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Polymers
Special Issues
Durability and Degradation of Polymeric Materials III
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Durability and Degradation of Polymeric Materials III

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 3415

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Abdel-Hamid I. Mourad

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
Interests: materials science and engineering; materials characterization; polymeric and composite materials; biomaterials and tissue engineering; biomechanics; durability and degradation of polymeric and composite materials; welding of metallic and polymeric materials; corrosion; fatigue and fracture mechanics; renewable energy; finite element method
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the 20th century, the usage of polymers has been exponentially growing, and it has found applications in almost all sectors, replacing many conventional materials, including metals. However, under the influence of environmental factors, such as light, heat, and chemicals, the degradation of polymers occurs, which then alters their material properties. Furthermore, environmental concerns surrounding the disposal of polymeric materials have led the scientific world to consider highly durable polymers. Researchers have already produced advanced polymeric materials that can meet a wide range of high-end applications.

This upcoming Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to present new research and developments (research/reviews) focusing on the following topics:

  • The production of durable polymers;
  • Chemical degradation;
  • Recycling;
  • The bio/thermal degradation of polymers;
  • The assessment of polymer durability;
  • Various studies on degradation of polymers;
  • The environmental impact of polymers;
  • The recycling and upcycling of polymers;
  • Durable designs and polymer engineering.

Prof. Dr. Abdel-Hamid I. Mourad
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • the production of durable polymers
  • chemical degradation
  • recycling
  • the bio/thermal degradation of polymers
  • the assessment of polymer durability
  • various studies on degradation of polymers
  • the environmental impact of polymers
  • the recycling and upcycling of polymers
  • durable designs and polymer engineering

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 23408 KiB  
Article
Degradation of Biodegradable Nonwoven Mulches in the Winter Period
by Dragana Kopitar and Paula Marasovic
Polymers 2024, 16(16), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16162279 - 11 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1032
Abstract
An open field experiment from November 2022 to May 2023 in Croatia, which is characterized by a continental humid climate, evaluated nonwoven mulches made from viscose, jute, and hemp fibres blended with PLA fibres. The blends of viscose and jute fibres (90:10, 80:20, [...] Read more.
An open field experiment from November 2022 to May 2023 in Croatia, which is characterized by a continental humid climate, evaluated nonwoven mulches made from viscose, jute, and hemp fibres blended with PLA fibres. The blends of viscose and jute fibres (90:10, 80:20, and 70:30 ratios) were produced using mechanical web formation on cards with needle punching for bonding webs. Additionally, hemp fibres were blended with PLA fibres in a ratio of 80:20. Winter conditions caused significant structural changes in the mulches, including shrinkage, increased mass per unit area, thickness, and reduced air permeability. The amount of PLA fibre in the nonwoven mulch blends significantly affected nonwoven fabric structure change during exposure to winter conditions. After 180 days, the breaking force of all mulches increased by 30% to 277%. The soil beneath jute and hemp mulches maintained higher temperatures and moisture levels compared to viscose mulches. Soil organic carbon content varied with fibre type and was higher under jute and hemp mulches. K2O content was significantly higher in soils covered by mulches. All mulches effectively suppressed weeds. The experiment results showed that the newly produced nonwoven mulches could replace the conventional agro foil. Results also suggest that choosing biodegradable nonwoven mulches produced from fibres obtained from natural and renewable sources can influence soil fertility and the availability of nutrients, ultimately affecting plant growth and agricultural productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Durability and Degradation of Polymeric Materials III)
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13 pages, 5383 KiB  
Article
Natural Aging of Reprocessed Polypropylene Composites Filled with Sustainable Corn Fibers
by Antonio Zilverlan Germano Matos, Alisson Rodrigues de Oliveira Dias, Ana Carolina Ferreira dos Santos Rosa, Renato de Sousa Nascimento Junior, Cristiano José de Farias Braz, Lucas Rafael Carneiro da Silva, Amanda Dantas de Oliveira, Renata Barbosa and Tatianny Soares Alves
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131788 - 25 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 909
Abstract
Natural fiber reinforcements have the potential to enhance mechanical properties, thereby improving performance and durability in various applications. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the impact of environmental degradation over 120 days on reprocessed polypropylene (PP) reinforced with corn husk fiber (CHF) composites. [...] Read more.
Natural fiber reinforcements have the potential to enhance mechanical properties, thereby improving performance and durability in various applications. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the impact of environmental degradation over 120 days on reprocessed polypropylene (PP) reinforced with corn husk fiber (CHF) composites. The manufactured systems underwent rigorous analysis using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing. These analyses revealed that climatic conditions significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the mechanical properties of all systems. Photodegradation led to surface morphological changes and chemical structures. Regardless, adding CHF filler proved a key factor, as it allowed for less susceptibility to environmental degradation than the reprocessed matrix. These findings, therefore, provide robust evidence supporting the feasibility of using CHF composites for manufacturing agricultural containers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Durability and Degradation of Polymeric Materials III)
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22 pages, 3069 KiB  
Article
Stability and Composting Behaviour of PLA–Starch Laminates Containing Active Extracts and Cellulose Fibres from Rice Straw
by Pedro A. V. Freitas, Chelo González-Martínez and Amparo Chiralt
Polymers 2024, 16(11), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111474 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 913
Abstract
The stability and composting behaviour of monolayers and laminates of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and starch with and without active extracts and cellulose fibres from rice straw (RS) were evaluated. The retrogradation of the starch throughout storage (1, 5, and 10 weeks) gave [...] Read more.
The stability and composting behaviour of monolayers and laminates of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and starch with and without active extracts and cellulose fibres from rice straw (RS) were evaluated. The retrogradation of the starch throughout storage (1, 5, and 10 weeks) gave rise to stiffer and less extensible monolayers with lower water vapour barrier capacity. In contrast, the PLA monolayers, with or without extract, did not show marked changes with storage. However, these changes were more attenuated in the bilayers that gained water vapour and oxygen barrier capacity during storage, maintaining the values of the different properties close to the initial range. The bioactivity of the active films exhibited a slight decrease during storage, so the antioxidant capacity is better preserved in the bilayers. All monolayer and bilayer films were fully composted within 90 days but with different behaviour. The bilayer assembly enhanced the biodegradation of PLA, whose monolayer exhibited a lag period of about 35 days. The active extract reduced the biodegradation rate of both mono- and bilayers but did not limit the material biodegradation within the time established in the Standard. Therefore, PLA–starch laminates, with or without the valorised fractions from RS, can be considered as biodegradable and stable materials for food packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Durability and Degradation of Polymeric Materials III)
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