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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Celine Bellehumeur, Tracy Li, Mark Hoidas, Yves Lacombe, Henry Hay, May 2013
This paper presents new developments in the design of ethylene copolymers for rotational molding applications with higher stiffness and ESCR requirements. The performance of novel ethylene copolymers is discussed based on phenomena fundamental to the rotomolding process and on the relative impact of the choice of comonomer, manufacturing technologies and resin design strategy.
This paper reviews the relation between polymer viscoelastic properties and the plug-assist thermoforming process. One of the important attributes of polymers is their macromolecular interaction. Molecular interaction provides enhanced networks of molecules that contribute to minimizing polymer deformation at high temperatures. As a result, sheet sagging will be reduced during thermoforming. Additionally, molecular interaction could enhance the melt strength of the polymer by reducing its molecular mobility.
Several low-cost techniques are readily available to upgrade the capacity of an existing extrusion system. These techniques include upgrading a screw to restore the flight clearance due to wear, changes to the motor drive train system, and the use of high-performance screws. The technique used will depend on the rate limitation and the current process.
Mark A. Spalding, Eddy Garcia-Meitin, Stephen L. Kodjie, Gregory A. Campbell, May 2013
The term “gel” is commonly used to refer to any small defect that distorts a film product. Eliminating gel defects from extruded polyolefin film products can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive due to the complexity of the problem and the high levels of off specification product produced. This paper discusses the identification of gel types, the common root causes for gels, and the technical solutions for mitigating gels in film products produced using single-screw extruders.
This paper compares the effectiveness of talc and nanosilica as nucleating agents for generating polypropylene foams with high cell density and low expansion. Experiments were conducted in two stages: 1) In-situ foaming observation in a batch system; 2) Extrusion foaming. Nanosilica was more effective than talc in inducing cell nucleation under static conditions. However, in extrusion, their effectiveness in enhancing cell nucleation was similar due to the presence of extensional and shear stresses.
Camilo Perez, Steffen Roppers, Tim A. Osswald, Umesh Ghandi, Raghuram Mandapati, May 2013
Initial fiber orientation distribution (FOD) and fiber length distribution (FLD) of a fiber glass reinforced polypropylene charge for a D-LFT compression molded part were measured using image processing techniques. The FOD was measured from ?-CT scans using two different image processing approaches. These results are intended to be used in compression molding simulations.
With the increasing demands on masterbatches the DIN EN13900-5 standard has been used as a more stringent and objective indicator of dispersion quality in a polymer matrix. Introduced within the last 7 years this method is being widely adopted in the industry. This paper will examine the history and the key components needed to assess the dispersion of a colorant in a masterbatch as well as equipment considerations.
Determination of damping parameters from uniaxial extensional flow data per K-BKZ/PSM model are evaluated for high molecular weight HDPE resins. It was found that the damping properties depend on strain rate. The strain dependence, however, cannot be represented reproducibly as the relaxation mode-dependent ?k per Luo-Tanner from SER data. More efficient description of the strain dependency remains to be further explored.
Kai Holl, Thomas Seul, Udo Behn, Michael Gehde, May 2013
Laser transmission welding is a well established joining technique for molecular diagnostic devices such as lab on a chip. This paper provides an overview about the effects of the injection molding parameters and the joining process parameters on weld strength. Design of experiments was used to maximize the weld strength. Additional optical and microscopic tests are required to validate the process for medical devices.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Any article that is cited in another manuscript or other work is required to use the correct reference style. Below is an example of the reference style for SPE articles:
Brown, H. L. and Jones, D. H. 2016, May.
"Insert title of paper here in quotes,"
ANTEC 2016 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA May 23-25, 2016. [On-line].
Society of Plastics Engineers
Available: www.4spe.org.
Note: if there are more than three authors you may use the first author's name and et al. EG Brown, H. L. et al.