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

Coprecipitates of Dibasic Lead Phthalate and Tribasic Lead Sulfate

Richard F. Grossman, May 2002

Coprecipitates of dibasic lead phthalate and tribasic lead sulfate tend to crystallize with the latter forming the core of a core/shell structure. The reactivity of this structure towards hydrolysis of ester plasticizers is considerably lower than that of physical blends of the basic lead salts.

Correlations between Orientation and Some Properties of Polymer Films and Sheets

A. Ajji, X. Zhang, May 2002

The orientation of biaxially stretched polystyrene (PS) sheets and polyethylene (PE) blown films were investigated. The study mainly focused on the relationships between orientation of amorphous PS and semi-crystalline PE and their shrinkage, tensile properties and tear resistance. For low orientations, it is found that the stress and strain (shrinkage in films) can be simply related to birefringence for both PS and PE. For tear properties of PE films, better correlations were observed with crystalline orientation factors.

Design of an Integrated Crash Energy Absorber for Compression Molded Bumper Beams

Anton J. Heidweiller, Frank Sparenburg, May 2002

Due to upcoming demands from insurance companies, there is an increasing need for bumper beams that take care of minimum repair costs after collision. The compression molding technique offers excellent possibilities to integrate crash absorbers into the bumper beam design. Experiments were carried out on six types of reinforced polypropylene cans. The difference in crush energy absorption of these materials was studied. The tests were carried out at crosshead speeds of 50 and 2000 mm/min.

Design, Material and Processing Effects on the Tensile Properties of Filled Polypropylene

Stephen P. Petrie, Ann M. Kirkwood, May 2002

A statistical evaluation was performed to evaluate the effects of design, material and processing conditions on the tensile properties of a filled polypropylene. Coupons were machined from injection molded plaques at different orientations and evaluated using the common tensile test. The results were compared using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). The following effects were found to be of significance in decreasing order: the type of filler, the level of filler and orientation.

Determining Cause of Failure in Plastic Parts through Microscopic Analysis

Paul K. So, May 2002

A critical first step in analyzing a plastic part failure is the examination of the cracking and the fracture surfaces. Important clues in understanding the failure mechanism are revealed by the recognition of distinctive crack pattern and characteristic fracture surface features. Several actual field failure case histories are described to illustrate the microscopic techniques and how the interaction of mechanical stresses and service environment produce unexpected failures.

Developing a Method for Rapid Design and Manufacture of Tooling

David Edwards, Robert Head Jr., May 2002

Following is the development of a method for the rapid design of bridge or short production tooling for injection molding. Starting with a product definition, part was modeled in a solid modeler. The part model was analyzed by the finite element method for performance under load and by flow analysis software to determine molding characteristics.Once the design was proven, NC code was generated to cut the cavity and runner system. The mold was commissioned and the mold cycle parameters were verified.

Developing Coaches and Mentors in Your Organizations

John R. Szymankiewicz, May 2002

Increasingly, companies are looking for leaders and not managers. Inherent in this move is the necessity for skills to motivate and develop employees. One way to cultivate leaders, as opposed to managers, and to drive positive change in an organization is to implement a coaching and mentoring system for employee development and day to day management. The next logical questions is how do you develop coaches and mentors?" This paper will provide some insight into this question and possible solutions that may work for your organization."

Development of a Data Acquisition and Control Software for an Extrusion Process

Linda Caldwell, Mark Chen, Steve Thompson, Gerry McNally, May 2002

This paper describes the development of a system control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for a Killion KTS-100 extruder. At the heart of this computer based system is LabVIEW software that facilitates the various operational requirements. Particular attention is given to the human-machine interface that allows the operator to observe the extruder's operational conditions and permit necessary operational changes to the process.

Development of a New Elastomeric Homopolymer Polypropylene

Gian De Belder, Emily Boswell, May 2002

A new elastomeric homopolymer polypropylene has recently been developed. Its unique properties are caused by the introduction of a controlled level of stereo-errors into the PP chain. This new-to-the-world material has the possibility to replace existing polymers at low cost such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), flexible PVC, rubbers and other high performance polymers with the additional benefit that the polymer is completely recyclable (the only building blocks are propene!).

Development of New-Type Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics

Hiroyuki Hamada, Kaori Tsutsui, Daisuke Watanabe, Machiko Mizoguchi, Asami Nakai, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Weiliang Wu, May 2002

A new type glass fibers which are coated by thermoplastic resin, PA resin in this paper was used as reinforcements of PP injection molding materials. This fibers and surface the aments created thick interphase and also interdiffusion occurred PA and PP resin. The residual fiber length pellet was longer and interfacial shear strength was larger. Accordingly not only high tensile strength but also high impact strength injection moldings could be achieved by this new type glass fiber.

Direct Sheet Extrusion and Thermoforming of TPO Compounds

M. Malkani, J. Soneta, J.L. Mead, S.A. Orroth, May 2002

This research explores the development of thermoplastic olefin compounds through direct sheet extrusion and their thermoforming characteristics. A number of high rubber content formulations were compounded on a twin-screw extruder and formed directly into sheets via a gear pump. Sheets produced by direct sheet extrusion were thermoformed using a several thermoforming techniques, and the effect of material properties on thermoformability was evaluated for high draw applications. A thermoforming process window was developed for each compound and processing method.

Dispersed Solids Melting Model in Single Screw Extrusion

H. Potente, J. Pape, May 2002

In opposite to most screw designs the geometry of some single screw concepts lead to a break-up of the so called solid bed. Therefore the well known Tadmor-Model is not capable to describe this melting behavior. First approaches for such a model were already made by several scientists. Unfortunately these models assuming some simplifications having a strong effect on the accuracy. Thus a new dispersed solids melting model was developed assuming less simplifications. It shows good agreement with experimental results.

The Effect of Aqueous Media on Creep of Recycled Plastics

Jeffrey Exley, Brad Williams, May 2002

There continues to be a need for additional uses of recycled plastics. A significant portion of recycling applications require outdoor exposure including use in aqueous applications. This paper covers the effects of water on the properties of recycled plastics under tensile loads. The paper also covers long term creep effects.

Effect of Cavitation on Product Cost

Justin E. Boyle, Andrew W. Jaglowski, May 2002

In today's industry, there is a constant debate over the methods used to meet production requirements. Using a single, high cavitation tool is often compared against using multiple low cavitation tools. There are numerous factors that must be considered when deciding on which tooling option to specify and its ultimate effect on part cost. The scope of this paper is to serve as an aid in the tool selection process by providing a step-by-step process that allows a company to make a well-informed decision on tooling layouts while considering the impact of each factor on part cost.

Effect of Groove Geometry on the Performance of Grooved Feed Extruders

Christine Ronaghan, John P. Christiano, May 2002

The effect of varying groove geometry on the solids conveying performance of a grooved feed extruder was evaluated. Three groove styles and two resins were evaluated on a single barrier screw design. The results indicate that groove geometry has a strong effect on extruder performance for HDPE but a negligible effect for LLDPE.

Effect of LCP Addition on the Properties of Hybrid Composites

Sreekumar Pisharath, Shing-Chung Wong, May 2002

A hybrid composite consisting of rubber toughened nylon 6,6, glass fiber and LCP was investigated by varying LCP content. The hybrid system exhibited better processability than the glass fiber reinforced composite. A decrease in the total torque was observed with the LCP content indicating the reduction in the energy consumed during the processing of the hybrid composites. Thermal stability of the glass fiber reinforced composites improved with LCP addition. SEM observation of the tensile fracture surface revealed LCP fibrillation in the toughened matrix.

The Effect of Moisture on the Rheological Behavior of Calenderable Copolyesters

Eric J. Moskala, Kab Sik Seo, May 2002

The effect of absorbed moisture on the rheological behavior of a series of calenderable copolyester resins is studied. Moisture has a profound effect on the viscosity of the resins at calendering temperatures and on the glass transition temperature of the resins. However, moisture does not lead to hydrolysis of the copolyesters at the relatively low temperatures used in calendering.

Effect of Runner Design and Gating on Concetricity of High Precision Cylindrical Molded Parts

Richard Wheeler, Kathy Garnavish, May 2002

This paper presents a study on how shear induced melt variations, developed in runners, continue into a cavity and affect the shape of high precision cylindrically molded parts. Melt variations from the runner create asymmetrical conditions within the part forming cavities. These asymmetrical conditions can create side-to-side variations which effect concentricity in high precisions parts such as gears. Effects of process, gating locations and runner designs are presented.

Effect of Strain Rate on PVC Impact Performance

Amiel Sabbagh, May 2002

The impact behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) siding formulations containing chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and acrylic core-shell impact modifiers was evaluated using an instrumented impact tester. The samples were tested at room temperature over a range of testing speeds. Differences in strain rate sensitivity were observed for the various formulations. The differences appear to be a result of both the impact modifiers and the overall formulation.

Effect of Structural Relaxation on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

B.R. Davis, N. Mekhilef, May 2002

Mechanical spectra of atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) were measured via dynamic mechanical analysis. Measurements were taken on specimens annealed in the temperature range of 23 to 100°C for varying lengths of time. It was found that the effects of thermal treatment are more varied than previously reported, with significant differences found in the breadth and location of the ? and ? relaxation peaks.