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

Development of an Integrated Computer-Aided Engineering and Optimization System for Injection Molding

Michael Peic, Lih-Sheng Turng, May 2002

Sophisticated computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools for injection molding have been available and are now widely used in industrial practices. However, a successful application of CAE typically involves numerous iterations of process simulations to evaluate various competing design options, material choices and process settings. To further enhance the effectiveness of CAE, efforts have been made in integrating the process simulation analysis with an optimization tool to automatically and intelligently search for the optimal design and/or process parameters. This paper presents the numerical implementation and experimental verification of this integrated optimization tool and the application of various optimization algorithms for an instrumented test mold.

Development of Blends of HIPS/SB Copolymers with Superhigh Impact Properties

Kolapo P. Adewale, Holly Wilson, May 2002

Synergistic blends of HIPS and SB block copolymer have been prepared with exceptional toughness. Notched Izod values for the blends vary from 240J/m to 470 J/m depending on the composition and type of SB copolymer. The neat experimental HIPS is characterized by either a bimodal or broad unimodal rubber particle size distribution. It is shown that the rubber particle size and distribution not only affect the impact properties of HIPS but also affect the blend effectiveness of HIPS with SB block copolymers. Comparisons with blends of commercial HIPS/SB block co-polymers are made.

Development of Inorganic Composites for Production of Structural Elements

Ioan I. Negulescu, Roger K. Seals, Simioan Petrovan, May 2002

The overall goal of the paper is to develop recycled plastic lumber products with improved mechanical properties using inorganic filler consisting of Louisiana residuals, such as phosphogypsum, in conjunction with recycled plastic resins. Blends have been established and samples have been prepared by mixing polyethylene derived from detergent bottles with inorganic fillers in the inner chamber of a Haake rheometer. Reactive mixtures have been made in the same way using maleic anhydride in addition to polyolefin and inorganic filler. The actual composition of blends has been calculated from thermogravimetric data. Tensile properties have been determined for each composition using both an INSTRON machine and a dynamo-mechanical spectrometer.

The Development of Nanocomposites to Enhance Functionality of Materials for Rotational Molding

Darren Martin, Peter Halley, Rowan Truss, Michael Murphy, Simon Meusburger, Oliver Jackson, May 2002

The development of new composite materials with enhanced property profiles for rotational molding represents a key challenge for the industry. The prerequisite attributes of a good rotomolding resin include grindability, sinterability, thermal stability and low moisture sensitivity. This imposes very restrictive limits on the number of promising new candidates.When traditional glass fibres or other mineral fillers such as talc, mica, or calcium carbonate are used, increased stiffness is almost always achieved at the expense of impact properties, ease of processing, wear on equipment, low density and recyclability. Many mineral fillers have been used successfully in numerous high pressure plastic forming processes, however, their successful adaptation has not transposed to the low shear, low pressure environment found in rotational moulding. In addition, large fibres tend to create a natural sieving action when tumbled with plastic powder within the mold and end up lining the inside of the mold serving no useful mechanical purpose. Furthermore, surface finish is generally rougher than that achieved with just the base resin and so it is harder to achieve a glossy finish.Possibly a more successful approach to developing a rotomoldable composite with outstanding engineering properties would be to introduce the matrix and reinforcement into the mold as a curable liquid. This has been done with some degree of success using wollastonite-filled polyurethane (1), although at higher filler loadings impact properties also suffered.In this paper polymer-clay nanocomposites are presented as possible new candidates for rotational molding. Issues and choices relating to the formulation, trials and evaluation of both PE-clay (thermoplastic) and castable polyurethane-clay (thermoset) nanocomposites for rotational molding are discussed. Some key melt rheology results for the PE-based nanocomposites are reported.

Devolatilization of Polymers in a Transparent Double-Screw Extruder

Ingo Gestring, Dieter Mewes, May 2002

Devolatilization is a key-step in polymer processing. Low-molecular-weight components are removed from a polymeric system. On of the most used equipment for devolatilization is the extruder. The mass transfer rate inside the devolatilization section of an extruder depends on the flow regime. A double-screw extruder with a transparent barrel is used for the experimental investigations to correlate the mass transfer with the flow regime. At the entrance section of the devolatilization section the polymer starts to foam. Two-phase bubbly flow exists. There the mass transfer is highest. The intensity of the foam expansion depends mainly on the rotational speed of the screws and the inlet concentration. After the foam has collapsed it may foam again under the vacuum vent. Down stream behind the vent two-phase stratified flow exists. There the mass transfer is low. The flow field along the screws is filmed with a digital video camera.

Diamine Grafted Polypropylene as an Adhesion-Promoting Agent to Layers of PC

Sofía Vázquez-Rodríguez, Saúl Sánchez-Valdes, Octavio Manero-Brito, May 2002

Polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PPgMA) was modified using different diamines during the melt. Two-layered films were prepared using polycarbonate (PC) film and PPgMA modified with diamines (PPgNH2). Adhesion strength was measured using T-peel Test. FTIR data showed that the addition of the diamine caused an imide linkage, which is performed between the amine primary group of the diamine and the maleic anhydride functionality of the PPgMA. The adhesion between layers of PC y PPgNH2 was found to be improved using PPgNH2. No adhesion was found between layers of PPgMA and PC, but the adhesion was improved when using PPgNH2 instead of PPgMA.

Die Lip Build-Up in the Extrusion of Highly Filled Low Density Polyethylene

Chun D. Lee, May 2002

It is common that a highly filled master batch (MB) contains a low molecular weight (LMw) lubricant as a filler dispersion agent and compounding processing aid. Sometimes, the presence of such a lubricant in the MB creates a die build-up problem in the extrusion process of a let-down formulation. Several MBs with a laboratory Banbury mixer were produced to investigate the effect of the amount of aluminum stearate (as a lubricant) on dispersion and die build-up. When the MB containing the stearate below the critical amount is used, die build-up decreases and filler dispersion improves with increased amounts of stearate. At the critical amount of the stearate, the MB shows good dispersion as well as minimum build-up. Above the critical amount, dispersion is still good. But, build-up increases with further increase in the amount of stearate added up to 3.0%. This observation results from the different mechanisms of the die build-up, which depends on whether the stearate level is below or above the critical amount. We confirmed such a mechanism in the commercial extrusion process of the MBs. This observation leads to the conclusion that in the use of the stearate (as a dispersion agent) for highly filled MB, the amount of the stearate need to be optimized to minimize a die build-up of the MB with good filler dispersion.

Dimensional Stability Analysis of Foams Based on LDPE and Ethylene-Styrene Interpolymer Blends

Chi-Tai Yang, Shau-Tarng Lee, May 2002

This study extends our earlier work on the fundamental aspects of modeling on foaming aging and dimensional stability. The thickness change of extruded polyolefin foam to the blowing agent and air counter diffusion during the post-extrusion aging process is modeled. The blowing agent and air counter diffusion equations are coupled with more complicated Maxwell-Voigt four-parameter viscoelastic equations to model the foam dimensional change and recovery processes. The effects of blending ethylene-styrene interpolymer resin and adding aging modifier are investigated, respectively and altogether. The mathematical model is also compared with experimental data.

Dimensional Stability of Complex Shapes Manufactured by the VARTM Process

Pascal Hubert, Brian W. Grimsley, Roberto J. Cano, R. Byron Pipes, May 2002

The vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process is a cost effective, innovative method that is being considered for manufacture of large aircraft-quality components where high mechanical properties and dimensional tolerance are essential. In the present work, carbon fiber SAERTEX fabric/SI-ZG-5A epoxy resin C-shaped laminates were manufactured by VARTM using different cure cycles followed by the same post-cure cycle. The final part thickness was uniform except at the corner were thinning was observed. The cure cycle selected is shown to significantly affect the part spring-in and a long cycle at 66°C followed by a 178°C post-cure produced a part with negligible spring-in.

Diode Laser Microweldng of Polycarbonate and Polystyrene

David Grewell, Timothy Jerew, Avraham Benatar, May 2002

New technological developments in micro-fabrication have created the need to assemble thermoplastics components with narrow weld joints (~100 ?m wide). This paper reviews the use of fiber coupled laser diodes in conjunction with special lenses to produce spot sizes between 25 and 50 ?m in diameter. The effects of travel speed, power density and pressure on weld line width, consistency and strength were evaluated. It was found that process parameters are extremely critical in producing consistent welds. In addition, new testing techniques need to be developed to allow quantitative measurements of weld strength due to relatively small weld area.

Direct Rapid Tooling of Injection Moulds Using Electro-Discharge Machining

S.H. Masood, S. Thatiot, I. Harianton, May 2002

This paper presents a method of creating a rapid tool for injection moulding, which can produce components of higher accuracy and better surface finish. Main investigation focuses on the rapid tooling process of a complex part using high speed machining and Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) to produce an injection mould of higher accuracy and surface finish than that achieved by a rapid prototyping based tooling process. Results demonstrate how short-run injection moulds with a higher accuracy could be made in a much faster way using high speed machining and EDM with a lead-time that can match any other methods of rapid tooling process.

Distinguishing Features of the Mechanical Design of Plastic Parts - Commentaries for the Undergraduate Student

S.I. Krishnamachari, May 2002

This review paper presents certain fresh viewpoints about the already-known process-independent and intrinsic differences in the mechanical design of plastic parts, as also its complexities. This paper is motivated by the fact the mechanical design education in the schools begins from mechanics of materials - predominantly of metals - and that plastics part design education begins from specific plastics processes. The predominant process-orientation is marked by the fact that the presence of text book titles such as “Design for Injection Molding”, or “Design for Rotational Molding” stand in contrast with the absence of titles such as “Design for Turning on Lathes”, “Part Design for Milling and Grinding”, or “Part Design for Five Axes Milling”.Furthermore, it is noted that the advent of CAD/CAE has changed but only the management of the design and development, however, the intrinsic differences remain.It is emphasized that the points discussed herein are well-known, however a fresh viewpoint is presented for the student audience.

Drawing of UHMWPE Fibers in the Presence of Supercritical CO2

Manuel Garcia-Leiner, John Song, Alan J. Lesser, May 2002

The drawing behavior of UHMWPE fibers in supercritical CO2 is compared to that in air at different temperatures. Temperature substantially influences the drawing properties in air, while in scCO2 a constant mechanical response is observed. DSC and WAXS results show that air-drawn samples crystallize during deformation in an internally constrained manner, promoting changes in their thermal behavior. In contrast, scCO2 allows crystals to grow without constraints through a possible crystal-crystal transformation, increasing the processing temperature to 110°C.

Solid Finite Elements for the Prediction of Complex Parison Distortions

D. Laroche, P. Debergue, May 2002

Significant developments in finite element modelling of the blow moulding process have been observed in the recent years. The large deformations occuring during parison formation, clamping and inflation have traditionally been modelled using membrane or shell type elements. In this paper, a 3D solid finite element approach for improving the part wall thickness predictions is proposed. A 27-node brick element with incompressibility constraint is presented for modelling large viscoelastic deformations of the parison in the consecutive stages of the process. Part wall thickness predictions using 3D simulations are compared to experimental measurements on two different blow moulding cases. The results are also compared to predictions from the membrane formulation.

Dynamic Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Ethylene/1-Octene Resins with Bimodal Structural Distributions

Colin Li Pi Shan, João B.P. Soares, Alexander Penlidis, May 2002

Ethylene/1-octene resins with bimodal molecular weight and bimodal short chain branching distributions were synthesized in a two-step polymerization process. Comparison of the dynamic mechanical (tensile) and rheological properties of these blends shows that increasing the fraction of copolymer in the reactor blend results in a decrease in its stiffness. However, the energy dampening properties of these blends benefit from the presence of the copolymer. It was confirmed that melt flow properties of polymers depend on their molecular weight distribution.

Dynamic Piston Speed Control during Low Shear Capillary Rheometer Measurements

Burke I. Nelson, May 2002

Pressure transients in a capillary rheometer can take hours to reach steady state during low shear rate measurements, causing problems with material degradation during the test. Instead of running the piston at constant speed and waiting for equilibrium, it is possible to use dynamic speed control of the piston to reach the steady state pressure more quickly.Models from literature suggest that the long pressure transients at low shear rates are due to changes in the material density as a function of pressure. These models are used to determine an optimum velocity profile for the capillary piston, reducing measuring times to a fraction of previous times and using less material per test point.

Dynamical Mechanical Study of Single Wall Nanotube Reinforced ABS Composite

Oziel Rios, Arturo A. Fuentes, Karen Lozano, Enrique V. Barrera, Franz R. Brotzen, May 2002

The dynamic mechanical properties of single wall nanotube (SWNT) reinforced polymer composites were studied. This paper analyzes preliminary results between the theoretical and experimental effect of SWNT concentration on anelasticity versus nanotube concentration. The theoretical model assumes that the assembly is a standard linear solid (SLS). The following assumptions were made: 1) the filler material is purely elastic, 2) the only time-deformation is that of the polymer matrix, and 3) the SLS unrelaxed elastic modulus varies linearly with the relative concentration of the filler material. The results indicated that the preliminary studies using the SLS model showed a good approximation to the experimental results within the chosen region.

Dynamics of a Slender Bubble in a Non-Newtonian Liquid in an Extensional Flow

Ramesh Raju Mudunuri, Moshe Favelukis, May 2002

Mass Transfer between a slender bubble and a non-Newtonian liquid in a simple extensional and creeping flow has been theoretically studied. Exact shapes of slender bubbles in power-law liquids are presented, along with analytical approximations. Steady-state mass transfer is studied assuming the thin concentration boundary layer approximation. The results indicate that the total mass transfer increases with n, the power-law parameter, due to larger surface areas in dilatant liquids compared to pseudoplastic liquids for a similar imposed flow. The relevance of this work to the processes of polymer melt devolatilization and the production of polymer foams is discussed.

Economic Value Added in the Plastic Processing Industry

Drahomira Pavelkova, Tomas Saha, J.G. Drobny, H.R. Skov, May 2002

The goal of the study has been to identify factors influencing the creation of the Economic Value Added (EVA) of companies in the plastics processing industry. EVA as an indicator of new created value for the owners of the company is an important criterion of success of the company‘s activities. The sources of the creation of EVA are being identified by comparing several plastics processing companies including some in different geographical regions. Some differences in the EVA in the investigated regions have been correlated to technological level, creativity of management and financial ratios. Data for the analysis were obtained mainly from companies´ annual reports.

The Effect of Additives on the Processing and Physical Properties of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (RPET)

Mark Kegel, Igor Sbarski, Edward Kosior, Syed Masood, May 2002

This paper describes the effect of individual additives that are present in masterbatch formulations, and the role they play in modifying physical properties and processability of blends based on RPET. Additives such as titanium dioxide, carbon black, linear low-density polyethylene and polyethylene wax are often incorporated in masterbatch compositions. The blends based on these additives have been analysed for shifts in thermal transition points, levels of crystallinity and physical properties such as tensile and impact strength. The results show that at the addition rates used, some additives had significant effects on processability and crystallinity, negligible effects on physical properties and antagonistic effects were noted when additives were combined.