Abstract EVA systems, using an environmentally friendly organoclay modified with a non-ionic and free of ammonium ions modifier (BN-AM), were prepared in a single-screw laboratory extruder and characterized by rheological, morphological and thermal properties. WAXD analysis suggested that the nanocomposites with 1.5 wt% of BN-AM presented an exfoliated structure, while the rheological results showed that the nanocomposites with BN-AM organoclay tended to present a more pronounced shear thinning behavior when compared to EVA and the nanocomposites with the traditional organoclay. The SEM/EDS analysis by using elemental mappings showed good dispersion of the organoclays (BN-AM and BN-CT) in the EVA matrix. Thermogravimetry analysis showed an improvement in thermal stability of EVA when the non-ionic modifier was used instead of the traditional one. In general, it was concluded that the addition of low content of BN-AM organoclay in EVA matrices is a promising option for the production of nanocomposites.

No presente trabalho foram preparados poliuretanos (PUs) segmentados. Primeiramente foi obtido um pré-polímero (PP) a partir da reação de 2,4 e 2,6 - diisocianato de tolileno (TDI) e poli(épsilon-caprolactona) diol (PCL). A PCL é um poliéster biodegradável que constituiu o segmento flexível do PU. O segmento rígido foi constituído por unidades uretânicas provenientes da ligação entre as extremidades isocianato do PP e as hidroxilas do extensor de cadeia: 1,4 - butanodiol (BDO), ou sacarose (SAC), ou glicose (GLY). Foram avaliadas as propriedades mecânicas e dinâmico-mecânicas dos poliuretanos obtidos e estas foram correlacionadas com os parâmetros estruturais. Os resultados foram justificados com base na intensidade das interações de hidrogênio, na mistura de fases, no volume dos extensores cíclicos e na presença de ligações cruzadas. Estes PUs estão sendo estudados com vistas à preparação de materiais biodegradáveis com propriedades mecânicas úteis.

Segmented polyurethanes containing polycaprolactone as soft segment were prepared taking into account the biodegradable character of this compound. The hard block was produced by the reaction between tolylene diisocyanate and a chain extender (1,4 butanediol, sucrose or glucose). The mechanical and dynamical properties were evaluated as a function of the contents of rigid blocks. The results were analyzed on the basis of the intermolecular interactions, mainly H bonds, phase mixture, volume of cyclic chain extenders and crosslinking. These polyurethanes are being studied aiming at the preparation of biodegradable materials with useful mechanical properties.