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Previous studies have shown that paraffin wax (PW) is capable of improving the ductility and fluidity of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrices. However, PLA and PW are immiscible, thus the low melting temperature of PW (at around 55[degrees]C) will pose some processing difficulties and/or practical application limitations on PLA/PW blends. Since linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and PW exhibited miscibility at a 90%/10% weight ratio and a melting temperature of 123[degrees]C, LLDPE was added to the PLA/PW blends in order to increase their thermal stability, processability, and elongation-at-break. The blends were prepared by a twin-screw extruder using two different melt compounding processes: conventional melt compounding extrusion and subcritical gas-assisted processing. Then, neat PLA, LLDPE, and the blends were injection molded into tensile bars for evaluation. To observe the effects of the two melt compounding processes, the thermal properties, mechanical properties, and phase morphologies of the various blends were characterized. The physical foaming agent (nitrogen, [N.sub.2]) used in the subcritical gas-assisted processing process also plasticized the melt, thereby reducing the likelihood of thermal degradation and improving the mixing performance. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:2320-2331, 2018., INTRODUCTIONOver the coming decades, bioplastic materials are expected to complement and gradually replace some of the petroleum-based polymers. Most bioplastic materials are made by renewable resources such as starch, cellulose, [...]

The Taguchi method and numerical simulations were used to determine the significant parameters of a 3D deflector in channel flow. The lost-wax casting method was used to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channels with a 3D deflector. Once fluid passes through the deflector, it will induce vortexes in the channel, causing flow separation, stretching, twisting, and interactions with the fluid already in the channel. Better mixing ratios can be achieved with a stronger vorticity. Our methods and measurements demonstrated the fidelity of the replication process from the original CAD file to the PMMA mold, wax pattern, and PDMS channel. Compared to other microfabrication methods, such as injection molding, micromachining, and hot embossing, lost-wax casting is a successful method for producing a 3D deflector in a PDMS channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a converted closed-form analytical solution for both free and forced vibration responses of a damped axially moving wire, as well as the boundary value problems, based on the Green's function. The Green's function of a damped axially moving wire is derived through an inverse Laplace transform. The corresponding frequency responses when subject to harmonic point excitation are also presented with simulation results. The results show agreement with the results of previous research on free vibration response and corresponding eigensolutions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]