The flame retardant synergism between highly stretched polymer fibres and intumescent flame retardant systems was investigated in self-reinforced polypropylene composites. It was found that the structure of reinforcement, such as degree of molecular orientation, fibre alignment and weave type, has a particular effect on the fire performance of the intumescent system. As little as 7.2 wt % addit...

We present THz time-domain spectroscopy measurements on glass-fibre reinforced polymers. The experimental set-up consists of a standard free-space THz spectrometer with photoconductive emitter and detector antennas driven by a femtosecond laser source. Single-point measurements to precisely obtain the THz properties of the sample are performed as well as two-dimensional images by scanning the s...

Recent interest in the utilisation of greener materials has reinitiated the interest in natural fibres and/or fibrils as reinforcement for polymers. However, such bio-based composites often exhibit properties that fall short of expectations due to (i) inadequate processing conditions, resulting in filler agglomeration and poor filler dispersion within the matrix, (ii) variations in natural fibr...

Abstract The modification of polypropylene fibre during their production is usually performed with the aim to improve some end‐use properties final textiles. most common procedure for fibres involves adding additives in form masterbaches, which are incorporated into polymer by physical means formation. presented work focused on investigation effect natural organic additive cellulose preparation...

The rational design of supramolecular polymers in water is imperative for their widespread use, but the design principles for these systems are not well understood. Herein, we employ a multi-scale (spatial and temporal) approach to differentiate two analogous water-soluble supramolecular polymers: one with and one without a stereogenic methyl. Initially aiming simply to understand the molecular...

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/ceria composite fibres were synthesized by using a sequential combination of polymer electrospinning, spray-coating with a sol, and a final calcination step to yield microstructured ceria tubes, which are composed of nanocrystalline ceria particles. The PMMA template is removed from the organic/inorganic hybrid material by radio frequency (rf) plasma etching follow...