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
Die Design Effect on Internal Die Drool Phenomenon
Martin Zatloukal, Jan Musil, May 2013
n this work, the effect of die exit design on the internal die drool phenomenon occuring during extrusion of HDPE has been experimentaly investigated. It has been revealed, that firstly, the effect of flared length and die exit angle on the internal die drool intensity during extrusion of HDPE has non- monotonic character and secondly, flared dies are more stabilizing in comparison with chamfered dies.
Influence of the Endgroup Nature on the Rheological Behavior of Branched Polycarbonate Resins
Jean-Francois Morizur, May 2013
Branched polymer rheology represents a very active field of research with important challenges, both from the scientific and technological point of view. A study of the rheological properties of branched polycarbonate resins is presented. The effect of the endgroup nature on the polymer melt viscosity was investigated.
A New Rheometer Concept Extending the Capabilities of Rotational Rheometer
Jörg Läuger, May 2013
A new rheometer concept based on two air bearing supported motors is introduced. The combination of two motors into one rheometer system offers increased sensitivity and new testing capabilities not possible before. Three completely different testing modes such as combined motor transducer, separate motor transducer and counter rotation are available in one single rheometer system. The aim of the paper is to describe the new technologies involved and to outline applications.
Cavity-Integrated Injection Molded Accoustic Foams
Davoud Jahani, Peter U. Jung, Amir Ameli, Amir Ameli, Chul B. Park, Hani Naguib, May 2013
An injection molding machine enhanced with gas counter-pressure was used to produce cavity integrated acoustic foams using mold opening technique. The cell morphology of the produced foams in different mold opening lengths was studied. An automated perforating system was developed to perforate acoustic foams. Acoustic behavior of the produced foams with and without perforation was studied.
Reliability of Weld Join Under Fatigue Conditions
Haiying Zhang, Zhenwen Zhou, May 2013
This paper focuses on reliability of glass-reinforced polyamide (PA) vibration welded joints with respect to fatigue. It presents a statistical extension of the thermodynamic model of lifetime under creep into reliability model under creep and fatigue. The paper also presents in detail a method of obtaining Weibull distribution parameters employed in the model. The proposed reliability analysis can be easily implemented for weld joint design.
Processing and Characterization of High Speed Extruder for Nanocomposite Formulations
Jacob J. Boone, Gregory Pigeon, Christopher Thellen, Jo Ann Ratto, Robert Whitehouse, May 2013
Ethylene Co-Vinyl-Alcohol (EVOH) blends were compounded on a high speed extruder, with kaolinite loading levels at 0, 3.0, and 7.5%. Extruded samples were processed with varying screw speeds (0 to 3000rpm) and feeder rates, and then characterized for dispersion, thermal, and mechanical properties.
Modeling polyurethane foam flow in a mold with constricted vents
Krishnamurthy Jayaraman, Christopher J. Hershey, James T. McEvoy, May 2013
A computational flow model has been developed that accounts for the volume expansion and viscosity behavior of thermosetting polyurethane foam with water as the blowing agent in pour molding of polyurethane foam. This model was then used to investigate the effects of (a) varying pour distribution and (b) restricted air flow through vents on the merging of expanding flow fronts and air pocket formation in a vented rectangular mold cavity with a rigid rectangular insert.
Basic Day-Night Laser Ablation
Jacob Wieloch, May 2013
Lasers have been used for over 10 years to ablate paint layers in day-night applications. Over this time, there has been a lot of confusion over how laser systems are set up to perform this application. This paper will address different variables that effect how lasers interact with paint and why each variable is important to the process.
Lead-Free, Low Smoke Zero Halogen LV Power Cable Jacket
Jason Zhang, May 2013
A new lead-free, low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) low voltage power cable jacket compound was developed based on customer requirements. This jacket was formulated based mainly on an ethylene co-polymer matrix with magnesium hydroxide and other inert inorganic fillers to improve and optimize overall performance. The new jacket shows enhanced dielectric and flame retardant performance with much lower smoke release while maintaining comparable mechanical properties to previous (lead-containing) formulations.
Characterization of CNT Orientation and Diameter Distribution in CNT/Polymer Composites by Image Analysis
Md A. Bhuiyan, Raghuram V. Pucha, Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, May 2013
The focus of this research is to determine the distribution function of CNT characteristics such as orientation and diameter of CNT within the polymer matrix and investigate how these characteristics affect the tensile modulus of the CNT/ polypropylene (PP) composites. An image analysis approach combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a selective etching technique allows for extraction of 3D information that is used as input in a finite element model.
Morphological Characterization of Poly(Ether Ether Ketone)
Lin Jin, Jerry Ball, Tim Bremner, Sue Hung-Jue, May 2013
The crystal structure of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) has been investigated by thermal and morphological characterizations. Spherulites and lamellar structures are revealed by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. A refined crystalline model is proposed to describe lamellae formation in PEEK.
Oxidation Resistance of Polypropylene Random Copolymer Pipe to Chlorinated Water
Donald Duvall, May 2013
Polyolefin pipe is known to be susceptible to oxidative degradation when used in potable water applications. Antioxidants in the polymer are washed away and/or consumed during use, leaving the pipe material susceptible to oxidative degradation. This study presents the results of testing of the resistance of random copolymer polypropylene pipe to chlorinated water and the failure mechanisms observed in the tests.
New High Flow Impact Resistant White & Jet-Black Colorable Polyetherimide-Polycarbonate Blends
Aditya Narayanan, Feng Cao, May 2013
A new class of polyetherimide (PEI) and polycarbonate (PC) blends has been developed. The approach was to create immiscible PEI-PC blends that were designed to have good compatibility thus providing high flow, enhanced impact strength and good weathering performance. Further, owing to the unique immiscible yet compatible blend technology, we present new PEI-PC blends that can be colored to bright white colors.
A Multi-Scale Study Evaluating the Properties of Carbon Micro and Nano Fillers
Anne Lederer, Graeme Fukuda, Bunty Bhatia, Harry Brown, David I. Bigio, May 2013
Microscale and nanoscale fillers are used to create multi-scale polymer composites with enhanced physical properties. An investigation of processing effects on microstructural evolution of the extruded composites, and the associated thermal and mechanical properties as performed. This data can then be used to develop fundamental processing-structure-property models of these multi-scale composites across different concentrations of microscale and nanoscale ingredients.
Liquid Crystal Polymer Films for Use in Food Packaging Applications
Gregory Pigeon, Jo Ann Ratto, May 2013
Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs) melt processing remains a challenge. Blown and cast films were processed byextrusion with a counter rotating mandrel die. The die rotation varied from 0 to 30 rpm with the oxygen and water barrier properties being influenced by rotation. Oxygen barrier values as low as 0.057 cc/m2- day was obtained and meets the military specification for oxygen barrier. Thermal, rheological, and mechanical testing were also performed to fully characterize the films.
In-Situ Polymerization of Graphene-Isotactic Polypropylene Nanocomposites
Brian Cromer, Edward B. Coughlin, Alan J. Lesser, May 2013
Isotactic Polyproyplene-Exfoliated Graphene Nanoplatelet (iPP-xGnP?) nanocomposites were prepared through an in-situ polymerization technique. Single site metallocene catalysts polymerized propylene within a dispersion of xGnP nanoparticles. The nanocomposites showed increased crystallization and melting temperatures, along with increased elastic moduli. The 1.3 wt% composite showed an increase in ductility over the neat polymer.
A Mechanism for Solid Bed Breakup in Single-Screw Extruders
Gregory Campbell, Mark Spalding, May 2013
Solid bed breakup in plasticating single-screw extruders can lead to defects in the downstream product, reduced rates, and process instabilities. The literature generally attributes this breakup to pressure gradients emanating from the beginning of the metering section of the screw although little evidence is available. In this paper a new mechanism is proposed that was developed as a result of the physics of the melting mechanism and fluid flows associated with screw rotation physics.
Evaluation of Planar and Uniaxial Extensional Viscosities for Linear and Branched Polyolefins
Martin Zatloukal, May 2013
In this work, planar and uniaxial extensional viscosities for linear and branched polyolefins has been determined through entrance pressure drop technique on conventional twin bore capillary rheometr by using novel circular and rectangle orifice dies and the capability of two different constitutive equations to describe the measured experimental data has been tested.
Simulation of Distributive Mixing in a ZSK-90 Co-Rotating Twin-Screw Extruder
Mahesh Gupta, Ye Yi, Ralf Kuehn, May 2013
Mesh partitioning technique is used for three-dimensional simulation of the flow for 36 different screw orientations in a ZSK 90 co-rotating twin-screw extruder from Coperion. The predicted velocity distribution is used to trace the pathlines for 2034 particles flowing through the extruder. The pathlines are used to determine the spatial distribution of initially segregated particles, which is then used to estimate the Shanon entropy as a measure of the quality of mixing in the extruder.
Sustainability and Plastic Technology
Maggie Baumann, Bonnie Bachman, Shristy Bashyal, May 2013
Sustainability principles are becoming associated with best practices. This paper will cover results of a 2011 survey and implications for Sustainability in the plastics industry. We will also present a few examples from the Plastics Industry that illustrate the principles of sustainability in practice.
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