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Conference Proceedings

A NOVEL TECHNIQUE TO DETECT SMALL MOLECULES OF LOW CONCENTRATION IN POLYMER BLENDS BY RUO4 STAINING
S.-H. Zhu , C. Tzoganakis, May 2010

The presence and distribution of a trace amount of small molecules which can be the by-product from slight degradation of blend components during processing or a residual reagent added in reactive processing are valuable information in polymer blends.However it is often difficult to discern these substances using normal methods. Low concentrations of butannaldehyde in PC/PBT blends and free residual amine in TPU/PO blends are detected using a RuO4 staining technique under a scanning electron microscope.Fine grains which are formed by the reaction of RuO4 with them are observed both on the surface and in the bulk of the two polymer blends after the staining.

DEPENDENCY OF LPP FOAMING BEHAVIOR ON FOAM COMPOSITION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS
M. Nofar, C.B. Park, May 2010

In this work, the dependency of linear polypropylene (LPP) (MFI of 18 g/10min) foaming behavior on nanoclay addition and various processing parameters were explored. Because of the low cost of LPP, there is a high industrial interest in this approach. In our work, two processing methods in a twin screw extruder were utilized to see the influence of nanoclays dispersion within the polymer. A single screw extruder was used for foaming in a range of temperatures and Supercritical CO2 was used as the blowing agent. X-Ray diffraction, SEM, and density measurements were utilized to explore the nanoclaysƒ?? exfoliation, cell density, and expansion ratio, respectively.

MORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF POLYPROPYLENE/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES MATERIALS
Ben Hadj Salah H., Ben Daly H., Cole K. C., Denault J., Perrin-Sarazin F., May 2010

Polypropylene clay nanocomposites were injection-molded using two different coupling agents based on maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAgPP) and two clay loadings. The morphological aspects of these materials were studied by depth profiling. Molecular chain and clay orientations were characterized using attenuated total reflectance-infrared analysis (ATR-FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both clay platelets and PP molecular chain orientations were found to decrease from the surface toward the core of the injectionƒ??molded specimens. Clay intercalation, characterized by both complementary X-ray diffraction (XRD) and TEM, was found to be significantly influenced by the characteristics of the coupling agent used to optimize properties of the nanocomposites. The use of low molecular weight (Mw) maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAgPP) led to a uniform intercalation but with no further exfoliation. The use of higher Mw MAgPP led to a heterogeneous intercalation with some signs of exfoliation. The crystallization behavior of polypropylene (PP) clay nanocomposites studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed an increase of the level of crystallinity from the surface to the core of the specimens; these results were also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS WITH PEBAX®
Sean Arsenault, May 2010

Poly ether-b-amide thermoplastic elastomers (Pebax? thermoplastic elastomer*) provide a unique combination of physical chemical and processing properties. This unique combination of properties can be attributed to their chemical structure which consists of rigid polyamide segments acting as physical crosslinks and flexible polyether segments having a glass transition temperature well below room temperature (-60?øC). By selectively altering the structure and molecular weight of the polyamide and polyether segments it is possible to achieve desired properties exclusive to its respective stoichiometry and block length. It is this relationship between the polyamide and polyether phases that give its elastomeric property yielding high extensibility and recovery.The desired properties which make Pebax?? thermoplastic elastomer so extraordinary include exceptionally low hysteresis which results in good fatigue resistance low heat build up and good retention of properties. Other properties exclusive to Pebax?? thermoplastic elastomer include a low density (1.01 g/cm3) hydrophobic / hydrophilic nature depending upon monomer composition no yellowing and excellent UV resistance. What makes Pebax?? thermoplastic elastomer so attractive is the fact that it can be applied to nearly all industries. Due to the versatility of the physical properties of Pebax?? thermoplastic elastomer it is no surprise that Peba?? thermoplastic elastomer is encountered in a number of applications. New technological developments with Pebax?? thermoplastic elastomer include breathable film applications for the housing and apparel industry due to excellent permeability to moisture vapor while remaining waterproof and offering an excellent barrier layer to bacteria. Additional technological developments include Pebax?? thermoplastic elastomer for durable nonwoven elastic applications due to its ability to be extruded by both melt blown and spunbond technologies. Impact modification of Pebax??

A STUDY ON THE USE OF CROSS SECTIONING OF COMPLETE PARTS AND ASSEMBLIES AS A FAILURE ANALYSIS TOOL
Jose M. Perez, Jr., May 2010

Of the many tools available to the professional failure analyst, ranging from compositional analysis to visual and microscopic examination, a commonly underutilized tool is examination of the failed part using stereomicroscopy of mounted cross sections. Although transmission light microscopy can be utilized for examination of the crystalline structure in thin specimens, this paper will instead focus on the use of cross sectional examination of entire parts and assemblies. This will include an overview of the sample preparation method and several examples of its use including: characterization of plating failures, detection and re-creation of leak paths, qualitative assessment of filler material distribution, and knit line integrity.

STUDY ON STEAM CHEST MOLDING PROCESS FOR EPP BEAD FOAM
Dong Won Jung, Eung Kee Lee, Chul B. Park, Hani E. Naguib, May 2010

This paper deals with the basic principles and procedures of the steam chest molding process for expanded polypropylene (EPP) bead foam. Steam chest molding is an integral process for EPP technology. However, little research has been carried out regarding the processing condition of steam chest molding. The characteristics of EPP foam are energy absorption, multiple impact protection, lightweight, structural strength and durability. In this study, the steam pressure in the steam chest molding was varied to find the optimum condition for manufacturing EPP foam. Moreover, annealing after EPP foam molding was put into practice to prevent the shrinkage of the steam-molded product. It was possible to verify the mechanism of foam shrinkage by observing the weight change with time at different annealing temperatures. A tensile test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were also executed to support these experimental results. The dimensional stability was investigated for each molded product from different steam pressures.

EFFECTS OF EXTRUSION SYSTEM SCALE ON THE EXPANSION OF POLYSTYRENE FOAMS BLOWN WITH CARBON DIOXIDE
Hongtao Zhang, Changwei Zhu, Saleh Amani, Chul B. Park, Jing Wang, May 2010

This paper presents the effects of the blowing agent content on the volume expansion of extruded polystyrene foams blown with CO2. Both lab-scale and pilot-scale extrusion systems were used to investigate the effects of extrusion equipment scales on the expansion ratio. Experimental results reveal that there was no apparent relationship between the expansion ratio of the PS foam sheets and the scale of extrusion systems. It was established that the degree of foam expansion is strongly affected by certain processing conditions, including processing temperature, pressure-drop rate, and CO2 content.

THE EFFECT OF VISCOSITY CHANGE ON FLOW LENGTH AND CELL MORPHOLOGY IN MICROCELLULAR FOAM INJECTION MOLDING
Yongrak Moon, Peter U. Jung, C.B. Park, May 2010

Viscosity change in polymer and gas mixtures is important in designing dies or molds because of its impact on the quality of the microcellular foaming product. In developing a continuous process for microcellular foams, very little attention has been directed towards researching the viscosity change that occurs when gas is injected into the polymer and its effect on cell morphology despite its importance. The purpose of this paper is to provide the basic data required to determine the processing condition by measuring viscosity changes against the gas injection rates of the blowing agent, and to verify the influence of viscosity change on the cell morphology of the samples during the injection molding process.

THE EFFECT OF VISCOSITY CHANGE ON FLOW LENGTH AND CELL MORPHOLOGY IN MICROCELLULAR FOAM INJECTION MOLDING
Yongrak Moon , Peter U. Jung , C.B. Park, May 2010

Viscosity change in polymer and gas mixtures is important in designing dies or molds because of its impact on the quality of the microcellular foaming product. In developing a continuous process for microcellular foams, very little attention has been directed towards researching the viscosity change that occurs when gas is injected into the polymer and its effect on cell morphology despite its importance. The purpose of this paper is to provide the basic data required to determine the processing condition by measuring viscosity changes against the gas injection rates of the blowing agent, and to verify the influence of viscosity change on the cell morphology of the samples during the injection molding process.

NOVEL DELIVERY SYSTEMS BY MELT COMPOUNDING POLYMERS WITH DRUG FUCNTIONALIZED NANOCLAYS
Neelam Singh, Santanu Dutta, Abhijit Baruah, Priyanka Singh, Y. Vasudeo, May 2010

In this study, anionic nanoclays are functionalized with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) which intercalate into the interspacing of the clays through ion exchange reactions and then melt mixed with appropriate polymer matrices. The intercalated API is further released upon demand by physiochemical changes in an appropriate environment. The aspects of drug release from different systems containing dispersed or dissolved APIs in polymeric matrices are compared with those of systems containing nanoclays functionalized with different APIs in attempts to develop novel drug delivery systems.

MODIFICATION OF THE FLOW BEHAVIOR OF POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITE USING LMW & HMW FLOW PROMOTERS
Neelam Singh , Santanu Dutta , Abhijit Baruah , Priyanka Singh , Y. Vasudeo, May 2010

This paper discusses how melt flow indices and flow behavior data can be used to predict polymer flow in real industrial processes. The ability to simulate flow behavior can help us establish a robust process that has a large processing window and which accommodates a natural variation. The effect of shear rate on viscosity is of far greater significance. It is therefore important to find the Newtonian region of the curve and set the process parameters in this region for a specified mould thickness. This paper also aims at modifying the flow behavior of polypropylene blends using various lubricants and flow promoters both low molecular weight and polymeric flow promoters

THERMAL STRESSES AND BIREFRINGENCE IN MULTI-LAYERED POLYMER SLABS: THEORY AND EXPERIMENT
Priyanka Singh, Santanu Dutta, Abhijit Baruah, Neelam Singh, Y. Vasudeo, May 2010

Free quenching of three-layered slabs of PS-PC-PS and PC-PS-PC from various initial melt temperatures to below the glass transition temperature was carried out. The thermal residual stress and birefringence distributions along the thickness direction of the slabs were simulated and the birefringence was measured. Simulations were based on the linear viscoelastic and photoviscoelastic constitutive equations and the first-order rate equation for volume relaxation. The relaxation modulus and strain-optical coefficient functions of polymers as a function of time and temperature were used in the simulations. Comparisons indicated a reasonable agreement between the simulated and measured data.

INTEGRATING THIN WALL BUMPER MOULDING INTO RESIN PROPERTIES: EFFECT OF IMPACT-STIFFNESS-TENSILE BALANCE
Priyanka Singh , Santanu Dutta , Abhijit Baruah , Neelam Singh , Y. Vasudeo, May 2010

To make polypropylene automotive components with reduced wall thickness, there rises the need to maintain equivalent load bearing capacity. The paper aims at establishing the basic mechanical property requirements which influence the design of automotive components with reduced wall thickness. A set of elastomer modified polypropylene resins with different levels of reinforcement is investigated with respect to their physico-mechanical properties such as yield strength, yield energy, stiffness, stiffness impact balance and impact strength together with impact energy.

BARRIER PROPERTIES OF AMORPHOUS AND SEMI-CRYSTALLINE POLYAMIDE NANOCOMPOSITE FILMS
A. Cellere, G. Lucchetta, May 2010

This study investigates the effect of crystallinity and nanoclay content on the barrier properties of polyamides of similar polarity, one amorphous the other semicrystalline. The polyamide resins were compounded with commercial alkylammonium montmorillonite nanoclay to achieve volume percent inorganic contents of 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%, as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All formulations were then extruded through a 6 inch cast film die to yield transparent sheets which were then tested for oxygen and water vapor permeability, with the crystallinity of the semi-crystalline materials measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

OPTIMIZATION OF HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS GEOMETRY FOR LGF REINFORCED THERMOPLASTICS
A. Cellere , G. Lucchetta, May 2010

Long glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics are widely used in industry because of their low cost and high performances. During the injection molding process, the glass fibers initial length is reduced by breakage and this phenomenon strongly affects some mechanical properties of the components, e.g. their impact strength. The aim of this study is to minimize the fibers breakage in a hot runner channel by optimizing its geometry. Geometrical control parameters were selected to model different geometries using a 3D modeler, and fluid dynamic numerical simulations were conducted using ANSYS Polyflow. An SQP optimization algorithm, implemented in a multi-objective optimization software, was used to determine the values of geometrical control parameters that minimize the fibers breakage.

A STUDY OF PROCESSING INDUCED PART FAILURES
Priyanka Singh, Santanu Dutta, Abhijit Baruah, Neelam Singh, Y. Vasudeo, May 2010

Of the four pillars required for the successful development of a plastic part; material selection, part design, processing, and service environment, processing is often assumed to be the most controllable. Even when the service environment has been properly defined, the best design principles implemented, and the appropriate material selected, seemingly insignificant changes in processing can grossly and adversely affect an otherwise well developed product. This paper will explore case studies where the failure of the part can be traced directly back to improper processing and how shortcomings in processing ultimately predisposed them to premature failure.

REINFORCEMENT OF POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITE SYSTEMS: EFFECT OF FILLERS AND COMPATIBILIZERS
Priyanka Singh , Santanu Dutta , Abhijit Baruah , Neelam Singh , Y. Vasudeo, May 2010

The purpose of this work is to compare the mechanical properties of the different PP/ Filler composites. We considered the effect of treatment of the filler on the adhesion between the filler and the matrix .Modification of polypropylene (PP) with different coated and uncoated fillers is investigated in this paper. Six types of different fillers are used for preparation of filled PP composites. The composite samples were homogenized in a twin screw extruder. The compatibility of PP and fillers focused in this study and modified by using coupling agent. The obtained values of composites were correlated with mechanical properties.

REINFORCEMENT OF POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITE SYSTEMS: EFFECT OF FILLERS AND COMPATIBILIZERS
Priyanka Singh , Santanu Dutta , Abhijit Baruah , Neelam Singh , Y. Vasudeo, May 2010

The purpose of this work is to compare the mechanical properties of the different PP/ Filler composites. We considered the effect of treatment of the filler on the adhesion between the filler and the matrix .Modification of polypropylene (PP) with different coated and uncoated fillers is investigated in this paper. Six types of different fillers are used for preparation of filled PP composites. The composite samples were homogenized in a twin screw extruder. The compatibility of PP and fillers focused in this study and modified by using coupling agent.The obtained values of composites were correlated with mechanical properties.

POLYSTYRENE NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS BY IN SITU POLYMERIZATION INTO ZN AL LAYER DOUBLE HYDROXIDE STEARATE HEXADECANE STYRENE MONOMER INTERLAYER
Sunny M. Ogbomo , Mickey C. Richardson , Paul S. Braterman , Zhi Ping Xu , Nandika A. D’Souza, May 2010

Zn-Al Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) containing nitrate as the interlayer anion was prepared by coprecipitation. The resulting suspension was treated with deprotonated stearic acid (octadecanoic acid) to give an organo-modified hydrotalcite compound (Zn-Al LDHStearate).The prepared LDH-stearate was successfully delaminated in hexadecane resulting in a Zn-Al LDH stearate/hexadecane. In situ intercalative polymerization of styrene with the delaminated LDH (with different ratios) resulted in the formation of partially exfoliated polystyrene-based LDH-stearate/hexadecane nanocomposites (polymer/clay nanocomposites). The delaminated LDH nanosheets before and after introduction into the polystyrene matrix were confirmed by elemental analysis Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). X-ray diffraction confirmed exfoliation of the LDH through the disappearance of the basal (003) reflection.

NOVEL BIO-BASED THERMOSET RESINS FROM EPOXIDIZED VEGETABLE OILS FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS
Mohammad H. Al-Wohoush, Musa R. Kamal, May 2010

Bio-derived thermosets were cured from inexpensive, low-toxicity precursors. Epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) were crosslinked with a range of crosslinking agents: branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) and triethylenetetramine (TETA). Curing conditions were optimized through solvent uptake and soluble fraction analysis. Properties may be varied from elastomeric to rigid. Rigid bioepoxies, while not as stiff as conventional materials, are expected to display better toughness and may be promising for coatings and as binders in engineered wood products.










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