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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

RELEVANCE OF THE FEMTOLASER NOTCH SHARPENING ON THE IMPACT FRACTURE OF POLYCARBONATE
David Arencón | Antonio B. Martínez | Pablo Moreno | Ana García, November 2011

The traditional sharpening through the razor blade method employed in the fracture characterization of polymers creates plastic deformation at the notch tip, which affects the fracture toughness values. Recently it has been applied a technique based on femtosecond pulsed laser ablation, which removes material with almost no heat dissipation, preventing melting and thermal deformation of the surrounding area and without plastic deformation at the crack tip. In this work, the fracture toughness of polycarbonate was studied using the Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics testing procedure at impact velocity, evaluating the influence of crack sharpening by femtolaser or razor blade sliding.

EFFECT OF NANOCLAYS ON THE FOAMING BEHAVIOR OF RIGID POLYURETHANE MONITORED BY X-RAY RADIOSCOPY
S. Pardo-Alonso | S. Estravís | E. Solórzano | M.A. Rodríguez-Perez | J.A. de Saja, November 2011

X-ray radioscopy is a technique in which a series of radiographies are acquired during an evolving process. The present study aims to investigate the mechanisms occurring during the reactive foaming process of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams in its liquid state. The work addresses a comparative study of in-situ pore growth determination in PU foams with and without nanoadditives (nanoclays), based on the mentioned technique and thus providing a valid methodology to investigate the foaming process in all its stages. The results confirm that nanoparticles addition modify the final pore size most probably based on a higher nucleation rate at initial stages.

POLYURETHANE FOAM NANOCOMPOSITES: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND FILLER-MATRIX CHEMICAL INTERACTION
S. Estravís Sastre | M. A. Rodríguez Pérez, November 2011

Nanofillers are added to rigid PU foams to improve their mechanical properties, however this expected behaviour is not always found. A poor dispersion of the fillers is usually accepted as a possible explanation, but chemical interaction between matrix and fillers could also result in a reduction of the final foam properties. In this study, polyurethane rigid foams (with and without nanoclays) have been produced and characterized. Different dispersion techniques have been used. The experimental results suggested that chemical interaction between fillers and matrix plays a critical role in the mechanical behaviour of these type of systems.

IMPROVING THE THERMAL INSULATION OF POLYSTYRENE FOAMS BY THE ADDITION OF CARBON BLACK.
Juan Lobos | Migue A. Rodriguez-Perez | Gemma Gasa | Miguel Muñoz, November 2011

This paper presents an investigation on the improvement of the thermal conductivity of polystyrene foams by using different types of carbon blacks as additives. Carbon blacks with different morphologies were used as IRblockers. To test the changes in the conductivity foams with densities between 20 and 100 kg/m3 were produced using the solid state foaming technique. The cellular structure and thermal conductivity were analyzed in detail. In addition the thermal conductivity was analytically modeled to study the influence of the different carbon black types on the heat flow by radiation. The best morphology to reduce the thermal conductivity has been detected.

STUDY ON RAPID MANUFACTURING TRAINING NEEDS IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT
Zaida Ortega | Mario D. Monzón, November 2011

Rapid Manufacturing (RM), as one of the most important emerging technologies, has a high potential as part of European industry, with a clear role in manufacturing process and economy. In this context, seven EU entities have proposed an e-learning program on these technologies, to increase its knowledge and use, with the aim of improving competitiveness in companies. Results on surveys prepared in this project with the aim of establishing the actual situation in Europe in this field and filled in by companies and training centres are presented in this communication, providing an overview of RM general knowledge and use.

THIN TPO FILM OVERMOLDING FOR VEHICLES INTERIORS DECORATION
Tu Le Ngo | Alain Choquet | Dominique Valligny, November 2011

Many vehicle manufacturers are aiming diversifying their car interiors with more daring colours and textures with limiting the amount of investment. For large interior parts, like instrument or door panels, special resins or painting technology was considered current state of the art. A new technology, thin TPO film overmoulding, could replace this current state of the art technology. The main paper objective of this paper is to describe the advantages and the issues in using thin thermoplastic olefin (TPO) foil overmolding as an alternative. This paper presents the new generation of TPO “ready for graining” soft foils and the innovative tooling & process needed to laminate the foil during the PP direct injection shot

EXPANDED INJECTED PP SYSTEM TO MAKE 25% LIGHTER ESTHETICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL
Christian Bey | Alain Choquet | Dominique Valligny, November 2011

By the year 2025, carbon emissions levels will require for the main vehicle in the world important weight reductions. Plastics components can now be expanded during injection keeping correct mechanical behavior to design vehicle interiors. The paper presents the instrument panel application and describes the importance of the Polypropylene (PP) material, the expansion technology and the related component, injection press and tooling designs. The paper aims to demonstrate how applications like visible instrument topper panels or side trimmings could be designed in purpose to respect esthetical and mechanical specifications

PRODUCTION OF POLYPROPYLENE (PP) FOAMS FROM A CONVENTIONAL PP GRADE. ANALYSIS OF CELLULAR STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES.
C. Saiz-Arroyo | M.A. Rodríguez-Pérez | J.A. de Saja, November 2011

Foaming of polypropylene is not trivial due to its weak melt strength and its semicristalline character. The solutions proposed up to now are based in crosslinking the polymeric matrix or in the use of special polypropylene grades. A collection of samples with relative densities in the range of 0.3-0.6 have been produced using a conventional PP grade. The improved compression moulding foaming process which uses a chemical blowing agent was used to produce the analyzed foams. The effect of chemical composition on both cellular and mechanical properties has been analyzed.

ADHESION BETWEEN POLYPROPYLENE AND STEEL BY OVER MOULDING
Miguel Sánchez-Soto | Silvia Illescas | Tobias Abt | Maria Virginia Candal | Jaime Francisco Gómez, November 2011

In this work, a hybrid polypropylene (PP)/steel car part (Traverse leg) was created by over moulding. PP was modified with 10%wt. of PP-g-Ma coupling agent. Different surface treatments were applied to the steel determining its influence on adhesion. Best peel strength was reached when the steel was sanded. Etching and shot peened plates showed similar but lower levels of adhesion. In all cases, the application of torch heating was necessary to create a thin layer of iron oxide strongly bonded to the steel and by reaction to the PP-g-Ma. To create adhesion a minimum steel temperature of 120ºC was necessary.

T.I.I.P.: A TRAINING AND RESEARCH GROUP IN INJECTION MOLDING
J. Castany | J. Fuentelsaz | F. Serraller | D. Mercado | I. Clavería | J. Aísa, November 2011

Created from University of Zaragoza, the group T.I.I.P. has developed its activities since 1989 around injection molding. This team has always worked as near as possible to the industry (its name includes “workshop”, not “laboratory") and, in its aims, it promotes the research work pushed from market demands. However, for an effective knowledge exchange, the members of the group T.I.I.P. have promoted hundreds of training courses teaching to all the injection´s actors, about how to arrange the whole process to improve final results. During these twenty years, fifteen doctoral theses and twenty friendly computer programs for training were made, closing the loop.

HALOGEN-FREE FLAME RETARDANT POLYOLEFIN FOAMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
S. Román Lorza | M. A. Rodríguez Pérez, November 2011

A new type of materials has been produced by means of creating a cellular structure in blends of LDPE/LLDPEg- MAH/ATH. The presence of the aluminium hydroxide (ATH) in a polymer blend, both as flame retardant and reinforcement, significantly increases the density of the end product. The aim of this work is to achieve a cellular structure by foaming these materials, when high loading levels up to 60wt% of ATH are included. As a result, a density reduction of 50% has been obtained together with excellent mechanical and flame retardant properties. A comparison of these properties between solid and foamed materials is included.

DEVELOPMENT OF MODIFIED POLYLACTIDE (PLA)
H. Kishimoto | A. Takenaka | H. Moriwaka | H. Enomoto, November 2011

Polylactide (PLA) and other bio-based plastics have been attracting much attention for environment problems. In this report, modified PLA resin have been developed and based on “Technology of Nano-Modification for Polymer”, such as control of softening and of crystallization in nano size. Two types of modified PLA of which one is clear and soft PLA for extrusion molding and another one is high moldability PLA for injection molding have been developed. These modified PLA have been applied as alternative plastics of PP and ABS to stationery, packaging, convenience goods, electrical appliance and so on. Performances and technologies will be presented.

EFFECT OF PHYSICAL AGING ON ENTHALPY RELAXATION AND EMBRITTLEMENT OF ELASTOMER THERMOPLASTIC BIODEGRADABLE POLY (L-LACTIDE/ ε-CAPROLACTONE)
Susana Petisco | Jone M. Ugartemendia | Jorge Fernández | Jose-Ramon Sarasua, November 2011

In the design of new polymeric materials the longterm stability and durability are matters of considerable importance. It is known that during physical aging volume contraction and densification of polymers occur and therefore physical properties such as mechanical or crystallization behavior of amorphous polymers may be affected. In this work the impact that physical aging has on two biodegradable poly(L-lactide/ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) copolymers differing on their randomness character was studied. Their thermal behavior has been evaluated by specific aging strategies using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

IMPROVEMENT OF THE THERMAL DEGRADATION BEHAVIOUR OF PLLA/MWCNT COMPOSITES BY NANOTUBE PURIFICATION
Erlantz Lizundia | Jose-Ramon Sarasua, November 2011

The thermal degradation behaviour of poly (L-lactide) nanocomposites containing both as-received (MWCNT) and purified multi wall carbon nanotubes (p-MWCNT) was evaluated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Composites with carbon nanotube contents of 0, 0.75, 1.25, 2.5, 4 and 5 wt. % were prepared. The thermal degradation process was analyzed in the light of Kissinger and Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) models revealing a lowering of the activation energy (E) due to iron and aluminium residues present in carbon nanotubes.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LACTIDE BASED SCAFFOLDS FILLED WITH INORGANIC BIOACTIVE PARTICLES
Aitor Larrañaga | Jose-Ramon Sarasua, November 2011

The mechanical properties of highly porous scaffolds have been investigated. Scaffolds of poly(Llactide)( PLLA) and poly(L-lactide/ε-caprolactone)(PLCL) filled with 5, 10 and 15 vol.% of Bioglass® (BG) and hydroxyapatite (HA) particles were prepared by a solvent casting/particulate leaching procedure. The thermal properties of the scaffolds were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while the morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All scaffolds presented a highly porous structure (≈90% porosity) and well-interconnected pores. Tensile test results revealed that the addition of bioactive particles increases the modulus and decreases the relative elongation at break.

DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSCALE INTERFACIAL MORPHOLOGY IN POLYMER-BASED NANO-CARBON HYBRID STRUCTURES FOR STRESS TRANSFER IMPROVEMENT
Marilyn L. Minus | Yiying Zhang | Kenan Song | Jiang Sha Meng | Emily C. Green, November 2011

Composites based on carbonaceous materials and polymers have been researched since the production of carbon fibers in the 1960s, leading to disruptive technological changes in the field of materials science. Today micro- and nano-scale carbon materials have opened new directions within this field to produce composites for high-performance applications. This work outlines in-situ analysis of the POLYMER-NANO interfacial zones in the composite as a function of nano-carbon structures. Stress transfer analysis of the composite interface couples nano-carbon structure with morphology and mechanical performance. This work addresses fundamental issues for materials design toward commercialization of polymer-based nano-composites meant for high-performance technologies.

REACTIVE EXTRUSION OF POLY(LACTIC ACID) WITH STYRENE-ACRYLICGLYCIDIL METHACRYLATE
O. Santana Pérez | J. Cailloux | E. Franco-Urquiza | J. Bou | F. Carrasco | J. Gámez-Pérez | M. Ll. Maspoch, November 2011

In this paper are discussed the rheological changes observed in PLA by one-step reactive extrusioncalandering (REX) using as a chain extender (CE) an oligomeric copolymer styrene-acrylic multifunctional expoxide. Dymamic rheological experiments and gel permeation chromatography tests were used to characterize the architectural modifications of two grades of PLA, with different D-enantiomer content. According to the results, an increase on D-enantiomer content seems to reduce the CE coupling reactions. At the extrusion conditions used high level of chain modification is obtained as could be revealed by the increase on low frequency complex viscosity as well as in the storage modulus (G’) (associated to the melt elasticity).

The Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on the Rheology and Electrical Resistivity of Polymer Blends
L. Zonder | A. Ophir | S. Kenig, November 2011

Different mixing protocols were used to incorporate Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) into Polyamide 12 (PA)/ High Density Polyethylene (PE) blends. At a composition of 75PA/25PE/0.75wt.% CNT, interface localization of CNT promoted by predispersing CNT in the PE phase, resulted in five decades lower resistivty compared to other mixing protocols. Melt storgae modulus (G’) was also found to be affected by interface localization in this case with over 20% higher G’ compared to the other protocols. Specific CNT localization is explained in terms of preferential interaction between PA and CNT on the one hand, and kinetic restrictions arrising from the mixing protocol on the other.

THE EFFECTS OF COMBINING NANOCLAY AND STEEL WIRES MULTISCALAR REINFORCEMENTS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF POLYURETHANE FOAMS
Álvaro Cano | Marcelo Antunes | Vera Realinho | Laia Haurie | José Ignacio Velasco, November 2011

In this paper we prepared and characterized several polyurethane composite foams by combining variable concentrations of organophilic clay (montmorillonite) and metal reinforcement, with the objective of developing novel multi-scalar multifunctional rigid foams. The addition of montmorillonite clay promoted foaming and the formation of finer and more homogeneous cellular structures, resulting in foams with compressive elastic moduli and collapse stresses lower than that of the unfilled polyurethane foams. However, a comparative analysis versus the foams’ relative density demonstrated that both mechanical properties follow one single trend for the two materials. The combination of montmorillonite and metal reinforcement further reduced the cell size of foams, ultimately resulting in foams with similar mechanical properties for considerably lower relative densities. Although no important differences in thermal conductivity were found for the polyurethane foams with adding montmorillonite, the incorporation of the metal reinforcement led to considerably higher thermal conductivities, its value increasing with increasing relative density.

FIRE BEHAVIOUR OF FLAME-RETARDANT RIGID POLYPROPYLENE FOAMS
Vera Realinho | Marcelo Antunes | José Ignacio Velasco | Laia Haurie, November 2011

It is well known the growing industry interest in reducing the high flammability of polymers, as it limits their suitability in a wide variety of applications where fire retardancy is required, at the same time maintaining some of the advantages related to their lightness. With that in mind, this work presents the development of new rigid polypropylene composite foams filled with high amounts of flame-retardant systems based on hydrated magnesium carbonate. Particularly, interesting flameretardancy synergistic effects were observed in the polypropylene composite foams by means of cone calorimetry by combining the hydrated magnesium carbonate with an intumescent formulation and layered nanoparticles.










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