SPE Library

The SPE Library contains thousands of papers, presentations, journal briefs and recorded webinars from the best minds in the Plastics Industry. Spanning almost two decades, this collection of published research and development work in polymer science and plastics technology is a wealth of knowledge and information for anyone involved in plastics.

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Conference Proceedings

Discussing the Feasibility of Implementing Rotational Foam Molding Operations Based on Physical Blowing Agents

Remon Pop-Iliev, May 2015

This paper focuses on evaluating the suitability of technologically-distinctive novel processing concepts for successfully transforming engineering resins into rotationally molded cellular polymeric composite articles of controllable densities in terms of using physical blowing agents while achieving simultaneous retention of fine-celled foam morphologies while maintaining a uniform thickness of the solid skin and while reducing the processing cycle times and energy consumption.

Characterization of Carbonized Electrospun Lignin Fibers

Vida Poursorkhabi, Manjusri Misra, Amar Mohanty, May 2015

Non-woven carbon fiber mat was produced by thermal treatment of the electrospun lignin fibers. Aqueous solution blends of organosolv hardwood lignin and 5 percentage of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) were electrospun. Average diameter of lignin fibres had a 25% reduction after carbonization. Results of Raman spectroscopy, surface area analysis, and thermal conductivity are comparable to carbonized fibers obtained from electrospun PAN.

Impact Puncture Resistance of Multilayer Flexible Food Packages

Leopoldo Carbajal, Rong Jiao, Diane Hahm, Barry A. Morris, Randy Kendzierski, May 2015

The development of a laboratory test method to rank the relative impact puncture resistance of flexible packages is presented. Details about the laboratory test, and the method used to rank the structures are given. Test results for selected multilayer structures are shown, and a ranking based on the test results is presented. In turn, this ranking is compared against results obtained using a drop test developed for the purpose of simulating the food filling portion of the packaging process.

Bioadhesive from Lignin and Dried Distillers? Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

Tao Wang, Manjusri Misra, Amar Mohanty, May 2015

Lignin and dried distillers? grains with solubles (DDGS) were utilized to prepare biobased adhesives at different DDGS-to-lignin ratios. The adhesion properties of the bioadhesives for bonding plywood were then evaluated. The adhesives prepared from the mixture of DDGS and lignin showed higher bonding strength than the adhesives prepared from DDGS and lignin alone. Analysis of the hot pressed adhesives showed that the DDGS extract and lignin had favorable interaction, which contributed to better performance of the hybrid adhesives.

High Accuracy Methods for Foam Injection-Expansion Simulation

Laurence Ville, Guillaume Fran‡ois, May 2015

In this paper, we propose a set of advanced numerical methods in order to simulate foam injection-expansion processes in a single step. Our approach is based on a set of stabilized solvers for each governing equation. These solvers are coupled with an advanced global stabilization algorithm and a multi-criteria adaptive meshing technology. These new technologies provide realistic results. We present several analytical and technical examples to demonstrate the overall robustness.

Capillary Rheometry Transient Data Analysis

Amir M. Moshe, David Kazmer, Stephen P. Johnston, Shmuel Kenig, Robert Malloy, May 2015

A transient rheological analysis method is presented with investigation of three modeling effects: shear rate dependence, relaxation spectrum, and melt compressibility. Results are presented for Cross-WLF shear-viscosity model, two relaxation spectrum models and two compressibility conditions. The Cross-WLF viscosity model together with a power-law relaxation spectrum and melt compressible conditions yield the highest correlation between the modeled and observed viscosity.

Peelable Seal Films With Enhanced Moisture Barrier Properties For Flexible Packaging Applications

Dan Falla, May 2015

Most cereal and cracker packages are designed to have the seal layer peel apart while being opened. Unfortunately, opening these packages often results in catastrophic failure of the film and spillage of the contents. In this study, various types of peelable seal layers were investigated. In addition, a new high moisture barrier sHDPE was evaluated.

New Peel Seal System for Flexible Medical Device Packaging Applications

Patrick Thomas, May 2015

Peelable flexible medical device packaging films are typically heat sealed to a breathable spunbonded polyolefin substrate or medical grade paper used in order to allow for ETO sterilization. A newly developed uncoated nylon reinforced paper provides an alternative to materials traditionally used for lidding. This paper serves to demonstrate the successful use of a mixture design of experiments in the development of a new peel/seal system.

Mechanical Behavior and Structure Variation of PCL/HA Composite under Different Strain and Strain Rates

Haibin Zhao, Zhixiang Cui, Binyi Chen, Xiang-fang Peng, May 2015

The structure-mechanical property correlation of the injection molding PCL/HA composite was explored by studying their structural and morphological variations under different strain rates and tensile strain. It was showed that the strain-hardening behavior of PCL/HA composites were influenced by the tensile parameters. The crystallinity and orientation increased with the increased of strain rates.

Chemical Resistant TPE Material with Adhesion to Engineering Plastics

Florian Vetter, Sehyun Kim, May 2015

In an effort to address to the growing demand for soft, chemical resistant materials in over-molding applications, KRAIBURG TPE has developed a series of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials, called COPEC?. The performance and properties of COPEC? combine the benefit of easy processing and chemical resistance compared to alternative materials. A comparative study has been conducted in the course of this paper.

A Review of Some Important Mixing Processes for Single-Screw Extruders

Gregory A. Campbell, Mark A. Spalding, May 2015

The melting process in single-screw extruders produces the first level of mixing and is referred here as primary mixing. Secondary levels of mixing are then provided by common mixing devices. These mixing processes will be reviewed in this paper.

Improving the Physical Properties and Versatility of PLA with PHA Copolymer Blends

Michael Andrews, Allen Padwa, Zhiguan Yang, May 2015

Blends of 100% biobased, fully biodegradable amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (a-PHA) copolymers and polylactic acid (PLA) exhibit good toughness and clarity in injection molding, extruded sheet and blown film. It will be shown that the level of toughness increase and modulus reduction can be tuned by blend composition. Results will also be presented that show that the addition of only 5% a-PHA significantly modifies the behavior of PLA in cutting and trimming typical of thermoforming operations.

Light Weighting in Blow Molding using New Mucell Technology

Simon Dominey, May 2015

By working together with Unilever, Mucell has developed the cutting-edge technology of light-weighting of blow molded bottles by 15%

Plastics Recovered from Shredded Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Brian L. Riise, Ron Rau, May 2015

Our industry leading separation technology enables us to recover styrenic and polyolefin plastics from complex mixed streams such as shredded waste electrical end electronic equipment. Plastic flakes recovered using our process are compounded and sold as pellets suitable for use in injection molding applications. This paper looks at the challenges and benefits of recovering plastics and modifying their properties for use in various applications such as home appliances, office products and electronics.

Microstructural Analysis of Multi-Scale Polymer Composites using Opitcal Microscopy and Entropic Measures

Jason R. Nixon, Hyunjo Choi, David I. Bigio, May 2015

Entropic measures for the characterization of mixing have been used to quantify the concentration and dispersion of additives in a polymer matrix, but have not yet been applied to the dispersion and breakup of ideally discrete structures. This paper introduces measures and considerations to analyze optical micrographs with entropic and statistical measures to quantify the quality mixing and attempt to quantify fiber attrition in polymer composites that contain both micro- and nano-scale additives.

Development of a New Type of Melt Pump

Johann Ertl, May 2015

The development of a new type of melt pump for the plastics and chemical industry will be described, including a comparison between theoretical and practical results. The device is based on a twin-screw system rather than intermeshing gears.

Corn Protein Composites for Agricultural Products

Jake Behrens, Jay-Lin Jane, David Grewell, James Schrader, Ines K??hnert, May 2015

Corn protein based polymer composites were developed for use in different agricultural consumer products. Addition of corn protein to polymer matrices increased thermal degradation, water absorption, and generally showed a slight decrease in mechanical properties. Thus, these composites are well suited for short-lived or controlled-degradation applications. For example, used as crop containers, the composites outperformed their petroleum-based counterparts in terms of enhancing plant growth.

Benefits of Surface Treatments & Mixed Filler Formulations for Thermally Conductive Plastics

Chandra Raman, Bei Xiang, Anand Murugaiah, May 2015

Thermally conductive plastics are gaining attention as an alternate material solution to metals to solve thermal management problems in a wide range of applications and industries. BN materials are known to enable high Thermal Conductivity(TC) in thermoplastic formulations. However, balancing this requirement for high conductivity with the need for acceptable physical properties can be challenging. This paper explores the use of BN-based mixed filler formulations to address these challenges.

Sustainability and Corporate Best Practices: Second Triennial Survey of Plastics Industry

Margaret H. Baumann, Bonnie J. Bachman, Shristy Bashyal, May 2015

The 2014 Sustainability Survey was the second survey that SPE Marketing and Management Special Interest Group conducted on sustainability in the plastics industry. The first survey was conducted in 2011. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the 2014 survey, and establish some baseline case studies of best sustainability practices in the industry.

Fabrication of Interconnected Porous PLA by Mixing with NaCl and PEO in Two-Rotor Continuous Mixer

Xin Chen, Zeyu Lin, Jin Sha, Tong Wu, Tao Chen, Yulu Ma, Lih-Sheng Turng, Linsheng Xie, May 2015

Interconnected porous PLA materials were prepared by mixing PLA with Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and polyoxyethylene (PEO) in a two-rotor continuous mixer. SEM, DSC and XRD were used to study the effect of PEO contents and mixing parameters on interconnected porous structure, porosity and crystallization properties. The results showed that increasing PEO content and rotor speed improved pore connectivity. Rotor speed also enhanced PLA crystallization.