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.

Synthesis of Lignin Based Carbon Particles and Their Performance as Fillers in Bionanocomposites

Michael Snowdon, Manjusri Misra, Amar Mohanty, May 2015

Bioethanol lignin based carbonaceous powder was prepared using carbonization and ball milling optimization to provide a material that may be used as a substitute to carbon black. The resulting carbon powder showed greater surface area and thermal conductivity to carbon black with particle sizes around 1 micrometer. The carbonized ball milled lignin was then compared against commercial carbon black as filler in the formation of thermoplastic composites. The lignin based carbon filler was able to perform similarly to carbon black by increasing the thermal conductivity but no enhancement in the electrical conductivity was evident for the biobased filler.

The Effects of Particle Type, Size and Compounding Conditions on the UV Durability of Thermoplastic Elastomers

Mark D. Wetzel, May 2015

It is well established that the addition of solid particles that absorb light across ultra-violet (UV) wavelengths can improve the environmental durability of plastics. Thermoplastic polyester elastomers are sensitive to UV degradation in both exterior and interior applications. This paper describes an experimental evaluation of the improvement in UV performance of a polyester elastomer, Hytrel?, with the incorporation of a conventional chemical UV stabilizer along with different UV absorbing or scattering solid fillers. A rapid screening method is described that measures mechanical elongational properties as a function of UV exposure time. The results show that the particle type and size, the dispersion quality and melt compounding conditions affect UV durability.

Thermal Analysis of Polylactic Acid and Corn Zein Composites

Sarah L. Cheney, Jo Ann Ratto Ross, May 2015

Polylactic acid (PLA) was blended with corn zein and various compatibilizers in order to study a composite with potentially improved barrier and thermal properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to characterize the thermal stability of the composites in comparison to pure PLA, and it was determined that the thermal properties, specifically the onset degradation temperature and rate of degradation of PLA and its composites are extremely dependant on the test method utilized. In this study pure Natureworks 2002D PLA displayed onset degradation temperatures ranging from 306øC to 360øC, depending on whether or not an isothermal hold was incorporated into the TGA method. Rather than improving the thermal stability of the PLA, the addition of corn zein catalyzed the reaction, increasing the rate of degradation, and decreasing the onset degradation temperature.

Thermal Analysis of Soy Flour Elastomer Composites

Kendra Allen, David Grewell, Eric Cochran, May 2015

Biobased plastics are becoming viable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics because they decrease dependence on petroleum derivatives and tend to be more environmentally friendly. Raw materials such as soy flour are widely available, low cost, lightweight, and can have high strength. In this study, soy flour was utilized as a filler in thermoplastic elastomer composites. Because weak interfacial adhesion between the soy flour and the elastomer and low water resistance pose challenges, a surface pretreatment, acetylation, was investigated for composites with soy flour concentrations of 10 wt%, 15 wt% and 20 wt%. Previous studies of the mechanical properties of these composites at 10 wt% determined that acetylation resulted in ultimate strength comparable to that of the pure elastomer. In this study, the chemical pathways of the reaction were verified and the thermo-mechanical properties characterized. Interfacial adhesion was characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the study determined that the acetylation reaction increased interfacial adhesion as indicated by smaller particle sizes and less agglomeration. Thermal properties were determined though thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Acetylation reduced the intake of water by the soy flour, thus increasing the thermal stability of the composites. Increased thermal stability was indicated by a rise in decomposition temperature.

Time Temperature Superposition Principle for Predicting Long-Term Response of Fique-Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene- Aluminum Composites

Miguel A. Hidalgo, Jos‚ H. Mina, Tim A. Osswald, May 2015

In order to design and manufacture natural fiber-polymer composites as structural components in existing and novel technological applications, the long term viscoelastic behavior of the materials must be understood. In order to do that, the time?temperature superposition principle (TTSP), is used to predict long-term viscoelastic behavior from short-term experimental data. Dynamic?mechanical analysis (DMA), was used to study the viscoelastic properties of composites made from fique mats and low-density polyethylene?aluminium (LDPE?Al) obtained from recycled long-life Tetra Pak packages. This paper reviews the effect in using Chemical treatments such as alkalinization with NaOH, silanization, and polyethylene impregnation treatments for composites, understanding the interaction mechanisms between natural fibers and the LDPE-Al; and presents the effects of treatments on the viscoelastic behavior. Fractographic evaluations in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) confirm the quantitative characterization obtained from DMA.

Transparent Permanent Antistatic Polycarboname Blend by Reflactive Index Matching Technology

Tatsuya Uchiyama, May 2015

Antistatic/dust and ESD management demands are increasing at electronics relevant use plastics especially semiconductor handling area. Transparent performance also needed at specific area because confirm able inside without opening box to minimize contamination from outside. Electrical conductive carbon filler is one option, but it?s tough to achieve both these performance. On the other hand, primary antistatic agents like a surfactant type are questioned for their duration of the antistatic performance. This paper discusses refractive index matched transparent antistatic polycarbonate and polyester blends that offer transparency, sustainable antistatic performance, and cleanliness (lower out gassing, leachable ions).

Using ZeMac? Copolymers To Reduce Costs in Nylon Compounds While Meeting Exacting Customer Performance Specifications

Ashok M. Adur, Prasad Taranekar, May 2015

Nylon is widely used in many applications. At the 2013 ANTEC in Cincinnati, our paper covered the results obtained with compounding primarily recycled nylon with the addition of small quantities of alternating ethylene and maleic anhydride ZeMac? copolymers and specific property improvements for applications in injection molded compounds. The resulting compounds have performance that can match or exceed prime virgin nylon at 30-50% cost savings. At the 2014 ANTEC in Las Vegas, our paper covered the performance enhancements to provide several advantages for upgrading virgin nylon such as increasing relative viscosity for improved melt strength and the unique improvements obtained in impact-modified nylon-6 and nylon-6,6 by reducing the negative impact of traditional impact modifiers by offering synergistic set of properties. This current paper will cover how using the unique chemistry of these copolymer products can reduce costs in nylon compounds and still meet performance specifications.

When Permanent Really Means Permanent. Polyfuze, the New Heat Fused Graphic for Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Other Olefin Resins

Jason Brownell, May 2015

The intent of this paper is to demonstrate the truly permanent nature of a new patent protected heat fusion process for the transfer of graphics to polyethylene, polypropylene and other olefin products. As stated in Wikipedia, ?Heat fusion (sometimes called heat welding or simply fusion) is a welding process used to join two different pieces of a thermoplastic. This process involves heating both pieces simultaneously and pressing them together. The two pieces then cool together and form a permanent bond. When done properly, the two pieces become indistinguishable from each other. Dissimilar plastics can result in improper bonding.?

This paper will:
Explain the difference between the new Polyfuze Graphic and other labeling processes such as In-Mold Labels (IML), Hot Stamp (Foil), Screen/Pad Printing and adhesive backed stickers.
Define the environmental significance of each of these decorating methods vs. heat fused graphics.

X-Ray Nanotomography of the Skin-Core Structure of Injection Molded Composites

Sudheer Bandla, Jay C. Hanan, May 2015

Microstructure development during polymer processing is of interest for manufacturers in engineering the final properties. Injection molding advancements have facilitated molding components with complex geometries. With industry moving towards minimizing the polymer waste while retaining the component properties, it is necessary to understand the microstructure formation in detail. Progresses in the field of X-ray imaging techniques have made it possible to characterize polymers with sub-micron resolution. In the current work, we show the applicability of X-ray nanotomography in quantifying the skin-core morphology resulting from injection molding.

Tunable drug delivery from a smart rubber composite

Melodie I. Lawton, Patrick T. Mather, April 2015

A strong, elastic synthetic biomaterial that mimics soft tissues remembers shapes and provides controlled release of a model drug.

Biodegradable porous structures derived from multiphase polymer blends

Costas Panayiotou, Ioannis Zuburtikudis , Apostolos Baklavaridis, January 2015

Reinforcing multiphase porous biopolymer composites with clay platelets increases their mechanical strength, making them a promising candidate for future tissue engineering applications.

3D printing biocomposites

Branden Lewandowski, Steven Ott, Louis Reifschneider, Victoria Finkenstadt, Zengshe Liu, Brent Tisserat, January 2015

Poor interfacial binding reduces the mechanical properties of 3D printed tensile bars prepared from filaments of blends of biomaterials with polylactic acid.

Autoclaved aerated concrete waste composites as a filler for natural rubber

Garry L. Rempel, Wanvimon Arayapranee, December 2014

Filling natural rubber with autoclaved aerated concrete waste enhances the processability and tensile and thermal properties of the composites.

Feather-inspired strong, light layered composites

Charalabos Doumanidis, James Seferis , Vasileios Drakonakis, December 2014

Layered carbon-fiber-reinforced composites with a fractal-structured interlayer of carbon-nanotube-reinforced nanofibers show a high strength/weight ratio.

Electrically conductive nanocomposite

Rachid Bouhfid, Abouelkacem Qaiss, November 2014

Adding graphene nanosheets to polymer blend polyamide 6/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends leads to electrically conductive nanocomposite materials at smaller threshold percolation.

Green composites based on poly(butylene) succinate

Zoi Terzopoulou, Dimitrios Bikiaris, November 2014

Reinforcing poly(butylene succinate) with hemp fibers and shives enhances the biodegradation rate.

Choice of extrusion screw for recycling glass-fiber-reinforced liquid crystal polymer

Shuidong Zhang, November 2014

A smaller extrusion screw produces a recycled product with adequate mechanical and thermal properties for reuse in electronic and electrical applications.

Upcycling leather waste

Aldo Eloizo Job, Eduardo Roque Budemberg, Renivaldo Jose dos Santos , Flavio Camargo Cabrera , Deuber Lincon da Silva Agostini, October 2014

Incorporating contaminated leather waste into natural rubber improves the rubber's mechanical properties and avoids improper disposal of toxins.

New biodegradable composites for food packaging

Antonio A. Vicente, Ricardo Pereira, LoÃƒÂ¯c Hilliou , Marie-Alix Berthet, Jose A. Covas , Mara Cunha, September 2014

Beer spent grain fibers are a biodegradable waste resource that forms breathable thin films by conventional extrusion film blowing under processing conditions scalable to industrial production.