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The main operational characteristics of polyamide-6-montmorillonite (PA6/MMT) nanocomposites, which determine their fields of application, mainly depend on the crystal structure and crystallinity of the polymer. Therefore, the study of the crystalline behavior of PA6 in such nanocomposites is of considerable scientific and practical importance. In this work, the structure, crystalline, and thermal properties of nanocomposites based on PA6 and modified MMT prepared in a formic acid solution were investigated using the methods of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). It was established that during the manufacture of PA6/MMT nanocomposites in a solution, the dominant crystal structures are the thermodynamically stable α structures of PA6. The crystallinity degree of PA6 in nanocomposites is about 1.5 times higher than that of the original PA6. It is shown that after additional thermomechanical treatment of nanocomposites on a capillary viscometer at 230°С and a load of 5 kg, the uniformity of the distribution of exfoliated MMT in the polymer matrix increases, as a result of which the crystalline structure of PA6 changes and its glass transition and melting temperatures increase. These changes in the PA6 structure also have a significant impact on the melt flow index and the softening temperature of nanocomposites.

The paper analyzes the prospects of using a heat-accumulating material consisting of metallized polyethylene granules. X-ray diffraction analysis has been used to study the influence of the number of heating and cooling cycles of the heat-accumulating material on the change in the degree of crystallinity of polyethylene. It was shown that the proposed heat-accumulating material showed a low resistance and a significant decrease in the degree of crystallinity of polyethylene under the experimental conditions. The crystal structure of polyethylene did not change during cyclic heating and cooling. Grounded on the obtained experimental results, it was determined that a high degree of polyethylene crystallinity is being kept for 200–300 heating-cooling cycles.

This paper presents the study results of formation features of composite hydrogel/polyamide membranes obtained by modification of hydrogel films based on 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) copolymers. The formation process of composite two-layer membranes was carried out in two stages: obtaining hydrogel membrane substrates followed by their modification with an ultra-thin layer based on a mixture of polyamide (PA) with PVP. The main task of the work was to investigate the possibility of forming a modifying PA/PVP coating on the surface of hydrogel films and to obtain composite hydrogel membranes with the required strength and osmotic permeability based on them. For the formation of composite two-layer membranes, PVP with MM = 12 × 103 g/mol and MM = 360 × 103 g/mol were used. Additional use of PVP in the modifying solution contributes to the process of its penetration into the hydrogel substrate. Together with the formation of a reinforcing layer, this ensures the obtainment of hydrogel films of increased strength, with the possibility of directional regulation of their diffusion permeability. It was found that the main factors affecting the nature of the interaction between the layers of the obtained composite films, as well as their physico-mechanical and sorption–diffusion properties, are the HEMA:PVP ratio in the original polymer–monomer composition (PMC), the formulation of the reinforcing layer, the duration of the modification process and the molecular weight of PVP in PMC and in the modifying solution. The strength and water content of two-layer composite hydrogel/polyamide membranes, as well as their salt and water permeability coefficients, are the highest in the case of using high-molecular weight PVP (MMPVP = 360 × 103 g/mol) and low-molecular weight (MMPVP = 12 × 103 g/mol) during the synthesis of the hydrogel substrate to obtain a PA-6/PVP solution for forming a reinforcing layer.

The modification method of aluminosilicate clays and the modifier content have a decisive influence on the structure and properties of the obtained nanocomposites. Therefore, the development and research of new techniques of nanoclays modification are of great importance for polymer nano-chemistry. The work studied the modification of montmorillonite (MMT) using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in an aqueous colloidal solution with the subsequent separation of three separate fractions of the solution according to the previously developed method. The influence of the initial mass ratio of components (MMT/PVP) on the structure and thermal properties of the modified MMT in each solution layer was determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used for research. It was established that the mass ratio of components in the initial solution has almost no effect on the structure of MMT in the top and middle solution layers, but significantly affects the yield of final products. Different structures can be obtained in the bottom layer of the solution. Still, intercalated MMT was obtained exclusively at the mass ratio of MMT/PVP = 1:2. In addition, the work investigated the structure and thermal properties of modified montmorillonites with the same PVP content, and it has been proven that such composites have dissimilar structures and properties when obtained by different methods.

The paper presents the results of studies of adhesive strength under shearing, thermal stability, and the content of the gel fraction of adhesive materials and enamels based on modified phenol-formaldehyde resins. Epoxy resin and polyvinylpyrrolidone were used to modify the phenol-formaldehyde resin. The influence of the content of components in the phenol-formaldehyde composition and the curing conditions on the properties of the obtained adhesive materials and coatings is analyzed. The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone on internal stresses in adhesive joints has been established. By mathematical planning, the isolines of the characteristics of composite materials based on modified phenol-formaldehyde resin depending on their component’s compositions are plotted, and the regression coefficients are found, enabling one to get materials with predicted properties. From a technical and economic point of view, the following content of additives in modified phenol-formaldehyde resin is most optimal: epoxy resin from 25 to 50 wt%, polyvinylpyrrolidone from 0.5 to 1.0 wt%, curing catalyst from 1 to 2.5 wt%.

The work develops the method of obtaining new composite materials based on novolac phenol-formaldehyde resin with improved adhesion properties and heat resistance. The composites were obtained by chemical modification of phenol-formaldehyde resin by epoxy resin and polyvinylpyrrolidone during the hardening of the composition. The mechanism of resins modification and hardening has been determined. It is shown that due to the modification, the heat resistance and adhesive strength of the obtained enamels and coatings have significantly increased. In particular, with the polyvinylpyrrolidone content from 0.5 to 1 wt% and epoxy resin from 25 to 50 wt%, the adhesive strength of the compositions increases 5-7 times.

This paper presents research results on the properties of composite materials based on cross-linked grafted copolymers of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and their hydrogels filled with finely dispersed metal powders (Zn, Co, Cu). Metal-filled pHEMA-gr-PVP copolymers in the dry state were studied for surface hardness and swelling ability, which was characterized by swelling kinetics curves and water content. Copolymers swollen in water to an equilibrium state were studied for hardness, elasticity, and plasticity. The heat resistance of dry composites was evaluated by the Vicat softening temperature. As a result, materials with a wide range of predetermined properties were obtained, including physico-mechanical properties (surface hardness 240 ÷ 330 MPa, hardness number 0.06 ÷ 2.8 MPa, elasticity number 75 ÷ 90%), electrical properties (specific volume resistance 102 ÷ 108 Ω⋅m), thermophysical properties (Vicat heat resistance 87 ÷ 122 °C), and sorption (swelling degree 0.7 ÷ 1.6 g (H2O)/g (polymer)) at room temperature. Resistance to the destruction of the polymer matrix was confirmed by the results concerning its behavior in aggressive media such as solutions of alkalis and acids (HCl, H2SO4, NaOH), as well as some solvents (ethanol, acetone, benzene, toluene). The obtained composites are characterized by electrical conductivity, which can be adjusted within wide limits depending on the nature and content of the metal filler. The specific electrical resistance of metal-filled pHEMA-gr-PVP copolymers is sensitive to changes in moisture (with a moisture increase from 0 to 50%, ρV decreases from 108 to 102 Ω⋅m), temperature (with a temperature change from 20 °C to 175 °C, ρV of dry samples decreases by 4.5 times), pH medium (within pH from 2 to 9, the range of ρV change is from 2 to 170 kΩ⋅m), load (with a change in compressive stress from 0 kPa to 140 kPa, ρV of swollen composites decreases by 2–4 times), and the presence of low molecular weight substances, which is proven by the example involving ethanol and ammonium hydroxide. The established dependencies of the electrical conductivity of metal-filled pHEMA-gr-PVP copolymers and their hydrogels on various factors, in combination with high strength, elastic properties, sorption capacity, and resistance to aggressive media, suggest the potential for further research as a platform for the manufacture of sensors for various purposes.

Modern technologies more and more often rely on the use of intelligent (also known as “smart”) materials exhibiting unique utilities and properties. The state of knowledge on intelligent polymers ranges from diagnostic research to a more extensive body of knowledge, combined with the knowledge of practical methods for manufacturing these materials. Based on a review of the literature of the subject, this paper describes the existing smart polymer materials. It also presents examples of applications for these new materials. In the further part of the paper an example of how the concept of smart materials can be used in new polymeric products to influence selected mechanical properties when the surrounding temperature changes. The new material or the acquisition of different properties was created by undercutting or selecting the correct thickness and type of polymer layer from which the new product is made. The example of own research, apart from their analysis, ends with conclusions of an applicative nature.

This work deals with the development of method for obtaining polyamide and montmorillonite based nanocomposite, which was modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone by mixing in formic acid solution. The structure and thermophysical properties of the obtained nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray, differential-thermal, thermogravimetric and IR spectroscopic analyzes. It has been found that nanomodified polycaproamide has a higher crystallinity and higher thermal stability than the original PA-6, and is characterized by considerably higher melt fluidity. The presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone and exfoliated montmorillonite in the nanocomposite structure was experimentally confirmed.

The article investigates the peculiarities of the effect of ferromagnetic fillers (FMFs) of various natures (Ni, Co, Fe, FeCo, SmCo5) on the formation of the structure and properties of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) copolymers. The composites were characterized using FTIR-spectroscopy, SEM, DMTA, magnetometry of vibrating samples, specific electrical resistivity studies, and mechanical and thermophysical studies. The formation of a grafted spatially crosslinked copolymer (pHEMA-gr-PVP) was confirmed and it was established that the FMF introduction of only 10 wt.% into the copolymer formulation increased the degree of crosslinking of the polymer network by three times. The surface hardness of composites increased by 20–25%. However, the water content decreased by 16–18% and lay within 42–43 wt.%, which is a relatively high number. The heat resistance of dry composites was characterized by Vicat softening temperature, which was 39–42 °C higher compared to the unfilled material. It was established that the obtained composites were characterized by a coercive force of 200 kA × m−1 and induction of a magnetic field at the poles of 4–5 mT and 10–15 mT, respectively. The introduction of FMF particles into pHEMA-gr-PVP copolymers, which, in the dry state, are dielectrics, provides them with electrical conductivity, which was evaluated by the specific volume resistance. Depending on the FMF nature and content, as well as their orientation in the magnetic field, the resistance of filled materials could be regulated within 102–106 Ohm·m. Therefore, the modification of HEMA with PVP copolymers by ferromagnetic fillers of various natures provides the possibility of obtaining materials with unique predicted properties and expands the fields of their use, for instance as magnetic sorbents for various applications, as well as the possibilities associated with their being electrically conductive materials that can respond by changing of electrical conductivity, depending on various factors.

The research studied the feasibility of using copper-coated polyethylene granules as a basis for creating efficient heat storage systems. A technology for imparting catalytic properties to a polymer surface by the joint processing of polymer granules and an activator metal in a ball mill with their subsequent metallization in a chemical reducing solution is proposed. The efficiency of copper-coating a polyethylene surface is shown to be largely determined by the activation stage and the assumption regarding the mechanism of interaction of the activator metal with the polymer surface is made. To obtain different amounts of metal on the polyethylene granules, it is proposed that the method of remetallization is used. It was established that the rate of copper ion reduction depends on the number of previous coatings and is determined by the area of interaction of the metal-coated granules with the chemical reducing solution. The obtained metal-coated polyethylene granules were characterized in terms of the viability of using it as a phase transition material for a heat storage system. Using the developed installation that simulates the heat accumulator operation, it was shown that the efficiency of using metal-coated polyethylene granules to create heat storage systems is higher. The copper coating deposited on the polyethylene granules was studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.

In recent decades, standard polymer blends for different applications have been more and more often replaced by blends containing raw materials. The use of natural materials as filler in thermoplastics brings both economic and environmental benefits. The use of a given vegetable filler depends on the geographic location and natural occurrence of the vegetables in a given geographic region. In Poland, for instance, the pumpkin is one of such vegetables. They are used for producing oil which is pressed from pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are then collected, dried and purified to produce waste material in hull form. Particles of ground pumpkin seed hulls with varying sizes and weight-in-weight concentration ranging from 0% to 20% relative to the matrix are used as filler in low-density polyethylene. Pumpkin seed hulls are ground and sieved. Four fractions of hulls with different particle sizes are produced:

The analysis of polymeric composites can be quite challenging because the samples are often consist of complex nature due to the presence of various groups of additives, compounding ingredients, and fillers. In this contribution, changes of hardness of Polypropylene (PP) composites during and after exposure materials to UV chamber and low temperatures were investigated. The particulate fillers talc and chalk in weight fraction from 10 to 50 % and montmorillonite (MMT) in weight fraction 4 % were used as fillers in the polypropylene matrix. The composites were mixed in the extruder while the length, diameter of screw, as well as number of grooves in the feed zone were changed. Influence of ageing – UV radiation and low temperature was examined by change of Shore hardness after 360 h and 720 h of exposure. According to the performed tests we can conclude that tested materials may be exposed to UV radiation and low temperature of -20 ºC without significant changes of hardness.

This paper presents the research results of the copolymer structure and properties of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and their hydrogels, obtained by block polymerization in the presence of iron sulfate (II). By the methods of chemical analysis, IR spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), the course of grafted copolymerization of HEMA on PVP with the formation of a cross-linked copolymer was confirmed. The results received by scanning electron microscopy showed that due to the copolymerization of HEMA with PVP, macroporous hydrogels with a pore size of 10–30 μm were obtained. The peculiarities of the structure formation of the obtained copolymers depending on the initial composition formulation were established and their structural parameters were investigated: PVP grafting efficiency, PVP content in copolymer, molecular weight of internodal fragment of polymer network, crosslinking degree, and crosslinking density. The interrelation of sorption–diffusion, physical–mechanical and thermophysical properties along with the structure of the obtained materials was proved. It was shown that with the increasing PVP content in the original composition, the efficiency of its grafting and crosslinking density of the polymer network decreased, but the surface hardness, heat resistance, sorption capacity of copolymers in the dry state, as well as ion permeability and elasticity in the swollen state increased, while their tensile strength deteriorated. It is proved that by changing the original composition formulation it is possible to change the structure and hence the properties of the copolymers in the desired direction.

Metal-filled composites based on polypropylene waste have been successfully obtained with an injection molding method of metalized polymer raw materials. Using the model polymer, the peculiarities of the formation of the copper layer in solutions of chemical metallization on the polypropylene surface were investigated and the main factors influencing this process were established. The main influence on the rate of reduction of copper in solutions of chemical metallization has the concentration of copper sulfate, sodium hydroxide, and EDTA-Na2. It was shown that the efficiency of the copper plating process also strongly depends on polymer processing, which follows the activation. In case of the use of simple activation, it is not possible to obtain metalized raw materials with high efficiency. Additional processing of activated polymer raw materials is required to carry out the process with high efficiency. The amount of reduced copper on the polymer surface can be adjusted by changing the concentration of the components of the chemical metallization solution, as well as the degree of loading of the polymer raw material. Examination by electron scanning microscopy of the obtained metalized polypropylene showed that the copper coating on the polymer particles is formed with a high degree of surface coverage. The formed copper coating is free of copper oxides, which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies and analysis of the spectrum of characteristic X-rays. Metal-filled composites have been characterized by the effect of copper on mechanical and rheological (MFR) properties. The Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric (TG) methods show a certain effect of metal on the magnitude of thermal effects and the rate of weight loss.

In recent years, cellular extrusion of polymers has been one of the fastest growing processing methods. It is used especially to obtain sections, bars, pipes and cellular coatings free from strains on the product surface, displaying reduced density and minimum shrinkage, at the same time maintaining similar properties of products extruded in a conventional way. In order to obtain cellular structure, product properties are modified by application of proper plastics or adding blowing agents. The article provides a description of manufacturing processes of cellular product. It gives characteristics of blowing agents used in the extrusion process and of processing conditions. Also, it discusses selected results of examined properties of the obtained cellular products. As part of the modernization of the cellular extrusion technology the extrusion head was designed and made. During the designing and modeling of the head the Auto CAD programe was used. After the prototyping the extrusion head was tested. In the article specification of cellular extrusion process of thermoplastics was presented. In the research, the endothermal chemical blowing agents in amount 1,0% by mass were used. The quantity of used blowing agent has a direct influence on density and structure of the extruded product of modified polymers. However, these properties have further influence on porosity, impact strength, hardness, tensile strength and another.

In a study of cellular injection, molding process uses polyvinylchloride PVC. Polymers modified with introducing blowing agents into them in the Laboratory of the Department of Technologies and Materiase of Technical University of Kosice. For technological reasons, blowing agents have a form of granules. In the experiment, the content of the blowing agent (0–2,0 % by mass) fed into the processed polymer was adopted as a variable factor. In the studies presented in the article, the chemical blowing agents occurring in the granulated form with a diameter of 1.2 to 1.4 mm were used. The view of the technological line for cellular injection molding and injection mold cavity with injection moldings are shown in Figure 1. The results of the determination of selected properties of injection molded parts for various polymeric materials, obtained with different content of blowing agents, are shown in Figures 4-7. Microscopic examination of cross-sectional structure of the moldings were obtained using the author's position image analysis of porous structure. Based on analysis of photographs taken (Figures 7, 8, 9) it was found that the coating containing 1.0% of blowing agents is a clearly visible solid outer layer and uniform distribution of pores and their sizes are similar.

This paper deals with various automated milling strategies and their influence on the accuracy of produced parts. Among the most important factors for surface quality is the automated milling strategy. Milling strategies were generated from two different programs, CAM system SolidCAM, with the help of workshop programming in the control system Heidenhain TNC 426. In the first step, simulations of different toolpaths were conducted. Using geometric tolerance is becoming increasingly important in robotized production, but its proper application requires a deeper understanding. This article presents the measurement of selected planes of robotized production to evaluate their flatness, parallelism and perpendicularity deviations after milling on the coordinate measuring machine Carl Zeiss Contura G2. Total average deviations, including all geometric tolerances, were 0.020 mm for SolidCAM and 0.016 mm for Heidenhain TNC 426. The result is significantly affected by the flatness of measured planes, where the overlap parameter of the tools has a significant impact on the flatness of the surface. With interchangeable cutter plate tools, it is better to use higher overlap to achieve better flatness. There is a significant difference in production time, with SolidCAM 25 min and 30 s, and Heidenhain 48 min and 19 s. In accordance with these findings, the SolidCAM system is more suitable for production.

The paper is focused on investigating the quality of two grades of thermally sprayed coatings deposited by high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) technology. One grade contains WC hard particles in an environmentally progressive Ni- and Co-free FeCrAl matrix, while the second coating contains WC and WB hard particles in a cobalt matrix. The aim of the experimental work was to determine the effect of thermal cyclic loading on the coatings’ resistance to adhesive, abrasive and erosive wear. Abrasive wear was evaluated using abrasive cloth of two grit sizes, and erosive wear was evaluated by a dry-pot wear test in a pin mill at two sample angles. Adhesion wear resistance of the coatings was determined by a sliding wear test under dry friction conditions and in a 1 mol water solution of NaCl. Corrosion resistance of the coatings was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization tests. Metallographic cross-sections were used for measurement of the microhardness and thickness and for line energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The tests proved the excellent resistance of both coatings against adhesive, abrasive, and erosive wear, as well as the ability of the WC-WB-Co coating to withstand alternating temperatures of up to 600 °C. The “green carbide” coating (WC-FeCrAl) can be recommended as an environmentally friendly replacement for Ni- and Co-containing coatings, but its operating temperature is strictly limited to 500 °C in air.