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

COUPLED FEA SIMULATION OF THE DEMOULDING PROCEDURE OF INJECTION MOULDED PARTS

Walter Michaeli , Bernhard Helbich, May 2008

A reasonable design of the injection mould has to guarantee that the moulded part can be demoulded without damaging either the ejection system in the mould or the part. In the conventional mould design this damaging occurs at the very end of the development process of the injection mould when it is already assembled. A simulation procedure is presented which enables the mould maker to mechanically layout the demoulding system. It combines a process simulation with a structural analysis and hence maximises the advantage of using CAE.

A PLASTICS EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AGED GIRLS

Elizabeth Dell, May 2008

This paper describes a plastics education program for middle school girls. The goals of the program were to expose the girls to science and engineering and to educate them about plastics. The program included an overview of plastics and hands-on experimental investigations. Experiments included making a polymer environmental issues and the structure and properties of polymers. In addition to giving detailed descriptions of the program this paper includes recommendations for further improvements of the program.

IMPROVED MICRO-CELLULAR MOLDING OF LONG GLASS FIBER (LGF) REINFORCED THERMOPLASTICS

Frank C. Jaarsma, May 2008

Molding equipment modified for micro-cellular injection molding to address concerns of potential damage to reinforcing glass fibers in molded parts has recently become available. Test data indicates use of this equipment results in a significant improvement in glass fiber length retention and mechanical properties relative to traditional micro-cellular molding when processing LGF reinforced polypropylene and nylon.

POLYMER FOAMS FLEXURAL MODULUS OPTIMAZATION: EFFECT OF DENSITY PROFILE

Denis Rodrigue, May 2008

Several parameters are known to influence the flexural modulus of structural foams. In this paper the effect of density profile in terms of skin thickness transition zone smoothness and core density are discussed in order to predict and optimize the flexural modulus based on the constraints of fixed amount of material and beam thickness. The results obtained under the imposed constraints clearly shows that the I-beam model is not optimum and a smooth transition is needed to maximize flexural stiffness while reducing abrupt changes in the local materialƒ??s properties.

INTELLIGENT PROCESS CONTROL FOR INJECTION MOLDING

Huamin Zhou , Peng Zhao , Lih-Sheng Turng, May 2008

An intelligent system combining a simplified simulation model and fuzzy inference has been developed for determining the process parameters of injection molding.First preliminary optimization based on a simplified simulation model was employed for the initial setting. Then a fuzzy inference model based on expert knowledge was used for correcting defects. By communicating with the machine controller the intelligent system was integrated with the injection molding machine to optimize process parameters real time. An experimental study was carried out for verification.

THE EFFECTS OF MATERIAL SELECTION ON RF SYSTEMS INCLUDING RFID

Timothy B. Austin, May 2008

As the electronics industry tends to convergence of voice and data communications wireless networks become ubiquitous and radio frequency identification gains popularity the effects of material selection on RF performance become increasingly important; this paper discusses how electric fields are affected by polymers and polymer composites.

INJECTION MOLDING CREATES LARGE HOLLOW CHANNELS- THE NEW INNOVATIVE GITBLOWTECHNIQUE

Helmut Potente , Volker Schöppner , Martin Schäfers, May 2008

The new GITBlow specialty injection molding process can be used to produce thick-walled molded parts with adjacent thin-walled zones and extremely large hollow sections inside the thickpart areas. In this way it is possible to achieve parts that were previously made by joining together different parts to create assemblies. This paper presents the technology involved highlights the possibilities and fields of application and sums up the test results obtained so far.

THE EFFECTS OF RADIUSED CORNERS ON MELT FLOW IMBALANCES

Patrick J. Harris , Patrick T. Miller, May 2008

A special case of mold filling shear induced imbalances in a geometrically balanced runner system is studied in a four-flow mold. The case compares and contrasts the detectable differences theoretically attributed to corner effects seen in the two outermost flow channels. Aninety degree corner and a full radius corner are investigated through use of interchangeable mold inserts which create both conditions.

NANOCOMPOSITES ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION

Christopher C. Ibeh , Monika Bubacz, May 2008

A pilot nanocomposites entrepreneurial education course was implemented at Pittsburg State University as part of a proposed nanotechnology entrepreneurship emphasis. This effort is designed to inculcate in our students the role of polymeric materials innovation in product development and commercialization. Course performance was evaluated via studentsƒ?? satisfaction indices as per the CUES (Consortium for Upgrading Educational Standards) Assessment Model. CUES-AM data yield a true satisfaction index of 0.92 indicating very good course performance.

DETERMINATION OF THE PVT PROPERTY OF ASYMMETRIC PS/CO2 DROP AT HIGH TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

Y.G. Li and C.B. Park, May 2008

Due to the high viscosity it is not easy to form an axisymmetric shape out of a PS/CO2 drop. In this study the asymmetric PS/CO2 sessile drops are observed to determine the swelling of a PS melt with dissolved CO2. A rotational device in a high-pressure and high-temperature cell with a visualization window was built. The degree of asymmetry is mathematically defined and an algorithm is developed to integrate the asymmetric profile for determining the PVT (i.e. volume swelling) of the PS/CO2 solution.

DETERMINATION OF THE PVT PROPERTY OF ASYMMETRIC PS/CO2 DROP AT HIGH TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

Y.G. Li , C.B. Park, May 2008

Due to the high viscosity, it is not easy to form an axisymmetric shape out of a PS/CO2 drop. In this study, the asymmetric PS/CO2 sessile drops are observed to determine the swelling of a PS melt with dissolved CO2. A rotational device in a high-pressure and high-temperature cell with a visualization window was built. The degree of asymmetry is mathematically defined, and an algorithm is developed to integrate the asymmetric profile for determining the PVT (i.e.volume swelling) of the PS/CO2 solution.

PHOTO-INDUCED FOAMING OF UV CURING MONOMER / POLYMER BLEND WITH CO2

Akiyoshi Kajii , Shuhei Okumura , Kentaro Taki, May 2008

Cross-linking of a UV-curing monomer was utilized to make bubbles in a polystyrene matrix. The UV-curing monomer was instantly polymerized and cross-linked by exposure to UV light. Excess heat was produced during the polymerization which was utilized to induce bubble nucleation in the CO2-saturated polymer. The polymerization of UV curing monomer formed a highly cross-linked structure which suppressed the bubble growth. The resulting foam contained 20 micron cells at 1 x 108 /cm3.

PHOTO-INDUCED FOAMING OF UV CURING MONOMER / POLYMER BLEND WITH CO2

Akiyoshi Kajii , Shuhei Okumura , Kentaro Taki, May 2008

Cross-linking of a UV-curing monomer was utilized to make bubbles in a polystyrene matrix. The UV-curing monomer was instantly polymerized and cross-linked by exposure to UV light. Excess heat was produced during the polymerization, which was utilized to induce bubble nucleation in the CO2-saturated polymer. The polymerization of UV curing monomer formed a highly cross-linked structure which suppressed the bubble growth. The resulting foam contained 20 micron cells at 1 x 108 /cm3.

ADHESION PROMOTION USING FLAME PLASMA SURFACE TREATMENT

Joseph DiGiacomo, May 2008

The converting industry uses a significant amount of polyolefins from polyethylene coated paper board to metalized paper & film as well as polyolefin thin films.

DEVELOPMENT OF MELT-MODULATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ENHANCED INJECTION MOLDING

Akapot Tantrapiwat , John P. Coulter, May 2008

An improved mechanical apparatus and control method to enable enhanced melt modulation during injection molding has been developed and evaluated. As part of this new actuators were designed with the objective of decreasing both the size and cost relative to previously explored melt modulation systems. In addition different control techniques were applied in order to enhance the system performance. The results show that significant improvements were realized but potential remaining challenges are also presented in the paper.

DEVELOPMENT OF MELT-MODULATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ENHANCED INJECTION MOLDING

Akapot Tantrapiwat , John P. Coulter, May 2008

An improved mechanical apparatus and control method to enable enhanced melt modulation during injection molding has been developed and evaluated. As part of this, new actuators were designed with the objective of decreasing both the size and cost relative to previously explored melt modulation systems. In addition, different control techniques were applied in order to enhance the system performance. The results show that significant improvements were realized, but potential remaining challenges are also presented in the paper.

THERMAL DEGRADATION OF FIBER-REINFORCED BIO-BASED RIGID POLYURETHANE FOAMS

Andres Garcia , Patricia Alvarado , Maria Sibaja , Guillermo Jimenez , Jose Vega, May 2008

Rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were prepared by a multi- step procedure using a polyol blend of poly(ethylenglycol) PEG-200/pineapple molasses and 4 4'-diisophenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) with a NCO/OH ratio of 1.2. Such material was reinforced with fibers from banana rachis with a fiber composition ranging from 18% to 40% wt.Thermal and themooxidative degradation properties of these composites were assessed. Thermal degradation of PU60 showed the highest polymer lifetime values.

RIGID COMPOSITE MATERIALS FROM OLIVE BRUSH SEED AND UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESIN

L. Jimenez , M. Sibaja , P. Alvarado , J. Vega , Jimenez , M.F. Barreiro , C.A.Cateto , M. Lopretti, May 2008

A composite material using unsaturated commercial polyester resin (UPE) and olive brush seed (OBS) was prepared. OBS was treated with sodium hydroxide and maleic anhydride (MAN) and subsequently utilized in a proportion of 35 wt.% to prepare a composite material. These materials were evaluated in terms of moisture absorption surface density and mechanical properties such as flexure and tensile tests.

IMPROVING THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF EPOXY HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITES FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS

Siva Movva , Dante Guerra , Zhi-qi Cai , Yunior Hioe , L. James Lee , Jose Castro, May 2008

The poor thermal conductivity of polymer based composites has long been a deterrent to their increased use in high end aerospace applications. In this study the thermal conductivity of Epoxy-Carbon fiber composites is improved dramatically by a novel method of incorporating carbon nanoparticles into the system. A comprehensive study of the preparation and properties of the highly thermally conductive Epoxy-Carbon fiber-Carbon nanofiber composites is presented.

INVESTIGATION OF EVOH/KAOLINITE NANOCOMPOSITE FILMS

Danielle Froio , Sarah Schirmer , Jo Ann Ratto , Matthew Bernasconi , Christopher Thellen , Scott Winroth, May 2008

Two grades of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) were compounded with kaolinite nanoparticles at a loading level of 5%, and subsequently extruded into blown and cast monolayer films. Films were analyzed for oxygen and water vapor barrier, mechanical performance and thermal properties. The films showed slight changes in thermal stability, no significant improvement in barrier properties, a decrease in Young's modulus and no change in thermal properties such as melt and glass transition temperature.