Crystallinity describes the degree of structural order in solids, and in polymers it strongly influences rheological, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties as well as degradation. In this study, we investigate how adding a xylitic brown coal fraction affects the crystallization of polylactide (PLA) and polypropylene (PP) under static and shear conditions. We characterized composites by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarization light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to examine both crystallization and filler structure. Results show that the lignocellulosic filler markedly alters crystallization kinetics and supramolecular morphology. In PLA-based composites, a transcrystalline layer (TCL) developed at the interface, modifying crystallization and reducing spherulite formation. In PP, only a weak TCL developed due to limited interfacial compatibility. Under shear, PP displayed the expected acceleration of spherulite growth, while PLA showed competing mechanisms between spherulitic nucleation and TCL formation. These findings highlight the role of natural, hybrid organic–mineral fillers in tailoring polymer crystallization processes and improving composite design.

This is an editorial article. It has no abstract.

Two series of polymer blends based on post-consumer polypropylene (rPP) and tire rubber crumbs (Trc) under the trademark ECOPLASTOMER^® PP70 with a mutual ratio of components 70/30 wt%, containing 10, 20, and 30 wt% of flame retardants, have been prepared using a twin-screw extruder. The influence of commercially available silane-treated alumina trihydrate (ATH-sil) with the eco-friendly system based on melamine phosphate (MP), aluminum hydroxide (AC), and peanut shells (PS), used as flame retardant agents, on the mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of polymer blends was assessed – the incorporation of ATH-sil results in the appearance of peaks related to OH groups in the Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. Similar observations are made for the MP/AC/PS system. differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that using the selected flame retardants did not impact the melting and crystallization temperatures of the polymer. Tensile strength experienced a minor decrease, particularly in compositions containing more than 20 wt% of the flame retardants, while hardness remained unaffected by their share. Both flame retardants reduced the flammability of the modified polypropylene/rubber powder blends, and the most favorable outcomes were achieved with ATH-sil; however, only when employed at a minimum of 30 wt%. The formulated MP/AC/PS system proved more adept at reducing flammability and smoke emissions at lower flame retardant levels (up to 20 wt%).

This study examines the combined effects of molecular modalities (unimodal, bimodal, trimodal) and biaxial stretching modes (sequential and simultaneous) on the yielding, stiffness, and necking behaviour of stretched high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Yield strength and stiffness were examined in relation to oriented material produced by drawing at linear strain rates 5.4·10^–3, 2.2·10^–2, and 8.6·10^–2 s^–1 under both stretching modes. Simultaneous stretching outperformed sequential stretching, with yield strength increasing with draw rate. Unimodal HDPE showed higher yield strength and stiffness than bimodal and trimodal grades, while trimodal HDPE had the lowest necking tendency from greater flexibility and uniformity. The highest necking tendency was observed in unimodal HDPE in strain localization analysis using the maximum strain/average strain ratio, while trimodal HDPE deformed more uniformly due to improved molecular weight distribution and strain hardening. Increasing the draw rate reduced strain localization, improving mechanical performance. Insights for optimising polyethylene materials in industry are provided by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mechanical analyses, establishing the correlation between HDPE structure, processing, and properties.

In this research, heat-triggered triple-shape memory polymers (TSMPs) based on the ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA)/chloroprene rubber (CR) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared by dynamic vulcanization successfully; meanwhile, an effective and facile triple-shape memory strategy was designed to realize the efficient and stable shape fixity and recovery of two temporary shapes. The field-emission scanning electron microscope images showed that EMA/CR TPV surface was a sea-island structure with the CR particle size ranging from 3 to 6 μm. Differential scanning calorimeters and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the crystallization behavior of both EMA and CR. These served as a significant basis for the two temporary shapes: fixity and recovery. The results of triple-shape memory tests showed that the EMA/CR TPV had excellent triple-shape memory properties, where the first shape fixity ratio was higher than 89% and both the first shape recovery ratio and second shape recovery ratio could be higher than 95%. It can be observed that the EMA/CR TPV exhibited rapid shape recovery speed with the first shape recovery time of 10 s and the second shape recovery time of 20 s, respectively. This research presents a novel approach to extending the application of TPV in the field of smart devices, endowing them with excellent mechanical and triple-shape memory properties.