Influence of the Processes Parameters on the Properties of The ...

Chapter 4.
Experimental Procedures and Protocols for Analyses
Figure 4.4: AFNOR and ASTM 3 ½ in diameter sieves.
1.3 Mixing <strong>of</strong> Polymer Powder with Fillers
1.3.1 Simple Mixing <strong>of</strong> Polymer Powder with Fillers
After obtaining polymer powder <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> desired particle size, it was mixed with <strong>the</strong> filler by using a
magnetic stirrer. The polymer powder and filler were weighed and placed in a plastic jar along an
appropriate size (1, 2, 3 cm) magnetic bar. The powder was mixed for 10 minutes for perfect mixing.
Schematic flow sheet <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> procedure is shown in Figure 4.5.
Sieved polymer
powder
Gloves
Spatula
B
Polymer mixed
matrix
Balance
C
D
E
Filler
A
Mixing jar
Magnet agitator
Magnet bars
Stop watch
Figure 4.5: Magnetic stirrer mixing for composite materials.
1.3.2 Co-grinding in <strong>the</strong> Tumbling Ball Mill
Multi step processing has been used for fibrous polymers. First, <strong>the</strong> polymer fibres were reduced
into small fibres using knife mill. Then co-grinding process was applied when polymers were under a
powder form. Thus, <strong>the</strong> polymer powder and <strong>the</strong> filler particles and/or adjuvants (wax, hyaluronate acid)
were introduced in <strong>the</strong> chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tumbling ball mill in proportion defined by chosen design <strong>of</strong>
experiment. The same procedure as <strong>the</strong> one presented in section 1.1.2 for a single product was <strong>the</strong>n applied.
Finally, agglomerates may be found after drying and it was necessary to post-ground <strong>the</strong>
composites and to crush <strong>the</strong> agglomerates. 30 sec knife mill grinding followed by 10 min in <strong>the</strong> mortar were
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