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

2,5-FURANDICARBOXYLIC ACID; A VERSATILE BUILDING BLOCK FOR A VERY INTERESTING CLASS OF POLYESTERS

Matheus A. Dam | Gert-Jan M. Gruter |, Laszlo Sipos | Ed de Jong | Dirk Den Ouden, November 2011

Avantium is developing a next generation bioplastics based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), called “YXY building blocks”, which can be produced on the basis of sugars and other, non-food, carbohydrates. Avantium aims to replace oil-based polyesters (such as PET) with Furanics polyesters (such as PEF) in a wide range of applications, including bottles and carpets.

SILICONE MODIFIED BIOBASED COATINGS FROM SOYBEAN OIL FOR WATER RESISTANT PAPERS

Shilpa Manjure | Guoren Cheng | Dan Graiver | Ramani Narayan, November 2011

The silylation chemistry of biobased vegetable oils using alkoxy silanes has been studied and patented [1]. The objective of this work was to evaluate the application of the newly developed silylated soyabean oil formulation as a water-proof coating on paper. Paper coated with the silylated oil was tested for water resistance by measuring Cobb test. Results showed upto 95% improvement in water-proofing compared to an uncoated, unmodified paper.

NATURAL GAS AS MAIN ENERGY SOURCE FOR POLYMER PLASTICIZING WITH A SPEZIAL DESIGNED HEAT EXCHANGER

Johannes Wortberg | Felix A. Heinzler, November 2011

The plasticizing process is one of the most energy intensive parts in polymer processing. Reducing energy cost is only possible by changing the principle of plasticizing. Therefore a new plasticizing system is developed, based on the primary energy carrier natural gas as main energy source. Natural gas based heaters and a special designed heat exchanger are the key technologies for this project. In addition to the concept, the layout of a demonstrator is described.

A new Concept to Reduce Odor and Emissions in Polyolefin Compounds

Jorg Garlinsky, November 2011

Polyethylene and Polypropylene are the two most used plastics in the world. Continued development in the industry has resulted in this leading position. Due to this progress, plastics are entering more and more applications where standard materials like wood or metal are traditionally used. However polyolefins are known for having undesirable odors and emissions. To combat this, a new BYK additive concept which allows plastics processors to reduce undesirable VOC and odor in their compounding process has been developed.

MATERIAL COST REDUCTION FOR LARGE AREA AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT MOLDING

Yatish Vasudeo | K.D. Patel | D.P. Sule, November 2011

Automobile industry is introducing many variants for their customers. This puts lot of pressure to plastic molders due to JIT concept. Attempts need to be made to commonize the materials to shorten the delivery time to accommodate JIT concept. These paper attempts to demonstrate speedy deliveries with lower cost of production.

Hydrophobic Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

Anthony Walder | Donald Meltzer | Daphne Robinson, November 2011

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are a class of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) that are used in a variety of medical applications (1). TPUs exhibit low temperature flexibility, excellent abrasion resistance, high tensile strength and good processing characteristics. The softest TPUs historically used in medical applications exhibit a Shore Durometer above 70A. A medical grade TPU with a Shore Durometer of 62A will be presented. This softness is achieved without the use of plasticizers as is often the case with many other soft TPEs.

A NEW BETA NUCLEANT MASTERBATCH FOR MINERAL FILLED AND UNFILLED POLYPROPYLENE APPLICATIONS

Philip Jacoby, November 2011

We have developed a unique, highly selective beta nucleant masterbatch that produces high levels of beta crystallinity, and high crystallization temperatures (Tc values). This masterbatch can also be used in polypropylene that already contains other additives which nucleate the alpha crystallinity, such as talc filled PP. The ability to beta nucleate talc filled PP offers the possibility of using beta nucleation to achieve both high stiffness and high impact strength in talc reinforced PP.

A NEW CLOSED LOOP MOLD TEMPERATURE CONTROL TECHNIQUE BY MEANS OF ONLINE THERMOGRAPHY

Georg Schwalme, Martin Bastian, Peter Heidemeyer, SKZ Suddeutsches Kunststoff-Zentrum, Wurzburg, Michael Koch, November 2011

In injection molding, the precise control of the mold temperature distribution is a crucial prerequisite for the quality of the final products. A new approach to achieve an excellent repeat accuracy of the mold temperature is to use infrared images of demolded parts to realize a closed loop control. Without the necessity for changes in the mold the automatic control can help to improve the quality, to keep cycle times short and to avoid scrap.

Hybrid Composite Front Seat Backrest

Thierry Renault | Amit Kulkarni | Kipp Grumm | Prasanna Kondapalli | Scott Schlicker | Jordan Kurikov, November 2011

A car seat backrest was developed by Faurecia and BASF with a new multi-material technology that combines the use of metal, injected polyamide and continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The paper describes the architecture of the seat, the choice of the materials, and the numerical and experimental validation of the structure.

USING DMLS TECHNOLOGY FOR CONFORMAL COOLING IN THERMOPLASTICS INJECTION TOOLS

Pascal Antoine, November 2011

Thermal assets are fundamental in the thermoplastics injection toolings. DMLS (Digital Metal Laser Sintering) is one option to solve problems of injection molding thermal assets using an industrial procedure to introduce conformal cooling in injection tools. Conformal cooling is a special shaped regulation circuitry ideally installed in the injection tools.

A STUDY ON EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PARAMETERS ON COLOURS DURING COMPOUNDING OF PLASTICS

M. Rabbani | J. AlSadi | G. Rizvi | S. Ahmed | D. Ross, November 2011

The historical production data of SABIC IP, Cobourg, was used to determine effects on colours of compounded plastics, of using extruders of different configurations, incorporating minute variations in pigment compositions and using different grades of resins. The colours had been measured in terms of CIE L*,a*,b* values using a spectrophotometer. The measured L*,a*,b* values were then analyzed and compared to the target values using statistical methods. The differences in the observed trends are discussed.

TRENDS AND NEEDS IN AUTOMOTIVE MATCHED BY ECO+ SOLUTIONS FROM DSM

Bert Havenith, November 2011

An overview is given of the various drivers, needs and trends in the automotive industry and how these are matched by various new plastic solutions, which in the end all significantly increase the sustainability of various car components and of the complete cars in total.

HOW INDUCTIVE HEATING CAN IMPROVE PLASTIC INJECTION

José Feigenblum, November 2011

Currently, in the thermoplastic injection industry, there are several processes allowing heat cycling within the mould. Although they have their own characteristics, their purpose is the same. There are many advantages to be taken into consideration whilst injecting hot thermoplastic onto a heated tool, such as: no welding lines, no sink marks, no paint necessary and the possibility to easily inject engineered materials.

Dispersion and Mixing Characteristics of High Volume and High Torque Twin Screw Extruders

Michael Thummert, November 2011

Twin screw extruders with large volume and high torque are a widely embraced equipment in the compounding industry. The paper presents a specific research on the residence time distribution and energy input for these machines. It shows the result of the machine technology in terms of various processes, such as production of color masterbatches, technical compounds and filler concentrates. Furthermore, the paper deals with various questions such as process window, throughput increase and how flexible extrusion lines can be.

Analysis of the h-Convergence Method of Finite Elements of Injection-Molding-Simulation Results

Ingrid Cabello | Jesús Rojas | María V. Candal | Magda M. Castillo, November 2011

The h-convergence of finite element method was used to compare simulation results from two software programs (MPI-Moldflow and Moldex3D). The parameters studied were injection (fill) time and pressure, cycle time, part weight, shrinkage, etc. Some differences were found between the two software programs, and with some of the experimental results.

Recycle of Internal and External streams of Polyetherimide Resin

Edward Venema, November 2011

One of the main advantages of polyetherimide (PEI) resin (Ultem* PEI) is its high thermal stability, making it an excellent candidate for using internal industrial recycle, external industrial recycle (sprues, runners, parts) and post-consumer recycle as raw material streams. A 30% glass fibre filled grade has been developed using up to 65% of non-virgin material. Mechanical properties were maintained even at high % usage of recycle. *(Trademark of Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.)

HEAT MANAGEMENT IN THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMER COMPOSITES – PARTICLE SIZE EFFECTS

R. l’Abee | F. Mercx | M. van der Mee | R. Bercx, November 2011

The particle-matrix interface in polymer composites may act as a barrier for heat transport, leading to a particle size and shape-dependent thermal conductivity. In this work, the effect of filler particle size and shape was studied for a model system of poly(butylene terephthalate) and silicon carbide. Within the particle size (0.5-100 μm) and volume (20-50 vol%) ranges studied, no influence on the thermal conductivity was observed. All experimental data could be well described by the Jiajun model.

HIGH FLOW GLASS FIBER FILLED AROMATIC POLYAMIDE RESINS

Anirban Ganguly | Reema Sinha | Anton Kumanan | Susanta Mitra | Anne Bolvari | Frans Mercx, November 2011

Novel idea of using hyperbranched polymers - dendritic aliphatic polyesters (DAP) as flow promoters in highly glass fiber reinforced aromatic polyamides (GF-PA) system is depicted in this paper. Different concentrations and types of DAPs are employed and these are found to be effective in modifying flow from 10% to 160% with as low as 0.5 to 3 weight % concentration for GF-PA without affecting the enabling mechanical and thermal properties.

MOLD OPTIMIZATION FOR METAL INSERT INJECTION MOLDING PROCESS

Massimo Natalini | Marco Sasso, November 2011

High quality, coupled with high efficiency of the process are two of the most important requirements for goods intended for automotive market. The case study here presented demonstrates how to satisfy quality requirements and increase production efficiency, while reducing production waste. An injection molding process with metal insert has been analyzed. New shape for mold feeding system has been obtained using Hagen-Poiseuille law as guideline and FE model to verify performance of proposed solutions.

THERMOFORMING PEI (POLYETHEREIMIDE) FOAM SHEET

Emmanuel Boxus, November 2011

Rigid PEI foam is based on amorphous thermoplastic PEI, with high thermal resistance, good FST performance and broad chemical resistance. Among the application benefits of PEI foam ‘machinability, good bonding to composite skin materials, low moisture uptake’, thermoformability is a unique characteristic. A specific technique has been developed to enable thermoforming of complex 3D-geometries. With the addition of an overmolded decorative layer, finished parts can be created with significantly reduced cycle time versus existing techniques.