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

Polyethylene Nanocomposite Films Incorporating LDPE/Nanoclay Masterbatch

C.M. Small, G.M. Mc Nally, W.R. Murphy, C-S. Lim, C-Y. Lew, May 2006

Nanocomposite blown films were prepared with blowup ratios from 1.5 to 2.5, by direct compounding with 5% nanoclay and direct let-down of a 25% nanocomposite masterbatch produced by double-stage mixing. Results demonstrated improved clay exfoliation and orientation in films manufactured from masterbatch.

Experimental Investigation of Infrared Rapid Surface Heating for Injection Molding

Pei-Chi Chang, Sheng-Jye Hwang, May 2006

A low cost and practical infrared rapid surface heating system for injection molding is designed and investigated. The temperature increase is verified on the mold plate with a thermal video system. A modified spiral flow mold was used to test the enhancing filling ability of the rapid surface heating system.

High Speed Hot Plate Welding

J. Schnieders, M. Büssing, H. Potente, May 2006

The paper describes the possibilities of a new generation of high-speed hotplate welding machines and the first results for the welding of low-viscosity thermoplastics. Possibilities for a new form of quality assurance and also a means of adjusting the optimum process parameters are presented.

Compatibilization of Polypropylene/Polysulfone Membranes

S. Lawal, V. Flaris, May 2006

Polypropylene (PP) and polysulfone (PSU) have not been previously blended due to viscosity and processing temperature variations. These blends made using an environmentally-friendly process showed structureproperty improvements with the addition of functional polyolefins.

Rheology Phenomena of Nano-Extrudate Flow

Jiann-Shing Wu, Huan-Chuang Tseng, Rong-Yeu Chang, May 2006

The purpose of this paper is to study the die swell phenomena in a nano-extrudate flow from the molecular dynamics simulation. We have studied a polyethylene (PE) melt extruding into vacuum surrounding through a 4-to-1 nano-extrusion die. The results indicate the extrusion velocity has a strong influence on the stability of extrudate with the die swell. Also, there is a particularly noteworthy surface effect that some molecules are adsorbed on the outer surface of capillary under the lower extrusion velocity.

Effect of Surface Treatment on Mechanical Properties of GF/Phenol Composite

Yasuhiro NISHIKAWA, Asami NAKAI, Hiroyuki HAMADA, Takeshi OKAYAMA, Naoki UOTA, Yasunari KURATANI, May 2006

Effects of surface treatment agent (amino silane, epoxy silane, methacryl silane and vinyl silane) on tensile and bending properties of glass fabric/phenol resin composites were examined. The tensile and bending properties of the composites with epoxy silane treating glass fabrics were higher than that of the other specimens. On the other hand, these properties of the composites with vinyl silane treating glass fabrics were the lowest in all specimens.

Nanocomposites Based on Cyclic Oligomers

Richard J. Farris, Amiya R. Tripathy, William J. MacKnight, May 2006

We have been investigating the synthesis and polymerization of cyclic oligomers of bisphenol A polycarbonates (BPACY), and cyclic ester oligomers (CEO) for a number of different applications. Both the BPACY and the CEO are low viscosity liquids. It is possible to form nanocomposites by liquid-liquid phase separation during polymerization of cyclic oligomers or by adding nanoclay.

Interfacial Characteristics in Film Insert Molded PC/ABS and PC Film

Y.W. Leong, S. Yamaguchi, U.S. Ishiaku, H. Hamada, May 2006

Adhesion properties between PC/ABS blend substrate and PC films of various thicknesses, bonded through film insert molding, were investigated. The usage of different Mw of PC and PC-oligomer in the blend has been found to severely affect the adhesion strength and alter the delamination characteristics at the film-substrate interface. Thicker films have also been found to have a profound effect in enhancing the film-substrate adhesion.

Structure and Properties of Biaxially Oriented Polypropropylenes (BOPP)

P. Dias, A. Hiltner, E. Baer, J. Van Dun, H. Chen, S.P. Chum, May 2006

The solid state structure, mechanical properties, and gas transport of biaxially oriented polypropylenes are investigated. Specifically, the effect of chain architecture on processing conditions and resulting properties of the oriented films is probed. Relationships between the process, solid state structure, and properties are described.

Matrix-Free Polymer Composites: Process-Structure-Property Relationship

Tao Xu, Richard J. Farris, May 2006

High-temperature high-pressure sintering coupled with thermoforming is a novel process to make shapeable matrix-free polymer composites by consolidating and molding UHMWPE fabric. The process-structure-property relationship was studied to provide a profound understanding of this creative method.

Partially Oxidized Graphite in Polypropylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride

P.E. Poirier, D.J.Y.S. Pagé, N. Cunningham, May 2006

Natural graphite flakes (NGF) were partially oxidized with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in order to increase their dispersion during melt mixing in polypropylene (PP) grafted maleic anhydride (MA) (PPg- MA). Electrical conductivity of the composite, as well as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and rheological properties were assessed against the level of oxidation.

A See-Through" Extruder to Teach Principles of Polymer Melt Extrusion"

David E. Higbee, Hemina KrishnaBachia, Rajendra K. Krishnaswamy, May 2006

The design and construction of a simple and inexpensive single screw extruder with a transparent quartz barrel is presented. The utility of such an extruder as an effective teaching tool to visually portray the mechanisms of polymer melting and mixing during extrusion is outlined.

Characterizing Surface Orientation Caused by Shear-Induced Flow

Luke Kwisnek, Richard Haibach, May 2006

The effect of the near-exterior, oriented layer on the mechanical properties and related behavior of plastic injection-molded parts was studied. Standard tensile test specimens were molded from two different melt flow rate variations of Dow Magnum ABS: a 12.0 g/10-min MFR (347EZ), and a 5.0 g/10-min MFR (9555). Four families of specimens were investigated: as molded, as molded then annealed, machined, and machined then annealed. Results showed that very similar reductions in tensile strength occurred when samples were either annealed, or machined.

Ethylene-Octene Based Foam-Film Structures via Microlayer Coextrusion Technology

Aditya Ranade, Anne Hiltner, Eric Baer, Mark Barger, Joseph Dooley, May 2006

Prevention of gas escape during foam sheet extrusion has been a challenge, particularly in the manufacture of elastomer foams. It has been demonstrated for the first time that coextrusion of multiple alternating layers of foam and film is a means to achieve low density elastomer based foam structures. Materials with soft touch and high toughness have been obtained with the appropriate choice of layer structure, constituent materials, and fabrication conditions.

Effects of Shear-Induced Flow on Impact Strength

Matthew B. Jackson, Millington Adkins IV, May 2006

The effects of shear induced orientation were studied. IZOD impact tests were performed on a high and low molecular weight Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) polymer. Oriented samples were compared against unoriented samples to quantify the effects of orientation on impact strength. It was discovered that the outer orientated layers contribute significantly to the impact strength of the molded parts.

The Influence of Wall Thickness on the Creep Rupture Performance of Polyethylene (PE) Pipe

Rajendra K. Krishnaswamy, May 2006

A thermal gradient is inherent to the solidification of extruded profiles such as pipes. Depending on the magnitude of the gradient, varying levels of residual stresses are frozen-in during the pipe fabrication step. In this investigation, the residual stress state of a polyethylene (PE) pipe was altered by changing its wall thickness. Creep rupture testing of the subject pipes provided an insight on how residual stresses influences both ductile and brittle fracture processes.

Development of Silver Based PE-Nanocomposites for Antimicrobial Applications

S. Khare, M. Moneke, N. Plachkov, R. Hempelmann, N. Lenz, M. Bureik, May 2006

An approach to develop PE nanocomposite containing Ag nanoparticles to have an antimicrobial effect is presented. PE was compounded with TiO2 decorated with Agnanoparticles. Morphology of the compound, diffusion of Ag ions and antimicrobial properties for different Ag concentrations were investigated.

Effect of Shear on the Phase Diagram and Morphology of PC/LCP Blends

Kam-Wa D. Lee, Musa R. Kamal, Philip K. Chan, May 2006

A number of studies have considered the effect of temperature on phase separation of polycarbonate (PC)/liquid crystalline polymer (LCP). In this work, the effects of shear on the morphology and phase separation temperatures of the blends at different compositions are studied. A polarized light microscope was used in conjunction with a shear cell to observe the phase separation temperatures and to monitor the development of the phase-separated structures.

The Draw Characteristics of Polyethylene and its Controlling Factors

B.G. Millar, C. Small, G.M. Mc Nally, W.R. Murphy, May 2006

Cast films were prepared from a range of commercially available conventional and metallocene catalysed linear low-density polyethylenes (LLDPE). Drawdown characteristics were compared to both shear and extensional behaviour of the polymers, which was controlled by molecular characteristics. Minimized neck-in and reduced edge beading can be attributed to polymers with low extensional viscosity and extensional thickening behaviour at low extension rates.

Influence of PC-Oligomer Content in PC/ABS Blend Injection Moldings

Sungeon Kim, Kazutoshi Umemura, Toshihiro Yoshida, Masaya Kotaki, Hiroyuki Hamada, May 2006

Effect of PC-oligomer content on morphology and mechanical properties including tensile, flexural, izod impact properties of PC/ABS blend injection moldings were investigated. Different content of PC-oligomer up to 20wt% was blended. Strain at break in tensile tests was found to be significantly increased with only 1wt% PC-oligomer.