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.

The SPE Library is just one of the great benefits of being an SPE member! Are you taking advantage of all of your SPE Benefits?

Not an SPE member? Join today!

Use % to separate multiple keywords.

Search SPE Library

Conference Proceedings

In-Process Viscosity Monitoring for Extrusion Control

Marion McAfee, Steve Thompson, G.M. McNally, May 2004

Melt viscosity during extrusion is a strong indicator of product quality, hence measurement of this variable in real-time is a key target for process control. The suitability of different methods of viscosity monitoring for application in a control scheme is assessed in this work. The responses of in-line and on-line rheometers to steady state and dynamic conditions are investigated. Also, the ability to infer viscosity by monitoring of other process variables is considered.

Injection Moulding Process Assessment by Energy Monitoring

A.J. Dawson, P.D. Coates, R. Collis, L. Owen, D. Owen, H.S. Rajamani, May 2004

The potential for process and production measurements on injection moulding machines using non-invasive, energy measurements is examined. High-speed energy measurements are shown to provide similar information to more traditional process measurements. Energy measurements may also provide additional information for use in process troubleshooting. It is concluded that energy monitoring can provide a fingerprint" of a process and hence can be used for product quality control."

Ultrasonic Monitoring of Gas assisted Injection Moulding (GAIM)

E.C. Brown, L. Mulvaney-Johnson, P.D. Coates, May 2004

In-process measurements using ultrasonic technology provide a powerful yet non-invasive insight into material conditions. In the injection-moulding cavity, information on filling and solidification detection can be measured. The transit time of longitudinal ultrasonic waves through HDPE has been measured during gas assisted injection moulding (GAIM), indicating the ability of this technology to assess part wall thickness in-situ before mould opening.

Effect of Nano-Size Clay Particles on the Flexural Properties of Syntactic Foams

Nikhil Gupta, Guoqiang Li, H. Dwayne Jerro, Eyassu Woldesenbet, Su-Seng Pang, May 2004

Effect of incorporation of nano-size clay particles on the flexural properties of syntactic foams is studied in the present work. Nanoclay particles are incorporated in syntactic foams in the volume fraction of 2 and 5%. Total volume fraction of glass microballoons and nanoclay is maintained at 0.65. Three-point bending tests are carried out in accordance to the standards ASTM D790-02. Flexural strength is found to increase with nanoclay content.

Measurement of Sintering Characteristics of Clay-Reinforced Polyamide 6 Nanocomposite

J. Kim, T.S. Creasy, May 2004

Sintering characteristics of clay nanoparticle/polyamide 6 composite were studied for applications in Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing. Sintered nanocomposite powders showed lower final density than the standard polymer due to increased resistance to low shear rate deformation. Because of this flow resistance, rapid prototyping processing parameters such as part-bed temperature and laser power must be adjusted.

Biocomposite Sheet Molding Compound Housing Panels and Their Properties

G. Mehta, L.T. Drzal, A.K. Mohanty, K. Thayer, M. Misra, May 2004

A novel high volume processing technique called a 'biocomposite stampable sheet molding compound panel' (BCSMCP) manufacturing process was developed to mimic the continuous sheet molding compound (SMC) currently used in making glass fiber-polyester resin composites.

Graphite Platelet/Nylon Nanocomposites

Hiroyuki Fukushima, Sung Ho Lee, Lawrence T. Drzal, May 2004

Natural crystalline graphite based graphite intercalated compounds [GICs] were exfoliated into sub-micron graphite flakes. Graphite nanocomposites were fabricated by combining the exfoliated graphite flakes with nylon66 resin. The mechanical properties of these composites showed considerably higher modulus than those of composites made with commercially available carbon reinforcing materials (i.e., CF, VGCF, and Carbon Black).

Optimizing the Incorporation of Nanoscopic Reinforcing Material into a Polymer Matrix by Ball Milling

Alissa Saenz, Richard Knight, Thomas Twardowski, May 2004

High velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray can create dense composite coatings. In ongoing experiments, composite feedstock powders composed of nanoscopic silica and nylon 11 were ball milled for up to 48 hours. Ashing indicated complete silica incorporation within the first half hour. Microscopy showed other physical changes occurring after additional milling.

Structural Beams and Panels from Natural Fibers through Hybrid and Hierarchical Cellular Designs

Rigoberto Burgueño, Mario J. Quagliata, Amar K. Mohanty, Manjusri Misra, Geeta Mehta, Lawrence T. Drza, May 2004

Natural fiber composites (biocomposites) can be used in load-bearing components by improving their efficiency through hybrid and hierarchical cellular material designs. Experimental and analytical studies evaluated the material and structural short-term performance of material systems and laboratory-scale cellular beams and plates. Results indicate the potential of biocomposites for structural components.

Green Composites from Biofibers and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

Amar K. Mohanty, Lawrence T. Drzal, Prasad Mulukutla, Shrojal M. Desai, Manju Misra, May 2004

Eco-friendly green" composite materials are fabricated from inexpensive chopped natural fiber and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) through extrusion followed by injection molding processing. The incorporation of natural fiber in to the composite structure improved the modulus and impact strength of virgin bioplastic. Maleated PHB is synthesized by us and is also used as a compatibilizer in PHB based biocomposites."

Properties and Morphology of TPO-Based Nanocomposites

Hyuk-soo Lee, Paula D. Fasulo, William R. Rodgers, Donald R. Paul, May 2004

Thermoplastic polyolefin nanocomposites based on polypropylene/elastomer/organoclay were prepared in a twin-screw extruder. Mechanical properties and thermal expansion behavior were measured and compared with composite theory. These properties will be discussed in terms of the morphology of the dispersed clay and rubber phases and the characteristics of the matrix and dispersed phases.

Internet Controlled Thermoplastic Impregnation of Glass Fibers Yarns with Pultrusion

Pritam Das, Ozgu Ozturk, Justin Molenaur, R. Byron Pipes, May 2004

The process for thermoplastic pultrusion of glass fiber yarns is controlled with data acquisition software via the Internet. Consisting of the fiber distribution system with the guidance device, extruder, impregnation chamber, cooling unit, pulling mechanism, and take up device, the pultrusion line is operated and/or monitored remotely to obtain optimum performance.

Optimization of Thermoplastic Impregnation of Glass Fiber Yarns with Pultrusion

Ozgu Ozturk, Pritam Das, Michael Stadler, R. Byron Pipes, May 2004

The influence of process variables on the degree of thermoplastic impregnation of glass fiber yarns by pultrusion is investigated. The performance of the pultrusion line consisting of fiber distribution system, guidance device, extruder, impregnation chamber, cooling unit, pulling mechanism, and take-up device is examined in order to evaluate variable sensitivity and to optimize the process for pulling speed.

Long Fiber Reinforced Post-Consumer Carpet

John Muzzy, Youjiang Wang, Carl Hagberg, Pritesh Patel, Kun Jin, Susnata Samanta, Latoya Bryson, Bryan Shaw, May 2004

Post-consumer carpet is sorted by face fiber, shredded and compounded with long glass fibers. Both extrusion compounding and layering of glass mats and carpet fiber mats are explored. The properties of the composites produced exceed typical plastic lumber composites and are comparable to commercial glass mat composites.

Low-Cost Composite Materials from Post-Consumer Plastics and Waste Paper

Aaron R. James, Igor Sbarski, Syed H. Masood, Edward Kosior, May 2004

Composites of post-consumer plastics and high volume fraction waste paper have been studied. Various production techniques have been tested, with an optimum processing method defined, allowing the manufacture of low-cost composites of up to 60% paper content. Results indicate increases in tensile, flexural and creep modulus and flexural strength compared to the matrix can be achieved without the requirement of additives, with only marginally lower tensile strength and brittle impact behavior.

Filament Winding Processing Conditions to Produce Thermoplastic Composites from Towpregs

J.P. Nunes, J.F. Silva, F.W.J. van Hattum, A.T. Marques, May 2004

In the present work cost-effective glass-reinforced thermoplastic matrix towpregs were used to produce composites by filament winding at different processing conditions. The influence of the filament winding speed and mandrel temperature on the composite final properties was studied. An optimized processing window was established by comparing the composite theoretical expected mechanical properties with those experimentally obtained.

The Effect of Surface Active Agent Solution on the Mechanical Properties of Wood-Polymer Composites

P. Douglas, W.R. Murphy, G.M. McNally, May 2004

A range of wood-polymer composites; containing 0, 20, 40 and 60%w/w of MDF sawdust (212- 850?m) was prepared using polyethylene, polypropylene and rigid PVC. The blends were melt compounded using a Killion 38mm single screw extruder. The composites were then subjected to a surface-active agent (SAA) solution for 7 weeks and percentage water up-take was shown to increase, with a significant reduction in the mechanical properties.

The Study of Using Vetiver Grass as a Filler in Polypropylene Composites

Y. Ruksakulpiwat, N. Suppakarn, W. Sutapun, W. Thomthong, May 2004

The vetiver-polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared at various ratios of vetiver contents. Vetiver grass was prepared as vetiver leaves and vetiver fiber. The effect of vetiver contents on thermal, rheological, mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were studied. Vetiver grass was treated by chemical treatments and the effect of chemical treatments on these properties was elucidated.

A Injection Molded High Electromagnetic Shielding and Low Cost Carbon Fiber Composites

Wern-Shiarng Jou, Huy-Zu Cheng, Chih-Ming Weng, Yu-Jen Hsu, May 2004

The high electromagnetic shielding and low cost woven carbon fiber composites were developed. In this study, continuous carbon fibers were woven as a conductive network with different mesh size. For an adequate SE performance that is realistic for an industrial application (40 dB), the required weight percentage of continuous carbon fibers applied in the injection molded composites is about 1%, which is much lower than that of conventional (more than 30%) discontinuous long carbon fiber composites.

Insights into the Formation and Properties of Well-Exfoliated Nanocomposites

T.D. Fornes, D.R. Paul, May 2004

The work presented here focuses on two key issue of nanocomposites: how to achieve high levels of exfoliation of the clay platelets and to what extent the resulting benefits can be explained by conventional composite theories, i.e., is there a nano-effect" whereby the platelets significantly alter the local properties of the matrix?"