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
BREAKTHROUGH INVENTIONS IN POLYMER ANALYSIS FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS - AN OVERVIEW
Explosive advances took place in all fronts of Polymer Analysis in the past 40 years. Selected breakthrough inventions in two of the most exciting areas, viz., thermal analysis and rheological analysis will be highlighted with emphasis on industrial applications. We'll discuss the evolutions, advancement, and impact to the industry and impact to science and technology as well as available stories behind these inventions. The selections were chosen from patent and journal articles on innovations such as DTA, DSC, TGA, thermal fractionations, TGA-GC, MASS, -IR etc., and MI, Mooney Viscosity tests as well as modern rheometers, polymer fingerprinting techniques.
Enhanced Water Stability of Soy Protein Plastics Using Acid Anhydrides
Protein based plastics were processed using
anhydride chemistries in conjunction with glycerol to
obtain modified soy protein polymers that were water
stable. Formulations processed with chemistries such as
maleic anhydride (MA) and phthalic anhydride (PTA)
produced relatively water stable soy protein based
plastics. Various formulations were produced by varying
the anhydride content (3-10% w/w) in the final plastic
mass. The respective mixtures were extruded and
injection molded to form the samples for
characterization. Formulations with 10% PTA were
observed to have water absorption of only 19% after 24
hrs of water submersion as compared to 250% for the
control formulation.
Temperature Effects on Slow Crack Growth in Pipe Grade PE
Temperature strongly affects the mechanical
properties of pipe grade polyethylene (PGPE), such as
strength and toughness. It is observed in this study that
the temperature also affects the mechanisms of slow crack
growth (SCG). A change in the mechanism of SCG is
observed at certain temperature, named Crack Growth
Transition Temperature (CGTT). The CGTT of the cold
drawn (oriented) PGPE appears to be significantly higher
than room temperature. At the temperature above CGTT
the crack propagates discontinuously, stepwise, whereas
at the temperature below CGTT the crack grows
continuously. The slope of crack growth rate vs. stress
intensity factor (SIF) is also noticeably different for
temperatures above and below CGTT. The existence of
CGTT implies certain limitations for commonly used
extrapolation of SCG and lifetime data from the elevate
temperature of an accelerated testing to the room
temperature across CGTT.
DISPERSION MORPHOLOGY OF ORGANOCLAY IN ACRYLONITRILE-BUTADIENE-STYRENE/POLYAMIDE 6 /ORGANOCLAY TERNARY NANOCOMPOSITES
In this article, polyamide 6(PA6)/Organoclay masterbatch were prepared by melt mixing, and then acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS)/polyamide 6(PA6)(70/30,w/w) nanocomposites were prepared by the melt mixing of PA6, ABS and organoclay. The effect of organoclay platelets on dispersion of ABS/PA6/organoclay ternary nanocomposites had been investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Morphology analysis revealed that organoclay platelets were selectively dispersed and exfoliated in PA6 phase, but some were located in interface of PA6 and ABS phase.
AN EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF DRIVE SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS IN SINGLE SCREW EXTRUDERS
A comprehensive study was conducted using three different types of extruder drive and motor configurations for a single screw extruder under identical conditions to compare the energy efficiency. Sound emission data was also measured and compared. Two systems of a conventional design used an AC or DC motor in combination with a mechanical gear reducer and were compared to a Direct Drive system using only a torque motor. The study showed that the Direct Drive system operated at higher energy efficiency and produced lower sound emissions compared to the AC & DC conventional systems. The results show that at the base speed of the drive train, the DC system consumed 10% more energy (kW) than the AC system, and the Direct Drive system consumed between 12 and 15% less energy than the AC system, depending upon the torque required.
INVESTIGATIONS ON THE INTERACTION OF THERMOPLASTIC SURFACES AND PLASMA PROCESSES
Plasma processes constantly gain importance in the field of plastics processing. They are influenced by production parameters on one hand and the substrate itself on the other hand. The properties of polymers vary substantially depending on their processing conditions or their history. This paper describes investigations on the plasma modification of polyamide (PA6) and polypropylene (PP). This includes the examination of the influence of absorbed water in the surface near regions of the bulk material as well as the interaction with the polymeric microstructure. The knowledge of this interaction between plasma and thermoplastic surface can be used for the process development or quality assurance in terms of plasma-assisted modification of polymers.
Plastics/Composites in Automotive Applications—Defending the Product Performance in Insurance Claim and Litigation Situations
More and more automotive structural applications are being developed
with plastics / composites. Is the industry prepared for claims from
our litigious and insurance-fraud fraught society - false or not - that a
vehicle or component may have performed better in a crash situation
if it had not been made of plastic / composite materials?
Novel Isocyanate-Based Resin Systems with Tunable Reaction Times
Newly developed isocyanate-based resin systems offer a combination
of high thermal stability and toughness in a resin system that is
easy to process and cure. This novel chemistry can be adapted to
achieve low initial viscosity long open times and snap-cure profiles
at elevated temperatures. The benefits of these resins lead to applications
in a number of composite manufacturing processes.
Technology Development for Automotive Composite Part Production - New Materials and Processes
The presentation will introduce a large network and cluster forming in Germany to provide a strong initiative that increases the use of composites in the automotive industry. Also discussed will be an overview of the technologies that have been selected by industry to be further developed to meet the requirements of the automotive industry.
Leveraging Government Money to Drive Innovation in Materials
With an uncertain economy creativity is necessary to uncover new
stable RandD growth opportunities. One possibility may be to explore
opportunities with the federal government. In 2009 the U.S. government
increased the research and development spend 16% resulting
in an unprecedented $171B budget. More than 60% of this funding
is through contracts with business universities and non-profits.
Whether the initiatives are with medical devices drug delivery alternative
energy smart infrastructure applications improved transportation
solutions or defense applications materials development is the
backbone for maintaining the U.S. technical leadership position. By
leveraging some of this funding a company can help mitigate risk in
developing new technology products and markets.
Structural Performance Evaluation of Composite-to-Steel Weld Bonded Joint
One of the critical challenges for the structural underbody program
was finding a way to attach the composite part to the steel
structure in a high-volume automotive manufacturing environment
and meet the complex requirements for crash. Weld bonding a
combination of adhesive bonding and spot welding was selected
as the primary joining method. A novel concept of bonding doubler
steel strips to the composite enabled spot welding to the steel
structure ensuring the compatibility with the OEM assembly
processes. The structural performance of the joint including durability
was assessed via analytical and physical testing under various
quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. This paper discusses
the results of the experiments designed to generate key modeling
parameters for finite-element analysis of the joint and presents the
correlation between experimental and analytical results.
Methods of Making 3-Dimensional Shaped Composite Structures
Shaped composite structures (specifically sandwich panels) are
made by the combination of cold forming of thermoplastic foam
core and thermoset processing of skins. This combination is ideally
suited since the thermoset processing conditions are in a range
that keeps the foamed core intact while simultaneously allowing the
cold forming to be achieved. This technology affords a unique avenue
to create sandwich and other composite structures that have curvilinear
shape and 3-dimensionality via a single processing step that
uses existing processing technology. Various process embodiments
are described in this paper. This work discusses shaped foam
composites and methods for manufacturing such composites.
Nano Graphene Platelets (NGPs) and NGP Nanocomposites: A Review
The nanoscale graphene platelet (NGP) or graphene nano-sheet is
an emerging class of nano materials and can be a low-cost alternative
to CNTs and carbon nano-fibers (CNFs). Graphene’s applications
as a nano filler in a composite material and as a functional ingredient
in an energy system (supercapacitor battery and fuel cell) are
imminent. However the availability of processable graphene sheets
in large quantities is essential to the success in exploiting composite
and other applications for graphene. This presentation begins by
a review of the current processes for producing NGPs and their
composites and is followed by a discussion on the new advances in
materials processes and applications related to NGPs and their
nanocomposites.
Graphene Nanoplatelet Additives for Multifunctional Composite Materials
With the emphasis on alternative energy vehicles the need for
materials that are not only structural but possess other desirable
properties such as electrical conductivity thermal conductivity and
barrier properties is increasingly important. Nanocomposites are
opening up “windows of opportunity” to not only increase structural
properties but also the non-structural surface electrical thermal
and barrier properties. Graphite (graphene) nanoplatelets are a
new cost-effective nanomaterial that can be used as an additive to
polymers and composites to impart multifunctionality without the
need for developing new or alternative processing and manufacturing
methods. Examples in thermoset and thermoplastic systems
-- with and without macro reinforcing fibers -- will be used to illustrate
the potential of this nanomaterial.
Mesoporous Silicate Particles (MSP) for Improving Performance and Productivity in Various Composite and Polymer Formulations
This presentation focuses on a new silicate mesoporous nanoparticle
technology which will bring significant productivity and
performance benefits to both thermoset and thermoplastic
moldings by increasing mechanical properties of neat resins
imparting greater flame retardance and reducing processing cycle
times. The particles’ intrinsic porous structure allows polymer
chains to link the particles into a 3D network improving both
strength and modulus at very-low particle loadings (typically 5.0
to 7.5 wt %). The technology does not require organic surface
modification to achieve dispersion in the polymer matrix nor does
it require retrofitting of processing equipment or modification in
processing methods.
CAUSE OF OCCASIONAL FAILURE OF CPVC PIPES AND FITTINGS IN HYDRONIC HEATING SYSTEMS
Chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) pipes and fittings are commonly used in hydronic heating systems. However, there are occasional failures of CPVC pipes and fittings used in these systems due to chemical contamination by the lubricant oil used in the heat exchanger refrigerant. Although leaks in the heat exchanger are rare, when a leak does occur, it can lead to almost immediate failure of the CPVC piping system due to chemical attack by the polyol ester (POE) lubricant oil in the refrigerant. This paper discusses the results of our forensic failure analyses on CPVC hydronic piping. Also we present the results of our studies on the chemical compatibility of POE compared to polyvinylether (PVE) refrigerant lubricant oils.
SOME EFFECTS OF BOUNDED INTERFACIAL GAPS ON THE STRENGTH OF CONTOUR LASER WELDED JOINTS
The present study examines the effects of bounded voids of different sizes and shapes on the strength and leakage of contour welds. Bounded voids are holes that are situated on the laser beam path, but whose melt flow is constrained from leaving the faying surface. The most significant result is that divot clusters can lead to quite high porosity in the interface, but even with that porosity, both high hydraulic burst test strengths and hermetic seals can be achieved.
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF RARE EARTH METAL TRIܻ?ATES AS INITIATORS IN THE CATIONIC CURING OF DGEBA/PA SYSTEMS
A new class of cationic initiators, lanthanide triflates, has been studied in the cationic curing of DGEBA/PA mixtures. The reaction mechanism of the cationic curing of DGEBA/PA mixtures has been studied. The kinetics of this process has been evaluated by the Differential Scanning Calorimentry (DSC).The crosslinking degree is predicted from time and temperature of curing via the Gel-curve.
PRACTICAL PLASMA SURFACE PRE-TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGHER PROCESSING EFFICIENCIES
As new state-of-the-art flexible packaging technology is installed in its target markets and with processing costs under pressure to enable these technologies to ramp-up in 2011, surface pre-treatment technologies must become a key enabler relative to higher processing speed, wider widths, and requirements on inks and coatings to transfer and adhere to substrates at these speeds and widths. This paper presents evidence of new flexible packaging print performance opportunities using a new, revolutionary atmospheric plasma treatment (APT) technology.
ANALYSIS OF SHOCK RESPONSE OF SANDWICH COMPOSITES
Sandwich composites are being aggressively pursued as structural materials by various defense and commercial industries. These
include navy, air force, army, automotive and sporting industries to name a few. The present work describes the compression and release response of a glass-fiber-reinforced polyester composite (GRP) under
shock loading to 20 GPa. Shock experiments in GRP were performed at Sandia National Laboratories and the US Army Research
Laboratory. GRP is a heterogeneous material.
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