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.

The SPE Library is just one of the great benefits of being an SPE member! Are you taking advantage of all of your SPE Benefits?

Not an SPE member? Join today!

Use % to separate multiple keywords.

Search SPE Library

Conference Proceedings

THE DESIGN OF A PROTOTYPE VACUUM THERMOFORMING MACHINE

Stefan A. Wilson, Soren E. Maloney, Nigel L. Williams, May 2012

A prototype of a vacuum thermoforming machine was designed and built at the Metal Industries Company Limited and was commissioned in December 2009. The need for the capability of plastics thermoforming at the Metal Industries Company Limited is described together with the basis for the thermoforming machine design.

2 UM FIBER LASERS FOR WELDING OF OPTICALLY CLEAR POLYMERS

Tony Hoult, May 2012

ANTEC 2012 Technical Paper - The applications of lasers for welding polymers in industry are slowly increasing but the main problem to date is that joints may only be welded by the transmission welding technique and this significantly reduces design flexibility.

IMPROVING QUALITY AND REDUCING COSTS BY STATE-OF-THE-ART COLOR AND APPEARANCE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Walter Franz, Scott Brewer, May 2012

As consumers in mature and growing geographical markets become more sophisticated and discriminating, the color and appearance of products such as home appliances, consumer electronics, or vehicle interiors has become a dominant criterion in consumers’ buying decisions. This fundamental trend requires that not only functional design, but that color, appearance, and finish differentiate successful products’ brand identities and quality from their competitors.

HYDROCARBON FUEL OBTAIN FROM MUNICIPAL WASTE PLASTICS USING STAINLESS STEEL REACTOR

Moinuddin Sarker, Mohammad Mamunor Rashid, Sadikur Rahman, May 2012

Waste plastics usages are increasing all over the world every day. People are consuming plastics in their daily life for all necessary purposes. After they are used all plastic become garbage and its goes to land fill or incineration facilities. It’s creating environmental problem. Waste plastic can be transform into alternate or renewable energy for electricity or feedstock refinery. The thermal degradation process applied with mixture waste plastics of high density polyethylene (HDPE-2), low density polyethylene (LDPE-4), Polypropylene (PP-5) and Polystyrene (PS-6) using stainless steel reactor has been successful in converting into liquid fuel. The polymer has been selected for the experiment 100% HDPE, LDPE, PP and PS by weight. The temperature used for degradation ranges from 150-400 °C and the experiment takes about was 5 -6 hours. The obtain products are liquid fuel, light gas and black carbon residue. Various techniques such as, (Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometer, FT-IR and DSC) are used for obtain the analysis of the fuel purposed. GC/MS result indicates hydrocarbon compound in the produced fuel ranges from C3-C28 and also present C1-C4 light gases. Also further fractional distillation process was used to obtain different 5 (Gasoline, Naphtha, Aviation, Diesel and Fuel Oil) category liquid fuel by using different temperature profiles. All of the fraction fuels have different carbon range and contain long chain hydrocarbon like alkane and alkene and some aromatic compound.

THE EFFECT OF POLYBUTYLENE ON SEAL STRENGTH OF EVA/POLYBUTYLENE SEAL BLENDS IN MEDICAL DEVICE PACKAGING

Melissa Diskin, Theresa Hermel-Davidock, May 2012

Packaging seals must be both easily opened and strong enough to maintain integrity. To tailor the strength of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) seal layers, Polybutylene (PB-1) is often added. This study examines the effects of seal layer composition, gauge, and sealing temperature on seal strength. A composition and structure/property map for EVA/PB-1 sealant layers was developed. This work helps provide an understanding of material origins of seal strength, so that strength may be easily tailored.

SIMULTANEOUS MILLING, COATING AND COAT-CURING OF PARTICULATES IN A FLUID ENERGY MILL VIA PHOTO-POLYMERIZATION

Huiji Liu, Chunmeng Lu, SubHASH h. Patel, Linjie Zhu, Ming-Wan Young, Costas G. Gogos, Peter C. Bonnett, May 2012

In conjunction with UV technology, a fluid energy mill (FEM) was demonstrated to simultaneously and in-situ achieve several functions, namely: size reduction of pre-coated coarse micron-sized particles with UV-curable chemicals into smaller (ca. 1~10?m) particles, coating of UV chemicals onto the milled particles, and curing of the UV chemicals. IR analysis showed that the double bond conversion was up to 71% and 93% using air and nitrogen as motive gas, respectively.

STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE/MICRONIZED RUBBER POWDER COMPOSITES

Ravi Ayyer, Tom Rosenmayer, William Schreiber, Jonathan Colton, May 2012

This investigation focuses on understanding the effects of particle size and surface area of cryogenically- ground micronized rubber powders (MRP) on the properties of MRP/polypropylene (PP) composites. Comparisons are made with ambient-ground rubber powders and its PP composites. The morphology of the fracture surfaces of the composites is studied in relation to the effects of particle size on mechanical properties. In addition, this paper discusses utilizing a compatibilizer with MRP in improving the mechanical performance of the PP composites for its use in various market segments, such as automotive, consumer and, construction.

PROCESSING-STRUCTURE-PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS IN SOLID-STATE SHEAR PULVERIZATION: PARAMETRIC STUDY WITH NEAT POLYPROPYLENE

Katsuyuki Wakabayashi, Joshua T. Clark, Philip J. Brunner , John M. Torkelson, May 2012

Solid-state shear pulverization is a unique, emerging processing technique for mechanochemical modification of polymers, compatibilization of polymer blends, and exfoliation and dispersion of fillers in polymer composites. The instrumentation is a modified twin-screw extruder, where the barrels are continuously cooled below the transition temperatures of polymers. Using a model system of neat polypropylene, the effects of various processing parameters, such as barrel dimensions and temperature, screw design, and material feed rate, are correlated to output morphology, structure and properties.

GENERATION OF AN EMPIRICAL MODEL TO DESCRIBE THE EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION OF DRAG RATIO FOR A TWO PHASE HORIZONTAL PIPE FLOW OF NON-NEWTONIAN LIQUID (CARBOPOL)/AIR MIXTURE

Febin Cyriac, , J.M.Franco, M. Carmen Sánchez, May 2012

The prediction of the pressure drop gradient and the evaluation of the drag reduction phenomenon observed during the piping multiphase flow of a Carbopol/Air mixture have been investigated. Viscous flow tests in rotational rheometers and pressure drop measurements in pipe lines have been carried out with both smooth and rough surfaces. The Power law model is used to predict the pressure drop gradient. The pressure drop gradient in the intermittent multiphase flow regimes can be predicted by modifying the classical approach of Lockhart and Martinelli with an empirical correction factor. An Empirical model with quadratic equation has been proposed to describe the experimental evolution of drag ratio as a function of Re'L / Re'TP.

CHARACTERIZATION OF MICRONIZED RUBBER POWDERS WITH COST EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE BENEFITS IN RUBBER COMPOUNDS

Ravi Ayyer, Tom Rosenmayer, Frank Papp, May 2012

Micronized Rubber Powder (MRP) is classified as dry, powdered elastomer in which a significant proportion of particles are less than 100 microns. It is used as a compound extender to offset the spiraling prices of natural and synthetic virgin rubber materials. MRP is typically made from cured elastomer feedstock via a cryogenic process at a temperature below the Tg of the polymer. A better understanding of MRP surface properties is needed to facilitate efforts to utilize the material as a high value, sustainable material for use in various industrial and consumer rubber products. An update on MRP characterization is presented, including surface morphology by SEM, surface chemistry by XPS, surface area by Kr BET, and particle size distribution by laser diffraction. An example is given that demonstrates how the surface chemistry can be used to explain the effect of MRP on cure and physical properties in rubber compounds.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPOUNDS USING CARBON NANOSTRUCTURE ENHANCED GLASS REINFORCEMENTS IN ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY APPLICATIONS

Desmond J. VanHouten, Will iam E. Smith, Stephanie A. Rinne, David R. Hartman, May 2012

A new class of thermoplastic reinforcements was recently developed using technology whereby carbon nanostructures (CNS) are grown on the surface of glass fibers. This hybrid reinforcement results in specialized, multifunctional thermoplastic compounds that exhibit 60 dB of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. This paper will discuss the recent research that has been conducted in incorporating the carbon nanostructure/glass fiber hybrid into polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) and polyamide-6,6 (PA-6,6) and give a highlight of the material properties of the resulting compounds.

AN OVERVIEW OF SIZING CHEMISTRY AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN COMPOSITE PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES

Andrew E. Brink, Yves De Smet, May 2012

Sizing is applied to carbon and glass fiber during manufacturing to protect the fiber during and after production, impart processability, enable composite fabrication and provide interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix resin. If the sizing’s only function was to improve processability then it would be possible for one sizing to “fit all”, however interfacial adhesion is critical and for every matrix resin a different sizing chemistry is required. This presentation will provide an overview of sizing chemistries available and examples of their impact on processing and mechanical properties.

COMPARISON OF MASS TRANSIT MATERIAL FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND TRENDS FOR AIRCRAFT AND TRAIN APPLICATIONS IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA

Ralph Buoniconti, Torben Kempers, Steven MacLean, May 2012

Establishing meaningful and reliable flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) requirements for aircraft and train components made from engineering thermoplastics is an ever-evolving task for the mass transit authorities throughout the globe. This paper attempts to clarify the current state of the US and EU regulations, the associated test methods and typical FST performance of the polymeric materials used today in the mass transit markets. Pending improvements to current FST requirements by the US FAA and the EU EASA regulating bodies, including provisions for heat release and smoke density, are also discussed.

RHEOLOGY AND MELT FRACTURE OF BIODEGRADABLE POLY (?-CAPROLACTONE) POLYESTERS

Nazbanoo Noroozi, Jaclyn A. Thomson, Laurel L. Schafer, Savvas G. Hatzikiriakos, May 2012

The viscoelastic behaviour of a number of commercial and newly synthesized linear biodegradable polyesters - poly (?-caprolactone) (PCLs) with different molecular characteristics was investigated using both rotational and capillary rheometry. The variation of the zero-shear viscosity and relaxation spectrum with molecular weight was studied in detail. The PCL processing instabilities were studied by capillary extrusion using a number of capillary dies having various diameter and length-to- diameter ratios. Sharkskin and gross melt fracture was observed at different shear rates depending on the molecular characteristics of the resins and the geometrical details of the capillary dies.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMAPCT OF PIGMENT LOADING LEVEL ON INJECTION MOLDED COMPONENTS

Shantanu Shivdekar, May 2012

Pigment loading level is one of the most critical factors, governing the properties of the injection molded components. Changing the ratio of the pigment (Colorant) to the base resin could result in failure of the molded component. Material characterization such as Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) can be conducted to determine the pigment loading level and correlate the failure with functional characteristics of the molded component. Higher concentration of the pigment results in loosing mechanical property of the plastic and thus resulting failure during end use of the product.

DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR MEASURING THE THERMAL CONTACT RESISTANCE AND THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF ELECTRONIC MOLDING COMPOUNDS

Tamas Deak, David Kazmer, Norbert Kovacs, May 2012

The process simulation of thermoset molding processes (e.g. transfer molding, liquid injection molding) becomes increasingly important, because it can significantly reduce the cost of product development. This demands the correct determination of heat transfer and rheological coefficients. The aim of this study was the designing and construction of an apparatus which can measure the thermal contact resistance and thermal conductivity of epoxy molding compounds in the same circumstances which they encounter during processing.

ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION COIL DESIGN FOR MOLD SURFACE HEATING

Ming-Shyan Huang, Sheng-Wei Tsai, Je-Wei Lian, Shih-Chih Nian, May 2012

The objective of this study is to find an optimal design of electromagnetic induction coil for mold surface heating. To simulate the temperature distribution of mold surface in the induction heating process, the commercial software of COMSOL Multiphysics is employed. Design parameters such as induction coils include coil diameter, heating distance, coil space, and electromagnetic induction frequency are considered in this research. The Taguchi method is used to analysis the effects of process parameters on the mold surface temperature distribution and heating rate. The simulation shows that: (1) coil diameter and coil space are the most significant parameters of affecting heating rate and temperature uniformity. (2) Small coil diameter increases the heating rate but results in non-uniform heating temperature. (3) Short heating distance is helpful for the heating rate but creates worse temperature variation. (4) Small coil space results in fast heating rate but generates significant temperature difference. (5) High induction frequency facilitates heating rate.

NANO-COMPOSITES CHARACTERIZATION BY HYPER DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY (HYPERDSC)

Andrew W. Salamon, Dave Norman, May 2012

Thermal analytical techniques that are used to characterize nanocomposite formulations. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC, HyperDSC™), Thermogravimetry (TGA), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and the hyphenated technique Thermogravimetry-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TGA-GC-MS), are used to measure nanocomposites. These measurements help ensure that the nanocomposite manufacturing process is stable, reproducible, and reliable. This poster concentrates on the formulation and end product validation through Differential Scanning Calorimetry (HyperDSC™) characterization of the rigid and mobile amorphous fractions of a nanocomposite.

CHARACTERIZATION OF TENSILE PROPERTIES OF FUSED DEPOSITION MODELLING PROCESSED ABS MATERIAL

Prabin Kumar Chaudhary, S.H. Masood, May 2012

This paper presents the tensile properties of ABS parts fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling rapid prototyping process. The mechanical behavior of FDM processed ABS parts for engineering applications is dictated by the FDM process parameters. This paper characterizes the tensile properties of ABS parts considering process parameters such as air gap, raster width, raster angle and build orientations. The tensile properties of FDM processed ABS parts are compared with that of injection molded ABS parts.

USING SIMULTANEOUS DSC-RAMAN TECHNOLOGY TO STUDY CRYSTALLIZATION OF NYLON 6

Richard Spragg, Geert van den Poel, Lilian Willems, Enrique lozeno Diz, Peng Ye, May 2012

Nylon 6 (polycaprolactam) is a polyamide that is widely used in the form of fibers. There are two crystalline forms, ? and ?. The common ? form has a fully extended planar zigzag conformation. The ? form differs in the hydrogen bonding between chains which produces a twisted gauche conformation about the C-N bond of the amide group. This change in conformation leads to significant differences in the Raman spectra of the two forms. The crystallization behavior of nylon-6 is known to differ between virgin and previously extruded material. DSC measurements show that crystallization from the melt occurs at about 173°C for virgin material but at about 185°C for samples that have previously been extruded. Combined Raman and DSC measurements provide different insights into thermally induced phase changes. In the case of semi-crystalline materials Ramandata gives qualitative information about molecular conformations to complement the purely quantitative information from DSC. We have used this approach to study crystallization in nylon-6.