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

POLYETHERIMIDE-POLYETHERETHERKETONE BLENDS AND MISCIBILITY

Charlie Y. Lin, Bruce A. Harrington, David B. Dunaway, May 2010

A polyetherimide (PEI, ULTEM* 1000 resin) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) form a miscible blend that has been well studied. Blends of PEEK with other polyetherimides and polyimides were evaluated to determine miscibility. The effect of extent of miscibility on crystallization of PEEK is also assessed. Potential blends with a range of properties are presented.

IMPACT MODIFIED HIGH MODULUS PC/ABS BLENDS: AUTOMOTIVE AND NONAUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

Amit S. Kulkarni , Parminder Agarwal , Jim DeRudder , Karin van de Wetering , Ying Li , Jenny Zhang, May 2010

The latest applications in automotive and computer & business equipment markets require a high modulus resin coupled with superior impact behavior. It is a challenge to deliver these new features in products coupled with other desirable properties such as low thermal expansion and optimal melt-flow that enables filling of complex parts. This manuscript details the development of new PC/ABS blends based on novel filler technology to deliver these market needs.

UNDERSTANDING THE COMPATIBILIZATION OF POLYPROPYLENE/POLYSULFONE MEMBRANES

V. Flaris , N. Montero, May 2010

Polypropylene (PP)/polysulfone (PSU) membranes were successfully made using an environmentally-friendly process. Flux amongst other mechanical properties were improved with the introduction of functional polyolefins.Understanding the chemistry and location of the functional polyolefins is critical to explaining these improvements.

UNDERSTANDING THE COMPATIBILIZATION OF POLYPROPYLENE/POLYSULFONE MEMBRANES

V. Flaris , N. Montero, May 2010

Polypropylene (PP)/polysulfone (PSU) membranes were successfully made using an environmentally-friendly process. Flux amongst other mechanical properties, were improved with the introduction of functional polyolefins. Understanding the chemistry and location of the functional polyolefins is critical to explaining these improvements.

TOOLING AND PROCESSING OF CORNER MOLDS USING SIMULATION SOFTWARE

Ashley R. Kropf, May 2010

The optimal tooling and processing methods for a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) have been investigated for a corner mold. Using TPVs has become a cost effective solution to replace thermoset rubber specifically ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. Due to mold complexity and processing inconsistencies molders have tried varying the number and location of gates to achieve success. Using three-dimensional (3D) simulation software results indicate that one gate should be adequate for corner molding with TPVs.

MAPPING OF POYLMER NANOSTRUCTURES USING TEMPLATE ASSISTED METHOD

Daniel R. Joseph, May 2010

Recently it has been shown that the morphology of nanotubes plays a critical role in determining their behavior in vivo. The purpose of the current work is to utilize anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates to fabricate polystyrene nanostructures. The effects of molecular weight, concentration, template pore size and solvent on the resulting morphology have been characterized. Results indicate complete filling of homemade templates was achieved with 1wt% polymer solutions of when Mn > Me.

IMPROVING BLOWN FILM YIELD BY REDUCTION OF RESIN USED TO COVER PROCESS SHORTCOMINGS

Daniel R. Joseph, May 2010

This paper introduces the concept of improving blown film yield by reducing excess resin being used to cover chronic gauge problems and manual width control methods. The term runaway resin is introduced and quantified for manual width control. A case study is presented that demonstrates reductions in runaway resin and yield improvement by adding an easy to install width control system to a basic 405mm die (without internal bubble cooling) running commodity products.

IMPROVING BLOWN FILM YIELD BY REDUCTION OF RESIN USED TO COVER PROCESS SHORTCOMINGS

Daniel R. Joseph, May 2010

REVIEW PAPER: PROCESSING ASPECTS OF HOT MELT EXTRUSION IN PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS

Huiju Liu , Peng Wang , Marino Xanthos , Linjie Zhu , Costas G. Gogos, May 2010

Applying extrusion technology to drug manufacturing received increasing attention in the last two decades. Extrusion technology has the potential of replacing current pharmaceuticals manufacturing methods due to the advantages such as the elimination of solvent and the continuous and consistent high throughput. This article presents a brief review of Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) from polymer processing perspective, concentrating on mixing, material degradation and process analytical technology.

SIMULATION OF DISTRIBUTIVE AND DISPERSIVE MIXING IN A CO-ROTATING TWIN-SCREW EXTRUDER

L. Cong , M. Gupta, May 2010

Simulation results for mixing of two different polymers in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder are presented. Velocity distribution predicted by a threedimensional simulation of the flow is used to predict the change in the spatial distribution of initially segregated particles as well as the reduction in radius due to erosion.The predicted particle distribution is used to estimate the increase in Shannon entropy due to dispersive and distributive mixing along the extruder channel.

EXTRUSION FOAMING OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES WITH DISTINCT STRAIN HARDENING CHARACTERISTICS

Amit K. Chaudhary, Krishnamurthy Jayaraman, May 2010

Thermoplastic foams were produced from two different polypropylene nanocomposites by extrusion with the help of a chemical blowing agent. The strain hardening ratio decreased with increasing strain rate for one of the nanocomposites. For the other nanocomposite melt, the strain hardening ratio was unchanged with strain rate. Smaller cell sizes (less than 40 microns in diameter) were obtained when the nanocomposite melt displayed strain hardening levels in extensional flow that were maintained over a range of strain rates.

NON-ISOTHERMAL SIMULATION OF THE FLOW IN CO-ROTATING AND COUNTER-ROTATING TWIN-SCREW EXTRUDERS USING MESH PARTITIOING TECHNIQUE

Mahesh Gupta, May 2010

A new algorithm for simulation of non-isothermal flow in a twin-screw extruder is introduced. In the new algorithm the finite element mesh of tetrahedral elements is created in the complete barrel including the space occupied by the screws. By partitioning the tetrahedral elements which are intersected by the screw surfaces into two tetrahedral pyramidal or prismatic finite elements the new algorithm allows the flow simulation in twinscrew extruder without regenerating the finite element mesh as the two screws rotate.

FLAMMABILITY OF FR-PP BASED SANDWICH INJECTION MOLDINGS

Makoto Seino , Manabu Nomura , Masaya Kotaki, May 2010

Flammability of frame retardant polypropylene (FR-PP) based sandwich injection moldings was investigated. Flame-retardant and filler were intentionally incorporated in the skin and the core parts of sandwich injection moldings. Sandwich injection moldings showed superior flame retardancy and mechanical properties when high contents of flame-retardant and filler were incorporated in the skin and the core parts respectively. This trend was remarkable when phosphorous flame-retardant (Intumescent) was used compared to bromine flame-retardant.

FLAMMABILITY OF FR-PP BASED SANDWICH INJECTION MOLDINGS

Makoto Seino , Manabu Nomura , Masaya Kotaki, May 2010

Flammability of flame retardant polypropylene (FR-PP) based sandwich injection moldings was investigated. Flame-retardant and filler were intentionally incorporated in the skin and the core parts of sandwich injection moldings. Sandwich injection moldings showed superior flame retardancy and mechanical properties when high contents of flame-retardant and filler were incorporated in the skin and the core parts, respectively. This trend was remarkable when phosphorous flame-retardant (Intumescent) was used compared to bromine flame-retardant.

IMPROVEMENT IN SURFACE QUALITY OF MICROCELLULAR INJECTION MOLDED PARTS

Jungjoo Lee , Lih-Sheng Turng, May 2010

Microcellular injection molding has many advantages such as cost savings reduced cycle times and excellent shrinkage properties. However surface defects on the microcellular injection molded parts—such as gas-flow swirl marks and a lack of smoothness—still remain a challenge. This paper describes a method to improve the surface quality of microcellular injection molded parts.

IMPROVEMENT IN SURFACE QUALITY OF MICROCELLULAR INJECTION MOLDED PARTS

Jungjoo Lee , Lih-Sheng Turng, May 2010

Microcellular injection molding has many advantages such as cost savings, reduced cycle times, and excellent shrinkage properties. However, surface defects on the microcellular injection molded partsƒ??such as gas-flow swirl marks and a lack of smoothnessƒ??still remain a challenge. This paper describes a method to improve the surface quality of microcellular injection molded parts.

BATCH FOAMING OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED WOOD PLASTIC COMPOSITES

Hamid O. Semeralul , Ghaus M. Rizvi , Mohammad Rubyet Islam, May 2010

Foaming of wood plastic composites (WPC), along with the addition of small amounts of glass fiber can improve the mechanical properties of WPC. Such improvements have the potential to help WPC find applications in areas where it has been previously overlooked due to factors such as its low strength and high density when compared with natural wood. The foaming process involves many parameters that interact to determine the quality of the final product. This paper investigates some of these parameters with the aim of optimizing them.

CHARACTERIZATION OF PROPERTIES OF WOOD PLASTIC COMPOSITES (WPC) WITH GLASS FIBER REINFORCEMENTS

Hamid O. Semeralul , Ghaus M. Rizvi, May 2010

The mechanical properties of wood plastic composites (WPC) can be improved with the addition of small amounts of glass fiber. This improvement can help WPC find applications in areas where it has been previously overlooked due to factors such as its lowstrength when compared with natural wood. Mechanical properties such as flexural and impact strength showed improvements upon the addition of glass fibers (GF) in certain compositions. This paper examines the effects of GF upon these properties.

FINITE ELEMENT MODELING AND MICROSTRUCTURE ANALYSIS FOR CONTOUR LASER TRANSMISSION WELDING OF GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED NYLON 6

M. Chen , G. Zak , P.J. Bates , M.R. Kamal , M. Al-Wohoush, May 2010

This paper presents FEM heat transfer analysis and experimental results for contour laser transmission welding of glass fibre reinforced Nylon 6. Predicted temperature fields near the weld interface were compared with the dimensions of the heat affected zone, and weld widths. Temperature profiles at the weldline were also estimated from the modeling data.

STUDY ON THE SHEAR VISCOSITY OF HDPE-WOOD COMPOSITES/SUPERCRITICAL CO2 SOLUTION

Jingjing Zhang , Jing Wang , Chul B. Park , Ghaus M. Rizvi , Han-Xiong Huang, May 2010

In this work the shear viscosities of wood plastic composites (WPC)/ supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) solutions at different die temperatures and sc-CO2 contents were measured by a slit die attached on a single-screw extrusion system. A theoretical model based on the Cross-Yasuda model and Arrhenius equation was developed to describe the shear-thinning behavior of the WPC/ sc-CO2 solution. The model was a function of temperature pressure sc-CO2 content and shear rate.