TY - JOUR A1 - Frasca, Daniele A1 - Schulze, Dietmar A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Huth, Christian A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - Multifunctional multilayer graphene/elastomer nanocomposites N2 - Elastomers are usually reinforced and employed in different applications. Various different nanoparticles, including layered silicates, carbon nanotubes, and expanded graphite, are currently being used as nanofiller. Multilayer Graphene (MLG) is proposed as promising nanofiller to improve the functional properties of Chlorine-Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber (CIIR), Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber (NBR), Natural Rubber (NR) and Styrene–Butadiene Rubber (SBR) at low concentrations. MLG is constituted by only approximately 10 graphene sheets. Nanocomposites with extremely low MLG content (3 phr) showed evident improvement in rheological, mechanical and curing properties. The Young's modulus of the nanocomposites increased more than twice in comparison with the unfilled rubbers. MLG also improved the weathering resistance of the different rubbers. The nanocomposites conserved their initial mechanical properties against weathering exposure. KW - Elastomer KW - Nanocomposite KW - Multilayer graphene PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2015.07.050 SN - 0014-3057 SN - 1873-1945 VL - 71 SP - 99 EP - 113 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Oxford AN - OPUS4-33843 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Scholz, Philipp A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Panne, Ulrich A1 - Weidner, Steffen ED - Scholz, Philipp T1 - Degradation of MDI-based polyether and polyester-polyurethanes in various environments - Effects on molecular mass and crosslinking N2 - Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to monitor changes of the molecular masses of thermoplastic polyether – and polyester urethane (TPU) exposed to thermal, hydrolytic, and photo-oxidative (UV) Degradation conditions for several days. The thermal treatment was performed at elevated temperatures (100–200 °C) under oxidative (air) as well as non-oxidative (nitrogen) conditions to evaluate the specific influence of oxygen on the degradation. At higher temperatures (≥175 °C) a fast decrease of the molecular masses of both PU accompanied by a high degree of crosslinking was found. At lower temperatures (≤150 °C) the polymers remained widely unaffected by thermal degradation within the investigated degradation interval of up to two weeks. Surprisingly, the influence of oxygen (air) was found to be less distinct. In contrast to that, UV treatment at 25 °C at less than 10% rel. humidity (RH) resulted in a fast crosslinking, whereas the molecular masses of both PU decreased slower than for thermal treatments. The depth of penetration of the UV radiation was estimated using 3D printed PU samples with different thicknesses. Hydrolysis based degradation effects were less significant. Only slight molecular mass changes were detected at temperatures ≤80 °C within a time span of 14 days, while no crosslinking could be measured. Considering the degradation results at the investigated exposure parameters, it could be shown that esterbased PU in general exhibits a significant higher stability compared to ether-based materials. KW - Polyurethane KW - Thermal degradation KW - UV degradation KW - Molecular masses KW - Crosslinking PY - 2019 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142941819302363 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2019.04.028 SN - 0142-9418 VL - 77 SP - 105881, 1 EP - 12 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-48619 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rhiem, S. A1 - Barthel, Anne-Kathrin A1 - Meyer-Plath, A. A1 - Hennig, M. P. A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Sturm, Heinz A1 - Schäffer, A. A1 - Maes, H. M. T1 - Release of 14C-labelled carbon nanotubes from polycarbonate composites N2 - Waste disposal of carbon nanotube (CNT) containing products is expected to be the most important pathway for release of CNTs into the environment. In the present work, the use of radiolabelled CNTs (14C-CNT) for polycarbonate polymer nanocomposites with 1 wt% 14C-CNT content allowed for the first time to quantify and differentiate the CNT release according to the type of impact along the materials' ageing history. After an initial exposure of the nanocomposite by solar-like irradiation, further environmental impacts were applied to composite material. They aimed at mimicking disposal site conditions that may induce further ageing effects and CNT release. This study included shaking in water, rapid temperature changes, soaking in humic acid solution as well as waste water effluent, and, finally, gentle mechanical abrasion. All ageing impacts were applied sequentially, both on pristine (control) and on solar-irradiated nanocomposites. All experiments were accompanied by absolute quantification of radioactive release as well as chemical and morphological analyses of the nanocomposite surfaces using infra-red (IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphological analysis showed that spectral irradiation can uncover CNT networks on the outer nanocomposite surface layers by polymer degradation. After having subjected the solar-irradiated nanocomposite to all studied disposal site effect, the total radioactive release was quantified to amount to 64 mg CNT/m2, whereas only 0.8 mg CNT/m2 were found for the un-irradiated control sample. Solar degradation of polymers was thus found to significantly increase the propensity of the studied polymer nanocomposites to release CNTs during ageing effects at the product's end-of-life typical for disposal sites. KW - Weathering KW - Carbon nanotubes KW - Nanocomposites KW - Release KW - Quantification PY - 2016 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749116303748 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.098 SN - 0269-7491 VL - 215 IS - August SP - 356 EP - 365 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Paris AN - OPUS4-36899 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Qiu, Y. A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Klack, Patrick A1 - Qian, L. A1 - Liu, Z. A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - Improved flame retardancy by synergy between cyclotetrasiloxane and phosphaphenanthrene/triazine compounds in epoxy thermoset N2 - A siloxane compound (MVC) and a bi-group phosphaphenanthrene/triazine compound (TGD) were employed in epoxy thermosets to explore high-efficiency flame retardant systems. With only 1wt% MVC and 3wt% TGD, an epoxy thermoset passed UL 94 V-0 rating test and achieved a limiting oxygen index value of 34.0%, exhibiting an excellent flame retardant effect. The MVC/TGD system not only decreased the peak value of heat release rate and effective heat of combustion but also imparted an improved charring ability to thermosets, thereby outstandingly reducing the flammability of 1%MVC/3%TGD/EP. Compared with the fire performance of 4%TGD/EP and 4%MVC/EP, the MVC/TGD system showed an obvious flame retardant synergistic effect, mainly depending on the general improvement of flame inhibition, charring and barrier effects of the thermoset during combustion. Evolved gas analysis combinedwith condensed-phase pyrolysis product Analysis jointly revealed the details of the changed pyrolysis mode. KW - Flame retardant KW - Epoxy resin KW - Synergy KW - Siloxane KW - DOPO KW - Triazine PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.5466 SN - 0959-8103 SN - 1097-0126 VL - 66 IS - 12 SP - 1883 EP - 1890 PB - Wiley AN - OPUS4-42950 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tan, Yi A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Klack, Patrick A1 - Kukofka, Tobias A1 - Ruder, J. A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - Durability of the flame retardance of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer cables: Comparing different flame retardants exposed to different weathering conditions N2 - Scientific publications addressing the durability of the flame retardance of cables during their long-term application are rare and our understanding lacks. Three commercial flame retardants, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum diethyl phosphinate (AlPi-Et), and intumescent flame retardant based on ammonium polyphosphate, applied in ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) model cables, are investigated. Different artificial aging scenarios were applied: accelerated weathering (UV-irradiation/temperature/rain phases), humidity exposure (elevated temperature/humidity), and salt spray exposure. The deterioration of cables’ surface and flame retardancy were monitored through imaging, color measurements, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and cone calorimeter investigations. Significant degradation of the materials’ surface occurred. The flame retardant EVA cables are most sensitive to humidity exposure; the cable with AlPi-Et is the most sensitive to the artificial aging scenarios. Nevertheless, substantial flame retardance persisted after being subjected for 2000 h, which indicates that the equivalent influence of natural exposure is limited for several years, but less so for long-term use. KW - Durability KW - Flame retardant KW - Cable KW - Weathering KW - Cone calorimeter PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/APP.47548 SN - 0021-8995 VL - 137 IS - 1 SP - 47548 PB - Wiley AN - OPUS4-50237 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Daus, Lars-Hendrik A1 - Schartel, Bernhard A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Mangelsdorf, R. A1 - Korzen, Manfred T1 - A chain is no stronger than its weakest link: Weathering resistance of water-based intumescent coatings for steel applications N2 - A systematic approach was used to investigate the weathering-induced degradation of a common water–based intumescent coating. In this study, the coatings are intended for humid indoor applications on steel substrates. The coating contains ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, melamine, and polyvinyl acetate. By replacing each ingredient with a less water-soluble substance, the most vulnerable substances, polyvinyl acetate and pentaerythritol, were identified. Furthermore, the weathering resistance of the system was improved by exchanging the ingredients. The coatings were stressed by artificial weathering tests and evaluated by fire tests. Thermogravimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to study the thermal decomposition. This study lays the foundation for the development of a new generation of water-based intumescent coatings. KW - Intumescence KW - Fire resistance KW - Fire protective coatings KW - Weathering KW - Thermogravimetric analyses PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/0734904120961064 SN - 0734-9041 SN - 1530-8049 VL - 39 IS - 1 SP - 72 EP - 102 PB - SAGE AN - OPUS4-52015 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Scholz, Philipp A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Brüll, Robert A1 - Simon, Franz-Georg T1 - Investigation on the Durability of a Polypropylene Geotextile under Artificial Aging Scenarios N2 - Geosynthetics are widely used in various civil engineering applications, such as geotextiles in coastal protection, and display a sustainable alternative to natural mineral materials. However, the full benefits of using geosynthetics can only be gained with a long service lifetime of the products. With the use of added stabilizers to the polymers, service lifetimes can be achieved in the range of 100 years. Therefore, accelerated aging methods are needed for the assessment of the long-term performance of geotextiles. In the present study, the behavior of geosynthetic materials made of polypropylene was investigated under artificial aging conditions involving elevated temperatures ranging from 30 to 80 °C, increased oxygen pressures ranging from 10 to 50 bar in water-filled autoclaves, and UV irradiation under atmospheric conditions. ATR-IR spectroscopy was employed to detect the increase in the carbonyl index over various aging durations, indicating the oxidative degradation of the geotextile. The most pronounced increase was observed in the case of aging through UV irradiation, followed by thermal aging. Elevated pressure, on the other hand, had a lower impact on oxidation. High-temperature size exclusion chromatography was utilized to follow the reduction in molar mass under different degradation conditions, and the results were consistent with those obtained from ATR-IR spectroscopy. In polyolefins such as polypropylene, Hindered Amine Stabilizers (HAS) are used to suppress oxidation caused by UV radiation. The quantitative analysis of HAS was carried out using a UV/Vis method and HPLC. The degradation of UV stabilizers during the aging of geotextiles is responsible for the oxidation and the reduction in the molar mass of polypropylene. From the results, it can be concluded that applications of PP geotextile without soil or sand cover might cause the risk of the formation of microplastic particles. Material selection, design, and maintenance of the construction must follow best practices, including the system’s removal or replacement at end-of-life. Otherwise, a sustainable use of geotextiles in civil engineering is not possible. KW - Geotextiles KW - Microplastic KW - Size exclusion chromatography KW - Accelerated aging PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-599739 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093559 SN - 2071-1050 VL - 16 IS - 9 SP - 1 EP - 15 PB - MDPI AG CY - Basel AN - OPUS4-59973 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bandow, Nicole A1 - Will, Verena A1 - Wachtendorf, Volker A1 - Simon, Franz-Georg T1 - Contaminant release from aged microplastic N2 - Recycled plastic granules of high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene the size of microplastics were exposed to artificial aging conditions (2000 h; photooxidative and thermo-oxidative) to simulate their fate outdoors. Their potential to leach into water during the aging process was investigated using column percolation tests. Aging-related changes on the surface of the material were characterised by IR measurements indicating oxidation reactions with the formation of new adsorption bands (C=O, C–O and OH), especially in the case of photooxidative aging. These findings were confirmed by the identification of leachable organic compounds. Leaching of total organic carbon, Cl, Ca, Cu and Zn is clearly affected by changes due to aging, and their release is increased after photooxidative aging. In general, exposure to photooxidative conditions shows a greater influence on aging and thus on leaching and seems to be the more important mechanism for the aging of microplastic in the environment. Comparison with the total content of inorganic species revealed that, for most elements, less than 3% of the total content is released after 2000 h of photooxidative aging. KW - Column percolation tests KW - Heavy metals KW - Photo-oxidation KW - Thermo-oxidation PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1071/EN17064 SN - 1448-2517 SN - 1449-8979 VL - 14 IS - 6 SP - 394 EP - 405 AN - OPUS4-43222 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -