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
High Performance Cellulosics for Demanding Medical Device Applications
Lea C. Paslay, May 2015
The increased use of disinfectants to combat hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) has created materials engineering challenges for medical device manufactures and designers. As disinfecting frequency increases, chemical resistance, e.g., environmental stress cracking, becomes increasingly important for materials historically used to manufacture medical devices. Although the chemical resistance requirements for materials are becoming more stringent, device designs continue to be complicated and intricate, limiting manufacturers? abilities to transition to a highly chemical resistant material if the material does not also exhibit ease of processing. This work investigates and outlines the processing and chemical resistance advantages of Eastman Tenite? propionate 360, a material manufactured from the bio-renewable resource, cellulose.
Fundamentals of Optimized Mold Cooling System Design for Injection Molds
Brenda L. Clark, May 2015
Mold cooling has evolved, just like mold machining has required faster machining, new mold cooling components are increasing efficiency of required mold cooling. Advancements through the years as specialized material selections for cooling components, conformal cooling inserts, and back again to components utilizing standard machining practices. There are new mold cooling components used to reduce machining time by reducing mold component lengths and therefore shortening plate thickness. Historically mold cooling was designed to circulate water or cooling medium through the mold base plates primarily and not necessarily within the cavities or cores. This practice usually required many different levels of cooling lines and thicker mold plate assemblies. The newer advancements create a circulation that is now optimized within mold plates and specialized within the cavities and cores to reduce mold heights.
Study of Overmolding a Foamed Thermoplastic Polyurethane Layer on a Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, or Polyoxymethylene Substrate
Hrishikesh A. Kharbas, Lih-Sheng Turng, Zhikui Ma, May 2015
Products with a laminated two-layered structure can be produced by the overmolding process. In this study, a layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), foamed by the microcellular injection molding process using supercritical fluid (SCF) nitrogen, was overmolded on a polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), or polyoxymethylene (POM) substrate. The resultant composite structure had micro?cellular foamed TPU overmolded on different polymer substrates. Further mechanical testing on samples showed that a thin layer of foamed TPU increased the strain at break and the overall toughness of the sample by more than 300 %. This property could be used to design parts, where catastrophic failure needs to be avoided. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images and further shear tests show that foamed TPU has better adhesion to PC than POM and PP.
Ultrasonic Treatment of PP/CNT Composites during Twin-Screw Extrusion: Effect of Screw Configuration
Jing Zhong, Avraam Isayev, May 2015
PP/CNT composites were prepared by means of an ultrasonic twin extruder with three screw configurations at ultrasonic amplitudes up to 13 ?m to compare the efficiency of different configurations in dispersing CNT in PP. Using these screw configurations, the ambient pressure in the ultrasonic zone was adjusted in order to observe the effect of pressure on ultrasonic cavitation behavior in PP and PP/CNT composites. The results indicated that the dispersion of CNT in PP is more related to the number of kneading elements in the configuration, and less to the residence time. This was explained by the mixing effect from the flow analysis network (FAN) simulation. It was also found that at the same amplitude of ultrasonic treatment PP degraded more at lower ambient pressure. Additionally, the ultrasonic treatment increased the dispersion level of CNT in PP with the best improvement not always occurring at the highest amplitude. At the lowest ambient pressure the cavitation in the polymer matrix was intense but it had not always led to the best dispersion possibly due to the suppression of the cavitation in the agglomerates. In the screw configuration of Design 2 which related to a second highest ambient pressure, composites prepared at an ultrasonic amplitude of 10 ?m exhibited elongation at break as high as is 320% compared to 247% for the untreated composites.
Melt Temperature Measurement in Compounding
Kenneth W. Russell, May 2015
The single most important parameter in compounding polymer products is melt temperature. Melt temperature has a greater impact on product quality than any other parameter in the compounding process yet it is often overlooked in both its importance and with regard to the difficulty and necessity of proper measurement.
Melt temperature is a response variable that must be controlled within a specified range to produce the highest quality compound possible. Failure to accurately measure or maintain the proper melt temperature can lead to unexplained variability in process yields, finished product properties and customer acceptance.
This paper discusses the fundamental requirements of melt temperature measurement during compounding. Properly measuring and controlling this fundamental variable is critical to consistently producing high quality polymer compounds.
Characterization of Ternary Blends of Poly(Lactic Acid), Poly(Butylene Adipate-Coterephthalate) and Polypropylene
Arturo Rodriguez-U, Manjusri Misra, Amar Mohanty, May 2015
We discuss and report on the morphology and general properties of blends composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and polypropylene (PP). It is shown that PLA can be evenly dispersed in the PP matrix. However, it appears as isolated not-anchored droplets with variable size distribution. It was also found that PLA is miscible at the interphase with the PBAT. It is followed that the PLA/PBAT phases appear as indivisible units when dispersed in the PP matrix. The morphology of the blend radically changes with the addition of a terpolymer based on ethylene and/or acrylic ester and glycidyl methacrylate as well as with the incorporation of maleic anhydride grafted PP (MA-g-PP). However, the PLA and PBAT phases remain as a unit even in presence of these additives. In general, the properties of the blends depend on the PLA or PLA-PBAT to PP ratio and their inability and/or ability to form a continuous phase.
Effects of Accelerated Aging on the Flammability of Polypropylene Based Biocomposites
Emmanuel Ogunsona, Manjusri Misra, Amar Mohanty, May 2015
A study on the flammability properties of different natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites is done. A long term aging study by accelerated aging of the samples is performed to determine its effects on the flammability properties. These properties are determined through the limiting oxygen index (LOI) analysis and burn rate test of the samples. Results from both the LOI and burn rate tests showed an increase in the flammability of the composites as compared to the base resin, polypropylene (PP) resulting from the addition of the more flammable fibers. Under the experimental condition/ aging as studied, the flammability of the biocomposites studied by LOI remained mostly the same indicating that the composites retained their flame ignition properties. The burn rate test showed an increase in the burn rate of all the composites due to the increase in void which accelerated the heat transfer through the samples. The flammability resistance of soy meal-PP based composite was shown to be superior in comparison to other biomass filled-PP composites as studied in this work.
Failure Analysis of Cross-Linked Polyethylene Pipe in Residential Plumbing and Heating Systems
Phillip Sharff, Arthur Davies, May 2015
A rash of failures in PEX-AL-PEX piping in residential domestic hot water and hydronic heating systems in the United States and Canada led to an investigation into the nature and cause of the failures. Failures, which occurred after less than 10 years of service, were characterized by blistering and splitting of the exterior pipe wall, preceded by darkening and bulging of the outer PEX layer. Laboratory examination of field samples revealed brittle microcracking of the inner PEX layer and corrosion holes in the aluminum layer precipitating hydrostatic rupture of the outer PEX layer. Tests showed that the PEX material had low gel content (indicative of inadequate crosslinking), and early depletion of the antioxidant, thus lowering the resistance to oxidative degradation. This study shows the importance of proper formulation and testing of the antioxidant package for ensuring satisfactory performance of thermoplastic pipe for the intended design life.
Rubber De-Vulcanisation Using a Planetary Extruder
Michael W. Batton, Thomas J. Malzahn, Michael Gerdon, Ralf Quack, May 2015
Elastomers are wide-meshed cross-linked (vulcanized) polymers and recycling is difficult. Thermoplastic materials can be molten by exposing them to thermal energy and put into different shapes or mixed with other ingredients to form new compounds. Elastomers do not have a melting point, in order to put them into different shapes or mix them with other materials, first the cross-linking has to be broken and the elastomer plasticized again, in other words ?de-vulcanized?. Since this is much more difficult than just melting, in comparison to thermoplastics, elastomers, due to this difficulty, were mainly reduced in size and added as filler in other materials or burned for energy and not recycled into the original raw materials. However, until today there existed no continuous economical process that has been established in the industry.
Stress-Relaxation of Polycarbonate Resins
Pierre Moulinie, Steven Owens, Daniel Williams, Yong Zhao, May 2015
The stress-relaxation behaviors of several PC-based materials are compared after being subjected to various levels of tensile strain for up to 48h. All resins tested showed decreases in stress over the course of the experiment, with most of the relaxation occurring within the first 6h. At 0.6% tensile strain, the PC-based materials we studied showed force decreases from 9-20% after 48h, much lower than what we observed for ABS or a copolyester. The consistency of our results for the PC resins studied suggests that stress-relaxation is not significant when comparing their ESCR behavior.
Microstructural Design of Porous Membrane for Effective Sound Absorption Performance
Shahrzad Ghaffari Mosanenzadeh, Hani Naguib, Noureddine Atalla, May 2015
Porous materials and foams are widely used for sound absorption purposes in different sectors. To answer the needs for light weight compact noise insulation material with high sound absorption capability, the microstructure of porous membranes can be designed for optimum performance while occupying the same volume with the same weight. Such engineered structures are known as Functionally Graded Material (FGM). In the present study, novel functionally graded foam with superior sound absorption is introduced and compared to uniform foams of the same porosity. The designed graded membrane demonstrates 20% improved performance. Foams are fabricated from bio-based polymer (Polylactide (PLA)) and are environmentally friendly.
Compliant High Friction Surfaces on Ice Made Using Polymer-Fiber Composites
Reza Rizvi, Helen Song, Hani Naguib, Tilak Dutta, Geoff Fernie, May 2015
This paper details the development of compliant surfaces possessing a high coefficient of friction (COF) through the use of fibrous composites. The fibrous composites consist of a hard glass fiber phase reinforcing a compliant thermoplastic polyurethane matrix ? fabricated using twin-screw compounding and compression molding. Furthermore, the skin layer is mechanically removed to expose the glass fibers. The coefficient of friction of the composite on ice is 0.25 versus a coefficient of friction of 0.04 for molded polyurethane. Using mechanical alignment, the coefficient of friction can be as high as 0.32. The exposed glass fiber phase exhibits a ?micro-cleat? effect for fracturing the ice and providing the high friction force
New Highly Flexible Cyanoacrylates: Loctite? 4902? and Loctite? 4903?
Michael Pomykala, May 2015
Speed and flexibility have always been known to be a tradeoff for adhesives. Current cyanoacrylates, light cure acrylics, hot melt adhesives, two-component silicones and polyurethanes can provide either flexibility and/or relatively fast fixture speeds. In most cases, however, there exists a tradeoff with shear strengths, adhesive cost, ease of dispense, or ability to cure at all (i.e. bonding opaque substrates with a light cure acrylic). Henkel has developed two Loctite instant adhesives that offer high flexibility and fast fixture speed while maintaining high strength on a majority of substrates. Thorough testing of Loctite? 4902TM (product A) and Loctite? 4903TM (product B) has confirmed that these new formulations perform equally, if not better, in standard cyanoacrylate categories such as fixture speed, shear strength, and heat aging. Testing as also proven that while maintaining these desired performance parameters, the new formulations have also increased sealing reliability on common flexible substrates.
The Effects of Particle Type, Size and Compounding Conditions on the UV Durability of Thermoplastic Elastomers
Mark D. Wetzel, May 2015
It is well established that the addition of solid particles that absorb light across ultra-violet (UV) wavelengths can improve the environmental durability of plastics. Thermoplastic polyester elastomers are sensitive to UV degradation in both exterior and interior applications. This paper describes an experimental evaluation of the improvement in UV performance of a polyester elastomer, Hytrel?, with the incorporation of a conventional chemical UV stabilizer along with different UV absorbing or scattering solid fillers. A rapid screening method is described that measures mechanical elongational properties as a function of UV exposure time. The results show that the particle type and size, the dispersion quality and melt compounding conditions affect UV durability.
Melt Rheology of in-situ Polymerized Polyamide 6/Cellulose Whisker Nano-Composites
Shahab Kashani Rahimi, Joshu U. Otaigbe, May 2015
Polyamide 6 composites reinforced with various cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) contents were prepared by in-situ polymerization technique. Melt rheological properties of these composites were studied in both linear and non-linear viscoelastic regimes. The results showed that incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals even at low loadings results increased storage and loss modulus, complex viscosity and development of elastic properties in the melt. The composites showed shear thinning behavior especially at higher CNC loadings. The low frequency linear viscoelastic region showed the onset of the formation of percolated network structures of CNCs within the polymer matrix. The structure break-up and recovery tests further confirmed the evolution of CNC agglomerates and development of elastic properties, as well as, high shear-rate dependency of the filled samples.
A Method for Creating Internal Geometries in Injection Molded Parts Using Water Soluble Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH) Inserts
Jason D. McNulty, Hrishikesh A. Kharbas, Lih-Sheng Turng, May 2015
In this study, we experimented with using water solu?ble polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) patterns to create internal geometries within injection molded parts. By overmolding sacrificial PVOH patterns with a ? shell, and subsequently dissolving the inserts, diverse internal features were fabricated with traditional injection mold?ing equipment. Metrological study perform?ed on the components has shown that precise control of the internal dimensions is possible over a wide range of processing temperatures and conditions. White light interferometry analysis conducted on the surfaces of the PVOH patterns and shell materials show that the process is capable of replicating microscale features and decora?tions onto the internal surface of the molded components. It is suggested that, in the modern global market, compa?nies differentiate on the basis of innovation and speed of development. This process can help develop and mass-manufacture complex parts with internal geometries and undercut features faster and more economically than the industrial alternatives.
A New Perspective of Surlyn? Modified Polyamides: Expanding the Role of Surlyn? from a Modifier to a Blend Partner for Polyamides
Richard T. Chou, Karlheinz Hausmann, Herbert V. Bendler, May 2015
Technologies that enable ionomers to be blended with polyamides in high loading for attaining synergistic effects of both components are explored. A new ionomer that contains reactive functional groups forms blends with nylon 6 of nanoscale morphology with particle size of 60-90 nm and almost monodispersed size distribution. Nanoscale morphology is observed in all blend compositions, which enables to make nylon 6 blends possessing properties similar to nylon 11 and nylon 12. Poor ZnCl2 salt resistance is known to be a deficiency for short chain polyamides, such as nylon 6 and nylon 66. Nylon 6 modified with Na/Zn ionomer at a loading of 35 wt. % or higher was found to exhibit excellent ZnCl2 stress cracking resistance. The discovery opens a new avenue to manage salts resistance for developing flexible polyamides based on lower cost polyamides.
When Permanent Really Means Permanent. Polyfuze, the New Heat Fused Graphic for Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Other Olefin Resins
Jason Brownell, May 2015
The intent of this paper is to demonstrate the truly permanent nature of a new patent protected heat fusion process for the transfer of graphics to polyethylene, polypropylene and other olefin products. As stated in Wikipedia, ?Heat fusion (sometimes called heat welding or simply fusion) is a welding process used to join two different pieces of a thermoplastic. This process involves heating both pieces simultaneously and pressing them together. The two pieces then cool together and form a permanent bond. When done properly, the two pieces become indistinguishable from each other. Dissimilar plastics can result in improper bonding.?
This paper will:
Explain the difference between the new Polyfuze Graphic and other labeling processes such as In-Mold Labels (IML), Hot Stamp (Foil), Screen/Pad Printing and adhesive backed stickers.
Define the environmental significance of each of these decorating methods vs. heat fused graphics.
The Effect of Fluorinated Hyperbranched Polymer on the Morphology of PS and PMMA Foams
Masataka Sugimoto, May 2015
We studied the influence of fluorinated hyperbranched polymer on the foam morphologies of PS and PMMA foams created via the batch foaming process using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as a physical foaming agent. A small percentage of the fluorinated hyperbranched polymer brought a significant increase of cell number density and a marked decrease of the cell size of PS and PMMA. This is due to the enhanced nucleation brought by the well-dispersed fluorinated hyper branched polymer in the matrix, which has good affinity to CO2.
Colorant Solutions to Meet Global Packaging Regulations
Sharon M. Ehr, May 2015
Colorant Solutions to Meet Global Packaging Regulations
Sharon Ehr, Technology Manager
Uniform Color Company
Today?s packaging regulations are confusing at best. Compliance with global food contact and cosmetic regulations has become standard practice rather than the exception.
Identifying the proper regulation for a specific application and geographic area can be challenging. Food and cosmetic packaging regulations can vary drastically from country to country. Often times regulations are ambiguous and in some cases conflict with each other.
Proper colorant and additive selection depends on defining the final application, how that package may be used and the product inside the package which may come in contact with the plastic part. Clear understanding of these parameters can provide end users assurance that the proper colorant package is used for the appropriate application while offering the broadest possible colorant palette.
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