Roberto Zitzumbo

An analysis and modeling of the linear viscoelastic behavior of maltenes (M) blended with styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer (SBS) are presented in this study. M were mixed with different amounts of SBS (Elastomer, E) (0.25–80 wt%) to investigate the effect of polymer concentration on linear viscoelastic response of the blends; storage and l...

An analysis and modelling of the linear viscoelastic behavior of maltenes (M) blended with styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) are presented in this study. M were mixed with different amounts of SBS (Elastomer, E) (0.25 to 80 wt.%) to investigate the effect of polymer concentration on linear viscoelastic response of the blends; storage...

Here is presented the application of the Fabry-Perot interferometer to measure low pressures in the order of tens of Pascals. The fabrication of the interferometer and the method to make the measurements is described.

This paper describes the use of an optical instrument, the Fabry–Perot interferometer, adapted to measure very low pressures. The interferometer consists of two high-reflectance flat mirrors placed one in front of another. In addition, a metallic chamber contains air or a gas. In one of the faces of the chamber, a flexible thin silicone membrane is...

The effect of natural rubber (NR) on the mechanical and performance properties of ground tire rubber (GTR) has been investigated. The mechanical properties of vulcanized GTR/NR blends were determined in a universal testing machine. It was found a decreasing in the mechanical properties of the GTR/NR blends as the number of re-vulcanization processe...

The effect of natural rubber (NR) on mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of ground tire rubber (GTR) was investigated. Mechanical and thermal properties of GTR/NR vulcanized blends were determined with a universal testing machine and a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The molecular cross-linking density was determined by molecular swellin...

The synthesis and the corresponding characterization of styrene-butadiene (SB), branched, star-shaped copolymers was investigated as part of a research project on asphalt modification using polymers with precise molecular structures. The method of anionic polymerization was followed to prepare samples of block copolymers of SB, a synthesis method t...

The effects of modified organoclays on mechanical, rheological and mechanical-dynamical properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/ thermoplastic polyurethane (ABS/TPU) were studied. ABS/TPU mixtures with 95/5, 75/25 and 50/50 wt.% were reinforced with 5 wt.% Cloisite 10A and 15A.

The effects of modified organoclays on mechanical, rheological and mechanical-dynamical properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/thermoplastic polyurethane (ABS/TPU) were studied. ABS/TPU mixtures with 95/5, 75/25 and 50/50 wt.% were reinforced with 5 wt.% Cloisite 10A and 15A. The nanocomposites of the studied mixtures were prepared with an i...

An experimental device for determining Young’s modulus of polymer plates is presented. Two sets of polymer blends were investigated. First samples were made of ethylene propylene diene (EPDM), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and meleic anhydride grafting on polyethylene (PE-MA) reinforced with glass fiber. The second set of samples was made of lo...

In this study, we present a study of polypropylene/bentonite composites where stearic acid was used as both a surface and interface modifier during the compounding of composites. The concentration of bentonite was 1.5, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 parts per hundred. The composites were characterized by impact resistance and tensile tests, rheological analysis,...

This paper presents the development of an eco-efficient product/process, which has improved mechanical properties from the introduction of natural fibres in the EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Terpolymer) rubber formulation. The optimisation analysis is made by a fractional factorial design 211-7. Different formulations were evaluated using a multi-...

This paper presents the development of an eco-efficient product/process, which has improved mechanical properties from the introduction of natural fibres in the EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Terpolymer) rubber formulation. The optimisation analysis is made by a fractional factorial design 211-7. Different formulations were evaluated using a multi-...

In the present investigation the effect of two drying alternatives is analyzed on a fine garment leather. Natural hang drying is compared to tumble forced convection drying. The project is of interest due to the extended drying time under a high humidity environment which demands a high inventory of skins and a long overall manufacturing process ti...

The tensile strength of wood-plastic composites with PET as the polymer matrix and sawdust as a filler material was modeled by the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) with axial points in the center of the faces was used to determine the relationship between the mechanical property of interest and the levels of four...

In the present work the effect of the drying under forced convection is analyzed on fine garment leather. The results are compared against the common natural convection drying (hanging of leather pieces). The project is of interest due to the extended drying time under a high humidity environment which demands a high inventory of pieces and a long...

In recent years, many authors have researched polymer-modified asphalt blends and tried to better understand the rheological behavior of these materials. In this work, the thermomechanical response of an asphalt formulation was researched trying to find better asphalt-modified blends that allow for the construction of improved asphalt roads. The ex...

Currently, industrial manufacturing processes require materials with high performance properties, such as breaking strength, the flame retardation, corrosion resistance and overall ease of processing and low production costs. That is why the use of nanoparticles in various materials is an important factor in recent years to improve and modify their...

Tri-phenyl vinylbenzyl phosphonium chloride and tetraoctyl phosphonium bromide salts have been used as intercalant agents for Na-montmorillonite. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis coupled with Mass-spectrometry (TG/DTG-MS) were used to characterize the modified montmorillonites and the thermal decompositi...

Two quaternary phosphonium salts (aromatic and aliphatic) have been used as intercalants for Na-montmorillonite and the effect of intercalant structure on clay morphology and natural rubber vulcanization kinetics was investigated. Due to its lower rigid structure the aliphatic salt was easier to intercalate into the clay galleries giving rise to a...

The elastic deformation-recovery and mechanical properties of semi-crystalline polymers (HDPE, LDPE and their blends) were investigated. An optoelectronic technique based on a laser beam was used to analyze the behavior of the samples under radial stress. The laser technology showed that the recovery process develops in two stages. The first one is...

Intercalated and exfoliated nanocomposites based on HDPE and EPDM blends with an organoclay have been obtained through the addition of EPDM-g-MA as a compatibilizer. The combined effect of clay and EPDM-g-MA on the rheological behaviour is very noticeable with a sensible increase in viscosity which suggests the formation of a structural net of perc...

The effect of both a thermoplastic elastomer (EPDM) and short aramid fibres on polypropylene (PP) crystallization kinetics and tensile behaviour has been investigated. The results have shown that PP/EPDM blends are non-miscible in the melt, and, at low EPDM percentages in the blend (<25%), the particles of EPDM act as nucleating agents and co-cryst...