Thermoplastic properties of extruded sugar beet pulp (SBP) are closely linked to water–polymer relationships. DSC analyses of water evaporation, water fusion and biopolymer relaxation according to SBP moisture content gave a more accurate estimation of SBP hydration steps than classical water adsorption isotherm. Three moisture contents (8%, 26%, 41% db) were then defined as limits of the diffe...

Resilon is a thermoplastic synthetic polymer-based endodontic material alternative to gutta-percha. It contains bioactive glass and also radiopaque fillers. It has the same handling properties as gutta-percha. For endodontic retreatment, it may be dissolved with some solvents, such as chloroform or softened with heat. The composition of Resilon and its sealer (Epiphany) bond to dentin and form ...

Incorporation of liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) into commodity polymers remains a challenge in the design of high-performance, low-cost polymeric blends. Blends of a thermoplastic polymer and a nematic LCP are produced here by mechanical alloying. Functionality sensitive X-ray microscopy reveals LCP dispersions as small as 100 nm in diameter. Intimate mixing remains upon subsequent melt pro...

Using inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles and inorganic nanotubes (INT) in organic-inorganic hybrid composite, materials provide the potential for improving thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of conventional composites. The processing of such high-performance hybrid thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites is achieved via melt-blending without the aid of any modifier or compat...

A unique method for incorporating functional porous polymer monolith elements into thermoplastic microfluidic chips is described. Monolith elements are formed in a microfabricated mold, rather than within the microchannels, and chemically functionalized off chip before insertion into solvent-softened thermoplastic microchannels during chip assembly. Because monoliths may be trimmed prior to fin...

Polymer composites based on natural fillers are currently attracting great attention as alternative materials to glass or synthetic fibre reinforced plastics in several applications, mostly for automotive, appliance and packaging products. The main advantage of employing natural fibres is that these are biodegradable and renewable, and exhibit low cost, low density and high toughness. However t...