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
RECENT ADDITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR ROTATIONAL MOLDING
Jiong Yu , Eric Wallis, May 2010
Proper additive selection is essential in rotational molding due to the severe processing conditions and oxygen rich environment. In addition light stability is often an essential element for outdoor applications. In this paper we will review different classes of stabilizers their functions and effects on rotational molding process and product properties. New stabilizers with cycle time reduction and improved color characteristics will be highlighted with supportive field trial data. In addition to address the durability of rotomolded parts the performance of different light stabilizers will also be reviewed and compared.
POLYMER MODIFICATION WITH SPECIALTY HYDROCARBON FLUIDS
Charlie Y. Lin , Bruce A. Harrington , David B. Dunaway, May 2010
Specialty hydrocarbon fluids are used to enhance polyolefin formulations for improved performance. These specialty hydrocarbon fluids have uniquely defined structures and narrow molecular weight distributions that provide exceptional compatibility with olefin-based polymers elastomers plastomers and other rubber products. As a result the dispersion of specialty hydrocarbon fluids in the polymer can be readily achieved in the extruder by a simple melt blending process. Benefits for using these fluids have been demonstrated in both non-crosslinked and cross-linked polyolefin formulations and in highly filled systems. Benefits include improved processability flexibility elasticity durability and most importantly longer retention of polymer properties in applications with broad service temperature requirements. The plasticization effect provided by these fluids helps reduce the viscosity of modified polymer. They also improve the processability in terms of better flowability higher output and lower head pressure and extruder torque. These fluids are free of aromatics and chlorine. They do not interfere with the common vis-breaking grafting or cross-linking agents used in blend formulations. In comparison to traditional process oils they exhibit improved long-term permanence due to their low volatility and high thermal and oxidative stability. Applications requiring increased flexibility durability and lower permanent set can benefit from the extremely low glass transition temperature of hydrocarbon fluids. This paper reviews the utility of specialty hydrocarbon fluids in several polyolefin-based polymer formulations for wire and cable pipe and tubing and automotive applications.
POLYMER MODIFICATION WITH SPECIALTY HYDROCARBON FLUIDS
Charlie Y. Lin , Bruce A. Harrington , David B. Dunaway, May 2010
Specialty hydrocarbon fluids are used to enhance polyolefin formulations for improved performance. These specialty hydrocarbon fluids have uniquely defined structures and narrow molecular weight distributions that provide exceptional compatibility with olefin-based polymers, elastomers, plastomers, and other rubber products. As a result, the dispersion of specialty hydrocarbon fluids in the polymer can be readily achieved in the extruder by a simple melt blending process.Benefits for using these fluids have been demonstrated in both non-crosslinked and cross-linked polyolefin formulations and in highly filled systems. Benefits include improved processability, flexibility, elasticity, durability and, most importantly, longer retention of polymer properties in applications with broad service temperature requirements. The plasticization effect provided by these fluids helps reduce the viscosity of modified polymer. They also improve the processability in terms of better flowability, higher output, and lower head pressure and extruder torque. These fluids are free of aromatics and chlorine. They do not interfere with the common vis-breaking, grafting or cross-linking agents used in blend formulations. In comparison to traditional process oils, they exhibit improved long-term permanence due to their low volatility and high thermal and oxidative stability. Applications requiring increased flexibility, durability and lower permanent set can benefit from the extremely low glass transition temperature of hydrocarbon fluids. This paper reviews the utility of specialty hydrocarbon fluids in several polyolefin-based polymer formulations for wire and cable, pipe and tubing, and automotive applications.
NOVEL ECO-FR" STYRENIC POLYMERS"
Tze-Wei Liu , Satish K. Gaggar , Sushant Agarwal , Adam Al-Mulla , Rakesh K. Gupta, May 2010
Flame retardants (FRs) additives are commonly usedin polymeric materials, with non-halogenated flameretardants being preferred for environmental, health andsafety reasons. However, developing non-halogenated FRsis a challenge for styrenic polymers such as acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene (ABS) since they burn very easily anddo not produce any char. Here, we have developed ahalogen-free flame retardant system for ABS using woodor cellulose as a charring material and ammoniumpolyphosphate (APP) as a catalyst. The use of theseadditives permits compounding and molding of ABS atlow temperatures. The resulting materials can achieve a V-0 or V-1 rating on UL-94 type tests.
POSS/PP NANOCOMPOSITES: CHARACTERIZATION AND PROPERTIES
Byoung-Jo Lee , Sayantan Roy , Sadhan C. Jana, May 2010
It is known that molecules of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) can self-assemble into nanoparticles by bottom-up self assembly process. This was used in this work to obtain nanocomposites of polypropylene (PP) and POSS. A compatible sorbitol type nucleating agent aided dispersion POSS in PP melt and provided templates for self-assembly into 50-200 nm particles during fiber spinning process. A typical polypropylene formulation containing 0.3 wt% nucleating agent and 5-10 wt% POSS was spun into fibers with close to 70% reduction in diameter and showed 40-45% increase in modulus and 70-75% increase in yield strength compared to unfilled PP. An optimum concentration of POSS was identified.
DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL ONE-STEP HYBRID PROCESSING
Jennifer K. Lynch, Thomas J. Nosker, Kendall Mills, Keith Luker, May 2010
The plastics processing industry typically must pre-compound using extrusion prior to part fabrication by injection molding (IM). The aim of this work is to implement a novel method that combines compounding and part fabrication into one processing step, thereby eliminating a costly, heat-intensive extra step. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) is blended with 10, 15, 20, and 30 % fiberglass (FG) by three methods, including standard IM, pre-compounding followed by standard IM, and a novel, one-step IM process using an innovative mixing screw design. The effect of processing method on the mechanical, impact, and thermal properties of a FGPTT composite is presented.
IMPACT MODIFIED HIGH MODULUS PC/ABS BLENDS: AUTOMOTIVE AND NON-IMPACT MODIFIED HIGH MODULUS PC/ABS BLENDS: AUTOMOTIVE AND NONAUTOMOTIVE
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.
GREEN COMPOSITES” FROM A CONJUGATED SOYBEAN OIL RESIN USING CORN STOVER AS A NATURAL FIBER REINFORCEMENT
Daniel P. Pfister , Richard C. Larock, May 2010
Novel “green composites” have been prepared using a conjugated soybean oil resin and corn stover as a natural fiber. Approximately 68 million metric tons of corn stover the residue remaining after harvest is available annually in the United States. The effect of the amount of the natural fiber the length of the fiber and the amount of the crosslinker on the structure and thermal and mechanical properties of the composites has been determined using Soxhlet extraction analysis thermogravimetric analysis dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. Increasing the amount of corn stover and decreasing the length of the fiber results in significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the composites. The Young’s moduli and tensile strengths of the composites range from 386 to 1324 MPa and 3.5 to 6.5 MPa respectively.
GREEN COMPOSITES" FROM A CONJUGATED SOYBEAN OIL RESIN USING CORN STOVER AS A NATURAL FIBER REINFORCEMENT"
Daniel P. Pfister , Richard C. Larock, May 2010
Novel green composites" have been prepared using a conjugated soybean oil resin and corn stover as a natural fiber. Approximately 68 million metric tons of corn stover the residue remaining after harvest is available annually in the United States. The effect of the amount of the natural fiber the length of the fiber and the amount of the crosslinker on the structure and thermal and mechanical properties of the composites has been determined using Soxhlet extraction analysis thermogravimetric analysis dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. Increasing the amount of corn stover and decreasing the length of the fiber results in significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the composites. The Youngƒ??s moduli and tensile strengths of the composites range from 386 to 1324 MPa and 3.5 to 6.5 MPa respectively."Novel green composites" have been prepared using a conjugated soybean oil resin and corn stover as a natural fiber. Approximately 68 million metric tons of corn stover the residue remaining after harvest is available annually in the United States. The effect of the amount of the natural fiber the length of the fiber and the amount of the crosslinker on the structure and thermal and mechanical properties of the composites has been determined using Soxhlet extraction analysis thermogravimetric analysis dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. Increasing the amount of corn stover and decreasing the length of the fiber results in significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the composites. The Youngƒ??s moduli and tensile strengths of the composites range from 386 to 1324 MPa and 3.5 to 6.5 MPa respectively."
PHOTOINITIATORS FOR UV LED CURING OF ACRYLATE THIN FILMS
Yong Lu , Linjie Zhu , Ming-Wan Young , Costas G. Gogos, May 2010
The use of Ultra Violet Light Emitting Diodes (UV LEDs) for carrying out rapid photo-initiated polymerizations (curing processes) has gained much attention recently due to several advantages that UV LED’s hold over traditional UV curing systems such as lower unit cost with no bulb consumption through replacement minimal maintenance and cooler curing source temperatures. UV LED’s have been applied in the fields of coating and dental science. In this study UV LED curing of ultra-thin films of acrylates was studied with photo Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). By monitoring the amount of heat released during curing the photoinitiators were screened; the effect of LED irradiation time on the conversion has also been studied.
PHOTOINITIATORS FOR UV LED CURING OF ACRYLATE THIN FILMS
Yong Lu , Linjie Zhu , Ming-Wan Young , Costas G. Gogos, May 2010
The use of Ultra Violet Light Emitting Diodes (UV LEDs) for carrying out rapid photo-initiated polymerizations (curing processes) has gained much attention recently, due to several advantages that UV LEDƒ??s hold over traditional UV curing systems, such as lower unit cost with no bulb consumption through replacement, minimal maintenance and cooler curing source temperatures. UV LEDƒ??s have been applied in the fields of coating and dental science. In this study, UV LED curing of ultra-thin films of acrylates was studied with photo Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). By monitoring the amount of heat released during curing, the photoinitiators were screened; the effect of LED irradiation time on the conversion has also been studied.
RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF POLYACRYLONITRILE COPOLYMERS PLASTICIZED WITH WATER
Kaan Gunes, Avraam I. Isayev, May 2010
The presence of water can dramatically lower the melting point of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) homo- or copolymers and make it possible to melt-spin high acrylonitrile (AN) content PAN fibers. However, the behavior of PAN-water melt has not been adequately investigated and the rheology data for PAN-water melt is not available in literature. We developed pressurized capillary rheometer and used it in PAN/Vinyl Acetate (VA)-H2O viscosity measurement successfully. The shear viscosity at 195?øC decreases as water content increases from 17 wt-% to 23 wt-%. The rheology of PAN-water melt can be useful in characterizing the melt and spinning PAN precursor fibers.
ULTRASONICALLY-AIDED EXTRUSION OF PEN/LCP BLENDS
Kaan Gunes , Avraam I. Isayev, May 2010
Ultrasonic extrusion of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), LCP and their blends was studied. Rheological, morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of the samples were investigated. Viscosity of PEN decreased with ultrasonic treatment, while that of the blends decreased at an amplitude of 10 ?¬m. Viscosity of LCP was unaffected by ultrasound. Blends treated at an amplitude of 10 ?¬m had larger LCP particles in moldings, leading to reduced mechanical properties in the blends. The results indicated that ultrasound had the predominant effect of degrading the PEN matrix and hindering LCP fibrillation in the blends, thereby masking possible compatibilization effects introduced by ultrasound.
PERFORMANCE OF HYBRID TOOLING IN MICRO INJECTION MOLDING
Ashley R. Kropf, May 2010
Previously, metal-polymer hybrid tooling improved the replication quality of microscale features due to the insulating effect of the polycarbonate in the tooling. In this research, hybrid tooling fabricated with a higher temperature polymer was evaluated for its resistance to deformation and ability to consistently reproduce parts over thousands of molding cycles. The polyimide-based hybrid tooling produced polystyrene and polycarbonate parts with consistently good depth ratios and no loss in feature definition over 1000 molding cycles. Although the new hybrid tooling exhibited no deformation, the metal coating peeled off the polyimide substrate. The new hybrid tooling cooled about six times more slowly than steel and nickel tooling, a characteristic that enhanced replication with relatively low mold temperatures.
ENHANCED COPOLYMERIZATION OF PEN/PET BLENDS DURING ULTRASONICALLY-AIDED EXTRUSION
Kaan Gunes , Avraam I. Isayev, May 2010
PEN, PET, and their 50/50 blend were ultrasonically extruded at various amplitudes.Rheological, thermal, mechanical, morphological and spectroscopic characterizations of the untreated and ultrasonically treated samples were carried out. Fast homopolymerization during extrusion of PET was foundto occur at an ultrasonic amplitude of 7.5 ?¬m. In contrast,degradation of PEN was observed with ultrasonic treatment. Ultrasonic treatment at short residence time led to the enhancement of transesterification reaction in the PEN/PET blend, indicating that more copolymerization occurred during ultrasonic treatment.
UNEXPECTED RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF NOVEL LOW-Tg TIN FLUOROPHOSPHATE GLASS/POLYAMIDE 6 HYBRIDS WITH ENHANCED BENEFITS
Qian Qin, Jin Katena, Yan Meng, Joshua U. Otaigbe, May 2010
By incorporating special low glass transition inorganic tin fluorophosphates glass (Pglass) into polyamide 6, the latter exhibits unprecedented non-Einstein-like viscosity decrease in the liquid state and an increase in Young's modulus in the solid state. This behavior makes the hybrid Pglass/polymer solid material stronger yet easier to process in the liquid state. The linear rheological behavior is discussed in terms of the hybrid components rheology. The results should beneficially impact our ability to prepare lower viscosity, highly filled polymers using already existing polymer processing methods, making the simple strategy potentially widely applicable in a number of applications such as barrier resistant thin films and flame-retardant polymer composites.
HOT MELT EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF POORLY SOLUBLE DRUGS WITH CONTROLLED RELEASE DISSOLUTION PROFILES
Alan I. Kasner, Patrick .J. Murray, Barbara A. Harris, May 2010
Hot melt extrusion (HME) is an emerging technology in the Pharmaceutical industry. The primary driver for utilization of HME is bioavailability improvement of poorly soluble drugs (PSD). Previous research showed HME of PSD with water insoluble polymeric excipients tended to yield amorphous solid dispersions [1]. Unfortunately, these compositions tended to have very poor aqueous drug solubility. It has now been demonstrated that the addition of a third component to the formulation (dissolution promoter) can be used to produce controlled release (CR) formulations of nearly unlimited profiles. The net result is an amorphous solid dispersion which exhibits controlled release properties. Further, formulations were observed which enhanced the overall solubility of the PSD compared to non-extruded analogs.
SENSITIVITY OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYAMIDE-IMIDE TO LOT-TO-LOT VARIABILITY
Alan I. Kasner , Patrick J. Murray , Barbara A. Harris, May 2010
PAI (Torlon) is used in aerospace applications requiring excellent mechanical properties at high temperature, fluid resistance, and thermal stability. PAI is a delayed cure thermoset that reaches its ultimate properties and maximum Tg only with an extended postcure. This work examined the correlation of Tg and properties of four injection molded lots of PAI. Testing consisted of impact strength measurement, tensile and flexural strength and modulus testing at various temperatures and after different environmental conditioning. CTE in three orthogonal directions were measured and creep testing was run on samples after different environmental exposures, including long-term aging in turbine oil.
ULTRASONICALLY-AIDED EXTRUSION OF BLENDS OF TWO THERMOTROPIC ULTRASONICALLY-AIDED EXTRUSION OF BLENDS OF TWO THERMOTROPIC LCPS
Mahesh Gupta, May 2010
Ultrasonically-aided extrusion of two thermotropic LCPs based on 6-oxy-2-napththoyl and p-oxybenzoyl moieties (LCP1), and p-oxybenzoyl, terephthaloyl and hydroquinone moieties (LCP2) and their blends were investigated. Miscibility of the blends was improved with ultrasonic treatment. Although LCP1 and LCP2 behaved differently under ultrasonic treatment, synergistic effects on fibrillation and mechanical properties of blends were observed in injection moldings. Ultrasonic treatment induced structural changes in the components, leading to improved mechanical properties of LCP1 moldings, and degradation of LCP2. Mechanical properties of melt spun fibers of the blends lied between those of components.
MESH PARTITIONING TECHNIQUE FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL SIMULATION OF COEXTRUSION
Mahesh Gupta, May 2010
A new algorithm for simulation of polymer coextrusion is introduced. In the new algorithm the finite element mesh of tetrahedral elements remains unaltered as the interface shape between adjacent polymer layers is developed during the simulation. The use of a fixed finite element mesh for coextrusion simulation is possible because in the new algorithm the interface between the two polymers is not required to match with an interelement boundary of the tetrahedral elements in the mesh.Instead by partitioning the tetrahedral elements intersected by the interface into two tetrahedral pyramidal or prismatic finite elements in the new algorithm the interface is allowed to pass through the interior of the tetrahedral elements in the original finite element mesh.
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