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
Compatibilizers for Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer/Polyolefin Blends Prepared by Reactive Mixing: The Effect of Processing Conditions
Younggon Son, R.A. Weiss, May 2000
The effect of processing conditions on the melt formation of a graft-copolymer compatibilizer for blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) and polyolefins was investigated. The compatibilizer was formed by an melt acidolysis reaction of a 50/50 (w/w) blend of TLCP and the sodium salt of a poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) ionomer. The effect of various processing conditions in a batch mixer and a single screw extruder on the extent of reaction were assessed. The extent of graft-copolymer formation and the efficacy of the product as a compatibilizer for TLCP/polyethylene blends was affected by the processing temperature and the rate screw (or rotor) speed.
Investigative Analysis of the Influence Reprocessing Has on the CIEL*a*b* Tristimulus Color Values of Special Effect Thermochromic Polypropylene
Trudie Sands E. Duart, May 2000
The intent of this investigation is to determine the feasibility of achieving optimal color quality when reprocessing special effect" thermochromic polypropylene. The investigation involves blending extruding and molding samples of virgin and reprocessed "special effect" thermochromic polypropylene. All samples undergo visual as well as CIEL*a*b* Tristimulus color value testing. Analysis of the visual and numeric data will determine whether the color values of the reprocessed material remain within the color space established by the standard. If the investigation proves that the color values are within the acceptable color range then recycling of the material would be both economically and environmentally beneficial."
Impact of Fines Separation on Reinforced Thermoplastic Regrind
Jason S. Trahan, Kurt Hayden, Paul Engelmann, Michael Monfore, May 2000
The process of regrinding thermoplastic resin is associated with a series of handling, feeding, contamination, and melting problems. Some have suggested that removal of fines from reinforced resin can have an adverse effect on certain material characteristics and processing conditions. A dedicated system employing special grinding techniques, aspiration of fines, and static abatement was used to study the impact of fines removal through a number of generations of process history. The system once optimized allowed a detailed study of the relative viscosity, glass content, and tensile properties of the material conditions. The results provide a foundation for molders seeking to incorporate thermoplastic regrind into current production settings.
Understanding Wear Mechanisms: The Key to Mold Life
Paul Engelmann, Kurt Hayden, Philip Guichelaar, Robert Dealey, Michael Monfore, May 2000
Molders and mold builders have been puzzled by unanticipated wear in the injection mold. For instance, sometimes hard components fail, and adjacent softer components last. A thorough investigation has been conducted on the types of wear that occur in a mold, as part of the long-term wear studies on copper alloys. Three very distinct mechanisms exist: abrasive, erosive, and adhesive wear. Characteristics of these three wear mechanisms have been isolated as they relate to injection molds. Certain design features in a mold are linked to each of these mechanisms. Understanding this relationship makes mold wear more predictable, avoidable, and correctable.
Use of Copper Alloys to Reduce Mold Condensation Problems
Kurt Hayden, Paul Engelmann, Jay Shoemaker, Michael Monfore, Robert Dealey, May 2000
Hot days with high dew points, and their high relative humidity, invariably lead to a host of molding problems. The molder is faced with either substantially altering the process or coping with the effects of sweating molds and equipment. A steel core in an injection mold was replaced using a copper alloy. Process conditions for the mold were established to accommodate operating conditions with a high dew point. Controlled testing was performed under adverse weather conditions. Results of these tests prove the efficacy of correctly applied copper alloy components for the reduction or elimination of problems caused by condensation on molding components.
Wall-Liquid Heat Transfer Coefficients in Batch Intensive Mixers
Manish Deopura, Chris Scott, May 2000
An empirical correlation that predicts the wall-liquid heat transfer coefficient, h, in batch intensive mixers for neat polymers and polymer blend systems has been tested and verified. The correlation predicts the heat transfer coefficient using the Nusselt number, Nu, the Reynolds number, Re, the Prandtl number, Pr and the viscosity ratio, ?r. The correlation takes the form Nu = ?(Re)?(Pr)?(?r)? Experiments were carried out with ten different amorphous and semicrystalline neat polymers over different operating conditions including different processing temperatures, degrees of fill and shear rates. Polymer blend systems were also studied. Further testing of the polymers with different blade geometries also yielded heat transfer coefficients predicted by the correlation.
Super Phosphorescent Additives for High-Quality Illumination at Low Additive-Loading Levels
J. Alan Bodi, Alan Burgess, May 2000
A new super-phosphorescent additive represents a breakthrough in the use of phosphorescence for plastic products. The new additive provides a substantially longer glow time than conventional zinc sulfide phosphorescent additives. Additionally, it, can be compounded at far lower loading levels, which facilitates compounding and processing, and makes the new additive more compatible with other fillers than zinc sulfide. This paper discusses attributes, applications, and performance characteristics of this novel product, and compares it to commonly used phosphorescent compounds.
Three-Dimensional Simulation of the Rubber Injection Molding Process
R. Capellmann, E. Haberstroh, May 2000
Conventional shell element based simulation programs, usually referred to as 2½-dimensional, reach their limits for thick rubber parts as well as in critical molding areas like sudden wall thickness changes or at ribs. Three-dimensional programs for the simulation of the rubber injection molding process have been developed at IKV and in co-operation with industrial partners. These programs allow the three-dimensional, non-stationary, non-isothermal flow calculation for shear-thinning and incompressible rubber compounds during the filling stage and the calculation of the curing stage as well. Simulation and experiment show a good correspondence. By consideration of inertial forces, even the prediction of jetting is possible. In comparison to a 2½-dimensional simulation, the flow front progress is predicted more accurately.
Improved Processing of Highly Filled Calcium Carbonate Compounds
Mike Fulmer, John vander Kooi, E.K. Koss, May 2000
Calcium carbonate treated with an interfacial agent, such as stearic acid or stearate, will typically wet or lubricate its surface resulting in lower viscosity than untreated calcium carbonate. In this paper, the effects of fatty acid derivatives on highly filled calcium carbonate both treated and untreated, in polypropylene compounds will be discussed. The use of fatty acid derivatives can be effective for lowering extrusion pressure, leading to throughput increases. The overall effect on filler addition, viscosity, mixing and processing properties will be shown for one class of fatty acid derivative.
INDEX™ Interpolymers: New Materials for the Wire and Cable Industry
S.R. Betso, M.J. Guest, R.M. Remenar, A.W. Field, F.E. Keen, May 2000
INDEX Interpolymers, including ethylene/styrene Interpolymers, are a new family of polymeric materials that are being utilized in a variety of durable applications. Unique structural parameters, material characteristics, and property combinations, including processibility, that make these new polymers ideal candidates for a variety of wire and cable applications are described. Materials engineering possibilities, including the incorporation of specific filler types and loadings, allow the formulation of materials with property balances of benefit to the industry, including applications that require low smoke generation. A variety of wire and cable applications are summarized and the benefits of the Interpolymer formulations highlighted.
Evolution of Structural Hierarchy in Uniaxially Deformed Branched Poly Lactic Acid Films as Followed by Spectral Birefringence Technique and Others
G. Kokturk, T.F. Serhatkulu, M. Cakmak, May 2000
Over the past two decades, the lactic acid homo and copolymers have been extensively investigated for a variety of medical and pharmaceutical applications; including wound closure1, dental repairs2, fracture fixation (bone plates, screws, pins, and splits)3, ligament reconstruction, vascular grafts4, nerve repairs5 and drug delivery6,7. They are also extensively used in controlled drug release area6-8. With the recent developments in the technologies for purification of the raw materials, the large scale usage of these lactic acid based polymers became quite feasible. This, in turn, is opening the door for application particularly in the biodegradable packaging.
The Effect of Titanium Dioxide Particles on the Deformation Behavior and Orientation Development in PET Films
Atsushi Taniguchi, Miko Cakmak, May 2000
The effect of TiO2 particles on the stress-strain behavior of PET films from amorphous precursors at a series of compositions and deformation temperatures were investigated. TiO2 particles act as a nucleation agent and enhance the thermally induced crystallization of the PET chains. However, when stretched from the amorphous state, the TiO2 concentration levels as low as 0.35wt% was found to reduce the overall stress and retard strain hardening and accompanying strain induced crystallization. As a result, under the same stretching conditions, the films containing TiO2 were found to possess lower crystallinity and orientation levels. This was attributed to the reduction of chain entanglements in the presence of these small amounts of TiO2 particles in the stretching process. The results on the structural hierarchy developed in stretched and heat-set films will be presented.
The Effect of Deformation and Composition on the Structure Evolution in the Pre-Oriented PET/PEI Blend Films during the Heat Setting Process
Jonghan Choi, Miko Cakmak, May 2000
The objective of this research is to affect the deformation and thermal behavior PET through synergistic blending strategies. For this purpose, a series of crystallizable compositions of PET (Tg=70°C) and PEI (Tg=215°C) were prepared. The structure evolution during uniaxial deformation was investigated. The very fast structural rearrangement processes that take place during the heat setting process were investigated using the newly developed Spectral Birefringence Technique. In 100/0 PET/PEI samples, above the onset of strain hardening the birefringence rapidly increases with time. The total increase in birefringence decreases with the increased levels of orientation and crystallinity imparted during the stretching stage. The introduction of PEI and the increase of its concentration tend to dilute the crystallizable PET chains. This, in turn, introduces a relaxation step at the early stages of heat setting at 180°C even in samples that were stretched to high stretch ratios. We also demonstrated that our Spectral Birefringence Technique is fast enough to keep up with the very rapid changes that take place at 180°C where the fastest crystallization is experienced.
Investigation of the Phase Behavior of Blends of Poly(benzoyl paraphenylene) and Various Thermoplastics
Yung-Hoon Ha, Chris E. Scott, Edwin L. Thomas, May 2000
Substituted poly(paraphenylene) derivatives (PX) have recently been synthesized which are purely amorphous, soluble in various common solvents, and have excellent mechanical properties. [1] However, the blend behavior of these polymers has been relatively unexplored. Here we report the phase behavior of PX blended with various thermoplastics such as polyetherimide (PEI), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), poly(ethylene-co-cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate) (PETG), and polycarbonate (PC). The PX/PC blends are of special interest since these appear miscible over its entire composition up to at least 205 °C and possess a lower critical solution temperature (LCST).
Induction-Assisted Bonding of Elevated Temperature Curing Adhesive Systems
Shridhar Yarlagadda, Boris Gourichon, Bruce K. Fink, Steven H. McKnight, John W. Gillespie, Jr., May 2000
Performance of elevated temperature curing adhesives by induction heating and bonding is studied. Adhesives with 250 F and 350F cure temperatures were studied with woven carbon/epoxy and glass/vinyl ester substrate material. The ability of the carbon-epoxy system to heat by induction was used to compare performance of induction bonding with autoclave baselines, without the aid of susceptor material. Lap shear tests indicate no loss in performance by induction bonding, compared to autoclave baselines, in all cases studied.
Effect of Silane on Mechanical Properties of Dental Resins
A. Karmaker, A. Prasad, May 2000
Silanes are commonly used in composite materials to promote adhesion between fibers and resins. Silane can be used to treat the fiber surface or mixed with resin before fibers are embedded into the resin. In latter case, some excess silanes can remain in the resin that may change its physical properties. In this study gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane was added to the dimethacrylate based dental resin at different weight percentage. Both visible light and heat curable initiators were added to the resin formulations. The effect of silane on mechanical properties was investigated from flexural tests in accordance with ISO 10477.
Improvement in Capillary-Driven Flow by Surface Modification of Polystyrene Surfaces
John D. Clay, May 2000
The goal of this work was to improve capillary-driven flow through small channels on a polystyrene plaque. This work was driven by the requirement to move biological fluids on a diagnostic device using only a capillary driving force. Polystyrene surfaces were modified with a hydrophilic coating to increase the surface energy. Changes in the surface energy were quantified by contact angle analysis. Capillary flow through the treated and untreated channels was captured on video using several liquids with known surface tensions. Results from the surface modification work and implications for capillary-driven flow on medical devices will be presented.
Roving Impregnation with Thermoplastic for Pultrusion
R.A. Becerra, B. Sanschagrin, May 2000
The pultrusion process was created for high performance products, especially for high fiber/matrix ratio. In the past few years, the pultrusion of thermoplastic reinforced composites has been growing steadily because it offers a cost / performance benefit. In this study, we have been working on a new way of impregnating the fiberglass roving that does not require an extensive modification of the existing pultrusion line. This has been achieved by dividing the impregnation process into three steps. Firstly, a monomer/polymer solution impregnates the fibers. Then, the roving passes through an oven ending the polymerization and evaporating the excess of monomer. Finally, the roving is covered with a small amount of melted thermoplastic in order to achieve a higher quality product. This technique has been proven effective with PS and PMMA, two amorphous polymers that can be obtained by bulk polymerization.
Calcium Carbonate Filled Polybutyleneterephthalates
Ma’an Sardast, Kyung-Ju Choi, May 2000
70% of fillers used in plastic materials are calcium carbonates due mainly to availability and cost advantages. The raw material cost of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is relatively higher than most of polyolefins and common polyesters. It has been reported that calcium carbonate filled polyester reduces shrinkage of the product substantially. Mineral filled plastic compounds burn much more slowly than their unfilled counterparts. Lowering raw material cost without having much adverse effect on properties by blending calcium carbonates is the objective of the current study. Rheological, thermal and mechanical analyses were carried out with virgin and up-to 15 weight percent of calcium carbonate filled PBTs. Rheological and thermal properties of filled PBTs comparing with virgin PBT had not changed noticeably while the percent elongation to break decreased and the modulus increased with increasing filler content.
Influence of Thermoforming Parameters on Final Part Properties
G.W. Harron, E.M.A. Harkin-Jones, P.J. Martin, May 2000
This paper continues the work conducted into the influence of extrusion parameters on sheet for use in the thermoforming of food packaging. The quality of thermoformed parts may be measured in terms of physical appearance and mechanical properties. The objective of this work is to identify the critical variables in the process. The process parameters tested include plug geometry, plug depth, plug temperature and air pressure. The thermoforming properties investigated included wall thickness distribution, compressive strength, plug force and pot weight. The main findings of the study were that five factors govern the wall thickness distribution and the resultant distribution controls the compressive strength of the pot. It has been shown that it is possible to measure sheet deformation forces using a force transducer in the plug.
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