion entails many compaction phases as well as the conversion of powdered components into a product of consistent density and shape. When rubber is used in a hot melt extrusion process, spinning screws motivate the rubber and active substances, including any additives such as carbon nanofillers, forward toward the die at specified temperatures, pressures, feeding rates, and screw speeds.

VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors express their gratitude to their colleagues at British University in Egypt and Al-Azhar University for their support and encouragement.

Conclusion

It is worth mentioning that using the developed mechanical mixing method has successfully produced nanocomposites preforms of faire enough distribution of the nano particles size. That would enhance the mechanical properties of the fabrication of the nanocomposites and widen its field of applications in different industrial areas.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2024 M. Ismail, Mohamed A. Bayoumi, Sayed Akl. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.