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

THE INFLUENCE OF TEST FREQUENCY AND ECCENTRIC CRACK GROWTH ON CYCLIC CRB TESTS

Andreas Frank, Redhead, Gerald Pinter, May 2012

The cyclic CRB test was standardized recently as an alternative method to characterize the SCG resistance of polyethylene pipe grades. Open questions like the influence of frequency or eccentric SCG are focused on. To study the impact of hysteretic heating, tests with thermal observation of the crack tip were conducted with different frequencies. Moreover, COD measurements were used to study the eccentricity of SCG. Both investigations confirm high reliability and reproducibility of cyclic CRB tests.

SWELLING OF PLA MELT DUE TO CO2 DISSOLUTION

Syed Mahmood, Chul Park, May 2012

The superior mechanical properties of microcellular foams such as, heat resistance, lightweight and high performance to weigh ratio, are important factors to be considered with respect to the automotive industry and foaming industries. Therefore, an understanding of the thermophysical and rheological properties of polymer/gas mixtures is critically important. This paper focuses on the pure PLA 3001D volume swelling measurement and its comparison with varying talc content. Effect of D content on swelling ratio is also discussed.

INVESTIGATION OF AIR FILTRATION EFFICIENCY FOR NANOFIBER BASED FILTERS IN ULTRAFINE PARTICLE SIZE RANGE

Martin Zatloukal, Wannes Sambaer, Dusan Kimmer, May 2012

In this work, 3D filtration modeling utilizing realistic SEM image based 3D structure model has been proposed and used for different polyurethane nanofiber based filters. For the model validation purposes, two polyurethane nanofiber layers prepared by the electrospinning process were combined to form 2 pairs of nanofiber based filters and their filtration efficiency characteristics were determined experimentally in the ultrafine particle size range (20-400 nm).

PREPARATION AND PROPERTY STUDY OF TOUGHENED AND REINFORCED NYLON WITH NON-HALOGEN FLAME-RETARDANTS

Xin Jang, Bin-yi Chen, Hao-yang Mi, Qiang Fu, Xiang-fang Peng, May 2012

The best basic composition of PA66 composites with better flame retardant properties and mechanical properties was determined by orthogonal test. POE-g-MAH was added to enhance impact strength and silane coupling agent KH-550 as surface modifier of Mg(OH)2 (MH) to modify the flame resistance of the basic composites. TGA, DSC, SEM and mechanical property testing equipments were employed to study the properties of PA66 composites. A best formula of PA66 composites was obtained.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ABS/SPARKLE ALUMINUM COMPOSITES

Jingjing Zhang, Xiaoting Xiao, Haiyan Zhu, May 2012

The Taguchi method was used to study the effect of aluminum content, coupling agent content, screw speed and barrel temperature on the mechanical properties of ABS/sparkle Al composites. Signal to noise ratios for mechanical properties were calculated to obtain the optimum set of processing parameters. It was observed that a lower sparkle Al content, higher coupling agent content, medium screw speed, and medium barrel temperature were desirable for better mechanical properties of ABS/sparkle Al composites.

AN EASY APPROACH OF MEASURING THE RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION WITH THE USE OF NIR-SPECTROSCOPY

Andreas Witschnigg, Ramesh Kumar Selvasankar, Stephan Laske, Clemens Holzer an Laske,, May 2012

The residence time distribution of polypropylene was determined directly in-line with the help of near infrared spectroscopy and with the use of an UV-absorber as tracer. Different experiment alignments such as screw speed and mass throughput and their influence on mean residence time and especially residence time distribution have been investigated.

JOURNAL OF PLASTIC FILM AND SHEETING - HOW IT CAME TO BE AND TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

John R. Wagner, Jr, May 2012

The history and growth of the Journal of Plastic Film and Sheeting which was founded by James P. Harrington in 1984 will be reviewed along with a film technology overview.

DIFFUSION PROPERTIES IN POLYMER MEMBRANES BY FT-IR-ATR

James M. Sloan, May 2012

In order to understand membrane transport and thereby develop suitable membranes for protection and separation, there are a few characteristics of the membrane and the diffusing constituents that must be known. These include the molecular states of the diffusing components, their diffusion coefficients, permeabilities and the membrane selectivity. In general, the fundamental physical property required to design and optimize polymers used as barrier and membranes is the mutual diffusion coefficient.

DEVELOPMENT OF A RING TENSILE TEST FOR EVALUATING THE CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY OF PLASTIC PIPES

Michael D. Hayes, May 2012

A test method for evaluating the chemical compatibility of plastic pipe has been developed. It is a simple extension of the tensile creep rupture method to ring samples excised from pipes. Simple mechanics equations are used to determine the load required to match the stress to that of a pressurized pipe. Analysis and results of demonstration experiments are provided. This method has the advantage of simulating the real application more realistically than a displacement-controlled test.

ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT OF FILLER CONCENTRATION

Charles Fry, Zhigang Sun, May 2012

TE Connectivity conducted a joint effort with the Nation Research Council of Canada to investigate using ultrasonic measurement techniques to determine filler concentrations during the extrusion process. The results of that project are presented here. Ultrasonic attenuation and velocity are sensitive to several extrusion factors such as pressure, extrusion rate, carrier material, and filler concentration. We have demonstrated the ability to detect relative changes from a process baseline. The technique shows promise for more improvements.

COMPARISON OF WHEAT STRAW AND TALC ON POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

Arathi Mohan Sharma, Leonardo C. Simon, May 2012

The study includes two fillers (wheat straw and talc; from 20 to 40wt %) and two polypropylenes (homopolymer and impact copolymer). The combined effect of the fillers at 30wt % was also evaluated. Mechanical properties and density were measured. The flexural modulus increased with filler level. In case of polypropylene copolymer, increasing the percentage of filler/fiber decreased the impact strength of the composite. Each filler had a different contribution to the specific flexural modulus.

THE EFFECT OF HOST POLYOLEFIN PROPERTIES AND PROCESSING CONDITIONS ON THE ANTISTATIC PERFORMANCE OF K-IONOMER BLENDS

Xiyun S. Fan, May 2012

K-ionomer antistatic agent is highly effective in polyolefin host resins. In addition to the many unique features it imparts to the end-uses, the K-ionomer shows good compatibility with polyolefins and is easy to process. This paper presents an in-depth discussion on several material and processing factors that need to be properly controlled in order to achieve a favorable blend morphology and further improve the antistat performance.

DROP OF PRESSURE OF POLYMER MELTS IN MICROSCOPIC CHANNELS

Thomas Ottnad, Franz Irlinger, Tim Lüth, May 2012

In plastics processing industry does exist the trend of miniaturization. Control of all production parameters, especially control of pressure, plays a decisive role influencing the quality of products produced with injection molding and extrusion. When downscaling the size of products to microproducts control of pressure gets more important and difficult. This work investigates the possibility to apply the Bagley correction in microchannels to determine the drop of pressure in cross-section reductions without using pressure sensors.

THE FIVE FACTORS THAT CONTROL TOOL ROOM PERFORMANCE

Steven Johnson, May 2012

Molding shops and mold builders realize more and more that the continued practice of a re- active “fixes it when it breaks” maintenance strategy is an exercise in futility. Excessive tooling and labor costs, missed production shipments and repeating part quality issues caused by knee jerk solutions and quick, cheap repairs stifle company growth. Changing a long standing re-active maintenance culture involves understanding the “5 factors of focus” that control tool room performance.

THERMOFORMABLE LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER (LCP)

Bing Lu, Achim Hofmann, Paul Yung, May 2012

Thermoforming is an economical process for forming large shape products. High performance liquid crystal polymer (LCP) has high thermal stability, excellent dimensional stability and high chemical resistance, which offers new application opportunities in demanding applications. In this paper, a new thermoformable LCP resin is compared with injection molding LCP on mechanical, thermal and rheological properties. Sheet extrusion and thermoforming process conditions are discussed.

EVALUATION OF LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE OF GFRP FOR HOT WATER APPLICATION BY INJECTION MOLDING

Masahiro Muto, Kazushi Yamada, Hiroyuki Nishimura, May 2012

In this study, the long GFR-PPS and short and long GFR-SPS were tested to evaluate the long-term performance at the elevated temperature in water and in air. As a result, tensile strength of there after 10000 hours at 150°C in hot water decreased to 60% or less due to degradation at the interface between matrix resin and GF.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WOOD-PLASTIC COMPOSITES BASED ON BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

Nattakarn Hongsriphan, May 2012

This research was performed to compare mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites based on PLA and PLA/PBS blend. Wood-plastic composites were prepared by melt compounding 70 wt% plastics; PLA, PLA/PBS 70:30 wt% blend, or PP; and 30 wt% pine wood fibers. A suitable coupling agent was used to improve compatibility between polymer matrix and wood fibers. Tensile, flexural, impact and fracture toughness were evaluated and compared. Phase dispersion and interfacial adhesion was studied by SEM.

PORCERAX II, 101 HOW TO PROPERLY MANUFACTURE, USE AND MAINTAIN YOUR PORCERAX INSERTS.

Russ Bowen, May 2012

Properly used and maintained Porcerax II, the self venting mold steel, will allow molders to reduce cycle times, injection pressure and scrap due to short shots, sink, and material burning. Design considerations should include: 1. Resins used 2. Surface finish of plastic part required 3. Size of problem area 4. Proper thickness of insert 5. Proper venting on cavity and backside of insert for optimal venting. 6. Molding vertical walls with Porcerax II 7. Ability to remove the insert for periodic cleaning

ADSORPTION AND BARRIER PROPERTIES OF PET/PP BLEND IN INJECTION MOLDING

Tadshi Otsuka, Ayako Kurosawa, Kazushi Yamada, Hiroyuki Hamada, May 2012

This research was evaluated the adsorption and barrier properties of PET, PP. The results showed that MVTR of the blend samples decreased with increasing PP contents while the residual rate of L-menthol decreased when increasing PP contents in blend. Therefore, the adsorption amount of a model compound, L-menthol tended to increase with increasing PP contents in the blends. However, the barrier effectiveness of the blends has been improved by the contribution of the PP.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF POLYCARBONATES EXPOSED TO SUNSCREEN AND HAND LOTION

Brian E. Ralston, Suresh Donthu, Paul Ledwith, Adam Kramschuster, Jason McNulty, May 2012

Three general purpose polycarbonate (PC) resins and one PC-siloxane copolymer were injection molded, then exposed to isopropyl alcohol (IPA), hand lotion, and SPF 30 sunscreen while under strain. The hand lotion exhibited the most aggressive environmental stress cracking (ESC) behavior. Effects of molecular weight, polymer composition and annealing are addressed. Scanning electron microscopy of an ESC fracture surface is also presented.