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THESIS - ROC CH ... - FINAL - resubmission.pdf - University of Guelph

THESIS - ROC CH ... - FINAL - resubmission.pdf - University of Guelph

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Tensile Strenght (MPa)<br />

11<br />

10<br />

9<br />

8<br />

7<br />

6<br />

5<br />

4<br />

Machine<br />

0 0.5 1<br />

Concentration (% w/wSPI)<br />

Figure 7.3: Tensile Strength <strong>of</strong> TiO2/SPI blend films<br />

Unlike TS, the elasticity in the MD <strong>of</strong> the hybrid films remained unchanged or decreased<br />

with the addition <strong>of</strong> TiO2 nanoparticles (Figure 7.4). At the optimum concentrations for strength<br />

increase (0.25% for P90 and 0.5% for P25), the EM was similar to that <strong>of</strong> the control specimen.<br />

However, at concentrations away from this optimum, the resulting EM decreased to minimums<br />

<strong>of</strong> 77.92 ± 8.53 MPa and 84.06 ± 9.27 MPa for P25 and P90 respectively. In contrast, for the<br />

TD, the addition <strong>of</strong> TiO2 at the similar optimum loadings revealed an increase compared to the<br />

control reaching maximum <strong>of</strong> 88.77 ± 5.66 MPa and 84.69 ± 24.23 MPa for P25 and P90<br />

respectively. Concentrations away from this optimum revealed E’s with comparable values to<br />

that <strong>of</strong> the control specimen.<br />

96<br />

Transverse<br />

p25<br />

p90<br />

0 0.5 1<br />

Concentration (% w/wSPI)

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