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

Short Fiber Glass Reinforcement of Ductile Resins

Robert R. Gallucci, May 2004

In three ductile resins, polyphenylene ether sulfone (PPSU), a polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS) blend and polycarbonate-polybutylene terephthalate blends (PC-PBT) use of a fiberglass coating that has little adhesion (non-bonding) to the resin matrix give superior impact strength compared to a traditional fiber coating with good matrix adhesion. The non-bonding glass gives reduced flexural and tensile strength but has comparable modulus to the traditional glass fibers with good matrix adhesion.

Compounding Order and Mechanical Properties in PP/PE/Talc Compound

T. Okumura, H. Hamada, May 2004

Inorganic fillers are widely used to improve various properties of polymer materials. The dispersion of inorganic filler would undeniably influence the mechanical properties of a polymer compound. This paper describes the effect of the compounding order on mechanical properties of the PP/HDPE/Talc compounds which were prepared by changing the compounding order during the polymer compounding process. Consequently, the bending modulus and the impact strength of compound was improved, compared to that of general compounding.

Influence of Type of Filler on Natural Rubber Properties

M. Hernández, M. Ichazo, J. González, C. Albano, May 2004

Natural Rubber compounds with 15 phr filler (silica, wood flour and carbon black) were evaluated. Maximum torque, modulus, hardness and compression set increased when filler was present. Scorch time and curing time were also increased. A good reinforcement effect on the NR vulcanizate was observed when silica was used. There seemed to be very little influence of filler nature and particle size on properties studied; therefore, woodflour appears as an alternative and environment friendly filler.

The Performance of Polyvinyl Chloride / Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends

D.C. McConnell, G.M. McNally, W.R. Murphy, May 2004

Two grades of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), one polyester and one polyether based, were blended with two grades of PVC with different K-values of 56 and 71. Mechanical analysis showed that impact strength and elongation at break improved significantly, and the tensile and flexural modulus decreased with progressive increase in TPU content. DMTA results suggested partial miscibility between the two polymers. The performance of the blends was shown to be more dependent on the PVC/TPU percentage content rather than the PVC or TPU type.

Steel Wire Reinforced Plastic Composite Pipe

L.J. Broutman, Dale B. Edwards, B.D. Agarwal, May 2004

Steel wire reinforced polyethylene composite pipelines are a new technology product. The system is used for transport of oil, water, gas, and chemicals. This paper explains its new design concepts including micro-mechanics of load sharing and stress transfer. Recent test results will be reported to bring out its advantages over common plastic pipe and steel pipe.

The Effects of High Stress and Material Constraint on the Fracture Appearance of a Polyethylene Liner Pipe

Dale B. Edwards, Robert Miller, May 2004

This study involves a failure analysis on polyethylene liner pipes that had been installed as a corrosion protection liner in a high-pressure steel pipeline, operated at pressures up to 1500 psig. The peculiar fracture surface features are attributed to the stresses applied in service and to the geometry of the host pipe. The field failure times correlated extremely well with the published stress-rupture performance of the material.

POLYTRAC© Full Traceability in PE Valve Manufacturing

Richard W. Conley, May 2004

The Who, What, When and Where of every manufacturing process is critical to the longterm performance of polyethylene (PE) valves in natural gas distribution service. To obtain and archive this knowledge about every process, Kerotest developed POLYTRAC©, a full forward and backward traceability program for the POLYBALL™ line of PE ball valves. With full traceability, one has the maximum assurance that all manufacturing processes are under control and the highest quality valve is being produced.

Modeling of Mixers for Polymer Processing

Yun Bai, Uttandaraman Sundararaj, K. Nandakumar, May 2004

The heat transfer in a batch mixer was studied using experiments and simulation. The mechanical torque was measured experimentally. The dissipated power was calculated and compared with the simulation. The heat transfer coefficient from experiment was calculate by a lumped approximation and compared with the data from simulation. The transient temperature profiles were obtained and the temperature distributions in the nip between rotors and barrel wall were shown.

Measurement of the Effect of Pigments over Time on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Propylene-Ethylene Block Copolymer

I.F.M. Major, G.M. McNally, A. Clarke, H. Ross, May 2004

Injection moulded propylene-ethylene block copolymer samples containing 0-8% fluorescent organic pigment were prepared. Mechanical and thermal analysis were performed within one week after processing and then again after 8 weeks. The results show that after natural ageing of the samples there were significant improvements in mechanical performance and a modification in the structure of the samples.

Prediction of Long-Term Creep Behavior of Epoxy Adhesives for Aluminum Substrates

C-W. Feng, C-W. Keong, Y-P. Hsueh, Y-Y. Wang, H-J. Sue, May 2004

Epoxy-based adhesives for bonding aluminum substrates have gathered significant interest in recent years. Yet, more work is needed to learn how epoxy adhesives withstand creep and exposure to various environmental conditions. In this study, both experimental and modeling work (using Ngai's Coupling) has been conducted to predict creep behavior of epoxy adhesives under moisture exposure.

Effects of Aspect Ratio and Clay Particle Orientation on the Mechanical Properties of Nylon-6/Clay Nanocomposites

Jong-Il Weon, H.-J Sue, May 2004

Nylon-6/clay nanocomposites with varying clay aspect ratios and particle orientations were prepared by a large-scale simple shear process, which alters the morphology within the nanocomposite. Tensile tests indicate that the modulus and strength of the nanocomposites decrease as both the clay aspect ratio and orientation are reduced. In nylon-6, however, the reduction of the clay aspect ratio and orientation leads to an increase in toughness and ductility.

Structure and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced PC/ABS Fabricated by Ultra High Speed Injection Molding

Machiko Mizoguchi, Takashi Kuriyama, Susumu Takashima, Satoko Baba, Hiroyuki Hamada, May 2004

The morphology and mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced PC/ABS injection moldings were investigated. The effects of injection speed on them and the correlation between them were discussed. The morphology was drastically changed by ultra-high speed injection. The orientation of glass fibers was also changed and it results in lower decrease of tensile properties than injection moldings at common injection speed.

Mechanical Properties of Bast Fibers

Munder Friedrich, Fuerll Christian, Hempel Heinz, May 2004

Bast fibers like flax, hemp or kenaf have excellent mechanical properties which predestine these fibers for reinforcement of composites. The real mechanical properties of the fibers were measured. Diameter of fibers, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and breaking elongation are available.

Thermal Properties and Structure Development in Film Extrusion Syndiotactic Polystyrene

Myeong-Ho Hong, James L. White, May 2004

A study of crystallization behavior and stretching of syndiotactic polystyrene cast film are considered. The isothermal crystallization rate of syndiotactic polystyrene was faster than isotactic polystyrene but slower than isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylene at the same ?T(?T=Tm–Tc). The birefringences of stretched films were developed faster than atactic polystyrene according to their stretching ratio. The crystalline orientation was represented in terms of stretching ratio.

Synthesis of Silicate-Polyamide Nanocomposites via Interfacial Polycondensation

Zehra Sibel Kalkan, Lloyd A. Goettler, May 2004

In this work the synthesis of synthetic hectorite layered silicate - polyamide 66 nanocomposites by interfacial polycondensation is investigated to demonstrate the feasibility of the process and to produce viable nanocomposite product via this simple and low-cost process. Optimum reaction conditions and possible post-condensation treatments are identified for further study to obtain higher molecular weight product.

Displacement and Strain Analysis in a Non Homogeneous Material

Bartolomeo Trentadue, May 2004

Electronic holography moiré is applied to the measurement of interfacial conditions between particle and matrix in a non homogeneous rubber material. A tensile specimen is subjected to creep loading. The loads are applied in steps and measurements are carried out at equal intervals of time. The final output is provided by the Holo-Moiré Strain Analyzer and gives the principal strains and their directions in the region of observation. A definition of adhesion as an experimental measurable quantity through the evaluation of contour integrals is introduced.

Application of GRP for Chimney Liners Exposed to Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfur Trioxide

Valery G. Makarov, May 2004

Innovative development and application of a multilayer GRP structure for chimney liners exposed to sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide are described.The structure is made by winding. It includes a chemical proof layer, a constructional layer and an external layer.Inspections have shown no deterioration of GRP after three months of operation. GRP are affective constructional material of the universal purpose.

Novel Technique for Predicting Long Term Resistanse of Chemical Resistant GRP

Rakhil M. Sinelnikova, Valery G. Makarov, May 2004

A novel technique of estimating the lifetime of chemical resistant GRP is described.Destruction of GRP is considered as a heterogeneous chemical reaction of the first or zero order with constant energy of activation.Based on these estimations, it is recommended to use GRP for chimney liners exposed to sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. Received results were used for forecasting of service life of GRP.

Rheological, Thermal and Mechanical Behavior of Polyolefins/Sea Shells Composites

J. González, M. Candal, C. Albano, M. Ichazo, M. Mayz, A. Martínez, May 2004

The rheological, thermal and mechanical behavior of polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with sea shells composites at different concentrations of filler were investigated. The composites were prepared by extrusion and injection molding. Most filler addition to composites promoted a slightly increase on the melt viscosity, improve the tensile modulus and the thermal stability in all composites studied.

Effect of Morpholgy on Mechanical Properties of Composites Prepared by Reaction-Induced Phase Separation

Amit Chandra, Sadhan C. Jana, May 2004

A new class of fiber-reinforced composite materials was designed in our laboratory by using a hybrid of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. The thermosetting polymer phase separates upon curing reaction and creates morphology on the fiber surfaces. Effect of the morphology is studied on the fracture toughness of the composite, with the aim of enhancing the mechanical properties of the resulting fiber reinforced composite.