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

The Quaterrylimides - Highly Efficient NIR Absorbers for Plastics

Arno J. Boehm, Alban Glaser, May 2004

A couple of years ago we developed a class of highly efficient organic NIR absorbers based on quaterrylenetetracarboxylic diimides ('quaterrylimides'), which exhibit photo- and thermostabilities at levels hitherto reserved exclusively to inorganic materials. In this paper we want to present models for the explanation of the unique photostability of this class of compounds, as well as recent advances in the synthesis of those materials, and examples for state-of- the-art plastics applications.

Spoken Polymer

Thomas Twardowski, May 2004

An approach to teaching introductory polymers as a new language was considered. A new pedagogy, including complete definitions, novel technical grammar, and the specific roles of symbols and self-correction, was required. In return, the language concept improved student scientific communication skills, problem-solving ability, especially learning from context, and in general accelerated learning. The approach was applied to teach introductory polymer science, resulting in performance substantially equivalent to traditional polymers courses.

Industrial Training Programs for Plastics Manufacturing

Nick R. Schott, Martin K. Pottle, May 2004

The Plastics Institute of America has a long history of training in the polymer/plastics field. Over the past twenty years this training has focused on the shop floor employees and new professionals as compared to research and management types. Successful long term training has been conducted with leading consumer, medical, and electronic manufacturers. The training is offered in a wide range of traditional and cutting-edge areas to help companies and their employees keep pace with the rapid rate of change that has become the cornerstone of today's economy.

Plastics and Polymer-Matrix-Composite Laboratory Activities and Curriculum Options

Peter F. Baumann, Lennard F. Lema, May 2004

Central Connecticut State University has developed a multitude of laboratory instructional activities to better prepare students for technological advancements in the plastics and polymer-matrix-composites industries. Engineering and Industrial Technology students can opt for further plastics and composites training through election of laboratory courses in materials, processing, tooling, analysis and design.

Recycling Thermoset Plastics, Can it be Done?

Dru M. Wilson, May 2004

This paper addresses the possibility of using recycled thermoset plastic powder as filler. With budget issues in the academic setting, using recycled thermoset powder as filler could have a positive impact. Recycled powder has been successfully used in a university plastics lab for rotational molding, thermoforming molds, and for composite tooling dough. Three practical lab exercises will be given in the paper.

Surviving Globalization

Roger F. Jones, Lori Anderson, Jeff Sloan, May 2004

Globalization has been blamed for the startling loss of US manufacturing jobs over the past several years, particularly in the plastics industry. How can companies survive competition from China and elsewhere in the world? This paper will describe how the problems have come about, what's being done about them and how companies can not merely survive but improve their business.

Plastics Processing: A Changing Environment

Jack Avery, May 2004

The U.S. plastics industry has been hit hard in the past three years. A number of factors have contributed to this changing environment, including globalization, recession and political uncertainty. The premise of this paper is: the market as we knew it in the late 1990s will never return. The world has changed, so has the plastics industry. The question to be addressed is: how can we prosper in this new environment?

Bluetooth Wireless Technology Enables New Applications

Debbie Hauser, May 2004

Bluetooth, the most widespread of the new wireless communications standards, enables electronic devices to talk amongst themselves. This capability has not only created the demand for many new electronic products, but has pushed value-added product development for plastics in the automotive, healthcare, appliance and computer accessories markets. This presentation will outline what the Bluetooth technology is, new applications, market projections, and considerations for designers as well as resin suppliers.

Preventing Failure by Design: A Case Study in the Development of a Medical Device

Lucyanne Carmona, Eric Moskala, May 2004

Preventing failure in a plastic medical device requires a thorough understanding of the key fitness for use criteria. This paper explores a case study of copolyester resin development for a device requiring clarity, toughness, chemical resistance, solvent bonding, printability, and ethylene oxide and gamma sterilization. Analyses included molecular weight, modulated DSC, fractography and functional testing.

An Investigation into Fracture Toughness Testing of Dental Luting Cements Using Various Methods

D. Leonard, G. McHenry, C.A. Mitchell, J.F. Orr, May 2004

Various types of luting cements are used for fixation in dentistry. Failure through fracture is a significant issue with these materials. Several fracture toughness tests have been developed to characterise dental luting cements. Among them are the Chevron-Notch Short-Rod and Mixed-Mode Sandwich tests. In this study these two techniques are applied to a dental luting cement and from the results of the testing, conclusions are drawn on what they can determine regarding a material's properties.

Mechanical and Thermal Characterization for Sterilized Medical Elastomers

Tahua Yang, Sherwin Shang, Lecon Woo, Craig Sandford, May 2004

We have applied thermal, mechanical, and rheological techniques in the product development for medical elastomers with success. In this presentation, examples of actual product application will be used to illustrate the utility of these techniques and to demonstrate the derived information that was used in developing successful elastomeric related medical products.

Thermal Characterization for Radiation Treated Medical Products

Sherwin Shang, Tahua Yang, Lecon Woo, Craig Sandford, May 2004

A key feature for medical products is the need to sterilize products prior to release. However, the radiation dose, which disrupts DNA sequences in bioburdens, can also damage and alter polymer properties in substantial ways. Contrary to known degradations, there are also property enhancements through irradiation. In this presentation, both property degradation and enhancement will be illustrated with actual examples.

Aspects of Micromoulding Polymers for Medical Applications

M.T. Martyn, B. Whiteside, P.D. Coates, P.S. Allan, G. Greenway, P. Hornsby, May 2004

Micromoulding is maturing as a viable technology used in the manufacture of intricate, minute, 3d plastic components. There still remains a knowledge gap in understanding the effects of processing on product properties. Studies conducted within our laboratories reveal that polymer melts are exposed to extremely high shear and heat transfer rates in the process. These process conditions influence product morphology and properties.

Rapid Prototyping to Rapid Manufacturing

Anthony J. Sexton, May 2004

Since its inception, Rapid Prototyping (RP) has undergone many changes and enhancements in both materials and systems. One of these system enhancements is the Stereolithography (SLA) small beam laser, which was proposed to 3-D Systems Inc. in the summer of 1993.

Fabrication and Analysis of Plastic Hypodermic Needles

Hoyeon Kim, Jonathan S. Colton, May 2004

This paper presents the fabrication of plastic hypodermic needles using micro-injection molding and the analyses of their buckling behavior. As a needle cannula is a thin-walled column (here 0.7 mm outer diameter and 0.15 mm thick), it is vulnerable to buckling. The buckling behavior is characterized through numerical simulations and experiments.

Ultrasonic Microforging for Production of Microscale Parts with Nanoscale Features

Naveen Huilgol, Charles L. Thomas, May 2004

An ultrasonic horn is used to investigate a manufacturing technique to produce microscale polymeric parts using continuous wave ultrasound. This technique of microforging has a potential to produce microscale parts in production quantities. It should be capable of replicating nanoscale features on the microscale part. Potential advantages of microforging include speed of production and easy handling of the parts compared to microinjection molding techniques.

Radiation Processing of Polymers: The Current Status and Prospects for the Future

David R. Kerluke, Song Cheng, May 2004

Radiation processing has been used for almost 50 years to improve both bulk and surface properties of polymer resins and formed components. This session will examine several specific applications of commercial radiation processing in depth. This presentation will provide background for this session.

Novel Resins through the Pre-Irradiation Modification of Polyethylenes

T.A. du Plessis, H. Seute, May 2004

The presentation describes the development of a new family of novel polymers made through the ionizing radiation modification of polyethylenes prior to the conversion thereof into end products.

Electron-Beam Cross-Linking and Melting of UHMWPE for Hip and Knee Replacements

Orhun K. Muratoglu, May 2004

Wear and damage of polyethylene are the leading causes of in vivo failure of total hip and total knee arthroplasty. Increasing the resistance of polyethylene to wear and damage has been possible by radiation crosslinking and subsequent melting. Crosslinking improves the wear resistance of this polymer, while post-irradiation melting improves the long term oxidative stability, which is the primary precursor to polyethylene damage in vivo.

Continuous Process for Recycling of Polyurethane Foam

Sayata Ghose, A.I. Isayev, Ernst D. von Meerwall, May 2004

A continuous process for decrosslinking high resiliency polyurethane foam in an extruder with ultrasonic devices was developed. Rheological, structural and NMR relaxation and diffusion characterizations of decrosslinked foam were performed. The decrosslinked foam was blended with the virgin polyurethane rubber (PUR) and cured and the blend properties were investigated.