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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Recycling

Various topics related to sustainability in plastics, including bio-related, environmental issues, green, recycling, renewal, re-use and sustainability.

The Influence of Blend Composition on the Properties of LDPE-PA6-EVAL-Blends

Christoph Burgstaller, Thomas Uttendorfer, Wolfgang Stadlbauer, May 2017

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of the composition on the properties of LDPE-PA6-EVAL blends with an emphasis on the influence of the EVAL grade on the system. Furthermore, also the effects of additional compatibilization by maleic anhydride grafted PE on the blend properties should be investigated. We found, that EVAL has some compatibility with PA6, as long as the vinyl alcohol content is high enough, in this case at least 62 mol%. This results, in combination with the high shear intensity applied, in a fine dispersed morphology and reasonable properties. In case of the non-compatible EVAL grade, the addition of MAPE improves the properties like impact strength and elastic modulus, which can also be seen from the morphology of the samples. The addition of a compatibilizer also shows an expectable stabilization effect, which can be seen by comparing the morphology of the extruded melt strands after compounding with the morphology of the injection molded specimen afterwards. In conclusion this shows that with compatibilisation, the blend properties are stable and sufficient for various applications, therefore such blends could be reused for another life cycle.

Using Micronized Recycled Tire Rubbers in Thermoplastic Polyolefins as a Value-Enhanced Solution to Sustainability

Haikun Xu, Lavon Detweiler, May 2017

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) including thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) are promising elastomeric materials for automotive applications such as headlight surrounds, bumper covers, door gaskets, etc. TPEs offer a combination of great thermoplastic processability and outstanding rubbery properties, however, the process of recycling scrap and post-consumer products and reprocessing them into useful products have always been challenging. In addition, tire rubbers have been one of the most problematic sources to recycle, due to their large volume and durability. Innovative and effective methods are critical to reuse the recycled tire rubbers in value-added products other than their traditional use for fuel values. In this study, micron-size rubber powders (MRPs) were fabricated from recycled truck tires in large volume, and used as fillers for the twin screw extruder (TSE) compounding of recycled TPOs. TPO was chosen as the base resin for compounding because of its excellent reprocessability, good compatibility with the micron-size tire rubbers, and reasonable low cost. A compatibilizer was studied to enhance the uniform incorporation of micro-size rubber powders into the base resins and improve the overall performance of the compounds in a cost-effective way. The chemical structure of the recycled TPOs was confirmed by FTIR, and the thermal stability and compositional analysis of the recycled tire rubbers were characterized by TGA. The physical and mechanical properties (hardness, MFI, tensile, Izod impact, etc) were extensively tested to study the overall performance of the compounds. The surface details of injection molded parts are studied and improved for automotive and commodity applications.

Welding of PLA

David Grewell, Leo Klinstein, Jeff Frantz, Karla Lebron, May 2017

This project focuses on the characterization of bioplastics joined with impulse heat sealing and ultrasonic welding. Polylactic acid (PLA), which is typically derived from starch rich crops such as corn, was studied. This material was welded in two forms, rigid samples and film. Ultrasonic welding was used to weld rigid PLA samples and PLA films were joined with impulse welding. A characterization of the mechanical properties of this bio-based plastic was completed with a tensile test to determine which welding parameters were the most influential on the material strength. In reference to ultrasonic welding weld time, weld distance and velocity effected weld strength the most. In reference to impulse welding of films, heating time and temperature were the dominant welding parameters relative to weld strength. In addition the interfacial healing activation energy was calculated to predict interfacial healing for the different types of welding.

ISRI 2017 - SPE Plastics Session Unconventionl Fillers in Plastics Applications

Chris Surbrook, April 2017

Integration of waste materials streams into plastic composites is an interesting approach to solving disposal issues and developing useful materials for plastic applications. Projects are described where: (1) wood sawdust is incorporated into polypropylene ( PP) and compared to conventional talc filled polypropylene, (2) ground paper waste is dispersed into polyethylene (PE) sheet for a thermoforming application, (3) paint waste and filtration media were collected and compounded in PP for applications such as paint brush handles and dunnage trays, (4) a composite material containing ground tire rubber and PE was developed for a structural foam molded dunnage tray. Physical properties and comparison to conventional materials are described. Key decisions for determining the use of unconventional fillers is discussed.

SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division April 2017 Newsletter

SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division, April 2017

Read the latest issue of the SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division newsletter.

SPE Sustainability Division 2nd Quarter 2017 Newsletter

SPE Sustainability Division, April 2017

Read the latest issue of the SPE Sustainability Division newsletter.

Functionalizing gum arabic for adhesive and food packaging applications

Neelima Tripathi, Vimal Katiyar, March 2017

A new bio-based hydrophobic gum arabic-based copolymer is an excellent adhesive and improves the properties of polylactic acid for potential food packaging applications.

Bioplastics to eliminate environmental pollution from agricultural plastic waste

Evelia Schettini, Giuliano Vox, Luciana Sartore, February 2017

Biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins from leather waste can be used as biodegradable mulch spray-coatings in horticulture and as containers for seedlings.

Mechanical and crystal enhancements to polylactide with silver-nanoparticle filler

Shahir Karami, Saul Sanchez, Tomas Lozano-Ramirez, Ana B. Morales-Cepeda , Jesus Bautista-Del-Angel, Pierre Lafleur, January 2017

Processing poly(lactic acid) with low concentrations of silver using a twin-screw extruder leads to nanocomposites with enhanced crystallinity and improved mechanical properties.

SPE Sustainability Division 1st Quarter 2017 Newsletter

SPE Sustainability Division, January 2017

Read the latest issue of the SPE Sustainability Division newsletter.

My Career in Plastics

Terence J. Browitt, December 2016

I have been retired from active business in the Plastics Industry for 5 years and now feel that this is a good time to look back and assess my career, to see if my course of action can be of any help to anyone else in the Industry.

Depolymerization of terephthalic acid using hot compressed water

Ke Bei, Zhiyan Pan , Junliang Wang, December 2016

Investigations into the phase behavior, stability, and the mechanism for stability of terephthalic acid in hot compressed water may enable more effective recycling of polybutylene terephthalate.

Polytetrafluoroethylene as a suitable filler for poly(lactic acid) composites

Lih-Sheng Turng , Tom Ellingham, Hrishikesh Kharbas, Haoyang Mi, An Huang, Xiangfang Peng, December 2016

The mechanical, rheological, and foaming properties of melt-blended samples were investigated.

SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division December 2016 Newsletter

SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division, December 2016

Read the latest issue of the SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division newsletter.

Effects of temperature on the relaxation behavior of poly(lactic acid)

Necmi Dusunceli , Aleksey D. Drozdov, Naseem Theilgaard, October 2016

A series of tensile loading-unloading and relaxation tests, under stretching and retraction cyclic deformation conditions, were conducted between room temperature and 50°C.

High-solid-loading ionic-liquid pretreatment of lignocellulosic particles for biocomposites

Hazizan M. Akil, Suzana Yusup, Muhammad Moniruzzaman , Hamayoun Mahmood, October 2016

A novel and environmentally friendly pretreatment approach is used for the production of cellulose-rich fibers as reinforcements for thermoplastic-starch-based bioplastics.

Effect of molding conditions on properties of injection-molded polylactic acid parts

Roberto Pantani, Valentina Volpe, Felice De Santis, September 2016

A post-molding stage, in which samples are kept at 105°C, is used to produce semi-crystalline samples in much shorter times than through standard injection into a hot mold.

Recycling paper waste sludge in water-blown rigid polyurethane foams

Aiga Ivdre, Mikelis Kirpluks, Giedrius Balciunas, Sigitas Vejelis, Agne Kairyte , Ugis Cabulis, September 2016

Thermal conductivity and mechanical strength measurements indicate that paper waste sludge particles can be used effectively as fillers in eco-polyol-based foams.

Reinforcing thermoplastic starch composites with cellulose nanofibers

Anupama Sharma , Sheetal Monga, Anuradha Rani, Monica Prabhakar, September 2016

Cellulose from sugarcane bagasse can be used to improve the mechanical and barrier properties of bionanocomposites.

Interfacial nanoreinforcement improves bamboo fiber/polymer composites

Mathieu Robert , Florent Gauvin, September 2016

A fully biobased composite material, composed of bamboo fibers and a nanoparticle-reinforced bio-epoxy matrix, exhibits improved mechanical properties.