This research aimed to evaluate the ideal proportion of two stabilizers in elastomeric compositions indicated for tire sidewall. The stabilizers applied in different proportions were N-1,3-dimethyl-butyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) and oligomerized 2,2,4-trimethyl-quinoline (TMQ). Nine compositions were prepared with 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 phr of 6PPD combined with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 phr of TMQ. The compounds were exposed to accelerated aging processes, including thermo-oxidative, photochemical and ozone chamber. Also, the samples were aged in the environment for 440 days. At regular intervals, the samples were evaluated. Gas chromatography was used to quantify the content of 6PPD. Overall, the samples exposed to thermo-oxidative aging showed the greatest loss of mechanical properties (tear and tensile strength) as well as the 6PPD content. From the mechanical strength results, it was possible to conclude that the best combination of stabilizers was 2.5 phr of 6PPD and 1.0 of TMQ.

Biocomposites of polymers with vegetal fibers have a broad spectrum of applications due to their high specific properties in comparison to their counterparts made with fiberglass. Polypropylene, PP, composites with curaua fiber compatibilized with different concentrations of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, PP-g-MA, were characterized according to their mechanical properties, morphologies and thermal stabilities in oxidative and inert atmospheres. The composites were prepared by single screw extrusion and injection molded specimens were used for testing. The composite with 20 wt % of curaua fiber with and without compatibilizer presented improved mechanical properties compared to pure PP. The use of PP-g-MA as a compatibilizer significantly increased fiber/matrix adhesion, however, the mechanical properties were only slightly improved in comparison with composites without compatibilizer. We observed an improvement in thermal stability of the composites, compared to that expected from the weighted average of the individual components, both under inert and oxidative atmospheres. Furthermore, the thermal stability improved under inert atmosphere as a function of the concentration of compatibilizer. In this situation, indeed, there was a different shift of the weight loss processes owing to the presence of the compatibilizer.

The thermomechanical degradation of blends made from polypropylene and polystyrene, with or without compatibilizer, was studied using an internal mixer coupled to a torque rheometer. The blends processed without compatibilizer presented regular and expected results regarding torque reduction, with evidence of chain scission. The blends processed with the block copolymer of styrene and butadiene, SBS, as a compatibilizer presented unchanged or less reduced variation on torque values during processing. The extraction of stabilizers from the compatibilizer before processing did not affect the results. The compatibilizer concentration in the blends was varied, with its influence still being observed in concentrations as low as 0.03 parts per hundred. Similar results were obtained in an experiment comparing the performance of a primary commercial anti-oxidant, Irganox 1076, and the compatibilizer SBS. Therefore, the compatibilizer can be considered as a processing aid agent with positive influence on avoiding thermomechanical degradation.

É crescente o interesse nos compósitos poliméricos reforçados com fibras vegetais curtas em substituição às fibras de vidro, pois as fibras naturais provêm de fontes renováveis, não são abrasivas aos equipamentos de processamento, são biodegradáveis, e possuem baixa densidade comparada às fibras de vidro. Elas apresentam início de degradação em torno de 200 °C, sendo adequadas para reforçar poliolefinas que são processadas até essa temperatura ou termofíxos. Várias fibras vegetais vêm sendo usadas como reforço, dentre elas o curauá e o sisal; no entanto, há grande controvérsia na literatura sobre as propriedades finais dos compósitos. Neste trabalho comparamos as propriedades de compósitos de polietileno de alta densidade ou polipropileno com 20% em massa de fibras curtas de sisal ou de curauá com ou sem agentes de acoplagem. Todos foram processados por extrusão e moldados por injeção, exatamente nas mesmas condições, e os resultados foram comparados em termos das propriedades mecânicas. As fibras de curauá apresentam resistência à tração superior às fibras de sisal e os compósitos com fibras de curauá apresentaram resistência à tração e flexão ligeiramente superior aos compósitos com fibra de sisal. No caso da resistência ao impacto a situação se inverte. Como o sisal é mais frágil que o curauá, durante o processamento ocorre maior quebra da fibra provocando essa diferenciação nas propriedades mecânicas dos compósitos.

There is growing interest in reinforced polymer composites using short vegetal fibers to replace glass fibers for several reasons. The composite fibers are produced from renewable resources, being biodegradable and less abrasive to the processing equipment, in addition to possessing a lower density than the glass fibers. Since their thermal degradation onset is at 200 °C, they can be used to reinforce thermoplastics processed below this temperature and thermosets. Several vegetal fibers have been used as reinforcing agent, including sisal and cuaruá. However, there is controversy in the literature about the composites final properties. In this work we compare the properties of composites of high density polyethylene or polypropylene with 20 wt. (%) of short sisal or curauá fibers, with or without a coupling agent. All composites were processed by extrusion and molded by injection, under exactly the same conditions, and the mechanical properties were compared. The curauá fibers presented a higher tensile resistance than the sisal fibers, and the composites with curauá fibers had slightly higher tensile and flexural resistance compared to the sisal fiber composites. The situation is opposite in the impact resistance results, with sisal composites displaying higher impact resistance. Since sisal fibers are more fragile than curauá fibers, during processing there is a higher fracture of sisal in comparison to curauá, inducing these differences in composites mechanical properties.

Apresentamos uma revisão sobre o poli(tereftalato de etileno) enfatizando os processos de síntese e os mecanismos de degradação. Atualmente o Brasil apresenta um dos maiores índices mundiais de reciclagem mecânica deste polímero, correspondendo a um percentual de 53%. O sucesso desse termoplástico na indústria de reciclagem deve-se à sua ampla diversidade de aplicações, desde a indústria têxtil (multifilamento) até as indústrias de alimentos, onde as embalagens recicladas grau alimentício poderão ser misturadas com a resina virgem em diversas proporções e reprocessadas para o uso. Uma abordagem sobre a atual legislação do uso de PET reciclado em contato com alimentos também é mostrada neste trabalho. No processo de síntese do PET realizado em duas ou três etapas, são usados comonômeros e aditivos para otimizar as condições de processamento do material. Entretanto, tanto durante a síntese como no processo de reciclagem, ocorrem reações de degradação (termomecânica e termo-oxidativa) e reações secundárias, formando acetaldeído, oligômeros, e o dietileno glicol. A presença desses "contaminantes" acelera o processo de degradação do polímero, afetando a qualidade do produto final.

We present a review on poly(ethylene terephthalate), emphasizing the synthesis processes and the degradation mechanisms. Brazil is currently among the countries that most recycle PET, with 53% of this polymer being mechanically recycled. The success of this thermoplastic in the recycling industry is due to its large diversity of applications, from the textile industry to food packaging, where the food grade recycled packages will be mixed with the pristine resin for reprocessing and use. We also discuss the present legal aspects concerning PET recycling and its use in contact with food. In the synthesis of PET, usually done in two or three steps, several co-monomers and additives are used to optimize the final properties and processing conditions. Additionally, during the synthesis, processing and recycling, several degradation (thermomechanical and thermo-oxidation) and secondary reactions occur, producing acetaldehydes, oligomers and diethyleneglicol. The presence of these "contaminants" accelerates the degradation process of the polymer affecting the final product characteristics.