Surface wastewater pollution due to accidental runoff or release of oil or its products is a longstanding and common environmental problem. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of concentrations of oil products (diesel) and suspended solids, the sorbent type, the water flow rate and the interfering factors (chlorides) on the dynamic sorption of diesel and to test regeneration of polypropylene after its use for sorption. The sorbents used for study included common wheat straw (Triticum aestivum), polypropylene and sorbents modified with hydrogen peroxide solution. Standard methods were used for the determination of the investigated parameters and an in-house procedure employing a gas chromatograph was used for the determination of diesel concentration. The following factors that impact the sorption of diesel were investigated during the study: diesel concentration, concentration of suspended solids; type of sorbent (common wheat straw (Triticum aestivum), wheat straw modified with hydrogen peroxide, and polypropylene), water flow rate; and influence of the interfering factors (chlorides). Filtration speed in the range of investigated speeds does not affect the efficiency of diesel removal. Removal efficiency does not depend on the concentration of diesel before the sorbent reaches its maximum sorption capacity. Filling containing 50% of polypropylene and 50% of wheat straw was used for the study. It was found that polypropylene and wheat straw do not remove chlorides and suspended solids from solution. The study found that the solution of hydrogen peroxide boosts the hydrophobic properties of common wheat straw, but does not affect the sorption of diesel. The recommended number of regenerations of polypropylene should be limited to two.

This study examined the effects rheological properties of different composition kaolin and kaolin geo-filler in polypropylene composites. Polypropylene composites with varying composition of kaolin geo-filler 0 wt%, 2 wt%, 4 wt%, 6 wt%, 8 wt%, and 10 wt% was prepared and compared with polypropylene composite with raw kaolin. Kaolin is an aluminosilicate based mineral filler was used to prepare geopolymer paste by combining with alkaline activator solution. The polypropylene composite was compounded using a twin-screw extruder and the melt flow index was determined by a constant weight pressure of 2.16 kg at 230°C in 10 min. Knowing the melt flow index is necessary to predict and control the process, the study has demonstrated that the composition of kaolin filler and kaolin geo-filler affects the melt flow, melt density and surface morphology at varies composition. Composites with kaolin geo-filler have demonstrated high melt flow index process and having better distribution and flow.

The injection moulding conditions may change the degree of crystallinity of the plastic to some extent, which affects the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness. Moreover, the cooling conditions of the moulded parts may contribute to changes in their shrinkage. The paper presents the results of determination of the melting enthalpy of a polypropylene. The melting enthalpy ∆ H_m was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. It was found, that the value of the melting enthalpy depends on the physical conditions prevailing during the sample production process, such as the temperature of the liquid material, the cooling rate of the plastic (related to the mould temperature T_m) and the flow rate of the plastic in the mould. The degree of crystallinity of the obtained samples was also determined, which, depending on the measured enthalpy of fusion, influences the degree of structural order of the polymer. Standardized test samples were also analysed in terms of transversal shrinkage and longitudinal shrinkage. The shrinkage of the injection moulded parts results from the change of physical state of plastic during its solidification in the mould.

Welding strength is very important in safe use of polypropylene sheets. The determination of welding parameters and design of the welding tool has an impact on the weld strength. The welding parameters can be determined experimentally. In this study, Charpy impact test is used to determine suitable welding parameters in welding of polypropylene sheets with FSW method. At the same time, the weld zone microstructure is examined and Shore hardness measurements are made. The impact tests were performed on samples cut from the welded sheets. The impact tests values and hardness values were presented graphically. According to the test results, some welded parts behaved similar to the matrix material. In some welding parameters, Charpy impact test values were obtained close to values of the main materials. The suitable welding parameters were determined for polypropylene sheets welding.

The article presents the results of research on polymer composites based on polypropylene filled with various fillers. The physical and thermal properties of the composites are the result of the used polymer matrix as well as the properties and geometric features of the used filler. The geometric shape of the filler is particularly important in the processing of plastics in which the flow is forced, and high shearing tension occurs, which determines the high macromolecular orientation and specific arrangement of the filler particles. Thermal analysis (STA) was used in the research and photographs were taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of fractures of polymer composites. The following fillers were used: talc, fibreglass, glass beads, and a halogen-free nitrogen-phosphorus flame retardant. The test material was obtained by extrusion. Shapes for strength tests, which were subjected to scanning microscopy tests after a static tensile test, were obtained by injection. The carried-out tests allowed us to determine the influence of the type and shape of individual fillers on structural changes in the structure of polypropylene composites and the degree of sample weight loss in a specific temperature range, depending on the used filler.

The article has been devoted to issues connected with socket fusion welding, which is next to welding one of the methods of thermoplastic polymers joining. In this paper, the research was presented, which the aim was analysis of quality of joints obtained as a result of resistance welding of polypropylene pipes with diameter ø20 in the temperature range of 200÷230°C. To that end a Testo thermal imaging camera was used, flexural strength of the combined components was tested as well as the received weld was observed under a stereoscopic microscope. Conducted studies showed that the best results of joint are obtained during welding at 220°C and 230°C, while lower temperatures did not fully perform their function during the process of joining the pipe elements.

The article presents the results of research concerning the effect of anthracite dust with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% content in composites with a polypropylene matrix on selected properties. Hardness was examined with the Shore’s D method; stiffness, tensile strength as well as (MFR) Melt Flow Rate and (MVR) Melt Volume Rate of the investigated material were evaluated; wettability of the obtained material was also determined. Surface and volume resistivity were also investigated; the thermal properties of the filler were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the investigated polypropylene composites filled with anthracite dust are hydrophobic materials and the composite hardness and stiffness are growing along with the volumetric increase of anthracite. It was noted that anthracite reinforces the material to a limited extent.

Coal ash produced from thermal power plants as a substitute for conventional construction material has increased considerably in recent years. In the past, studies on partial replacement of soil were carried out with a single type of ash. Because of the insufficient evidence, limited research has been initiated on the productive usage of Fly and Bottom Ashes. This paper aims to study the properties of these materials and investigate their efficacy in road construction. Laboratory investigations were conducted to assess chemical and physical properties and mechanical performance to evaluate both ash types in pavement construction. The rutting factor is calculated for various combinations of coal ash materials with the addition of polypropylene fiber as a reinforcement in increments of 0.1% of its total weight with an aspect ratio of 200. The analytical tool ANSYS is used to validate the service life, vertical strain and quality of reinforced ash materials.

The durability characteristics of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) with various fibers such as polypropylene and glass were investigated in view of developing composites with high resistance to cracking. ECC offer large potential for durable civil infrastructure due to their high tensile strain capacity and controlled micro-crack width. In this study, fibre volume fractions (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) of both polypropylene and glass fibers varied and durability measures such as a rapid chloride penetration test, sorptivity, water absorption, acid attack, and sulphate attack were measured. Increasing the fiber content up to 1.5% improved the durability properties of ECC. The test results indicate that the glass fiber-reinforced Engineered Cementitious Composites have better durability characteristics than polypropylene fiber-reinforced ECC.

Concrete is the most widely used construction material because of its specialty of being cast into any desired shape. The main requirements of earthquake resistant structures are good ductility and energy absorption capacity. Fiber reinforced concrete possesses high flexural and tensile strength, improved ductility, and high energy absorption over the conventional concrete in sustaining dynamic loads. The aim of this paper is to compare the properties of concrete beams in which three types of fibers are added individually. Steel fibers, polypropylene fibers and hybrid fibers were added to concrete in the weight ratio of four percentages in the preparation of four beam specimens. The fourth specimen did not contain fibers and acted as a control specimen. The dimensions of the beam specimens were 150 × 150 × 700 mm. The reinforced concrete beams of M30 grade concrete were prepared for casting and testing. Various parameters such as load carrying capacity, stiffness degradation, ductility characteristics and energy absorption capacity of FRC beams were compared with that of RC beams. The companion specimens were cast and tested to study strength properties and then the results were compared. All the beams were tested under three point bending under Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The results were evaluated with respect to modulus of elasticity, first crack load, ultimate load, and ultimate deflection. The test result shows that use of hybrid fiber improves the flexural performance of the reinforced concrete beams. The flexural behavior and stiffness of the tested beams were calculated, and compared with respect to their load carrying capacities. Comparison was also made with theoretical calculations in order to determine the load-deflection curves of the tested beams. Results of the experimental programme were compared with theoretical predictions. Based on the results of the experimental programme, it can be concluded that the addition of steel, polypropylene and hybrid fibers by 4% by weight of cement (but 2.14% by volume of cement) had the best effect on the stiffness and energy absorption capacity of the beams.

Synthetic polymer latexes, such as styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) latex addition in Portland cement has gained wider acceptance in many applications in the construction industry. Polymer-modified cementitious systems seals the pores and micro cracks developed during hardening of the cement matrix, by dispersing a film of polymer phase throughout the concrete. A comprehensive set of experimental test were conducted for studying the compressive properties of SBR latex polymer with crimped polypropylene fibres at relative volume fractions of 0.1 and 0.3%. The results indicated that the addition of polypropylene fibre has little effect on the reduction in the workability of concrete composite containing fly ash and SBR Latex. Increase in polypropylene fibres upto 0.3% Vf showed increase in compressive strength upto 57.5 MPa. The SBR concrete without fibre showed an increase in strength upto 20% compared to plain concrete. Test results also indicated that the compressive strength was increased in SBR fibre concrete by means of an ordinary dry curing process than wet curing because of their excellent water retention due to polymer film formation around the cement grains. On the contrary the compressive strength reduces for SBR fibre concretes under wet curing compared to dry curing.

This study focuses to develop a new hybrid Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) and assesses the performance of a new hybrid ECC based on the steel short random fiber reinforcement. This hybrid ECC aims to improve the tensile strength of cementitious material and enhance better flexural performance in an RC beam. In this study, four different mixes have been investigated. ECC with Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) fiber and PolyPropylene (PP) fiber of 2.0% volume fraction are the two Mono fiber mixes; ECC mix with PVA fiber of 0.65% volume fraction hybridized with steel fiber of 1.35% volume fraction, PP fiber of 0.65% volume fraction hybridized with steel of 1.35% volume fraction are the two additional different hybrid mixes. The material properties of mono fiber ECC with 2.0 % of PVA is kept as the reference mix in this study. The hybridization with fibers has a notable achievement on the uniaxial tensile strength, compressive strength, Young’s modulus, and flexural behavior in ECC layered RC beams. From the results, it has been observed that the mix with PVA fiber of 0.65% volume fraction hybrid with steel fiber of 1.35% volume fraction exhibitimprovements in tensile strength, flexural strength, andenergy absorption. ThePP fiber of 0.65% volume fraction hybridized with steel of 1.35% volume fraction mix has reasonable flexural performance and notable achievement in displacement ductility overthe reference mix.

In a corrosive environment with coupled dry-wet-sulfate action, concrete structures are susceptible to erosion by sulfate ions, which seriously affects the safe operating life. To forecast the operational lifetime of concrete below the influence of the dry-wet cycle and sulfate erosion environment, four different admixtures of polypropylene fiber: 0, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 kg/m ³, were incorporated into concrete specimens, and indoor accelerated tests were designed to observe the macroscopic and microscopic deterioration law analysis of concrete specimens; using the precept of damage mechanics, the damage of concrete under solubility cycle was established. The damage evolution equation of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles was established and the operational life of concrete was predicted. The results showed that the overall mass loss rate of concrete specimens increased with the number of tests, and the relative energetic modulo decreased with the number of tests; the pore change pattern, microstructure, and internal material composition of specimens under different working conditions were obtained by using NMR scanning technique, SEM electron microscope scanning technique and XRD physical phase analysis technique. The damage evolution equation shows that adding a certain amount of polypropylene fiber to concrete can improve the working life of concrete under dry and wet connected sulfate assault.