Pristine halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were studied by thermogravimetry (TG) up to 800 °C. Etching of alumina from inside the tube (causing a significant increase in tube lumen) was realized by treating the material with an acidic H2SO4 solution at 50 °C. Both materials were characterized by TG-FTIR techniques and their thermal behaviors were compared with that of kaolinite. The coupling of TG with FTIR enables to detect the gases evolved during the TG experiments, thus confirming that only pristine HNTs undergo dehydration with the loss of interlayer water molecules at around 245 °C, while dehydroxylation occurs in all these materials in close temperature ranges around 500 °C. TG runs at five different heating rates (2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min−1), was carried out in the same experimental conditions used for the thermal analysis study with the aim to investigate dehydration and dehydroxylation kinetics using some isoconversional methods recommended by the ICTAC kinetic committee, and thermogravimetric data under a modulated rising temperature program. Finally, the results of the kinetic analysis were discussed and explained in terms of the strengths of the hydrogen bonds broken during these processes.

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Thermal behavior study of pristine and modified halloysite nanotubes

Simultaneous DTA-TG has been carried out on a set of natural vermiculite samples. Based on their dehydration behaviour the samples can be divided in two groups: (a) those with DTA endothermic peak temperatures at 140°–150°C and 240°–270°C (pure vermiculties) and (b) those with peak temperatures at 95°–115°C (vermiculite with mica or mica-vermiculite interstratifications). The low temperature at which the endothermic effect in group (b) appears is discussed on the basis of dilution due to the inert layers of mica, differences in chemical composition, and lowering of interlamellar water bond energy.

Thermal study of vermiculites and mica-vermiculite interstratifications

The thermal decomposition reactions of some homoionic clay minerals, viz. vermiculite, in air in the temperature range 30°-1000°C by thermo-analytical methods are reported. The reaction kinetic of isothermal dehydration and dehydroxylation is found to obey first order reaction rate.

Thermal Decomposition of Vermiculites: Kinetics of Dehydration and Dehydroxylation Processes

Abstract Phenolic resins are the most commonly used binders in brake pads for automotive disc brake systems owing to their affordability and thermal properties. However, they also show some limitations related to their crosslinking mechanism. Benzoxazine resins present themselves as possible alternatives for this application by providing enhanced thermal properties as well as other industrially attractive characteristics such as lower moisture absorption and unlimited shelf life. This study investigates the thermal properties of two different benzoxazine resins, with the aim of assessing their capabilities as binder for brake pad and of understanding how to process them in order to actually employ them as such. DSC, TGA, hardness and tribological analyses were carried out on neat resin samples and on friction materials containing them as binder. The presence of several concurring reactions was detected during the crosslinking reaction of benzoxazine resins. The benzoxazine resins showed lower mass loss respect to a phenolic resin in the temperature range of interest for commercial brake pads application. Friction material containing benzoxazine resin binder showed promising tribological results. 

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Characterization of benzoxazine resins for brake pad friction materials manufacturing

Mineralogical characterizations of some Indian vermiculites and chlorites are reported. Significant differences in X-ray and thermal properties are observed. Such anomalies of the properties are presumably due to presence of mixed layer minerals and/or other contaminations.

M. K. Majumdar

Papers

Thermal Decomposition of Vermiculites: Kinetics of Dehydration and Dehydroxylation Processes

Studies on Mineralogical Properties of Vermiculites and Chlorites of Indian Origin