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

Modeling Polymer Balloons for Angioplasty: From Fabrication to Deployment

Sébastien Delorme, Denis Laroche, Robert DiRaddo, Jean Buithieu, May 2004

Postulating that arterial injury resulting from the angioplasty intervention is a possible predictor of restenosis, a three-dimensional finite element model is proposed to predict stresses during balloon angioplasty. The model simulates balloon folding, insertion and deployment into a diseased artery. This work focuses on the balloon material model and properties, using experimental characterization and inverse modelling. A numerical example, including balloon folding and deployment inside a stenosed artery is also presented.

The Design of the Small Punch Test and its Application to Testing Medical Polymers

C. Daly, D. Leonard, F. Buchanan, J. Orr, N. Dunne, May 2004

The small punch test is a useful technique in the mechanical testing of polymers where limited material is available. This investigation focuses on the latest developments in the small punch test design, including integrated temperature control and environmental conditioning and its use in analysis of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement.

Plastic Medical Enclosures Made without Molds

Jim Fowler, Jack Hill, May 2004

It has never been easy, in the Medical Products Industry to design and build a custom plastic enclosure when the initial or lifetime quantities do not justify molds or tooling. In the last few years, a toolless technology has been commercialized to allow the manufacture of such enclosures, with minimal up front costs and broad design flexibility. This paper describes the technology, its application, strengths and limitations and provides an economic comparison to the other enclosure technologies used in the industry.

Influence of Barium Sulphate on Rheological Behaviour and Mechanical Properties of Medical-Grade PVCs

J. Godinho, I. Moore, A.C. Ruddy, G.M. McNally, W.R. Murphy, May 2004

Barium sulphate (BaSO4) is widely used as a radiopaque additive for medical grade PVC tubing in surgical procedures. The rheological characteristics and mechanical performance of two different medical grade PVCs containing BaSO4 (10-15 % w/w) having two different mean particle sizes (1 and 40 micron) was investigated. The results show significant change in melt viscosity, tensile properties and phase transitions (Tan ? max) with increase in BaSO4 concentration.

Polysulfone-Modified Epoxy Networks Prepared by Reaction Induced Phase Separation

K. Cota-Alvarez, G. Borruel, M. Arellano, May 2004

The effect of epoxy/hydrogen-amine ratio and thermoplastic molecular weight on the curing process and final morphology of epoxy thermoset-polysulfone blend is presented. The cure kinetics was followed by differential scanning calorimetry, the beginning of phase separation by was determined by visual inspection and final morphology was analyzed by SEM.

Curing Kinetics and Thermo-Mechanical Properties Modelling of a General Purpose Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR)

C.F. Jasso-Gastinel, E. Mendizábal, J.M. Vivero, May 2004

Using a 3 mm thick mold trying to reproduce common industrial situations, a general purpose UPR was cured with styrene, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) and cobalt naphthenate. Modelling of the curing reaction (using a 2k with 5 central points design), tensile and impact strength and glass transition temperature was accomplished. To obtain close fitting, parameters interaction was considered for modelling.

On-Line Flow Rate and Pressure Analysis with Sensor Fusion

David O. Kazmer, Bingfeng Fan, Ranjan Nageri, May 2004

Plastics injection molding has been limited by the lack of observability and controllability, such that it has not been possible to know or control flow rates and pressures at multiple locations in a mold. An instrumentation and analysis method is presented that allows the estimation of flow rate and pressure at multiple points in an injection mold. While potential improvements are discussed, the presented methods will assist real time process and quality control.

Novel High Flow Polymers and Their Applications

S. Yalvac, T.P. Karjala, May 2004

Novel high flow, low crystallinity polyolefin polymers offer a wide variety of attributes in a broad range of applications. The basic characteristics of these polymers and their usefulness in applications such as hot melt adhesives, flow modification, masterbatches and color concentrates, thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs), and thermoplastic road markings will be discussed.

A Review of Diffusion in Automotive Polymers

M.P. McCourt, G.M. Mc Nally, W.R. Murphy, May 2004

This paper reviews the research over the past number of years on diffusion of fuels and fuel components into polymers used in near engine fluid and fuel delivery systems. The areas investigated cover Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR-ATR) spectrometry and standard immersion procedures to measure the migration of fuel components in a series of fluoropolymer, polyester and polyamide materials at various temperatures.

Composite Material Transmission Cross Member Feasibility

Adam D. Myers, May 2004

General Motors’ next generation full-size truck frames are currently 80 pounds over their targeted weight. By replacing the current steel transmission cross member on General Motors’ full-size trucks through the application of a composite material transmission cross member, a substantial weight reduction will be achieved. Reducing the weight of General Motors’ full-size trucks will consequently increase the fleet-wide fuel economy for the company’s truck line, allowing CAFE requirements to be met more easily.

Novel Polymer Modifier Improves the Flow Characteristics of TPO Compounds

Brian W. Walther, Teresa P. Karjala, May 2004

The enhancement of one particular performance parameter in a Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is often tied to a decrease in another property. This trade-off is evident in the balance between compound viscosity and impact performance. While low melt index elastomers will result in higher impact performance, the increase in compound viscosity is undesired. This paper discloses the utility of adding ultra-low viscosity modifiers to a TPO to achieve high flow while retaining impact performance.

The Role of CAE in the Design of a TPV Weatherseal System

Ward Narhi, Shaival Mehta, Philippe Cusson, May 2004

Computer aided engineering has impacted the design process of weatherseal systems by reducing the number of prototypes needed to create a part. Finite Element Analysis is useful in predicting compression load deflection and frictional forces. Advances in FEA include how forces change over time and loading; stress relaxation, cyclic loading, compression set, and elastic recovery. This paper follows the design and prototyping of a unique weatherseal system and highlights the role of CAE.

Materials and Design Trends in Exterior Automotive Plastic Applications

Tom Pickett, May 2004

This paper examines material and design trends in exterior automotive plastic applications. Plastics are widely used in exterior automotive applications. With the many different exterior applications, this paper concentrates specifically on fascia, body side moldings/ claddings, rocker moldings, wheel flare, and cowl vent leaf catchers. Examination of the material and design trends for these exterior applications is accomplished by benchmarking a number of OEMs. Insight into future material and design trends is gained by identifying the drivers.

Devulcanization of Recycled Tire Rubber Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Qiao Zhang, Costas Tzoganakis, May 2004

In this work, an extrusion process has been developed for the devulcanization of rubber crumb from recycled tires employing supercritical CO2. For that purpose supercritical CO2 has been injected in a twin screw extruder to swell the rubber crumb and to facilitate the otherwise impossible rubber extrusion process. As a consequence, waste rubber can be processed under mechanical shear and extensional forces at various operating conditions that may lead to different degrees of devulcanization.

Surface Activation Systems for Optimizing Adhesion to Polymers

Rory A. Wolf, May 2004

Many experiments have been performed globally to investigate ways of improving adhesion to polymers. This paper discusses current atmospheric surface activation systems, appropriate measurements of wettability and adhesion, over-treatment effects and surface analysis techniques relative to optimizing the adhesion of inks, paints, coatings and adhesives to polymer surfaces. Recommendations for improved activation by substrate and application are discussed.

Multi Functional Colorants for LDPE Articles

Martin T. Price, Jeffrey M. Cosman, Alexander L. Neymark, May 2004

Functional performance of slip and release additives was investigated in low density polyethylene (LDPE) pigmented injection molded plaques. Coefficient of friction and adhesion studies were used to characterize migration of slip agents to the polymer surface and interaction between composition components. An attempt was made to combine different additives to achieve optimum slip performance while minimizing organoleptic impact of packaging material.

Is Trouble-Free Colored Wire and Cable Possible?

Robert S. Trinklein, May 2004

Color plays a critical role in the manufacture of wire and cable products. Colors are frequently created in wire and cable products through the use of color concentrates. There are some misunderstandings about how the concentrates affect the finished products. Because color accounts for a relatively tiny part of a compound, for example, some manufacturers neglect its potential influence on their products. Others make color concentrates their first suspect when problems occur.

Study of Hue Variation in Different Extrusion Applications

A. Venkateshwar, S. Manoj Kumar, May 2004

Color Masterbatches are widely used in all types of Applications such as Injection Molding, Blow Molding, Blown-Film Extrusion, Monofilaments, Rafia tapes, etc. This paper is the study done to facilitate faster matching and understand the hue variation in different color with different extrusion applications. Hue variation is studied keeping Injection Molding Application as Standard.

Oxidative Photodegradation of Colored LLDPE

Chijioke F. Iwu, Onyekachi M. Egbuhuzor, May 2004

The oxidative photodegradation of colored linear low density Polyethylene (LLDPE) have been studied. Extruded colored films were exposed to natural tropical sunlight for times ranging up to three months simultaneously with control films. Pigment masterbatches had been incorporated into the colored films by means of the now effective masterbatching process. The photooxidized films were analyzed with respect to the pigment effects. Results indicate considerable modifications on the LLDPE properties; the extent of which depends on the nature and composition of the applied pigments.

Effect of the Masterbatch Carrier on the Pigment Dispersion and Mechanical Properties of Colored Polyolefins

M.C. Cramez, M.J. Oliveira, May 2004

Polyethylene and polybutene were used as carriers to produce two color concentrates with a high amount of organic pigments. Different colored plastic products, namely polyethylene film and polypropylene injection molded parts, were produced using both masterbatches. The polybutene masterbatch promotes a better dispersion of the pigment and improves the toughness of injection molded polypropylene.