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

EFFECT OF MATERIAL VISCOSITIES ON PURGING IN EXTRUSION PROCESSES

Christian Hopmann, Walter Michaeli, Janina Overbeck, May 2012

Material changeovers steadily grow in importance in the context of the sinking batch sizes in extrusion plants. For understanding the influences on material changeovers, the changeover performance of polyolefins in a simple round strand die has been examined. In this regard the viscosity of the material turned out to be the key factor.

APPLICATION OF MODELING TO SPEED FLEXIBLE PACKAGE DEVELOPMENT

Barry A. Morris, May 2012

Models developed by DuPont or found in the literature are described that help the package engineer design new package structures by optimizing package performance, minimizing cost and ensuring the film or laminate can be fabricated on converting equipment. A case study is presented to illustrate how the use of these tools can speed up new package development.

USE OF X-RAY TOMOGRAPHY FOR EFFICIENT PACKAGE DESIGN

Sudheer Bandla, Jay C. Hanan, May 2012

With the current trend for lightweighting, accurately modeling the complex interactions between the closure and bottle is critical for a package design. X-ray Microtomography, a non-destructive technique is shown as a tool for studying design and geometrical features of beverage packaging. It allows seeing through the assembly, to determine actual dimensions to a micron resolution and reconstruct a real 3D geometry for FE analysis. This technique also helps identify critical locations for better material distribution.

CRYSTALLIZATION OF ACETAMINOPHEN/POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) MIXTURES

Min Yang, Costas G. Gogos, Peng Wang, May 2012

A model drug acetaminophen was mixed with PEO, and the morphology, nucleation numbers, and crystallization kinetics of PEO were altered accordingly. The spherulitic growth rate and isothermal DSC endotherm were analyzed by Hoffman-Lauritzen theory and Avrami theory, respectively. It was found that the fold surface free energy increased significantly with increasing drug content, indicating the chain folding of PEO became much more difficult in the presence of the small molecule drug.

THEMOPLASTIC STARCH AND POLYETHYLENE BLEND FOR BLOW MOLDED BOTTLE

Gregory J. Anderson, May 2012

HDPE was blended with TPS and blow molded into bottles. The packaging related GHG emissions were reduced 80 percent. The method involved two extruders. The first converted the starch into TPS, while the second mixed the HDPE and TPS for a co-continuous morphology. Further dilution during the melt forming stage resulted in fine droplets of TPS dispersed throughout. The TPS was used in various layer combinations without sacrificing the appearance or performance of the bottles.

EXPLOITING CHAOS: SHOULD POLYMERIZATION REACTORS BE CHAOTIC?

Sadhan C. Jana, Chang Do Jung, May 2012

This study established the benefits of chaotic mixing in polymerization of two immiscible components by considering one-step synthesis of thermoplastic polyurethanes from aliphatic diisocyanate, chain extender, and a soft segment diol. The efficient mixing in chaotic flow reduced the time scale of mixing and led to faster polymerization.

MAXIMIZING TALC BENEFITS IN DURABLE PLA APPLICATIONS WITH LUZENAC HAR®

Saied H. Kochesfahani, Caroline Abler, Jerome Crepin-Leblond, Frederic Jouffret, May 2012

The use of talc in PLA compounds for durable applications has been studied, and it is shown that talc could significantly increase stiffness, reduce thermal expansion (CLTE), and enhance thermal stability and HDT of crystallized PLA compounds. The high aspect ratio Luzenac HAR talc could be used to maximize these functions or to achieve desired mechanical properties at lower talc loadings, which may be desirable for compostability or other requirements.

LASER DIRECT STRUCTURING OF THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS: AN INNOVATIVE THERMAL MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Scott R. Sabreen, May 2012

Thermally conductive polymers open up a vast range of design concepts for the thermal management of optoelectronic systems based on high-brightness light emitting diodes. This paper presents an innovative material approach for manufacturing three-dimensional thermoplastic circuit carriers, combining a selective, laser-assisted metallization technology and highly filled polymers with thermal conductivities up to 8 Wm-1K-1.

DIGITAL PRINTING OF PLASTICS A NEW FRONTIER FOR INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT DECORATION

Kasper Nossen, May 2012

Piezo inkjet technology offers microprinting and macroprinting processes new and exciting product applications. This technology offers opportunities unparalleled in markets for entrepreneurial manufacturers and specialty printers.

TRANSFER EFFICIENCY VERSUS COATING WASTE REDUCTION

Ken Eyestone, May 2012

This paper will discuss published transfer efficiency of a spray applicator versus the real transfer efficiency of the spray applicator. The testing protocols used to determine the published transfer efficiency of a spray applicator will be discussed in relation to actual use of the spray applicator in a manufacturing coating process. The most common sources of material waste and the methods to reduce them to acceptable levels will be used to guide the reader to maximize the real transfer efficiency of their spray application system.

CALCIUM SULFATE WHISKERS(CSW)REINFORCEMENT OF POLYMERS - A REVIEW

George C. Hawley, Lisette Akor, May 2012

Calcium sulfate whiskers (CSW) were patented in 1974. But then the price was too high. In the last 5 years, interest in CSW as reinforcement has grown due to availability and low cost relative to polymers. Surface treated CSW have been found to increase notched Izod impact properties of polypropylene by 60%. CSW increase strength, stiffness and HDT in PA6, PA66 and PBT. CSW improves friction materials based on phenolics, PA66/PVDF blends, and PTFE.

LATERAL STRESS AND DENSITY MEASUREMENTS FOR PC, ABS, HIPS, AND PP BULK RESIN FEED STOCK

Stephen J. Derezinsk, May 2012

A special test device was used to make laboratory measurements of the lateral stress and bulk density of four resin feed polymers: polycarbonate (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), and polypropylene (PP). Data for lateral stress, lateral stress ratio, and density as a function of primary compressive stress are given, and regression functions are provided. Data for the bulk temperature rise during compression are also provided.

RHEOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMER BLENDS, RADIOPAQUE FILLERS AND COUPLING AGENT

Breanna G. Boyden, Brian C. LaBrec, Vijay Wani, May 2012

This work studied the effect of blending two different grades of thermoplastic polyurethanes with a constant percentage of radiopaque filler (bismuth subcarbonate) and varying percentages of filler. A titanate binding agent was added to the blend to investigate the impact of improved polymer/filler adhesion. The results showed that varying grades of thermoplastic polyurethane in conjunction with different filler loadings can modulate the physical properties of the compound.

SELF-REINFORCEMENT OF UNIAXIALLY STRETCHED POLYCARBONATE FILM

Andrea Wibbeke, Volker Schöppner, Miriam Sasse, May 2012

On manufacturing uniaxially stretched film made of polycarbonate, elevated strengths are obtained. In doing this, the molecular chains are aligned parallel to the stretching direction and thereby elevate the strength. The properties of thermoplastics depend on various process parameters. Orientating the molecules causes the molecular chains to lie close together and the stabilising bonds become active. This change can be detected by using x-ray diffractometer investigations as well as photography.

FOLLOWING CHEMICAL REACTIONS WITH RHEOMETRY AND SIMULTANEOUS FTIR-SPECTROSCOPY

Fabian Meyer, Jan Philip Plog, Manfred Feustel, May 2012

A new combination of a rheometer and a FTIR-spectrometer will be presented. The Rheonaut module allows the coupling of the Thermo Scientific HAAKE MARS rheometer with an FTIR-spectrometer. With this set-up, samples can be characterized rheologically while IR-spectra are being recorded simultaneously. To test this concept, polymerization reactions have been followed with the combination of the HAAKE MARS and the Rheonaut module. Details of the instrument set-up as well as selected results will be presented.

LATEST UV COATING TRENDS

Abdullah Ekin, May 2012

The UV-cure segment’s growth can be attributed to the coatings’ many competitive advantages, including low energy costs, no pot life issues, reduced environmental impact and a fast cure speed. In fact, one-component (1K) UV-cure coating technology is one of the fastest chemistries currently available. This paper will discuss trends within the two main UV coating platforms – 100 percent solids UV formulation and waterborne UV systems. Both are sustainable chemistries, having ultra-low-volatile organic compound (VOC) levels.

MELT EXTRUSION AND FILM PROPERTIES OF SOY FLOUR/POLYETHYLENE BLENDS FOR PACKAGING APPLICATIONS

Christopher Thellen, Jo Ann Ratto, May 2012

Blends of soy flour and linear low density polyethylene were melt-compounded at soy loading levels of 0-40% with and without a compatibilizer. Films were formed from the blends through compression molding and were characterized for thermal, mechanical and barrier properties. Measured shifts in the glass transition temperature of the soy component with and without compatibilizer are reported. Oxygen and water vapor permeation rates of the films are also presented and compared to the neat polyethylene film.

PHA BIODEGRABLE BLOW-MODLED BOTTLES: COMPOUNDING AND PERFORMANCE

Joseph Greene, May 2012

PHA biodegradable plastics can be made into biodegradable bottles with reasonable impact and tensile strength. PHBV and P(3HB-4HB) grades of PHA were compounded with processing additives and blow molded into bottles with an extrusion blow molding process. Mirel based P(3HB-4HB) had superior processing properties and demonstrated a wide processing window to two other PHA materials. Mirel based P(3HB-4HB) had superior tensile and impact properties and superior permeation resistance than two other PHA materials from China.

PRACTICAL USE OF CREEP TEST TO OBTAIN THE RHEOLOGICAL DATA AT LOW FREQUENCY RANGE FOR POLYETHYLENE

Yongwoo Inn, David C. Rohlfing, May 2012

The creep test was applied to obtain rheological information in low-frequency range that is not reachable by use of the frequency sweep test for polyethylene industrial research and development. The test time scale and the applying stress were considered to make the measurement on a large group of samples. By testing several high molecular weight resins having broad molecular weight distribution or long chain branching, we demonstrated utility of this methodology.

PRACTICAL HEAT TRANSFER IMPLICATIONS OF SLIP BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

Estanislao Ortiz-Rodriguez, Herman Zuwardie, Linjie Zhu, Costas Gogos, May 2012

The non-Newtonian non-isothermal flow in a capillary die is simulated by means of a 2D axis symmetric model. For the momentum equation, slip as well as no slip conditions are implemented at the wall of the flow geometry, whereas for the energy equation constant wall temperature and constant convective heat flux are specified. The results are analyzed in terms of the resulting temperature profiles arising from the different sets of implemented boundary conditions.