News - The Rapra Polymer Library hits the One Million Records Mark

(July 2010) - The Rapra Polymer Library is pleased to announce that it has recently reached an important milestone - the total number of records on the database is now more than one million, providing more polymer-related information than ever.

Records added to the database to pass the million mark included items on technical advances like 'Self-Healing Polymer 'Starfish' Prolong Lifetime of Automotive Oils', overviews such as 'Applications of Specialty Black Masterbatches and Compounds', and information with a business focus including items like 'Making Sense of Energy Saving' and 'Composting Plastics in the Home' (view a selection below).

"The polymer industry has changed a lot since the early 1980s when we launched this as an online database", said Rien van den Hondel, database manager. "It's been great that we have been able to develop the database coverage and access to reflect the changing requirements of the industry."

The Polymer Library is a broad yet focused resource, offering users a way to find out the latest on the science, technology and business of polymers. Its coverage allows users to follow concepts through from their discovery and development through to their real-life application and impact on specific industries.

The Polymer Library, produced by iSmithers, can be searched via an easy-to-use interface at www.polymerlibrary.com, and is also available through host organisations including STN, Dialog, ProQuest, CSA & EBSCOhost.

Our team are working on further developments to improve the Polymer Library database content - these will be announced as they happen. However, please do feel free to contact us if you have any feedback - we're always happy to hear from you.

Abstracts

Here are some key abstracts that were added to the database to top the million record mark.

Click on the 7-digit accession numbers to find out about ordering a copyright-cleared full text copy of the items shown.

1059728 - RECENT ADVANCES IN WHITE ORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING MATERIALS AND DEVICES (WOLEDs)
WOLEDs offer new design opportunities in practical solid-state lighting and could play a significant role in reducing global energy consumption. Obtaining white light from organic LEDs is a considerable challenge. Alongside the development of new materials with improved colour stability and balanced charge transport properties, major issues involve the fabrication of large-area devices and the development of low-cost manufacturing technology. This review describes the types of materials (small molecules and polymers) that have been used to fabricate WOLEDs. The polymers mentioned include polyfluorene, polyphenylene vinylene, polyethylene dioxythiophene and polystyrene sulphonate. A range of device architectures is presented and appraised. 87 refs.
Advanced Materials, 22, No.5, 2nd Feb.2010, p.572-582, ISSN: 0935-9648, DOI: 10.1002/adma.200902148
Kamtekar K T; Monkman A P; Bryce M R

1059651 - SILANE REDUCTION OF ONIUM SALTS
Novel redox initiators for cationic polymerisations were developed consisting of an onium salt together with a Si-H functional silane or siloxane. The reduction of the onium salt by the silane was catalysed by noble metal complexes or certain transition metal compounds and took place spontaneously at room temperature. The redox reaction of the onium salt with the silane resulted in the liberation of a strong Bronsted acid that could be subsequently used to initiate cationic polymerisations. Typical onium salts employed in these redox initiator systems were diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulphonium salts and S,S-dialkyl-S-phenacylsulphonium salts. Studies of the effects of variations in the structures of the onium salt, the silane and the type of noble metal catalyst were carried out. In principle, the redox initiator systems were applicable to all types of cationically-polymerisable monomers and oligomers, including the ring-opening polymerisations of such heterocyclic monomers as epoxides and oxetanes and, in addition, the polymerisation of vinyl monomers such as vinyl ethers, N-vinylcarbazole and styrenic monomers. The use of these novel initiator systems for carrying out commercially-attractive crosslinking polymerisations for coatings, composites and encapsulations is discussed. 46 refs.
Applied Organometallic Chemistry, 24, No.3, March 2010, p.169-178, ISSN: 0268-2605, DOI: 10.1002/aoc.1549
Crivello J V

1059360 - QUANTIFICATION OF CLAY DISPERSION IN NANOCOMPOSITES OF STYRENIC POLYMERS (downloadable pdf available)
Polymer-clay nanocomposites are materials with many interesting structures, properties, and potential applications. Microstructural evaluation of a nanocomposite is not an easy task, as clay may form hierarchical structures which may look different when observed at various magnifications under a microscope, and also as the concepts of "intercalation" and "exfoliation" are not self-sufficient to describe its morphology. In this work polymer-clay nanocomposites of polystyrene and two styrene-containing block copolymers (styrene-butadiene-styrene and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) were prepared using three different techniques. Clay dispersion was evaluated by a recently developed microscopy image analysis procedure, combining the analysis of optical and transmission electron micrographs, and the characterisation was complemented by X-ray diffraction and rheological measurements. The results showed better clay dispersion for both block copolymers nanocomposites, mainly due to their molecular architectures. Moreover, the techniques which showed the best results involved mixing the materials in a solvent medium. 31 refs.
Polymer Engineering and Science, 50, No.2, 2010, p.257-267, ISSN: 0032-3888, DOI: 10.1002/pen.21527
Carastan D J; Vermogen A; Masenelli-Varlot K; Demarquette N R

1059236 - COMPOSTING PLASTICS IN THE HOME (short article)
It is briefly reported that food packaging and other disposable plastic items could soon be composted at home with a new sugar-based polymer. The degradable polymer is made from lignocellulosic biomass, which comes from non-food crops and waste products. It is being developed at Imperial College London by a team of EPSRC scientists. The new polymer's oxygen-rich sugars allow it to absorb water and degrade to harmless products for domestic composting.
Engineer, 295, No.7789, 22nd Feb.2010, p.7, ISSN: 0013-7758

1059210 - SELF-HEALING POLYMER 'STARFISH' PROLONG LIFETIME OF AUTOMOTIVE OILS (short article)
It is briefly reported that researchers have created self-healing polymers that could extend the lifetime of automotive oils. Polymers are often added to automotive oils to control important physical properties such as viscosity, but mechanical and thermal stress can break the polymers, decreasing the efficiency and how they affect the oils' properties. The University of Warwick research team has now designed a self-healing, star-shaped polymer for use as a viscosity modifier. The methacrylate polymer has vulnerable long arms, which can be broken off if stressed, reducing performance. The research team found they could add a particular chemical combination to the polymer's backbone which, almost like a starfish, will allow broken arms to reform via a "Diels Alder cyclo-addition reaction" in a self-healing reaction.
Chemical Weekly, 55, No.26, 9th Feb.2010, p.175, ISSN: 0045-6500

1059199 - APPLICATIONS OF SPECIALTY BLACK MASTERBATCHES AND COMPOUNDS
Traditionally, carbon black has been used as a reinforcing agent in tyres. Today, the uses of carbon black have expanded to include acting as a pigmenting, UV stabilising and conductive agent in a variety of products. Specialty black masterbatches are used in a variety of thermoplastic polymer applications, including irrigation pipes, geomembranes and mulch films. Conductive carbon black can be used in permanently conductive compounds such as those used to produce tapes or monofilaments for the safe dissipation of electrostatic charge, avoiding risks of fire or explosion or damage to electronic equipment.
Popular Plastics and Packaging -Citation- 55, No.2, Feb.2010, p.38-39 -ISSN- 0971-0078

1059180 - NANO-PARTICLES PAVE WAY FOR FLEXIBLE ELECTRONICS (short article)
Bayer MaterialScience has developed two new nano-particulate-based conductive inks for direct printing of electrical circuits onto the flexible substrates used in the emerging polymer electronics sector, it is briefly reported. The new inks, BayInk TP S and BayInk TP CNT, have been formulated to provide high adhesion to polymer films, as well as to traditional rigid substrates such as glass, silicon and indium tin oxide. BayInk TP CNT contains the company's Baytube carbon nanotubes and is designed for production of switches and other electronic elements. BayInk TP S is based on silver nanoparticles and is aimed at conductor track application using inkjet technology.
Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 5th March 2010, p.13, ISSN: 0032-1168
Smith C

1059173 - REVOLUTIONARY HELMET THAT DOESN'T TURN HEADS
In what could be the biggest innovation in motorcycle helmet design since the introduction of the expanded PS foam liner, a UK-based technology partnership has developed a new construction that mimics the human skull's own protection mechanism. According to the inventor of the new "SuperSkin" technology, Dr Ken Phillips, head trauma is the cause of more than 80% of motorcycle accident fatalities. A key factor in these deaths is rotational head injury, serious damage to the brain structure caused by rapid transfer of rotational force to the brain during impact between the helmet shell and surfaces such as the road. The SuperSkin concept mimics the "skull and skin" structure of the human head, which allows the skin to slip over the surface of the hard skull to absorb rotational energy. In the SuperSkin design the hard helmet shell is covered with an outer flexible membrane that is able to stretch and slide over the shell surface to minimise the rotational forces transmitted to the brain.
European Plastics News, 37, No.3, March 2010, p.38, ISSN: 0306-3534

1059170 - MAKING SENSE OF ENERGY SAVING
Energy is a significant cost for most plastics processors, but many are reluctant to invest in energy-saving measures. While all-electric injection moulding machines show excellent energy saving performance, companies should look at all aspects of their production. Aside from machine drive and insulation, energy costs can also be reduced using heat recovery or cooling technologies, as well as by attention to compressed air, material transport and drying systems. During the Fakuma show last year, Krauss-Maffei ran its demonstration machines with its EcoPac insulation system installed, claiming a 20-40% reduction in barrel heating energy cost. EcoPac is one element in KM's Blue Power efficiency programme, alongside alternative drive technology, heat generation and process optimisation. Austrian pipe maker Rehau has realised an annual energy saving of around 550,000 kWh through optimisation of its Neulengbach pipe production process cooling plant. The system, which includes automatic recycling of cooling water, represented an investment of around Euro300,000. The company estimates a payback time of around 66 months.
European Plastics News, 37, No.3, March 2010, p.33-34, ISSN: 0306-3534
Vink D

1059152 - NOVEL RENEWABLY SOURCED INGREDIENT FOR POLYURETHANES
Cimteclab has recently launched novel bio-based polyols made from cardanol which is a natural phenol derivative obtained from cashew nut shell liquid. Having interesting structural features for chemical modification, cardanol allows Cimteclab researchers to be polyol architects, actually custom-designing bio-based products with a variety of specifications and attributes that help their customers to achieve the desired performance in foams for specific applications. The cardanol-based polyols are characterised by a relatively high rate of reactivity with isocyanates. Moreover, they can be used with reduced levels of urethane catalysts and using water as a blowing agent. Representative PU rigid foams that have been prepared using a tri-functional cardanol-based polyol and water as co-blowing agent, exhibited mechanical and physical properties that make them suitable for use in structural sandwich panels cores according to ASTM E 1730.
PU Magazine, 7, No.1, Feb.-March 2010, p.34

1059117 - NEW TRENDS IN POLYLACTIDE (PLA)-BASED MATERIALS: GREEN PLACALCIUM SULFATE (NANO)COMPOSITES TAILORED WITH FLAME RETARDANT PROPERTIES
Starting from gypsum, a by-product of lactic acid fabrication process, novel ''green'' composites have been produced by melt-blending polylactide (PLA) and this filler after a previous specific dehydration to obtain anhydrite II (AII). Such a material is potentially interesting in biodegradable/rigid packaging and in technical applications requiring rigidity, heat resistance and dimensional stability. In order to obtain PLA-AII composites characterized by specific end-use flame retardant properties, the addition of selected organo-modified layered silicates (OMLS) was considered. Co-addition of AII and OMLS leads to PLA (nano)composites characterized by good (nano)filler dispersion, thermal stability and adequate mechanical resistance. The flame retardant properties as shown by cone calorimetry showed significant increase in the ignition time compared to neat PLA and a substantial decrease, i.e., ca. 40%, of the maximum rate of heat release, whereas the UL94 HB test was successfully passed revealing non-dripping effect and extensive char formation. The study represents a new approach in formulating novel PLA grades with improved characteristic features. 33 refs.
Polymer Degradation and Stability, 95, No.3, 2010, p.374-381, ISSN: 0141-3910, DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2009.11.032
Murariu M; Bonnaud L; Yoann P; Fontaine G; Bourbigot S; Dubois P

1059084 - A METHODOLOGY FOR IMPROVING SHEAR PERFORMANCE OF MARINE GRADE SANDWICH COMPOSITES: SANDWICH COMPOSITE PANEL WITH SHEAR KEY
Researchers have developed several measures to improve shear resistance capacity of sandwich structures composed of thin composite face sheets of Eglass/epoxy and low density PVC foam core, but these methodologies are either costly or result in damage to the sandwich composites before being placed for production. A novel, innovative cost-effective methodology of introducing fibreglass shear keys attached to face skins to improve the stiffness and strength of the sandwich composite panel is being proposed in this manuscript. Manufacturing of the sandwich composite panels along with experimental and numerical investigations have been performed in this manuscript to demonstrate the potential of the proposed simple methodology which can be utilized for shear-sensitive design and analysis of sandwich composite structures and/or components. A parametric study has also been carried out to determine the effect of change in shape, size, spacing and material of the shear keys on the sandwich composite panel global response. 24 refs.
Composite Structures, 92, No.5, 2010, p.1065-1072, ISSN: 0263-8223, DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2009.10.005
Mitra N