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

Polyphenylene Ether Macromonomers. I. Property Enhancements in Thermoset Resins via Novel Telechelic Oligomers

Edward N. Peters, Alexey Kruglov, Erik Delsman, Hua Guo, Alvaro Carrillo, Gerardo Rocha, May 2007

Unique low molecular weight polyphenylene ether telechelic copolymers were designed specifically for use in a variety of thermosetting resins. These macromonomers have high solubility in common solvents and monomers and tailored functionality to co-polymerize via step-growth or chain-growth polymerization. The incorporation of these copolymers in epoxy and styrene based thermoset resins results in single-phase thermoset materials with enhanced performance. Noticeably, the glass transition temperature and toughness increase, the dielectric constant and loss factor decrease with increasing PPE content. These new materials thus show a property set very well suited for next generation electronic materials.

Preparation and UV Weathering of Polyethylene Nanocomposites.

S. Sánchez Valdes, M. Luisa López Quintanilla, C. González Cantu, J. Guillermo Martínez Colunga, May 2007

Polyethylene / montmorillonite (PE/MMT) nanocomposites films were prepared by blending in the molten state: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), montmorillonite clay, and polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (LDPE-g-MA) or zinc neutralized carboxylate ionomer (Surlyn B) as compatibilizers. A chemically modified clay Closite 20A has been used. Nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending in a twin-screw extruder by using two-step mixing. Characterization of the nanocomposites was performed by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electronic microscope (TEM) techniques. Changes in UV irradiated nanocomposites film samples were characterized by FTIR. The results were analyzed in terms of the effect of the compatibilizing agent in the clay dispersion, and UV degradation of the nanocomposite.

Effects of Melt Rotation on Warpage Phenomena in Injection Molding

Ching-Chang Chien, Yi-Hui Peng, Wen-Li Yang, Rong-Yeu Chang, May 2007

Shear induced imbalanced filling in a geometrically balanced runner system is always a difficult problem to handle in injection molding. Moreover, the shear-induced temperature variation across the cross section also affects the warpage result. Previous research proposed that the melt rotation apparatus could control the warpage phenomena of parts. In this paper, we have proposed a new methodology to analyze this injection process. The comparison between the simulation and experiments can demonstrate and verify the warpage phenomena. The results show that the proposed methodology is a highly valuable tool to understand the melt rotation effects.

Process Time Reduction in Blow Moulding Process with Conformal Cooling

S.H. Masood, V.S. Jeyasingh, May 2007

This paper presents the design and application of novel straight conformal cooling channels in reducing the process time for blow moulding process using the finite element analysis. Different configurations of cooling channels are designed for a blow mould of a plastic motor oil bottle and they are tested by running steady state and transient thermal analysis in Pro/Mechanica Thermal software to predict the cooling time. Results are compared with conventional channels with modified geometry. Results predict that proper layout of cooling channels can reduce the process cycle time by around 44% compared to conventional cooling layout.

Intelligent Quality Prediction in Injection Molding

Chia-Hsiang Hsu, Chuan-Wei Chang, Jyh-Jer Jwo, May 2007

Quality of injection-molded parts is determined by a lot of factors, such as machine, plastic material, operation conditions and others. Normally, using numerical or experimental method to examine and control all parameters is still very difficult. In this study, we proposed a computational intelligence-based method to obtain the optimal process windows systematically. In addition to this, this method can be used as an on-line monitor to predict part quality from process dynamics data. This method combines design of experiment (DOE) and neural network techniques for intelligent quality prediction. This approach is a potential method to improve the molding stability and molded part quality.

Impact Performance of Pe Butt Fusion Welded Joints

Betiana Acha, Valeria Pettarin, Patricia M. Frontini, May 2007

Through this work the rapid crack propagation of PE butt-fusion welded joints was evaluated with impact tests performed on sharp notched specimens at varying temperature and test velocity. The effect of test velocity was studied by means of the impact strength at 20ºC and 1, 2 and 3.7 m/s. The effect of test temperature was assessed at 1 m/s where dynamic effects are small and allow the application of Fracture Mechanics techniques. The Impact Toughness, Jc, was determined in a wide range of temperature (–60 to 20ºC). Complementary, SEM was carried out on fracture surfaces to elucidate the deformation mechanisms acting. It was found that independent of the testing conditions, they were only slightly inhibited in the welded samples suggesting that fracture propagation was practically not affected by the welding procedure.

The Yielding of Propylene Polymers

Laura A. Fasce, Valeria Pettarin, Patricia M. Frontini, Claudia Marano, Marta Rink, May 2007

The use of toughened propylene-based polymers in engineering applications has increased the demand for relevant data regarding yielding behavior in complex stress states. Through this work the yield behavior of polypropylene homopolymer, polypropylene copolymers and polypropylene elastomeric polyethylene mechanical blends was studied. This investigation proves that Modified Von Mises criterion provides reasonable predictions of the biaxial macroscopic yield behavior of these materials despite the inherent tendency of PP to deform by crazing. The incorporation of a second elastomeric-phase by melt blending or increasing crystallinity does not change the pressure dependency of PP polymers. The studied copolymers exhibited a more pronounced yield stress sensitivity to hydrostatic pressure than homopolymers and mechanical blends. Yielding envelopes decrease with increasing elastomer content in mechanical blends and enlarge with increasing crystallinity.

Crystallization Rate of Soft Segment on Shape Memory Effect in Shape Memory Polyurethane Ionomer

Yong Zhu, Jinlian Hu, Ka-fai Choi, Kwok-wing Yeung, May 2007

To illustrate the effect of crystallization rate of soft segment on shape memory effect in shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) ionomer, SMPU ionomers having ionic group within hard segments were synthesized. Isothermal crystallization kinetic method was used to analyze the effect of ionic groups within hard segments on crystallization of soft segment. Thermal cyclic tensile testing was conducted to investigate the shape memory effect. It was found that the ionic group in hard segments slows down crystallization of soft segment; when physical cross link is strong enough, the crystallization rate would be a predominant factor determining the shape fixity ratio after various cooling time; when physical cross link is weakening, the influence of crystallization rate is much less for cooling time dependence of fixity.

Experimental Validation of Numerical Simulation for Phase Decomposition of a Binary Polymer Thin Film on a Patterned Substrate

Yingrui Shang, Ming Wei, David Kazmer, Carol Barry, Joey Mead, May 2007

Phase separation of polymer blends can be directed by the difference of the attraction factors to the polymers on a patterned substrate to achieve polymer self-assembly. A 2D model of the Cahn-Hilliard equation was established using an unconditionally gradient stable time marching scheme. The morphology development in the early stage of the phase separation on a template guided self-assembly was investigated through numerical simulation. Through the numerical investigation, it was observed that the morphology evolution of the polymer blends depended on the consistency of the initial concentration, strength of forcing function, scaling factor, the gradient energy coefficient, and material properties.

Bulk and Nano Mechanical Properties of Surface Modified Polypropylene Films with Acrylic Acid as Grafting Agent

Laura Fasce, María Patricia Suarez, Valeria Pettarin, Patricia Frontini, Vanina Costamagna, Miriam Strumia, May 2007

Polymeric films have become more attractive materials for multipurpose applications. In order to adapt them to several kinds of applications, extra functions keeping their bulk characteristics are desired. Modification of PP films through a grafting technique is considered to be one of the main routes to overcome their limitations avoiding coating delamination and without affecting bulk polymer properties. Through this paper the superficial nano-mechanical properties, bulk mechanical properties, and fracture behavior of surface graft copolymerized with acrylic acid PP films are reported.

Principals for Designing Medical Parts for Plastic Joining

Arthur Summo, May 2007

Designing medical appliances for plastics assembly requires a comprehension of the various plastics joining methods, a knowledge of joint designs and material selection plus an understanding of their relationships.Medical devices comprise an elite group of parts within the plastics joining arena which have a unique set of finished assembly criteria. Strength requirements due to forces exerted on commonly small mechanical devices used in surgical procedures must be such that the assembled devices are failsafe during operations.Seal requirements of vessels must be hermetic to prevent leakage of gasses or liquids either in to or out of a chamber. Surface marking of the device must be nonexistent for not only cosmetic requirements but also for the ability of the device to slide freely over living tissue. Rough surface crevices may harbor bacteria and can not be tolerated.Understanding the principles of plastics joining, the capabilities of each method and proper implementation of the appropriate joint design, can provide the designer with a clear direction at the outset and a successful an repeatable assembly result for the part.

Opening the Pandora's Box to Find Elastic Breakup as the Origin of Various Nonlinear Flow Behavior of Entangled Polymers

Shi-Qing Wang, P. Boukany, S. Ravindranath, Y. Wang, May 2007

Chain entanglement is an essential concept in polymer science. It has been explored for six decades since the 1946 transient network theory of Green and Tobolsky. Another three decades after the 1971 de Gennes' reptation idea have passed before a method has been devised in computer simulation to depict chain entanglement [1]. More recently, the time-resolved determination of velocity profiles during and after shear of entangled polymers [2] have led to a specific molecular mechanism for chain disentanglement [3]. This work describes the latest understanding on the subject of polymer flow.

Extruded PLA-LLDPE Films with Bi-Functional Blend Morphology Formed with a Continuous Chaotic Blender for Barrier and Toughness Improvements

R. Karmakar, D.A. Zumbrunnen, X. Jin, May 2007

A continuous chaotic (smart) blender was used to controllably produce a wide variety of morphologies in polylactide acid (PLA) - linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends at LLDPE compositions of 20% and 30% by volume. The structured blends were extruded as films. In comparison to typical blends obtained by mixing consisting of droplets, results indicate that blend morphology can be selected with the chaotic blender to simultaneously improve permeability and impact toughness. Both properties benefit from high frontal area and interconnected shapes derived from multi-layers formed initially by the stretching and folding mechanism characterizing chaotic motions in the melt.

Influence of Polymer Matrix and Coupling Agents on Melt Flow Behavior of Wood Filled Polyethylene Composites

Velichko Hristov, Fahim Ahmed, Elizabeth Takács, John Vlachopoulos, May 2007

The influence of coupling agents on the melt rheological properties of HDPE/wood flour composites has been investigated in this work by means of a capillary rheometer. Scanning electron microscopy was also employed to supplement the rheological data. It was found that molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymer matrix and coupling agent characteristics influence the melt flow properties of the filled composites. Generally, low molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution polyethylene matrix provides larger increase of the viscosity of the composites with respect to the unfilled resin. Coupling agents tend to increase the resistance to shearing, but wall slip effects may interfere with the measured values, especially at very high filler loadings.

Polyethylene Nanocomposites Based on High Thermal Stability Organoclays

Karen Stoeffler, Pierre G. Lafleur, Johanne Denault, May 2007

In this work, alkyl pyridinium, imidazolium and phosphonium cationic surfactants were used to produce highly thermally stable organoclays. The volatile products issued from the thermal decomposition of those organoclays were analyzed by mass spectroscopy (MS). The organoclays were compounded with LLDPE and an appropriate compatibilizer. The micro- and nanodispersions were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Creating Gradient Refractive Index (GRIN) Lenses by Nanolayered Polymer Assembly

A.R. Kamdar, Y. Jin, Y. Yang, M. Ponting, T. Kazmierczak, G. Beadie, P. Lane, E. Fleet, J. Shirk, A. Hiltner, E. Baer, May 2007

Fabrication of a new class of bio-inspired gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses with an unprecedented variety of index gradient distributions is described. The fabrication of GRIN lenses is based on a method of polymer forced-assembly. Nanolayered films of PMMA/SAN17 were co-extruded from which flat GRIN sheets with pre-designed refractive index distributions were produced. GRIN lenses with no on-axis spherical aberration and good image quality were shaped from these sheets using conventional lens processing methodology.

Forced Assembly of Layered Polymers

Eric Baer, Anne Hiltner, May 2007

A very exciting new field of interdisciplinary macromolecular science and engineering has rapidly emerged over the past ten years at the crossroads of polymer and materials science, engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology. This field of polymers plus" enjoins natural biological materials systems (lessons from biology) revolutionary new synthetic polymers with greater control of macromolecular and supermolecular architecture and innovative processing of polymeric assemblies. A recent breakthrough in the laboratories of Baer and Hiltner extends co-extrusion process technology to the nanoscalethereby making it possible to fabricate films with many thousands of layers.This extremely flexible process relies on forced-assembly to achieve nanoscale structure. The new National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center for Layered Polymeric Systems (CLIPS) at Case promotes rapid growth of this nanoscale technology and facilitates its translation to the commercial sector through innovative research and education partnerships. The primary goals of CLIPS are to:Integrate research activities in three platforms with multi-level educational programs to train a diverse American workforce that can meet the challenges of the new nanotechnologiesFocus the impact of the integrated research and educational activities on national priorities in defense environment energy and healthDisseminate the knowledge developed through the integrated CLIPS activities to the larger audienceServe as a compelling model for expanding relationships between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and research universitiesLessons from biology have revealed that natural materials systems have architectures that are specifically designed to accommodate a unique spectrum of required properties. These architectures always have many scale levels that are bound together by interfacial coupling or adhesion. In recent years new synthetic approaches have been used to develop materials systems with novel mechanical transport electrical and optical properties. Examples of hierarchical structures with unique properties developed with these films will be given. Since the radius of gyration of macromolecules can readily exceed the nanolayer thickness the surrounding layers can be used to impart dimensional constraint at the molecular level. Perhaps the most spectacular application of polymer nanolayers is our development of bioinspired axial cylindrical and spherical gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses. These are made by layering nanolayered polymer films into hierarchical structures with controlled refractive index gradients. The spherical lenses biomimic the octopus lens. They contain more than 5 x 10⁵ nanolayers. Lenses of this type exhibit a wider field of view with less aberration than conventional lenses having no index gradients."

Prediction of Theweld-Line-Induced Strength Reduction for Nylon6 and its Nanocomposites

Li Haimei, Shen Changyu, Chen Chiachung, Zhang Xueling, May 2007

The position and strength of the weld-line have important influences on injection molding plastic products qualities. This paper discussed the weld-line in Nylon6 and its nanocomposites by formulae. Utilizing linear regression, referencing existing self diffusion mathematics model, semi-experimental formulation was found to calculate the degree of bonding. The influence of thickness and processing parameters, such as melt temperature, mold temperature, holding pressure and injection velocity, were considered. Compared with experimental results of PA6 and nano-composite PA6 specimens with thickness 1.0mm, 2.5mm under different processing conditions, the maximum of error by formulas is 2.56% of PA6 and 1.78% of nano-composite PA6, respectively.

Effects of Processing Parameters on Optical Properties of Injection Molded Polystyrene Parts

LI Haimei, JIANG Kun, XU Wenli, SHEN Changyu, May 2007

In this paper, PS products qualities are discussed by experiments to find the relations between processing parameters and residual stresses, optical properties. Residual stresses are measured by polarimeter. The variance of processing parameters is considered when residual stresses distribution and polarimetric interference are measured. Also the optical property of transparency and haze are measured by transmittance meter. From the experiments results, we find that processing parameters have great effects on residual stresses and haze but little effects on transparency.

Influence of Geometrical Factors on Cavity Pressure during the Injection Molding Process

R.A. Morales, M.V. Candal, May 2007

The influence of the thickness of plastic parts on the behavior of the cavity pressure during the injection molding was studied. The instrumentation of molds for a modification of a normalized test specimen for impact was proposed, placing pressure transducers in the more critical zones of the parts. The evaluation of the molds was made using solid modelator software in three dimensions and a simulator software of the injection process with different resins. The simulation results demonstrated that the thickness of a part affect the behavior of the cavity pressure during filling and post-filling phases, the cooling and the dimensional stability of the part.