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.
The SPE Library is just one of the great benefits of being an SPE member! Are you taking advantage of all of your SPE Benefits?
Amorphous poly(ether ether ketone)(PEEK) plasticizes and/or crystallizes in the presence of common organic solvents. In-situ Dynamic Mechanical Analysis techniques have been employed to study the effects of solvent-induced crystallization on the storage modulus (stiffness) of amorphous PEEK. Preliminary results indicate that the Tg of PEEK is depressed below 20°C allowing for room temperature crystallization. Real-time immersion at room temperature shows the competing effects of plasticization and crystallization on the mechanical response of PEEK.
Sandeep Saurkar, Robert Malloy, Stephen McCarthy, May 1999
Direct AIM (ACES Injection Molding) is a rapid tooling process. In this process, shells of the core and the cavity inserts are built on the stereolithography machine. These shells are fitted into mold plates and backfilled with a supporting material. These mold inserts are then used to produce injection-molded prototype parts in the desired resin. The epoxy shell in the Direct AIM mold inserts has a glass transition temperature of 62°C (140°F). Plastic melt that is injected into the space between these mold inserts has a melt temperature of about 232°C (450°F). In order to maintain structural rigidity of the epoxy surface of these mold inserts, it is very important to cool the inserts quickly and evenly to below the glass transition temperature. The effect of epoxy shell thickness, the effect of different backfill materials and the effect of designed-in conformal cooling lines on the cooling ability of the Direct AIM mold inserts was studied. The study was divided into three sections: C-Mold analysis, Oil Bath experiments and Injection Molding. It was found that a thin epoxy shell improved the heat transfer from the shell surface to the backfill material. Also, it was found that the mold inserts backfilled with the low-melt metal alloy cooled faster than the mold inserts backfilled with aluminum powder filled epoxy. The cooling capability of the mold inserts with conformal cooling channels was found to be higher than the metal backfilled 0.100-inch thickness tool and slower than the metal backfilled 0.050-inch thickness mold insert. The results also showed that the addition of aluminum powder as a filler (39% by weight) did not significantly increase the thermal conductivity of the epoxy backfill material. However, the addition of carbon powder (12% by weight) to the epoxy backfill improved the heat transfer properties of this backfill material.
T.J. Adamczyk, D.C. Broe, R.E. Farrell, J.S. Lee, B.L. Daniels, S.P. McCarthy, May 1999
Modern municipal waste disposal strategies involve the development of integrated waste management systems in which the waste is disposed of in a safe, efficient, and cost effective manner. Such systems require alternative methods of collecting, handling, and processing solid waste according to the unique characteristics of the various fractions (ASTM, 1996). This includes composting of the biodegradable fraction of the organic waste including paper, food & yard waste, and new biodegradable" plastics. Indeed aerobic composting represents an attractive alternative to the disposal of solid wastes in landfills. Composting by biologically mediated oxidative decomposition produces highly stable organic matter that can be used for land applications or horticulture. However the degradation of plastics within a compost can affect the decomposition of materials enclosed in the plastic and the resulting composition and appearance of the composted material. From an environmental perspective biodegradable polymers offer an attractive alternative to traditional petroleum-based non-biodegradable polymers; i.e. they need not be landfilled will re-enter normal geochemical (natural) cycles with timeand many are derived from renewable (agricultural) resources. Nevertheless as a new generation of biodegradable products enters the marketplace questions regarding the long-term fate of these materials in the environment and their effects on the environment are being asked by industry government and consumer groups. In particular: how do specific materials degrade in different compost environments? and how well do standardized laboratory scale biodegradation tests predict a product's biodegradability in an actual full-scale compost environment?"
T.J. Adamczyk, D.C. Broe, R.E. Farrell, J.S. Lee, B.L. Daniels, S.P. McCarthy, May 1999
Modern municipal waste disposal strategies involve the development of integrated waste management systems in which the waste is disposed of in a safe, efficient, and cost effective manner. Such systems require alternative methods of collecting, handling, and processing solid waste according to the unique characteristics of the various fractions (ASTM, 1996). This includes composting of the biodegradable fraction of the organic waste including paper, food & yard waste, and new biodegradable" plastics. Indeed aerobic composting represents an attractive alternative to the disposal of solid wastes in landfills. Composting by biologically mediated oxidative decomposition produces highly stable organic matter that can be used for land applications or horticulture. However the degradation of plastics within a compost can affect the decomposition of materials enclosed in the plastic and the resulting composition and appearance of the composted material. From an environmental perspectivebiodegradable polymers offer an attractive alternative to traditional petroleum-based non-biodegradable polymers; i.e. they need not be landfilled will re-enter normal geochemical (natural) cycles with time and many are derived from renewable (agricultural) resources. Nevertheless as a new generation of biodegradable products enters the marketplacequestions regarding the long-term fate of these materials in the environment and their effects on the environment are being asked by industry governmentand consumer groups. In particular: how do specific materials degrade in different compost environments? and how well do standardized laboratory scale biodegradation tests predict a product's biodegradability in an actual full-scale compost environment?"
Stephen P. McCarthy, Qing Guan, Sandip R. Patel, Thomas M. Ellison, May 1999
The Valyi SFC molding process for surface finishing/compression molding (SFC) provides an economical route to molding and Class A finishing of large thermoplastic parts in one step. In the Valyi Process, decorative film or fabric is placed over a mold cavity in a press. Plastic melt is then deposited onto the film which subsequently heats the film to a formable temperature. Positive air pressure may be supplied to support the film/molten plastic. The press is then closed to form the final finished part. The process is similar to the textile back molding process. The Valyi Process uses much lower pressures than conventional injection molding. Molding (cavity) pressures for the Valyi Process are <<10 MPa (1450 psi) as compared to conventional injection molding which is typically >30 MPa (4350 psi). The in-mold lamination of paint film achieves the paint appearance and protection without the environmental and cost impact of conventional painting. Also, heating the film using the heat from the deposited melt eliminates the pre-heating step in the in-mold injection molding process. This paper describes the Valyi SFC Molding Process and reveals the advantages such as the mechanical performance of the part, reduction in cost and reduction in paint pollution, which can be achieved over the conventional injection molding - painting process.
S.B. Byrne, G.M. McNally, T. McNally, W.R. Murphy, May 1999
EC legislation has ordered vehicular hydrocarbon emissions to be drastically reduced by the year 2000. New polymeric materials must be used to manufacture fuel storage / delivery components. Such materials must offer increased barrier performance without loss of mechanical properties. Samples of poly butylene terephthalate (PBT), two types of poly vinylidene fluoride (PVdF) and THV, a terpolymer of tetrafluoro ethylene, hexafluoro propylene and vinylidene fluoride, were immersed in pure methanol, ethanol and toluene. The effect of the degree of solvation on the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the storage modulus (E') of each material were measured using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Significant changes in Tg and E' were evident in each case, but behavioural differences were apparent between different polymers in a given solvent, and also for a given polymer in different solvents. In all cases, the Arrhenius activation energy changed on solvation.
Multilayer co-extrusion of plastics is fast becoming a very cost effective method of improving the barrier properties of plastic products. In this process individual polymers are melted and conveyed by separate extrusion systems, into a common distribution block and through a forming die where the polymer melts merge to form an integral multilayer structure. Many of these polymers do not form a mutual bond in the melt and so specially formulated tie layers have been developed in order to facilitate melt bonding and so prevent delamination. Multilayer polymer tube structures have recently been developed for use in automotive fuel lines. These multilayer structures are proving difficult to extrude because of their widely different temperature profiles required during extrusion, and the fact that all the melts enter a common die which can only be maintained at one particular temperature. The melt rheological characteristics of a range of commercially available barrier materials, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene (THV), plasticised Nylons and tie layer materials have been studied using Dual Capillary Rheometric techniques. The relative change in shear viscosity with temperature, up to 270°C and shear rates up to 103 sec-1 have been investigated, for these materials, in order to determine optimum extrusion parameters during manufacture. The findings are confirmed by pilot plant tube extrusion trials using various multilayer structures. Arrhenius flow activation energies are also reported.
M.P. McCourt, G.M. McNally, W.R. Murphy, T. McNally, May 1999
With the advent of more stringent legislation for fuel and fuel vapor emissions from vehicles, it has been necessary to introduce a barrier polymer into the fuel line as a means of reducing emissions. This paper investigates the changes in mechanical properties, such as tensile modulus, of a range of plasticized nylons, tie layer polymer systems and fluoropolymers which were immersed in various mixtures of fuel components and standard fuels at a temperature of 25°C. The percentage mass uptake and extent of swelling were also determined in addition to changes in glass transition temperature up to a period of 31 weeks.
Shane Parnell, Giri Suppiah, Kyonsuku Min, May 1999
Effects of PVC resin and PVC stabilizer on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymerization kinetics are studied using DSC and adiabatic temperature rise measurements. Addition of PVC results in partial absorption of the unpolymerized polyester component of the TPU mixture resulting and lowers the rate of reaction. Thermal characterization of melt and reactive blends of PVC and TPU showed one glass transition indicating miscibility. However, SEM revealed that the PVC/TPU melt blend contained small PVC primary particulates dispersed in the TPU matrix. The PVC/TPU reaction blend exhibited no observable PVC particulates under the same magnification.
Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) was mixed with dodecylbenzene sodium sulfonate (DBSNa), benzene sodium sulfonate (BSNa) and dodecylbenzene (DB), to investigate the influence of these additives on the crystallization behavior of sPS. The crystallization of sPS containing DBSNa was significantly slower than that of sPS containing DB or BSNa. Since SAXS investigations indicated the presence of DBSNa aggregates within sPS/DBSNa samples, the observed decrease in the rate of crystallization is attributed to a slow expulsion of the bulky DBSNa aggregates from the crystalline growth front. In comparison, sulfonated syndiotactic polystyrene (SsPS)/DBSNa mixtures crystallized faster than SsPS, due to a disruption of the electrostatic crosslinks by DBSNa.
Norberto Montoya, Juan D. Sierra, Maria del Pilar Noriega, Tim A. Osswald, May 1999
Flow instabilities are often encountered during extrusion of high molecular weight Polypropylene homopolymers. Traditional techniques of flow instability reduction such as addition of fluoropolymers or compatibilizers significantly increase the cost of the finished product. During this study it was found that blending small amounts of Poly (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) EVA into the Polypropylene PP matrix eliminates melt fracture fonnation within a reasonable operating window, maintaining acceptable mechanical properties. A wide range of EVA concentrations was tested using capillary rheometry, microscopy and mechanical analysis. The acceptable operating window without instabilities was determined by analyzing the extrudate surface under the microscope.
Starch is made of amylose and highly branched (amylopectin) ?-linked chains of D-anhydroglucose. A detailed atomistic model for the amylose and amylopectin components of starch was simulated using established molecular modeling methods. In particular, attention is paid to the formation of A and B amylose in the double helix configuration, and to the formation of the double helix configuration after the branch point in amylopectin. Molecular dynamics simulations are carried out over extended periods of time, and calculations suggest that the observed crystallographic parameters for the A and B forms of amylose can be reproduced with water molecules either inside the core of the double helix or with the core devoid of water. In both cases the strand repeat distance of ~2.14 nm is found. Models of the amylopectin macroscopic formation are described and speculation as to the molecular details of the amorphous high solvent and crystalline starch structure are made.
In this study, expandable polyolefin elastomer mixtures used for preparing cross-linked polyolefin foams were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to determine the reaction rate constants for azodicarbonamide (AZDC) decomposition. Activation energies and rate constants were computed from results obtained by variable heating rate DSC experiments. Predictions made from the kinetic equations were compared with results from isothermal aging experiments as well as observations made during injection molding of cross-linked foams.
Variable quantities of a hexafunctional coupling agent were reacted with polypropylene (PP) in a twin-screw extruder. An increase in the z-average molecular weight was observed, and attributed to the formation of PP crosslinks through the coupling agent, which tended to offset molecular weight degradation due to ?-scission. The mechanical properties and morphologies of the resultant extrudates were analyzed. Notched Izod impact and tensile strengths were enhanced over those of the control, which lacked added coupling agent. The presence of coupling agent crosslinks resulted in increased nucleation and growth rate during crystallization from the melt.
D. Tomayko, D. Knoeller, L. Ridzon, R. Mudalamane, D. Bigio, May 1999
This paper describes the effect screw speed and material throughput have on the filled regions in front of restrictive elements on a Non-Intermeshing Twin-Screw Extruder (NITSE). Fill length, operating conditions, material properties, and the pressure over the cylinders are all measured and compared to a model of pressu fill lengths can be predicted for a non-transparent barrel from geometric terms and material properties."re buildup in the screw elements of a NITSE. Experiments are performed over a range of operating conditions in a clear barrel ?0.8 NITSE. By determining the relationship between fill length and pressure across the cylinders
D. Tomayko, D. Knoeller, L. Ridzon, R. Mudalamane, D. Bigio, May 1999
This paper describes the effect screw speed and material throughput have on the filled regions in front of restrictive elements on a Non-Intermeshing Twin-Screw Extruder (NITSE). Fill length, operating conditions, material properties, and the pressure over the cylinders are all measured and compared to a model of pressure buildup in the screw elements of a NITSE. Experiments are performed over a range of operating conditions in a clear barrel ?0.8 NITSE. By determining the relationship between fill length and pressure across the cylinders fill lengths can be predicted for a non-transparent barrel from geometric terms and material properties."
Amorphous orientation in polymers is described in terms of the fraction of the amorphous chain segments which are oriented, and the degree of alignment of the amorphous chain segments. The method for evaluating these two features using two-dimensional x-ray diffraction data is described. Whereas the unoriented amorphous component contributes to an isotropic amorphous halo, the oriented component gives rise to enhanced scattering near the equator. The method is illustrated using the data from PET and nylon 6. The role of amorphous orientation in determining dimensional stability, diffusion behavior and glass transition temperature is discussed.
The influence of Polycarbonate on the deformation behavior of PEN at temperatures between the glass transition and cold crystallization was investigated at PEN/PC compositions containing 5-30% Polycarbonate. Deformation studies revealed that the addition of as little as 5% Polycarbonate eliminates the neck formation that occurs in stretching of 100% PEN films at intermediate stretch ratios. This neck formation is responsible for narrowing the processing window of 100% PEN to high stretch ratios where the films become uniform after all the necks are eliminated. This neck formation was attributed to the cooperative reorientation of the naphthalene planes parallel to the film surface that occurs at highly localized regions upon stretching1. In this paper, the effect of PC concentration, processing temperature, deformation mode, and ratios on the dynamics of film formation and the structure and properties.
ESPOR is a new product that uses micro-porous casting technology for the production of tooling for the thermoforming industry. Some unique characteristics of ESPOR are: • The ability to cast off an existing pattern due to the absence of material shrinkage. • The porous microstructure of the material (10-15% air by volume) eliminates the need for drilling vacuum holes through the core or cavity area. In addition to the above, by having metallic cooling properties, excellent machining properties, and castable water lines, all in a package that weighs approximately 36% less than an aluminum mold, ESPOR promises to be a major tooling option in the future thermoforming industry.
Christine A. Gagliardi, Linwood B. Muire, Douglas E. Hirt, May 1999
In many polymer-film applications, additives migrate from the bulk of a film to the film surfaces. For these cases, it is more realistic to measure the additive diffusivity in a diffusion-out mode rather than using a mass-sorption (diffusion-in) experiment. This is particularly true for additives that are solids at the testing temperature. This research focuses on the evaluation of additive diffusivity in a diffusion-out mode via in situ FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, which has the advantage of requiring only small samples of thin films. The technique will be described, including methods to obtain reproducible contacting pressure between a film sample and an ATR crystal and to perform in situ experiments at elevated temperatures. Diffusivity results are presented for the migration of an erucamide slip agent in LLDPE films.
84 countries and 60k+ stakeholders strong, SPE
unites
plastics professionals worldwide – helping them succeed and strengthening their skills
through
networking, events, training, and knowledge sharing.
No matter where you work in the plastics industry
value
chain-whether you're a scientist, engineer, technical personnel or a senior executive-nor
what your
background is, education, gender, culture or age-we are here to serve you.
Our members needs are our passion. We work hard so
that we
can ensure that everyone has the tools necessary to meet her or his personal & professional
goals.
Any article that is cited in another manuscript or other work is required to use the correct reference style. Below is an example of the reference style for SPE articles:
Brown, H. L. and Jones, D. H. 2016, May.
"Insert title of paper here in quotes,"
ANTEC 2016 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA May 23-25, 2016. [On-line].
Society of Plastics Engineers
Available: www.4spe.org.
Note: if there are more than three authors you may use the first author's name and et al. EG Brown, H. L. et al.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
