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

A HISTORY OF COPOLYESTER DEVELOPMENT AT EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY

Eric Moskala, May 2010

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) first appeared in beverage containers in the early 1970’s. It provided a combination of clarity toughness and barrier properties all at a reasonable cost. Over the last several decades Eastman Chemical Company has developed numerous commercially successful families of copolyesters derived from basic PET technology. This paper will present an overview of these developments starting with PET and culminating with the recent commercialization of Eastman Tritan™ Copolyesters.

A HISTORY OF COPOLYESTER DEVELOPMENT AT EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY

Eric Moskala, May 2010

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) first appeared in beverage containers in the early 1970's. It provided a combination of clarity, toughness, and barrier properties, all at a reasonable cost. Over the last several decades, Eastman Chemical Company has developed numerous commercially successful families of copolyesters derived from basic PET technology. This paper will present an overview of these developments starting with PET and culminating with the recent commercialization of Eastman Tritan' Copolyesters.

IMPROVING THE FEEDING ZONE OF SINGLE SCREW EXTRUDERS AT HIGH ROTATION SPEED BY USING THE DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD

Yashpal J. Bhandari, Robert R. Gallucci, Mark Sanner, Rajendra K. Singh, May 2010

Increasing screw speed is a possible approach to improve the performance of a single screw extruder but it challenges the processing technology and the material processed. Apart from difficult melting, the feeding of the screw with granules is complicated. This results in partially filled screw channels. In the following, the resin transfer depending on the screw speed is investigated and analyzed by means of the simulation program EDEM, which is based on the Discrete Element Method.

THE APPLICATIONS OF MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL METHODS IN INJECTION MOLDING PROCESS MONITORING

Anshuman Shrivastava, Jeffrey Weinzweig, Stephen McCarthy, May 2010

In recent years, a series of multivariate statistical methods have been developed for batch process modeling and online monitoring, which take important batch process characteristics into consideration, such as, multiphase, batch dynamics and so on. As a typical batch process, injection molding is a suitable object to employ these methods. In this paper, the potential applications of these methods in industry are shown by monitoring and fault diagnosis results of the injection molding process.

MELT COMPOUNDING OF POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES: COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT ORGANOCLAYS

Heinz G. Gross, May 2010

PET-clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding using several organoclays. A new approach was used to overcome some of the problems associated with the thermal degradation of ammonium surfactants during melt processing at high temperature. The dispersion and performance characteristics of the new nanocomposite systems are compared to those obtained for systems employing ammonium or phosphonium surfactants.

ANALYSIS OF THERMOPLASTIC PROPERTIES AFTER CRYOGENIC TREATMENT AND NORMALIZATION

Dean Q. Lewis , Martin J. Dropik , David Tullai , Benjamin Dibble ,, May 2010

This study investigates tensile and impact property changes of polymers after cryogenic treatment and normalization to room temperature. Amorphous and crystalline specimens are subjected to multiple durations and cooling rates then reviewed for statistically significant shifts in properties. Statistical analysis of standard materials testing results show that the modulus of semi-crystalline materials tended to decrease after treatment and the ductility of HDPE and HIPS increased.

ANALYSIS OF THERMOPLASTIC PROPERTIES AFTER CRYOGENIC TREATMENT AND NORMALIZATION

Dean Q. Lewis , Martin J. Dropik , David Tullai , Benjamin Dibble, May 2010

This study investigates tensile and impact property changes of polymers after cryogenic treatment and normalization to room temperature. Amorphous and crystalline specimens are subjected to multiple durations and cooling rates, then reviewed for statistically significant shifts in properties. Statistical analysis of standard materials testing results show that the modulus of semi-crystalline materials tended to decrease after treatment and the ductility of HDPE and HIPS increased.

FAILURE OF HUMAN BIOPOLYMERS

Myer Ezrin, May 2010

This paper looks at similarities and differences in chemical composition and in failure of synthetic polymers and human biopolymers. The 2 types share susceptibility to damage from free radicals, oxygen, UV and xray radiation, heat and stress. Biopolymers undergo changes in composition and structure by reaction with free radicals and by reaction of sugars with proteins, adversely affecting normal functioning.

PREDICTION OF GAP BRIDGING IN LASER TRANSMISSION WELDING OF AMORPHOUS POLYMERS

M. Chen , G. Zak , P.J. Bates, May 2010

Gaps between joining partners can lead to defects in laser transmission welding of polymers. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of gap bridging during the laser transmission welding of polycarbonate. The model predicts the maximum allowable gap and maximum temperature as a function of carbon black level laser power and laser scan speed. The predictions agree with the experimental data. The model can help optimize material and process parameters for gap bridging in high speed contour welding of polymers.

CHARACTERIZE POLYURATHANE ACRYLATE BY HYPERDSC

A. Ambekar, N. Pardhy, Y.S. Negi, May 2010

Polyurethane acrylate can be cured by UV. There are two glass transiton temperatures due to the phase separated structure. After crosslinking, the glass transition temperature will be changed depending on the curing degree. Traditionally DSC is used to study the glass transition temperature. However in this case, the Tg is very weak so that conventional DSC can not detect the Tg easily. Now with the advance of fast scan DSC technology, the Tg of polyurethane acrylate can be readily detected at 200 ??C/min. Thus fast scan DSC can be used as a quality control tool for curing.

THERMAL AGEING OF CROSSLINKED ETHYLENE-VINYL SILANE COPOLYMERS

Miroslav Pastorek , Roman ?ermák , Jana Navrátilová , Martin Obadal, May 2010

This paper investigates the behavior and property evolution of silane crosslinked polyethylene upon thermal ageing. The work is focused mainly on morphological mechanical property and chemical changes in crosslinked and subsequently aged material. The changes in polymer were followed by differential scanning calorimetry infrared spectroscopy and standard tensile testing.

THERMAL AGEING OF CROSSLINKED ETHYLENE-VINYL SILANE COPOLYMERS

Miroslav Pastorek , Roman ?ermák , Jana Navrátilová , Martin Obadal, May 2010

This paper investigates the behavior and property evolution of silane crosslinked polyethylene upon thermal ageing. The work is focused mainly on morphological, mechanical property and chemical changes in crosslinked and subsequently aged material.The changes in polymer were followed by differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy and standard tensile testing.

THE EFFECT OF LDPE CONTENT ON HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE) FILMS FOR STRETCHED FILM TAPES

F. Lahuerta , P. Orr , M. Leathem , S. Robinson, May 2010

A range of blown films were prepared by extruding blends of a commercial HDPE with two separate LDPEs with different densities. Narrow tapes of the films were then stretched at draw ratios of between 1:6 and 1:8 at elevated temperatures. The mechanical morphological and tensile recovery characteristics before and after drawing were investigated in order to determine optimum blend composition and drawing conditions for a range of polyolefin stretched tape applications.

NANOMECHANICAL MEASUREMENTS IN ULTRATHIN POLYMER FILMS: RECTANGULAR BUBBLE" INFLATION MEASUREMENTS"

Shanhong Xu , Paul A. O’Connell , Gregory B. McKenna, May 2010

Confinement effects on the mechanical properties of ultrathin polymer films (<100 nm) were investigated by a novel bubble inflation technique developed in our lab.Circular bubbles of different diameter were used in prior studies of ultrathin films of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and polystyrene (PS). Here we show early results from using a rectangular bubble geometry for measurements performed with ultrathin PVAc films. Results are compared with those for the circular bubbles.

VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES AND ROTATIONAL MOLDABILITIES OF POLYOLEFINIC MATERIALS

Sergey Lapshin, Sarat K. Swain, Avraam. I. Isayev, May 2010

We set up a uniaxial roto-molding system with a glass vessel to be able to directly observe the rolling motion of sample particles during roto-molding process in which adherence behavior of EMMA and LLDPE powders is investigated in-situ during molding. The adherence of powders on the glass vessel started above the relaxation temperature of crystalline phases. It was found that materials with a various types of morphology can be prepared by controlling temperature profile of roto-molding process.

SULFONATED STYRENIC PENTABLOCK COPOLYMER MEMBRANES FOR HIGH WATER TRANSPORT RATE APPLICATIONS

John Flood , Donn Dubois , Carl Willis , Robert Bening, May 2010

Recently Handlin 1 2. reported on a new type of sulfonated block copolymer. These new sulfonated block copolymer structures have been designed to have continuous ionic domains and retain strength when fully hydrated. This paper is a continuation of their work. A more detailed explanation of the polymer will be provided along with characterization of the polymer morphology mechanical performance and transport properties.

SULFONATED STYRENIC PENTABLOCK COPOLYMER MEMBRANES FOR HIGH WATER TRANSPORT RATE APPLICATIONS

John Flood , Donn Dubois , Carl Willis , Robert Bening, May 2010

Recently Handlin reported on a new type of sulfonated block copolymer. These new sulfonated block copolymer structures have been designed to have continuous ionic domains and retain strength when fully hydrated. This paper is a continuation of their work. A more detailed explanation of the polymer will be provided along with characterization of the polymer morphology, mechanical performance, and transport properties.

REDUCING CYCLE TIMES & COSTS BY SIMPLIFYING MOLD DESIGNS USING COLLAPSIBLE CORE & EXPANDABLE CAVITY TECHNOLOGY

Alan Hickok, May 2010

Today there are cost-effective alternatives to traditional rack & gear systems for molding threaded parts. Molders can also benefit from cycle times reduced by as much as 15% – 20% percent. Through the use of side by side comparisons and case studies these benefits as well as design simplification and cleaner less complicated maintenance will be shown. More profitable avenues for molders can be realized by calculating the savings between old and new approaches to unscrewing applications.

REDUCING CYCLE TIMES & COSTS BY SIMPLIFYING MOLD DESIGNS USING COLLAPSIBLE CORE & EXPANDABLE CAVITY TECHNOLOGY

Alan Hickok, May 2010

Today there are cost-effective alternatives to traditional rack & gear systems for molding threaded parts.Molders can also benefit from cycle times reduced by as much as 15% ƒ?? 20% percent. Through the use of side by side comparisons and case studies, these benefits, as well as design simplification and cleaner, less complicated maintenance, will be shown. More profitable avenues for molders can be realized by calculating the savings between old and new approaches to unscrewing applications.

THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF INTERFACIAL INSTABILITIES IN COEXTRUSION FEED-BLOCK DIES

D.S. Langhe, A. Hiltner, E. Baer, May 2010

In this work, wave type of interfacial instabilities occurring during the coextrusion process have been investigated by using different feedblock geometries and polymers. It has been found that the onset of interfacial instabilities can be captured by the quantification of the stretching discontinuity occurring on the interface between different polymers.