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

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.

VIBRATION WELDING POLYPROPYLENE – EFFECT OF MFI ON WELD STRENGTH AND MICROSTRUCTURE

P.J. Bates , A. Powell, May 2010

This paper examines the weld strength and microstructure of three polypropylene homopolymers of different melt flow indices (MFI). The heat affected zone thickness was observed to be inversely proportional to weld pressure and polymer MFI. The weld strength was observed to decrease with pressure. The weld strengths of lower MFI polymers were more weld-pressure sensitive.

VIBRATION WELDING POLYPROPYLENE ƒ?? EFFECT OF MFI ON WELD STRENGTH AND MICROSTRUCTURE

P.J. Bates , A. Powell , M. Kontopoulou, May 2010

THE INFLUENCE OF THE PROCESSING CONDITIONS ON THE PS/MWCNT COMPOSITES PREPARED WITH TWIN SCREW EXTRUDER

Jian-Kang Wang, Xiang-Yang Liu , Han-Xiong Huang, May 2010

Polystyrene/multi-wall carbon nanotube composites, PS/MWCNT, were prepared with co-rotating twin screw extruder. PS/MWCNT was prepared by diluting highly concentrated MWCNT masterbatch chips. We investigated rheological and mechanical properties of PS/MWCNT composites. Rheological and mechanical properties of PS/MWCNT composites depended on concentration of PS/MWCNT and processing conditions such as screw speed, feeding rate.

NATURAL FIBER-PHENOLIC-HANNEBACHITE COMPOSITES: EFFECTS OF FIBER TYPE

Hui Deng , John M. Torkelson, May 2010

The management of greenhouse gasses can certainly benefit from better marshalling of our wooded lands. Therefore, our recent research has focused on developing wood-substitute composites without wood in them from natural fibrous materials, e.g., jute, miscanthus, kenaf, wheat straw, and industrial hemp and plate-like hannebachite crystallites. Imaging, DSC, flexural strength and water sensitivity measurements were undertaken on composites formulated from the aforementioned natural fibers. Comparative effects on the mechanical and thermal properties were ascertained.

THE FOAMABILITY OF POLYPROPYLENE COPOLYMER BLOWN WITH ARGON NITROGEN AND HELIUM

Anson Wong , Siu N. Leung , Mohammad M. Hasan , Chul B. Park, May 2010

Due to environmental concerns research has been carried out to investigate the feasibility of using inert gases as blowing agents in plastic foaming processes.However the foamability of polypropylene copolymer blown with argon nitrogen and helium has not been reported previously. This paper investigates the nucleating powers of these gases to foam polypropylene copolymer by studying the polymeric foaming processes in situ.

EFFECT OF OMMT CHARACTERISTICS ON SCRATCH DEFORMATION BEHAVIOR OF POLYPROPYLENE TERNARY NANOCOMPOSITES

Husein Dibaei Asl , Seyed Ali Monemian , Shahrouz Taranejoo , Mahmood Torabi Angaji, May 2010

Compatibilized polypropylene (PP)/organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites were prepared via melt intercalation. OMMTs with different gallery spacing were chosen. The effect of OMMT structure on scratch deformation behavior was investigated.Correlations between scratch deformation parameters with mechanical, thermal and melt flow behavior of the nanocomposites were established and discussed.

THE EFFECT OF ANNEALING ON DEFORMATION AND FRACTURE BEHAVIOR OF INJECTION MOLDED PLA

Junji Takahashi, Takashi Kuriyama, May 2010

The effect of annealing on the deformation and fracture behavior of injection molded Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) was investigated. The behavior of as-molded amorphous PLA was changed from brittle to ductile by annealing above Tg (60?øC) for 5 min. On the other hand, the sample annealed above Tcr (re-crystallization temperature) showed brittle fracture.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SYNTACTIC FOAMS

Obiageli B. Onovo , Andrey Beyle , Christopher C. Ibeh, May 2010

Syntactic foams on epoxy and on vinyl esters were produced and tested. Different types of glass microballoons were used. Samples were tested on compression tension bending fracture toughness and on impact resistance. The influence of the type of microballoons their concentration and the type of polymer matrix properties was studied. Density and morphology studies were used for the control of technology. Results of experiments are compared with different theoretical models used for the properties prediction.

PP/CO2 Volume Swelling from Measurement and Equations-of-state Predictions

Y.G. Li , C.B. Park, May 2010

The Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) data for polymer/gas solutions is an important fundamental property in which accurate measurement has not been reported until recently. This paper presents the measured volume swelling of linear and branchedpolypropylene (PP) with CO2 under hightemperature and pressure conditions by using a new PVT measurement apparatus. Comparisons are made between the measured swelling data the Sanchez and Lacombe (SL) and Simha and Somcynsky (SS) equations-of-state (EOS) predicted values.

COLOR STABILITY OF TRANSPARENT HIGH HEAT POLYCARBONATE IN AUTOMOBILE LENS APPLICATIONS

Gaurav Mediratta , Todd Loehr , Andre Volkers , Chiel Leenders , Jianbo Di , Srinivas Siripurapu, May 2010

Novel and versatile developments in automotive lighting applications demand new material solutions to meet industry requirements. Color stability of a new transparent high heat polycarbonate copolymer under thermal aging has been investigated. The magnitude and rate of color shift have been used to predict the long-term performance of these materials in automobile lens applications. The end use temperatures can be determined based on specific industry requirements.

STYRENIC COPOLYMERS CONTAINING OLIGO(OXY ETHYLENE) SIDE CHAINS

S. C. Chen, M. Y. Shih, P. H. Lee, J. S. Huang, S. H. Wang, Y. H. Lin, May 2010

Novel styrenic copolymers containing oligo(oxyethylene) groups are designed, synthesized and characterized using different analytical techniques. While they are used as compatibilizers in engineering polymer blend systems they could potentially impart improved flow and surface properties e.g., antistatic, antidust properties.

A NEW FAMILY OF FLAME RETARDANT POLYMERS AND ADDITIVES

Erik Dunkerley, Daniel F. Schmidt, May 2010

Polyphosphonates are a new family of polymeric, flame-resistant oligomers and polymers that can be used in demanding applications both as FR additives and stand-alone plastics. Polyphosphonate plastics have the highest LOI of any of the thermoplastic-processable polymers. These materials are inherently flame retardant and can be used in a broad variety of polymer systems, including thermoplastic and thermosetting. Being both halogen-free and polymeric, polyphosphonates are unique in the area of flame retardants.

A UNIFIED MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF IONOMERS

Brian P. Grady, May 2010

A comprehensive description will be provided for ionic aggregates in ionomers for those cations that are strongly segregated (e.g. ionomers neutralized with transition metals). The fundamental structure of aggregates is planar, and the various morphologies that have been seen in TEM and suggested from SAXS data are due to rolling of the planes (e.g. similar to nanotubes) to reduce the number of edge atoms.

THE EFFECTS OF MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE ON THE HIGH FREQUENCY DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS

Lecon Woo, William Anderson, May 2010

The Effects of Moisture and Temperature on the High Frequency Dielectric Properties of Engineering Thermoplastics

RESEARCHES ON MORPHOLOGY AND PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE/POLYAMIDE-6/ORGANOCLAY NANOCOMPOSITES

Hai-bin Zhao, Xiang-fang Peng, May 2010

The mechanical properties and morphology of polypropylene/ polyamide-6/organoclay nanocomposites were studied. It was shown that the addition of clay improved impact strength and flexural strength but made little effort on tensile strength. Organoclay had influence on crystalline property of PP and PA6 and improved the compatibility of PP/PA6 blends.

BENCHMARKING FRACTOGRAPHIC FEATURES USING HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT FAILURES

Niles G. Stenmark, May 2010

Several failures that occurred to plastic products used at the home of the author were selected for study of their fracture surfaces. The failed parts included a bicycle fender a rack for drying sweaters and a magnetic refrigerator clip. All of the failed parts were fabricated from styrenic-based polymers. This paper will focus on connecting the known service conditions of the failed parts to the unique patterns observed on the fracture surfaces.

ULTRASOUND ASSISTED MELT PROCESSING OF LCP/CNF NANOCOMPOSITES

Rishi Kumar , Avraam I. Isayev, May 2010

Ultrasound assisted twin screw extrusion process was developed to disperse carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in a polymer matrix. CNFs were separately added into the melt stage to reduce the breakage of CNFs and to avoid intense stresses in the feed zone. The effect of ultrasound and CNFs loading on die pressure, rheological, mechanical, electrical and morphological properties of liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) filled with 2-20 wt% CNFs was studied.Ultrasonic treatment caused a reduction in die pressure with decrease in electrical percolation threshold value of treated samples.

METALLIZER CONDITIONS IMPACT ON LAMINATION BOND STRENGTH OF METALLIZED OPP

Eldridge M. Mount III, May 2010

Metallized films are used extensively in flexible packaging to supply light moisture and oxygen barrier. Generally the film is laminated to a printed web to protect the metal and to add functionality and product identification information. It is desired that the lamination bond strength be high and uniform. This study shows that metallization conditions have an impact on extrusion lamination bond strengths and highlights the impact of lamination conditions on metal crazing.

METALLIZER CONDITIONS IMPACT ON LAMINATION BOND STRENGTH OF METALLIZED OPP

Eldridge M. Mount III, May 2010

Metallized films are used extensively in flexible packaging to supply light, moisture and oxygen barrier. Generally the film is laminated to a printed web to protect the metal and to add functionality and product identification information. It is desired that the lamination bond strength be high and uniform. This study shows that metallization conditions have an impact on extrusion lamination bond strengths and highlights the impact of lamination conditions on metal crazing.