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
Biocomposites and Bioblends Based on Engineering Thermoplastics for Automotive Applications
MIHAELA MIHAI, May 2015
This paper presents innovative solutions concerning the utilization of engineering polymers in bioblends and biocomposites designated for automotive applications. The studied biomaterials have lower-cost, lower-weight, and at least same performance comparing with the current engineering thermoplastics used in automotive parts. Polyamide (PA6) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) were formulated using different types and concentrations of cellulosics, polylactic acid (PLA) as a bio-sourced polymer, and in a combination of cellulosics and PLA. These biomaterials were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical properties, and heat deflection temperature. The extruded biocomposites, foamed in injection molding process, presented similar properties as the unfoamed and reference counterparts while being around 25-30% greener, lighter and less expensive.
Effect of Pigments Compounding on Product Performance
Rakshit Amba, May 2015
As global leader in custom colored engineering thermoplastics SABIC is committed to investigating sustainable methods in process and analytical techniques. SABIC has long history partnering with customers to differentiate their products by developing desired looks and aesthetics for unique branding. SABIC and its COLOREXPRESSTM is therefore, capable in handling complex color matching, formulation to meet product performance and utilizing expertise in delivering long term product performance regardless of lot size.
Processors commonly use color concentrate or master batch for product coloring during molding or extrusion. This process involves modification of screw design or feeder for optimal product quality. Custom compounders such as SABIC use pigments with various polymers and additives, with optimized formulation, screw design, and feeding methods. Therefore providing customers with convenience and superior product performance than color concentrate or master batch.
General concerns include pigments dispersion, its effects on engineering thermoplastics properties and surface appearance. Theory behind agglomerate break-up and its effects on experimental molded samples are discussed in the paper.
For this study samples were produced using different pigment feeding methods including standard pigment compounding method and use of color concentrates. Also, SABIC?s proprietary method was compared. It is critical that pigments be evenly dispersed and distributed in the polymer matrix while maintaining consistent viscosity and optimal mechanical properties.
Commonly used pigments in polymers include titanium dioxide and carbon black. Typically color compounds incorporate more than one pigment which adds to the complexity. Experimental findings from the various compounding methods on mechanical properties, surface, heat/hydro aging and color appearance are presented. This paper also compares and reveals some superior pro
Lower-Cost, Ligther and Greener Polypropylene-Based Biocomposites for Industrial Applications
MIHAELA MIHAI, May 2015
This paper discloses the viability of the formulation, processing, and performance of advanced biocomposites and bioblends based on polypropylene (PP) designed for industrial manufacturing. The PP was compounded with three different types of cellulosic fibers, in a bioblends with polylactide (PLA) as bio-sourced polymer, and in PP/PLA/cellulosic biocomposites. These biomaterials were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical and thermal properties. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, and the heat deflection temperature of the bioblends and the biocomposites presented at least equivalent values comparing with virgin PP and with PP current industrial grades. The extruded biocomposites, foamed in injection molding process, presented similar properties as the unfoamed and reference counterparts while being up to 25 wt.% lighter, up to 50% less expensive, and up to 50% greener.
Importance of Processing and Fiber Orientation for Realistic Performance Prediction with Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics
Recep Yaldiz, Angel Yanev, Dave Brands, May 2015
Current industrial state of the art for predictive engineering of fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials relies on isotropic material modeling. This approach gives inaccurate predictions, where orientation and length of fibers play a critical role. An innovative approach is developed in the last years with consideration of the anisotropic behavior of the material. Mechanical material modeling, which is considering correct processing and fiber orientation, can significantly improve the accuracy of mechanical predictions.
The authors follow the innovative approach of combining the processing conditions of the fiber reinforced materials with obtained fiber length and orientation in the end applications. Influence of the processing conditions and fiber orientation on mechanical properties will be elaborated. Differences between the current isotropic and innovative approaches will be displayed in chosen show case applications.
Ultrasonic Inspection of Artificially-Defected GFRP
Kohta Tsubaki, Yoshimiti FUJII, Hiroyuki Nishimura, May 2015
In this investigation, we tried to evaluate how much size of the micro-defects can be detected and analyzed by using the ultrasonic inspection method and the ultrasonic microscope. Additionally, we also investigated the relationship between the detection sensitivity and the ultrasonic frequency, because the detection sensitivity of ultrasonic inspection method generally depends on ultrasonic frequency. As results, it was found that the 5 MHz transducer was suitable for the detection of larger artificial defects as compared with 1 MHz transducer. In addition, it was indicated that the detection sensitivity was improved by using the high-frequency transducer, and was also independent from the depth position of artificial defects.
Polystyrene-c-Poly (Ethylene-co-Butylene)-c-Polystyrene/Zinc Oxide Block Copolymer Nanocomposites: Rheological and Dielectric Properties
Emna Helal, Nicole R. Demarquette, Eric David, Michel Fr‚chette, May 2015
In this paper, nanocomposites of polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) filled with different Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles loadings are studied. An homogeneous distribution of the nanoparticles within the polymer matrix was achieved and confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Although individually dispersed nanoparticles were not observed, the average size of agglomerates was limited to the nanoscale and only few micrometric agglomerates were formed. The rheological and dielectric properties were evaluated as well and correlated to the morphology. In particular, an increase of the storage modulus G? was achieved at low frequencies while a progressive decrease of the breakdown strength was observed with increasing nanofillers concentration.
Fabrication of Films from Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) Colloidal Suspensions by Doctor Blade Coating
Bin Tan, Maria F. Palacios, Margaret J. Sobkowicz, May 2015
In this work, colloidal suspensions were prepared from electroactive polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) using the mini-emulsion method, and films were prepared from these suspensions using a doctor blade coater. The effect of blade speed, blade height and surfactant type on film properties were analyzed by atomic force microscope (AFM), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results showed that colloids with uniform distribution in the submicron size range were produced. The morphology and thickness of films could be tuned by changing the blade height and speed. Furthermore, the crystal structure of both surfactants and P3HT could be observed in films. During the drying process, further aggregation of P3HT colloids was observed using UV-vis spectra.
Characterization of Melt Mixed PP Composites with New Nanostructured Carbon Materials
Vicki Flaris, Petra P”tschke, Titus G„rtner, Brigitte Voit, Raul Rivas, Henry Siccardi, May 2015
Abstract
In this paper, composites of polypropylene (PP) with four different carbon based fillers are compared. These are single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanodiamonds (ND) and nanohorns (CNH). The geometry and properties of these filler and the effects on composites? properties such as conductivity and melt viscosity are correlated. In addition, changes in surface tension of polypropylene nanocomposites were investigated using contact angle measurements on compression molded plates.
The results show that there is an increase in the contact angle measured with heptane, a non-polar solvent, for the composites based on MWCNTs. Adding increasing amounts of carbon fillers to the composites results in a decrease in contact angle, indicating greater wettability. The surface tension of the composites increases slightly with filler content, except for the MWCTs where it decreases at high filler content of 10%.
Mechanism of Bubble Nucleation and Growth in High-Pressure Foam Injection Molding Using Gas-Counter Pressure
Vahid Shaayegan, Guilong Wang, Elise Reghem, Marylou Boisson, Chul. B. Park, May 2015
A new visualization mold was designed and manufactured to observe the foaming phenomena of thermoplastics in situ in high-pressure foam injection molding. With the aim of a fused-silica prism, mold cavity images were reflected to a camera. The melt front travel as well as bubble nucleation and growth were investigated in high-pressure foam injection molding with and without the application of gas-counter pressure. It was elucidated that the application of gas-counter pressure resulted in a faster bubble nucleation and larger size bubbles.
Fiber Orientation Prediction of Long Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics: Optimization of Model Parameters
Jens van Haag, Christoph Bontenackels, Christian Hopmann, May 2015
The simulative prediction of the fiber orientations for Short Fiber-reinforced Thermoplastics (SFT) has become state of the art in the last decades. Recently numerical models became available in commercial filling simulation software that allow predicting the fiber orientation in Long Fiber-reinforced Thermoplastics (LFT) parts. Especially for LFT the Anisotropic Rotary Diffusion - Reduced Strain Closure-model (ARD-RSC-model) promises an improved prediction of fiber orientation. The ARD-RSC-model is available in commercial software today, but obtaining material specific parameters is almost not possible for the user. Hence, most users are working with the default parameter set.
In this paper an automated optimization procedure is presented allowing to obtain a material specific set of model parameters of Fiber orientation-models implemented in the commercial filling software Moldflow, Autodesk Inc., San Rafael, CA, USA. This is done by comparing the simulation with experimental data. In order to determine the Fiber Orientation Distribution (FOD) experimentally, selected part sections are examined by means of Computed Tomographic (CT) analyses. The fully three dimensional measurement of the FOD is then performed by digital image processing using grey scale correlation.
Optimized sets of model parameters are determined for different flow conditions using two different kinds of test specimens. The optimization leads to an improved prediction of fiber orientation in the certain specimen. A validation of the found parameter set is conducted by transferring the parameters to another test specimen. Still an improvement in predicting the fiber orientation compared to the default parameter set can be observed.
Development of an Automated Additive Preforming Technology for RTM-Parts
Christian Hopmann, Linus Fecher, Roman Bouffier, Kai Fischer, May 2015
The Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and the Skilled Crafts at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, developed the 3D Fiber spraying process. The 3D Fiber spraying process enables a high volume capable preforming for 3D shaped structural RTM parts. A key element of this process is a fiber guide unit, which allows for the orientation of the chopped reinforcement fibers. Using this process technology, RTM-parts with a fiber volume content of 40 % and an anisotropy ratio of the flexural strength of up to 2.8 : 1 can be produced at present. This is possible at a high productivity. The 3D Fiber spraying process enables an throughput of up to 150 kg/h. Furthermore, the usage of a special binder yarn, a combination of a thin glass fiber and Copolyamide binder, enables a high productivity for the preform production without a clogging of the necessary suction, as it is typical for binder particles.
Mold Design for Reduction of Offline Assembly & Secondary Operations
Tim Peterson, Kerry Smith, May 2015
As OEMs seek to reduce costs to manufacture and improve part/component quality, they are looking to the mold manufacturer to provide them with creative and innovative solutions to these challenges. Mold technology has enabled better and more efficient molding processing via mold designs that incorporate multiple parts into a single molded component, thus eliminating multiple molds and multiple operations, including offline assembly, and other secondary operations that add cost and risk qualilty problems downstream. Some of the latest mold technologies include in-mold assembly, in-mold labeling and decorating, two-shot and three-shot molding, overmolding, and insert molding. This paper will provide examples of how mold manufacturers can design molds that offer OEMs creative ways to reduce costs and improve quality through innovative mold technology.
Evaluation of Nitrogen As a Co-Blowing Agent in Nanocellular Foam
Kshitish Patankar, Jonathan Moore, Anson Wong, Stephane Costeux, May 2015
The effect of nitrogen (N2) on the properties of carbon dioxide-blown acrylic nanocellular foams is evaluated in a solid-state batch foaming process. At constant partial pressures of carbon dioxide (CO2), foam porosity tends to decrease with increasing N2 amounts, but there is no significant effect on cell size and nuclei density. Because the addition of N2 is predicted to decrease the solubility of CO2 in the polymer at constant partial pressure of CO2, the properties of the foams produced with the blowing agent mixtures can be compared to foams blown with only CO2 at lower pressure (and therefore depressurization rate) but comparable dissolved CO2. Such a comparison provides a route to decouple the effects of dissolved CO2 from those of total pressure and depressurization rate. Analysis suggests that the porosity is controlled by the amount of dissolved CO2 but not the depressurization rate, while average cell size and nuclei density are mostly impacted by total pressure and/or depressurization rate.
Controlled Drug Delivery of a Hydrophilic Drug Model from a Fibrous Elastomeric Compostie with Shape Memory Properties
Melodie I. Lawton, Patrick T. Mather, May 2015
Creating plastic biomaterials with a goal of mimicking healthy tissues continues to be a major challenge, particularly when the material is tasked with multiple functionalities. We present a novel elastomeric polymeric construction capable of localized, long-term tunable drug release that also exhibits shape memory properties. This assemblage is fabricated using an electrospinning process to produce a micro-fibrous framework. These fibers are doped with a hydrophilic drug model, Rhodamine B, and embedded within a siloxane based elastomeric matrix to form a composite, which is critical to regulating water transport from the environment to the fibers to release the drug. In vitro drug release studies were conducted in PBS under physiological conditions to evaluate the effect of the siloxane matrix and varying the drug concentration. We found that the integration of this elastomer can control the initial burst release commonly observed in many drug delivery devices and extend drug release while exhibiting thermally triggered shape memory.
Relationship between Moisture Absorption, Crystallization and Rheological Property of Recycled PET Filled Pellets with Talc and Glass Bead
Takanori Negoro, Supaphorn Thumsorn, Wiranphat Thodsaratpreeyakul, Jian Jun Liu, Hiroyuki Inoya, Hiroyuki Hamada, May 2015
Talc, glass bead and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were used for developing moisture absorption and improving crystallization of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (RPET). RPET and fillers were compounded in twin screw extruder with using air drying along the conveyer to yielding high crystallinity of the compounds. The effect of additional fillers and PEG on intrinsic viscosity, moisture absorption, crystallization and rheological behavior was investigated. The incorporation of fillers and PEG slightly decreased intrinsic viscosity and yielded lower moisture absorption rate than neat RPET. Crystallization kinetic parameters indicated that RPET compounds were faster crystallization, which resulting in higher crystallinity than RPET. Rheological properties of RPET compounds decreased at higher talc contents and the addition of PEG. It can be noted that RPET compounds were lower moisture contents, higher crystallinity and better rheological properties at lower shear rate, which would improve mechanical properties of talc and glass bead filled RPET compounds.
A Numerical Verification and Experimental Validation of the Multi-Jet Cooling System for the Blown Film Application
Benedikt Neubert, Marius Janas, Michael Andretzky, Fr‚d‚ric Kracht, Johannes Wortberg, May 2015
In a previous work, the assignment of task concerning the development of a numerical based procedure for the optimization of a blown film cooling system was successfully achieved. With this procedure a realistic bubble behavior, with respect to the cooling configuration and the proper initialization data, can be computed. Based on this numerical procedure a novel cooling system was developed, called Multi-Jet. In this paper, the development stages of the numerical procedure and the first experimental results will be presented. Furthermore the experimental data and the cooling-effects will be discussed with regard to the pre-optimization of the new cooling system.
Study of the Curing Kinetics of Biobased Epoxy Resin in the Presence of a Biobased Hardener
Ghodsieh M. Roudsari, Amar Mohanty, Manjusri Misra, May 2015
Investigation of curing kinetics of a biobased thermoset resin was the aim of this study. The curing reaction involved a combination of a petroleum based epoxy resin (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A) and a biobased epoxy resin (epoxidized soybean oil) with a biobased curing agent (sebacic acid) and was evaluated using a differential scanning calorimeter. It was found that the addition of ESO increased the enthalpy of reaction as well as activation energy. Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Starink methods have been used to analyze the results.
The Effects of High Solvating Plasticizers on the Processing Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride Plastisols
Gina Macy, Emily McBride, William D. Arendt, May 2015
High solvating specialty plasticizers are very polar molecules that enhance the final properties of fused plastisols, as well as decrease the time and energy necessary for fusion. In this evaluation, plastisols were prepared with various concentrations of plasticizers, one general purpose and two high solvating benzoate plasticizers. Viscosity aging was monitored at both room temperature and at 40øC to determine the effect of heat on storage stability. Based on the results obtained here, an extended study was performed on plastisols with higher concentrations of pure high solvator to determine how much must be added to maintain viscosity stability at high temperature. Gelation and fusion characteristics were measured and used to demonstrate the benefits of adding high solvators to a formulation to help reach optimum processing and storage properties.
A Comparison of PVC/Plasticizer Interaction Parameter and Plastisol Processing Characteristics with High Solvating Plasticizers and Plasicizer Blends
Mikaela Hall, William D. Arendt, Emily McBride, May 2015
There has been an increased need for PVC formulators to find substitutes for phthalate type plasticizers without sacrificing compatibility, processing properties, and performance. This work compares the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (?), a theoretical test for compatibility, to plastisol compatibility through an examination of roll compatibility, gel/fusion temperatures, and viscosity aging stability of new high solvating plasticizers and blends with general purpose type plasticizers. Results show that by blending plasticizers with low compatibility with high solvating plasticizers compatibility and processing characteristics can be improved, providing a viable substitute for traditional general purpose phthalate plasticizers.
Effect of Degree of Crosslinking on Ultrasonic Decrosslinking of Peroxide Crosslinked High Density Polyethylene
Keyuan Huang, Avraam Isayev, May 2015
Decrosslinking of peroxide crosslinked high-density polyethylene (XHDPE) of different degrees of crosslinking by means of an ultrasonic single-screw extruder (SSE) is investigated. Barrel pressure and ultrasonic power consumption during extrusion are recorded. Swelling test, thermal analysis and tensile test are used to elucidate the structure-property relationship of decrosslinked XHDPE. It was found that a more intensive rupture of the crosslinked network occurs in XHDPE of higher degree of crosslinking. Analysis based on the Horikx function shows that the type of preferential bond breakage during decrosslinking of XHDPE of various degrees of crosslinking is not determined by the bond energy alone but also influenced by structural characteristics of the network. The thermal and tensile properties of the decrosslinked XHDPE are greatly affected by the type of preferential bond breakage. A significant improvement in the mechanical properties of decrosslinked 2% peroxide cured XHDPE is achieved due to the occurrence of a highly preferential breakage of crosslinks during ultrasonic decrosslinking.
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