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

Fundamentals of Abuse Performance of LLDPE/LDPE Blends in Blown Film Applications

Nilesh Savargaonkar, Rajen Patel, Teresa Karjala, Philip Salibi, Lizhi Liu, May 2014

Blends of LLDPE and LDPE are used in many film applications. This study was undertaken to understand the behavior of LLDPE/LDPE blends over the entire composition range in terms of Elmendorf tear, dart impact, and puncture strengths in order to understand the relationships between these film properties, orientation effects, and intrinsic properties of the blends.

New Polyphenylene Sulfide Compounds

Ke Feng, May 2014

A new technology has been developed to enable polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) to start the recrystallization at a higher temperature with a fast speed. New PPS compounds with this new technology have demonstrated at production scale trials to have several benefits, including shorter cycle time, improved de-molding of parts, and improved flatness and dimensional precision. Laboratory data regarding the recrystallization behavior and production trial results will also be discussed.

Polyester Compositions for Automotive Tube Coatings

Sarah Grieshaber, Lenar Abbasov, Andrew Sics, Scott Davis, Tianhua Ding, May 2014

Polyester blends were evaluated as a replacement for nylon in automotive metal tube coating applications by investigation of long-term chemical resistance and adhesion to metal. Resistance to many common automotive fluids and fuels was observed for up to 5000h of exposure at 60 °C. Adhesion to metal was achieved without the use of a primer, which is an advantage over nylon materials and has potential to facilitate the production process by eliminating the use of primers.

Investigation of Scale-Up Methodologies in Twin-Screw Compounding

Graeme M. Fukuda, Daniel Chavez, David I. Bigio, Paul Andersen, Mark D. Wetzel, May 2014

Polymer composites involve the compounding of a base polymer and a solid additive. To maximize the impact of the additive on the polymer matrix, it is critical to have good mixing. However, before the product is processed at an industrial level the materials are often studied at a laboratory scale to save resources. The importance of a consistent product between the two extruders dictates the need for a scale-up rule sensitive to dispersive mixing.

Three Parameter Analysis of Fiber Orientation in Fused Deposition Modeling Geometries

Jason R. Nixon, Benjamin Dryer, Derrick Chiu, Inna Lempert, David I. Bigio, May 2014

The ability to track fiber orientation of a filled polymer matrix in the fused deposition modeling process is critical to the development of variable material properties in 3D printed parts. Using the Moldflow injection molding analysis package, a study has been done on the effects of injection rate, filler volume fraction, and nozzle geometry on final fiber orientation in the extruded strand produced by the fused deposition modeling process.

New Methods for Producing Energy Savings when Using Hot Runner Systems

Paul Boettger, May 2014

The heat produced by heaters in hot runner systems keeps the resin in melt conveying channels of injection molds molten. The molten resin is then injected into the cavity of the injection mold. Some of the heat produced will be lost to the surroundings. This paper will show how new methods and materials can reduce the amount of energy lost from hot runner systems and result in additional cost savings.

Gas Phase Reaction for Surface Modification of Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC)

Vahid Khoshkava, Musa R. Kamal, May 2014

The effect of surface modification on NCC polarity was first studied based on ambient surface energy measurements. NCC film was used as a model system to check feasibility of alkyenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) for this purpose. Both polarity and total surface energy of NCC decreased after surface modification. NCC porous structure consisting of nanofibers was exposed to ASA gas for different exposure times (1 h and 3 h). The reaction between NCC and ASA was confirmed by solid state 13CNMR and ATR-FTIR.

Optimization of Number of Gates in Injection Molding

Won-Gil Ryim, Byung-Gi Pyo, Hyung-pil Park, May 2014

In designing mold for bigger part it is important to determine number of gates. Excessive gates make loss of resin in gates and runners. Mold with many gates does not guarantee better mold filling condition. Automatic optimization system for number of gates is developed with objective function which represents the efficiency of gate. This paper discusses about the factors which are considered in development of optimization system and some application cases are followed.

M2M, Big Data and Injection Molds

Thomas Knight, May 2014

This paper will observe how advancements in M2M interaction, coupled with advancements in data storage and analysis (Big Data), are changing the way that businesses make decisions. We will examine how M2M and Big Data advancements can be applied to plastic injection molds to optimize output and to increase the mold’s reliability.

Overview of Different UV-Techologies, Piano Black Surfaces and Other Potential Colourings

Dagmar Ehmann, Logan Mays, May 2014

Overview of different UV technologies

Effect of Ground Calcium Carbonate Particle Size Distribution, Milling Method and Impurities on Abrasion Properties of Highly Filled Vinyl Formulations

Lane G. Shaw, David Yu, May 2014

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) is composed of a relatively soft mineral known as calcite with a Mohs hardness of 3. However, all ground calcium carbonate contains small amounts of harder minerals such as dolomitic limestone (dolomite) and/or silica. These materials may or may not increase the abrasiveness of the ground calcium carbonate at any given particle size dependent on the concentration, morphology and particle size of the impurity.

Thermal Conductivity Improvements for Plastics Through the Use of Engineered Boron Nitride

Steve E. Amos, May 2014

Most plastic materials are insulators having very low thermal and electrical conductivity. Many different types of fillers are added to provide increased thermal conductivity but they can have deleterious effects on physical properties or cause increased electrical conductivity which may not be desired. New grades of hexagonal boron nitride are introduced that can provide increased thermal conductivity with improved physical properties. Thermal conductivity is improved without significantly changing the electrical conductivity.

Cemented Tungsten Carbide: An Innovative Material for Custom Core Pins in the Plastic Injection Molding Industry

Frank Rymas, May 2014

Cemented tungsten carbide has revolutionized productivity in many applications throughout many industries and when used as a material for core pins has proven to reduce cycle time, increase core pin rigidity and extend core pin life in the plastic injection molding industry resulting in significant cost savings. To achieve profitability in the increasingly competitive global marketplace plastic injection molding companies must operate with maximum efficiencies and minimal unplanned downtime.

From Single Batch Process Control to Multiple Batch Processes Control: A Review and a Perspective for Injection Molding

Furong Gao, Zhixing Cao, Jingyi Lu, Yi Yang, May 2014

This paper discusses control problem on batch processes, especially takes injection molding as an example. In the first part of the paper, the achievements about controlling single injection molding are reviewed. Motivations, advantages and challenges on controlling multiple batch processes together are addressed in the second part. Some detailed discussions from different perspectives of multiple batch processes control are illustrated as well to shed some light on future research.

Using Rheology to Understand Silcone Elastomers

Mary A. Krenceski, Huiping Zhang, May 2014

Silicone thermoset elastomers are increasingly being used in over-molding or co-molding applications with thermoplastic polymers. Understanding the fundamental properties of silicone formulation components and the material property changes that occur during crosslinking is essential to successful molding and use. Rheological and dynamic mechanical characterization are outstanding tools for building an understanding of silicone thermal and elastic properties, as well as the cure reaction chemistry that takes place during silicone molding processes.

Enabling Durable Polymer Sheet and Films for Building and Construction Applications

Stephen M. Andrews, Markus Grob, Wiebke Wunderlich, May 2014

This paper will review the development and attributes of next generation UV-light blocker technologies for engineering plastic glazing, sheet, and film used in the building & construction industry. Performance data in various polymer families will be reviewed to demonstrate the value of these products in enabling polymer materials to achieve the longevity required for durable weatherable applications.

Recycled Polymers in Injection Molded PP Ridge Vents

Sudhir B. Railkar, Walter Zarate, Peter Campbell, Charles Lake, Jeffrey Avitabile, Leslie Peels, May 2014

Injection molded accessory products are widely used in residential and commercial roofing systems. These products generally require complex polymeric formulations to meet roofing functionality. With the growth of polymeric accessory products, significant post-consumer recycled streams are available. The goal of this paper is to discuss performance of several post-consumer recycled PP streams in injection molded PP formulations while maintaining performance attributes.

Modified PEBA for Direct Adhesion to EFEP

Sabine Fleming, John Felton, May 2014

New modified (Polyether Block Amides) offer tubing manufacturers a means of producing multi-layer fluoropolymer catheters via a co-extrusion method instead of the traditional manner of hand building a catheter. The ability to manufacture catheters without the need of etching or an adhesive layer provides for ease in manufacturing, reduction in costs, and improved adhesion between the different layers. In providing a modified PEBA which adheres directly to EFEP increases the catheter manufacturers the opportunity to produce safe, durable products.

Resin Selection for the FRP Products

Valeriy Makarov, Rakhil Sinelnikova, May 2014

For scrubbers, ducts, pipes and other FRP (Fiberglas Reinforced Plastics) products the cost of resin accounts for over half of the manufacturing expense. The selection process of searching for the best available resin for FRP product is made more reliable and easier with the diagram: the optical density coefficient (the Hammett acidity function) in the acidity environments - the top allowable temperature of the resin.

Engineering Modeling of Laboratory Internal Mixer

Tatianny S. Alves, João E. Silva, Laura H. Carvalho, Eduardo L. Canedo, May 2014

An engineering model for processing of stable molten resins in a laboratory internal mixer (torque rheometer) was developed. The model allows the prediction and correlation of torque and temperature in the steady-state processing stage, based on mixing chamber geometry, material properties, and operating conditions. Transient behavior was also analyzed, in order to predict the time to reach the steady-state. Experimental data to validate the model and to estimate the polymer-side heat transfer coefficient are presented.