title: Blends of linear-low-density polyethylene and thermoplastic bloodmeal using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer

authors: Marsilla, K. I. Ku

subjects: Linear Low-Density Polyethylene

abstract: Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) was blended with Novatein Thermoplastic from bloodmeal (NTP.) The compatibilizing effect of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) on mechanical, morphology thermal properties and water absorption were studied and compared with blends without compatibilizer .The amount of polyethylene added was varied between 20% to 70% with 10% of compatibilizer. An improvement in compatibility between NTP and LLDPE was evident across the entire composition range only when using compatibilizer. The tensile strength of blends decreased over that pure LLDPE, but never dropped below that of pure NTP. Results showed that blending NTP with LLDPE decreased water absorption significantly, even more so using a compatibilizer. The result is a more water stable material.

text: Blends of linear-low-density polyethylene and thermoplastic bloodmeal using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) was blended with Novatein Thermoplastic from bloodmeal (NTP.) The compatibilizing effect of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) on mechanical, morphology thermal properties and water absorption were studied and compared with blends without compatibilizer .The amount of polyethylene added was varied between 20% to 70% with 10% of compatibilizer. An improvement in compatibility between NTP and LLDPE was evident across the entire composition range only when using compatibilizer. The tensile strength of blends decreased over that pure LLDPE, but never dropped below that of pure NTP. Results showed that blending NTP with LLDPE decreased water absorption significantly, even more so using a compatibilizer. The result is a more water stable material.

year: 2012

title: Treatment of hemp fibres for use in rotational moulding

authors: Oliveira, Maria A.S.

subjects: Hemp fibre

abstract: The benefit of using alkali-treated hemp fibre as the reinforcement for rotationally moulded evaluated in this research. Untreated and alkali treated hemp fibre were characterised using different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). These techniques showed that the alkali treatment removed non-cellulosic components from hemp fibres, which improved their separation and thermal resistance. Composites with alkali treated fibre resisted the exposure to elevated temperatures for prolonged periods (characteristic of the rotational moulding process) with no apparent signs of thermal degradation, unlike when untreated fibre was used. The effect of using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) as a coupling agent was also investigated. The addition of 3 wt% MAPE improved the properties tensile strength and Young’s modulus of composites with treated hemp fibre, which was attributed to better fibre-matrix adhesion. Different fibre contents were assessed in this research to produce rotationally moulded composites; a poor fibre distribution was observed above 5 wt% fibre content, which resulted in low tensile strength and Young’s modulus.

text: Treatment of hemp fibres for use in rotational moulding The benefit of using alkali-treated hemp fibre as the reinforcement for rotationally moulded evaluated in this research. Untreated and alkali treated hemp fibre were characterised using different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). These techniques showed that the alkali treatment removed non-cellulosic components from hemp fibres, which improved their separation and thermal resistance. Composites with alkali treated fibre resisted the exposure to elevated temperatures for prolonged periods (characteristic of the rotational moulding process) with no apparent signs of thermal degradation, unlike when untreated fibre was used. The effect of using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) as a coupling agent was also investigated. The addition of 3 wt% MAPE improved the properties tensile strength and Young’s modulus of composites with treated hemp fibre, which was attributed to better fibre-matrix adhesion. Different fibre contents were assessed in this research to produce rotationally moulded composites; a poor fibre distribution was observed above 5 wt% fibre content, which resulted in low tensile strength and Young’s modulus.

year: 2021

title: Physical and chemical attributes affecting survival and collection of freshwater mahinga kai species

authors: Collier, Kevin J.

abstract: Mahinga kai is one of a number of significant Māori values identified within the National Objectives Framework (NOF) for freshwater management. The Ngā Tohu o Te Taiao (NToTT) project aimed to develop knowledge, tools and processes for setting freshwater limits for mahinga kai within the NOF. Māori have raised issues and concerns about mahinga kai species due to: (i) declines in abundance, size and quality; and (ii) potential contamination from anthropogenic activities. This review provides information about the contaminants and environmental stressors likely to be affecting some important freshwater mahinga kai, with a focus on tuna (eel), īnanga (whitebait), kākahi (freshwater mussel), kōura (freshwater crayfish) and wātakirihi (watercress). In this report, we provide guidance on how to relate existing guidelines and regulations to freshwater invertebrate and fish species traditionally used for food gathering. The guidance covered includes: (i) the ANZECC (2000) water quality guidelines for physical and chemical attributes of aquatic life, which are in the process of being updated; (ii) selected international water quality guidelines (e.g., USEPA, Environment Canada, OECD) which can be used to support and supplement ANZECC water quality guidelines; (iii) human health information for collection and consumption of aquatic foods; and (iv) the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and the NOF (which is also under further development). It is envisaged this report will support discussion on food abundance and safety of mahinga kai, and promote steps to ensure appropriate standards are set for clean waterways and customary resources under the NPS-FM and ANZECC (2000). We highlight the complexity of issues affecting abundance and suitability of five commonly-used mahinga kai species: tuna, īnanga, kōura, kākahi and wātakirihi. Information from this report should also be of use in future freshwater habitat and species restoration projects, especially where mahinga kai species are at risk and the goal is to maintain or enhance customary resource use, and species state and condition.

text: Physical and chemical attributes affecting survival and collection of freshwater mahinga kai species Mahinga kai is one of a number of significant Māori values identified within the National Objectives Framework (NOF) for freshwater management. The Ngā Tohu o Te Taiao (NToTT) project aimed to develop knowledge, tools and processes for setting freshwater limits for mahinga kai within the NOF. Māori have raised issues and concerns about mahinga kai species due to: (i) declines in abundance, size and quality; and (ii) potential contamination from anthropogenic activities. This review provides information about the contaminants and environmental stressors likely to be affecting some important freshwater mahinga kai, with a focus on tuna (eel), īnanga (whitebait), kākahi (freshwater mussel), kōura (freshwater crayfish) and wātakirihi (watercress). In this report, we provide guidance on how to relate existing guidelines and regulations to freshwater invertebrate and fish species traditionally used for food gathering. The guidance covered includes: (i) the ANZECC (2000) water quality guidelines for physical and chemical attributes of aquatic life, which are in the process of being updated; (ii) selected international water quality guidelines (e.g., USEPA, Environment Canada, OECD) which can be used to support and supplement ANZECC water quality guidelines; (iii) human health information for collection and consumption of aquatic foods; and (iv) the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and the NOF (which is also under further development). It is envisaged this report will support discussion on food abundance and safety of mahinga kai, and promote steps to ensure appropriate standards are set for clean waterways and customary resources under the NPS-FM and ANZECC (2000). We highlight the complexity of issues affecting abundance and suitability of five commonly-used mahinga kai species: tuna, īnanga, kōura, kākahi and wātakirihi. Information from this report should also be of use in future freshwater habitat and species restoration projects, especially where mahinga kai species are at risk and the goal is to maintain or enhance customary resource use, and species state and condition.

year: 2017