SPE Library

INTUITIVE THERMAL ANALYSIS SOFTWARE IS EASY TO USE IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING

Andrew W. Salamon , Peng Ye , Kevin Menard, May 2010

Ethernet instrument communications with an intuitive user interface easily manages an academic laboratory environment. Controlling a thermal analytical instrument whether it is a DSC TGA or a STA is simply a one touch interaction. Students quickly learn method setup and data analysis. A rainbow of colors and line types makes it is easy to compare and contrast curves. Polymer glass transitions and endothermic and exothermic graphical events are easily included in reports.

INTUITIVE THERMAL ANALYSIS SOFTWARE IS EASY TO USE IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING

Andrew W. Salamon , Peng Ye , Kevin Menard, May 2010

Ethernet instrument communications with an intuitive user interface easily manages an academic laboratory environment. Controlling a thermal analytical instrument, whether it is a DSC, TGA, or a STA, is simply a one touch interaction. Students quickly learn method setup and data analysis. A rainbow of colors and line types makes it is easy to compare and contrast curves. Polymer glass transitions and endothermic and exothermic graphical events are easily included in reports.

FIBER ORIENTATION AND FIBER-MATRIX SEPARATION PHENOMENA DURING COMPRESSION MOLDING

Yin-Jiun Lin, Sheng-Jye Hwang, Huei-Huang Lee, Durn-Yuan Huang, May 2010

Fiber Orientation and Fiber-Matrix Separation Phenomena during Compression Molding

BISPHENOL E CYANATE ESTER NANOCOMPOSITES WITH LOW COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION

Prashanth Badrinarayanan , Michael R. Kessler, May 2010

HIGHLY OIL-EXTENDED OLEFIN BLOCK COPOLYMERS

Ashish Batra , Lisa Madenjian , Wenbin Liang , Gary Marchand , Dan Moldovan , Jacob Jones, May 2010

INFUSE' Olefin Block Copolymers (OBCs) are a family of new materials which are finding increasing utility in soft compounds that have traditionally been dominated by Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBCs). In this paper we will elucidate the fundamental differences in processing OBCs and SBCs to achieve low Shore A products. Comparisons of similar Shore A compounds show that OBC soft compounds can achieve the performance of traditional SBC-based compounds based on mechanical property comparisons.

WATER VAPOR BARRIER AND TRANSPARENCY PROPERTIES OF CYCLIC OLEFIN COPOLYMER CAST FILMS

Sean T. Flowers, Avraham Benatar, George W. Ritter, May 2010

A cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) was investigated as a superior water vapor barrier material for possible use in multilayer, high barrier packaging structures for military rations. The COC was processed via cast film extrusion, while chill roll temperatures and take-off speeds were varied, to determine the effects on the barrier properties and transmittance of the films. Characterization of the cast films included, water vapor permeation testing, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

EVALUATION OF PATTERNED JOINT DESIGNS FOR ULTRASONIC WELDING OF HDPE NANOCOMPOSITES

Sean T. Flowers , Avraham Benatar , George W. Ritter, May 2010

The ultrasonic weldability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites was investigated using four different energy director butt joint designs with loadings of 0 3 and 6 wt% nanoclay. Patterned surfaces were incorporated in an attempt to allow nanoclay platelet alignment on multiple planes inside the weld region.Samples were welded using a one-factor-at-a-time approach varying weld time weld amplitude and weld force. Weld tensile strengths were compared for the different clay contents and joint patterns.

POLYETHERIMIDE-POLYETHERETHERKETONE BLENDS AND MISCIBILITY

Charlie Y. Lin, Bruce A. Harrington, David B. Dunaway, May 2010

A polyetherimide (PEI, ULTEM* 1000 resin) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) form a miscible blend that has been well studied. Blends of PEEK with other polyetherimides and polyimides were evaluated to determine miscibility. The effect of extent of miscibility on crystallization of PEEK is also assessed. Potential blends with a range of properties are presented.

IMPACT MODIFIED HIGH MODULUS PC/ABS BLENDS: AUTOMOTIVE AND NONAUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

Amit S. Kulkarni , Parminder Agarwal , Jim DeRudder , Karin van de Wetering , Ying Li , Jenny Zhang, May 2010

The latest applications in automotive and computer & business equipment markets require a high modulus resin coupled with superior impact behavior. It is a challenge to deliver these new features in products coupled with other desirable properties such as low thermal expansion and optimal melt-flow that enables filling of complex parts. This manuscript details the development of new PC/ABS blends based on novel filler technology to deliver these market needs.

UNDERSTANDING THE COMPATIBILIZATION OF POLYPROPYLENE/POLYSULFONE MEMBRANES

V. Flaris , N. Montero, May 2010

Polypropylene (PP)/polysulfone (PSU) membranes were successfully made using an environmentally-friendly process. Flux amongst other mechanical properties were improved with the introduction of functional polyolefins.Understanding the chemistry and location of the functional polyolefins is critical to explaining these improvements.

UNDERSTANDING THE COMPATIBILIZATION OF POLYPROPYLENE/POLYSULFONE MEMBRANES

V. Flaris , N. Montero, May 2010

Polypropylene (PP)/polysulfone (PSU) membranes were successfully made using an environmentally-friendly process. Flux amongst other mechanical properties, were improved with the introduction of functional polyolefins. Understanding the chemistry and location of the functional polyolefins is critical to explaining these improvements.

TOOLING AND PROCESSING OF CORNER MOLDS USING SIMULATION SOFTWARE

Ashley R. Kropf, May 2010

The optimal tooling and processing methods for a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) have been investigated for a corner mold. Using TPVs has become a cost effective solution to replace thermoset rubber specifically ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. Due to mold complexity and processing inconsistencies molders have tried varying the number and location of gates to achieve success. Using three-dimensional (3D) simulation software results indicate that one gate should be adequate for corner molding with TPVs.

MAPPING OF POYLMER NANOSTRUCTURES USING TEMPLATE ASSISTED METHOD

Daniel R. Joseph, May 2010

Recently it has been shown that the morphology of nanotubes plays a critical role in determining their behavior in vivo. The purpose of the current work is to utilize anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates to fabricate polystyrene nanostructures. The effects of molecular weight, concentration, template pore size and solvent on the resulting morphology have been characterized. Results indicate complete filling of homemade templates was achieved with 1wt% polymer solutions of when Mn > Me.

IMPROVING BLOWN FILM YIELD BY REDUCTION OF RESIN USED TO COVER PROCESS SHORTCOMINGS

Daniel R. Joseph, May 2010

This paper introduces the concept of improving blown film yield by reducing excess resin being used to cover chronic gauge problems and manual width control methods. The term runaway resin is introduced and quantified for manual width control. A case study is presented that demonstrates reductions in runaway resin and yield improvement by adding an easy to install width control system to a basic 405mm die (without internal bubble cooling) running commodity products.

IMPROVING BLOWN FILM YIELD BY REDUCTION OF RESIN USED TO COVER PROCESS SHORTCOMINGS

Daniel R. Joseph, May 2010

This paper introduces the concept of improving blown film yield by reducing excess resin being used to cover chronic gauge problems and manual width control methods. The term runaway resin is introduced and quantified for manual width control. A case study is presented that demonstrates reductions in runaway resin and yield improvement by adding an easy to install width control system to a basic 405mm die (without internal bubble cooling) running commodity products.

REVIEW PAPER: PROCESSING ASPECTS OF HOT MELT EXTRUSION IN PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS

Huiju Liu , Peng Wang , Marino Xanthos , Linjie Zhu , Costas G. Gogos, May 2010

Applying extrusion technology to drug manufacturing received increasing attention in the last two decades. Extrusion technology has the potential of replacing current pharmaceuticals manufacturing methods due to the advantages such as the elimination of solvent and the continuous and consistent high throughput. This article presents a brief review of Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) from polymer processing perspective, concentrating on mixing, material degradation and process analytical technology.

SIMULATION OF DISTRIBUTIVE AND DISPERSIVE MIXING IN A CO-ROTATING TWIN-SCREW EXTRUDER

L. Cong , M. Gupta, May 2010

Simulation results for mixing of two different polymers in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder are presented. Velocity distribution predicted by a threedimensional simulation of the flow is used to predict the change in the spatial distribution of initially segregated particles as well as the reduction in radius due to erosion.The predicted particle distribution is used to estimate the increase in Shannon entropy due to dispersive and distributive mixing along the extruder channel.

EXTRUSION FOAMING OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES WITH DISTINCT STRAIN HARDENING CHARACTERISTICS

Amit K. Chaudhary, Krishnamurthy Jayaraman, May 2010

Thermoplastic foams were produced from two different polypropylene nanocomposites by extrusion with the help of a chemical blowing agent. The strain hardening ratio decreased with increasing strain rate for one of the nanocomposites. For the other nanocomposite melt, the strain hardening ratio was unchanged with strain rate. Smaller cell sizes (less than 40 microns in diameter) were obtained when the nanocomposite melt displayed strain hardening levels in extensional flow that were maintained over a range of strain rates.

NON-ISOTHERMAL SIMULATION OF THE FLOW IN CO-ROTATING AND COUNTER-ROTATING TWIN-SCREW EXTRUDERS USING MESH PARTITIOING TECHNIQUE

Mahesh Gupta, May 2010

A new algorithm for simulation of non-isothermal flow in a twin-screw extruder is introduced. In the new algorithm the finite element mesh of tetrahedral elements is created in the complete barrel including the space occupied by the screws. By partitioning the tetrahedral elements which are intersected by the screw surfaces into two tetrahedral pyramidal or prismatic finite elements the new algorithm allows the flow simulation in twinscrew extruder without regenerating the finite element mesh as the two screws rotate.

FLAMMABILITY OF FR-PP BASED SANDWICH INJECTION MOLDINGS

Makoto Seino , Manabu Nomura , Masaya Kotaki, May 2010

Flammability of frame retardant polypropylene (FR-PP) based sandwich injection moldings was investigated. Flame-retardant and filler were intentionally incorporated in the skin and the core parts of sandwich injection moldings. Sandwich injection moldings showed superior flame retardancy and mechanical properties when high contents of flame-retardant and filler were incorporated in the skin and the core parts respectively. This trend was remarkable when phosphorous flame-retardant (Intumescent) was used compared to bromine flame-retardant.