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

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF BARRELING AT CUT-ENDS OF PE PIPES AND ITS EFFECT ON ELECTROFUSION JOINTS

Andrea Guevara-Morales, Patrick Leevers, May 2011

When a thermoplastic pipe is cut to length, residual stresses set up during cooling are released causing local bending, giving the end of the pipe a barrel shape that can be inconvenient in electrofusion joints. This paper investigates the development of barreling in terms of residual stresses through a comprehensive simulation of the post-extrusion cooling process. The model is validated with experimental data and the effect of barreling on electrofusion joints is discussed in terms of common procedures and standards.

SHEAR & EXTENSIONAL RHEOLOGY OF C18-CNT/LDPE NANOCOMPOSITES

Ibnelwaleed, Sarfraz Abbasi, May 2011

Nanocomposites of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and C18 modified multi wall carbon nanotubes (C18-CNT) were prepared by melt blending. Previous research has shown that addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) increase the dynamic viscosity and reduce the extensional viscosity with increasing loading. This research work shows that C-18 modification of CNTs helps to keep low values of dynamic viscosity, maintain extensional viscosity and does not increase strain hardening even at 5.0 weight % loading.

SELLING IN A BRUTAL ECONOMY: A HUGE OPPORTUNITY AND HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON IT

Martin Pottle, May 2011

Sales are off during these difficult times. This paper will give you insight as to what's happening today and why you should consider getting into social media, PLUS things you can do today, over the next 30 days and over the next few months, to build sales.

OPEN CELL MICROCELLULAR FOAMS OF POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) BASED BLENDS WITH SEMI-INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS

Masahiro Ohshima, May 2011

Interpenetrating polymer network structures can be used to control cell density and averaged cell size of poly-LD-lactic acid foams. Polymer systems with and without cross-linking agent were used as templates for environmentally benign batch foaming processes in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide. The foamed samples were characterized in terms of cell density, averaged cell size, and open cell content (OCC).

USING HYPOTHESIS SETTING TO OPTIMIZE THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCESS FOR SINGLE-SCREW PLASTICATORS

Mark Spalding, Gregory Campbell, May 2011

The goal of all troubleshooting operations is to restore the process to its original performance as quickly as possible. This paper describes a process that is based on developing hypotheses using verified data. Next, the hypotheses are tested using properly developed experiments. Once the root cause of the problem is identified, the best technical solution is implemented. Three case studies are presented.

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECTILE INJECTION TECHNIQUE (PIT)

Christian Hopmann, Walter Michaeli, Moritz Grundler, Oliver Gronlund, Andreas Neuss, May 2011

The projectile injection technique is a new powerful process variant of the well established fluid injection technique for the production of hollow shaped polymer parts. For suitable part designs the PIT allows to increase the economical efficiency and process capability significantly. First research results show that it is possible to reproducibly form hollow shaped geometries independent from the rheological properties of the used polymers.

FREE-RADICAL INTERMEDIATES IN THE NONOXIDATIVE THERMAL DEHYDROCHLORINATION OF POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE)

William Starnes, May 2011

Kinetic analyses based on resonance delocalization energies are used to rule out the Arlman and Winkler-Stromberg mechanisms for the growth of conjugated polyenes during the thermolysis of poly(vinyl chloride) under nonoxidizing conditions. Possible sources of radicals during the thermolysis are described, and the radicals that cause the greatest reduction in thermal stability are concluded to be those that result from the reaction of polyenes with HCl. The acceleration of dehydrochlorination by these radicals is discussed.

HEAT RESISTANT POLYLACTIC ACID WITH GOOD CLARITY

Zhaobin Tang, Chuanzhi Zhang, Lingling Gao, Jin Zhu, May 2011

A heat resistant polylactic acid (PLA) is obtained by directly modifying regular PLA through extrusion process. The heat resistant PLA does not contain any inorganic filler and the total amount of additives is less than 5wt.%. The heat distortion temperature (HDT)???of modified PLA is more than 120oC. The modified PLA exhibits much higher crystallization rate than neat PLA. Meanwhile the heat resistant PLA still keeps good clarity and high impact strength. The heat resistant products of PLA can be directly molded through injection molding machine.

MATERIAL COST REDUCTION FOR LARGE AREA AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT MOLDING

Yatish Vasudeo, K. Patel, D Sule, May 2011

Advances in material feeding and molding equipment enable auto component makers to use tailor made masterbatches to mold large area components along with specially designed polypropylene resins. This paper discusses and compares properties of compound made by traditional way and masterbatches blended by tumble mixing with polypropylene resins. This approach will help automotive industry to achieve cost reduction

PREDICTING THE NEAR-EQUILIBRIUM SOLUBILITIES OF OILS IN OLEFIN BLOCK COPOLYMERS

Dana Breed, Robert Johnston, Ashish Batra, Wenbin Liang, Manu Rego, May 2011

INFUSE Olefin Block Copolymers (OBCs) are a family of new materials that are finding increased utility in soft compounds. Oil loading is considered a primary variable when tuning the hardness of such compounds, and as such, we will discuss the near-equilibrium oil solubility in OBCs as a function of the viscosities, specific gravities and refractive indices of process oils.

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

Georg Schwalme, Martin Bastian, Peter Heidemeyer, Michael Koch, May 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.

CHOOSING A SPRAY APPLICATOR AND FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM

Kenneth Eyestone, May 2011

This paper will help choose a spray applicator and fluid delivery system for a coating process. Each type of applicator will be explained along with the fluid delivery system necessary for the applicator. The strengths and weakness of each atomizing method will be used to guide the reader to choose the atomizer that best suits their coating needs.

HYDROLYSIS RESISTANT - HIGH IMPACT POLYETHERIMIDE RESIN BLENDS

Mark Sanner, Robert Gallucci, Andy May, May 2011

Injection moldable hydrolytically stable transparent thermoplastic Polyetherimide resin blends with high impact and thermal resistance have been developed for healthcare applications. The two-phase resin blends are capable of withstanding 2,500 autoclave cycles at 134 C and 50 ppm morpholine while maintaining clarity and ductility. Injection molding of the new steam resistant blends as well as their rheological and material properties are compared to polyetherimide.

ESSENTIALS IN DESIGN- WHAT MAKES A DESIGN SUCCESSFUL?

Michael Paloian, May 2011

The topic of what makes a design successful will be critically addressed by the author based on a macroscopic discussion of the entire design process. Product design methodology will be discussed based influences of personal perceptions and analytical thinking to the application of creativity for solving complex problems. Development phases from initial specifications, through concept development and engineering details will be reviewed. Examples will be cited throughout the paper to substantiate and clarify many of the critical comments.

PROGRESS TOWARD MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PIGMENT PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Frank Lavieri, May 2011

The production of organic pigments is quickly moving from the United States and Europe to China, India and other developing countries. The environmental impact of this trend and creative efforts being undertaken by emerging pigment producers to reduce pollution and conserve natural resources will be explored.

FABRICATION OF SOLUBLE AND HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE PANI:CSA FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE FOR ORGANIC SOLAR CELLS

Seong HunKim, Tae Hwan Lim, Kyung Wha Oh, May 2011

A flexible and transparent polymeric electrode was prepared by spin coating of polyaniline doped with camphor sulfonic acid (PANI:CSA) on a flexible film for polymeric organic solar cells. Synthesized PANI emeraldine base (EB) having a high molecular weight was doped CSA with 6:4 molar ratio in m-cresol. For obtaining better properties, two concepts are considered to achieve improvement both soluble and conductivity matters in our study.

STUDY OF THE TAGUCHI METHOD ON THE EJECTING FORCE OF THE INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE

Wen-Ren Jong, Yu-Cheng Chang, Cheng-Hao Lin, May 2011

In combination with the analysis of Computer Aided Engineering and the Taguchi Method, this paper discussed the effect of various factors in the design of the ejection mechanism regarding the ejection force required for the de-molding of plastic products, and proposed a design method that optimized the design of ejection system parameters. Moreover, the factors affecting the ejection force were discussed in order to provide a reference basis for the design of the ejection mechanism.

OPTIMAL DESIGN FOR A HOT RUNNER NOZZLE COOLING SYSTEM

Wen-Ren Jong, Yu-Cheng Chang, Arne Adrianta Arne, Cheng-Hao Lin, May 2011

This study employed CAE analysis and the Taguchi Method to discuss the factors and level planning, and conducted experiments on the influences on the cooling efficiency. CAE software was utilized to simulate the cooling results of the experiment. Using the Taguchi Method, a set of cooling parameters was obtained to understand how to keep the nozzle temperature within a suitable range and establish a complete optimization method.

CAVITY PEAK PRESSURE CONTROL DURING PACKING USING MODELPREDICTIVE CONTROL THEORY

Meaghan Charest Finn, Jose Hernandez, Rickey Dubay, May 2011

Cavity pressure control in the injection molding process is key in ensuring good product quality. A model predictive control algorithm is used to design a gain scheduling controller to control cavity pressure during the packing portion of the injection cycle. The affects of hydraulic pressure on peak cavity pressure during the packing stage and the identification of the onset of packing in an injection cycle are investigated. Simulations are conducted to verify the controllers performance.

EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL USE OF A GRAFTED STYRENE BUTADIENE STYRENE AS A MULTIFUNCTIONAL DRUG ELUTING MATERIAL FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

James Kennedy, May 2011

The focus of this project was the development of polymeric coating systems which may be used for drug delivery in cardiovascular situations. This project centers on the transformation of the molecular structure of a thermoplastic elastomer namely styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) by the addition of a polymeric side group (N-vinyl -2- pyrrolidone). The samples were analyzed by ATR-FTIR, DMTA, white light profilometry, SEM, goniometry, and drug dissolution.