Purpose & Overview
This seminar provides attendees with a comprehensive technical background in the principles of polymer melt rheology. The emphasis is on the practical aspects of melt flow in extrusion screw and die design, resin characterization, quality assurance and optimization. Attendees learn how to increase profits by increasing their knowledge of melt rheology – the key to successful utilization of costly raw materials.

Who Should Attend
This seminar has been developed for polymer scientists, process engineers, manufacturing forepersons, and sales personnel.

About the Instructor: Pravin L. Shah
Pravin L. Shah is president of Rheo-Plast Associates Inc., a consulting firm based in Reading, PA. He has over 25 years of industrial and consulting experience in polymer rheology, materials science, extrusion, molding screw and die design. He holds many patents covering a wide range of new composites. Dr. Shah has published over 50 technical papers, and has authored two chapters on rheology in major publications. He has been a frequent speaker, moderator and seminar instructor at various SPE conferences for more than 20 years. He is a senior member of SPE. In 1997 Dr. Shah received the “International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs Award”. In 2001 Dr. Shah received Cambridge, England’s prestigious award “Who’s Who in 21st Century” for his original and pioneering work in polymer rheology research. He is also listed in the Who’s Who in Plastics and Polymers.

Seminar Content
Introduction to Polymer Melt Rheology
Fundamentals of Melt Rheology • Classification of fluid behavior • Flow models • Effect of temperature on viscosity • Effect of pressure on viscosity • Effect of shear rate on viscosity • Effect of molecular weight on viscosity

Instruments to Measure Flow Properties
Commercial Rheometers
Significance of Flow Properties • Polymer melt viscosity • Polymer elasticity and extrudate defects • Mechanism of flow instability flow visualization through a glass capillary

Melt Rheology Data and Their Practical Applications in Extrusion and Molding Processes
How to Apply Polymer Rheology Know-How in Improving Extrusion Productivity • A rheological overview of the extrusion process w Rheological aspects of extruder screw design • Relationship between melt pressure, viscosity, and melt temperature in extrusion • Calculations of shear rate in extruder screw and die • How to optimize extruder throughput rates

Applications of Polymer Rheology in Materials Testing and Process Control • Material characterization • Methods of evaluating extruder performance • Process control and optimization

Seminar Fees	Before 2/15/08	After 2/15/08	Nonmember
SPE Member	$675	$775	$925

All forms of registration must contain payment, either by credit card or check, otherwise the registration will not be processed. Checks should be made payable to SPE Seminars in U.S. funds.

Use a separate registration form for each attendee.

If you do not receive a confirmation for the seminar prior to attending, please e-mail seminars@4spe.org or call SPE at +1 203-740-5403 to verify your registration.