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.

Improved biodegradability and mechanical properties of modified starch blends

Jun Zhang, Shan Hu, Huliang Gao, March 2012

Poly(lactic acid) is an efficient way to reduce cost and improve the attributes of starch blends.

Porous scaffolds based on poly(L-lysine)/microcrystalline cellulose biocomposite

Mohamed Farag Eldessouki , Gisela Buschle-Diller, Yasser Gowayed, January 2012

The unique features of poly(L-lysine) and microcrystalline cellulose combine to produce a more stable material for tissue-engineering scaffolds.

Kenaf-fiber-reinforced copolyester biocomposites

Babu Guduri, Thabang Mokhothu, Adriaan Luyt, January 2012

Alkali-treated kenaf fibers improve the thermal and mechanical properties of an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester resin.

Improving biodegradable polymer nanocomposites

Lisong Dong, Lijing Han, January 2012

Adding silica nanoparticles to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) by melt compounding makes it stronger but more brittle.

Enhanced crystallization of polylactide by adding a multiamide compound

Guangyi Chen, Jicai Liang, Ping Song, Zhiyong Wei , Wanxi Zhang, January 2012

A multiamide nucleating agent, N,N',N"- -tricyclohexyl-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylamide, promotes the nucleation process of polylactide and further accelerates its overall crystallization rate.

High-performance biobased polymer composites

Dennis P. Wiesenborn, Judith D. Espinoza-Perez, December 2011

Polymers based on canola and soybean oils perform well in E-glass fiber reinforced composites, thanks to carefully selected curing agents.

2,5-FURANDICARBOXYLIC ACID; A VERSATILE BUILDING BLOCK FOR A VERY INTERESTING CLASS OF POLYESTERS

Matheus A. Dam | Gert-Jan M. Gruter |, Laszlo Sipos | Ed de Jong | Dirk Den Ouden, November 2011

Avantium is developing a next generation bioplastics based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), called “YXY building blocks”, which can be produced on the basis of sugars and other, non-food, carbohydrates. Avantium aims to replace oil-based polyesters (such as PET) with Furanics polyesters (such as PEF) in a wide range of applications, including bottles and carpets.

AUTOMOTIVE SUNROOF SYSTEMS AND FRAMES IN XIRAN® SMA/ABS

Henri-Paul Benichou, November 2011

Automotive Sunroof Systems, which have become a must have for the added comfort and styling to today s cars, increasingly rely on engineering plastics functionalities to replace metals. Structural and semi-structural Sunroof module components, Sunroof frames in particular, typically need to meet a wide range of technical requirements, with a clear focus on integration of functions, safety, cost and weight reduction. The glass-reinforced materials, thermoplastics and thermosets, currently used for Sunroof frames are mostly based on PBT/ASA, PBT, PA, PP and unsaturated polyester SMC. These products are not a perfect match for the application needs of today and the future. Glass-reinforced SMA/ABS on the other hand offers an ideal, unique combination of properties required in Sunroof frames and systems. SMA/ABS-GF compounds such as Polyscope s Xiran® SG grades have clear technical and commercial benefits: • high dimensional stability and precision • very low warpage, compliance to mold cavity shape • good performance at low wall thicknesses • high creep resistance • excellent adhesion without surface treatment • low density, high economic value • good chemical resistance • easy recyclablility with efficient waste streams.

CBT AS A NOVEL MATRIX MATERIAL AND ITS PROCESSING TECHNIQUES FOR COMPOSITES

Gabor Balogh, November 2011

Cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) is a novel thermoplastic matrix material for composites. Besides its low viscosity (0,02 Pas) and superior mechanical properties CBT has some other advantages over conventional matrix materials. During its polymerization no by-product is being made and it is easy to recycle. But processing of CBT is complicated and may results in a brittle material. Polycaprolactone (PCL) as an additive for CBT will also be introduced to increase toughness. In this paper the proper amount of PCL is determined to obtain a ductile material and a method is described how to fabricate prepregs and composites.

CHAIN EXTENSION OF RECYCLED POLYAMIDES : HOW TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF RECYCLED PA IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Elodie Gaouyat, November 2011

The present work attempts to implement reactive compatibilisation of blends of recycled engineering plastics, more particularly the case of recycled PA66 contaminated by recycled PA6. Low molecular weight, high Tg Styrene-Maleic Anhydride copolymers were tested as chain extenders / compatibilizers. It appeared that the addition of 2% by weight of SMA to an incompatible system of recycled PA6 and PA66 improved both ductility and impact performance by factors of at least 10 and 1.5 respectively. Moreover, high Tg SMA improved performances at elevated temperature, partly due to its ability to effectively crosslink but also because of its inherent heat resistance.

MOLD OPTIMIZATION FOR METAL INSERT INJECTION MOLDING PROCESS

Massimo Natalini | Marco Sasso, November 2011

High quality, coupled with high efficiency of the process are two of the most important requirements for goods intended for automotive market. The case study here presented demonstrates how to satisfy quality requirements and increase production efficiency, while reducing production waste. An injection molding process with metal insert has been analyzed. New shape for mold feeding system has been obtained using Hagen-Poiseuille law as guideline and FE model to verify performance of proposed solutions.

DESING OF INJECTION MOLDS FOR FLOATING VALVE SYSTEM USING PET BOTTLES AS FLOATING DEVICE

Mariangel Berroterán | María Virginia Candal | Nelson Colls | Magda Castillo | Luis Marín, November 2011

The plastic parts for a float-valve system were designed. In the design was considered the use of PET bottles as floating device instead of the regular spheres, in order to promote the reuse of this plastic container and to decrease plastics residues. Additionally, the part thickness was reduced to use less plastic on the parts, and to decrease cycle times. All molds are two-plate and two cavities. The refrigerating system proposed uses U-shape channel, and the expulsion system is composed by ejector pins. Threaded connector´s mold is more complex due to require two-step opening.

Recycle of Internal and External streams of Polyetherimide Resin

Edward Venema, November 2011

One of the main advantages of polyetherimide (PEI) resin (Ultem* PEI) is its high thermal stability, making it an excellent candidate for using internal industrial recycle, external industrial recycle (sprues, runners, parts) and post-consumer recycle as raw material streams. A 30% glass fibre filled grade has been developed using up to 65% of non-virgin material. Mechanical properties were maintained even at high % usage of recycle. *(Trademark of Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.)

DEVELOPMENT OF MODIFIED POLYLACTIDE (PLA)

H. Kishimoto | A. Takenaka | H. Moriwaka | H. Enomoto, November 2011

Polylactide (PLA) and other bio-based plastics have been attracting much attention for environment problems. In this report, modified PLA resin have been developed and based on “Technology of Nano-Modification for Polymer”, such as control of softening and of crystallization in nano size. Two types of modified PLA of which one is clear and soft PLA for extrusion molding and another one is high moldability PLA for injection molding have been developed. These modified PLA have been applied as alternative plastics of PP and ABS to stationery, packaging, convenience goods, electrical appliance and so on. Performances and technologies will be presented.

Development of novel Wood Plastic Composites (WPC) using as natural filler wood from the recycling of leisure sailing ships

M. de la Fuente | M. Martínez-Palau | A. García | N. González-Vidal | L. Piñol | L. Aubouy, November 2011

Plastic Wood Composites, or commonly known as WPC, are a novel and interesting alternative to the usage of wood in certain applications, improving the properties of the final products thanks to the polymers intrinsic properties. However, compatibilization between the polymer matrix and the wood fibers or particles is a key factor that must be taken into consideration. Hydrophilic fibers are not compatible with hydrophobic polymer matrices, such as polyethylene or polypropylene (the main used polymers due to their processing temperatures and the low degradation temperature wood possess). The present research aimed to develop WPC using as the natural fiber recycled wood obtained from out-of-use leisure sailing ships. The objectives of the research presented and added new challenges on the development of such natural composites, posed by the state of the wood to be used, usually contaminated with salt, rests of minerals and rests of organic matter, so an excellent decontaminating process was a must. Once the wood conditioning processes were completed, a conventional extrusion process was carried out to obtain the WPC. The polymers used as polymer matrix were Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Polypropylene (PP). Four different concentrations of wood fibers were used (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) in order to determine their properties according to the fiber concentration. Also, two different compatibilizers for wood and polymers were used to check their behavior, as well as composites without compatibilizers were obtained. Finally, characterization techniques, including SEM microscopy, mechanical and impact properties and aging tests were carried out for all the developed WPC composites. Results indicate which were the best wood concentration on the composites as well as the best compatibilizer and its concentration on the final composite.

SILICONE MODIFIED BIOBASED COATINGS FROM SOYBEAN OIL FOR WATER RESISTANT PAPERS

Shilpa Manjure | Guoren Cheng | Dan Graiver | Ramani Narayan, November 2011

The silylation chemistry of biobased vegetable oils using alkoxy silanes has been studied and patented [1]. The objective of this work was to evaluate the application of the newly developed silylated soyabean oil formulation as a water-proof coating on paper. Paper coated with the silylated oil was tested for water resistance by measuring Cobb test. Results showed upto 95% improvement in water-proofing compared to an uncoated, unmodified paper.

DEVELOPMENT OF STARCH BIOBASED AND BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS FOR THEIR USE IN TRAYS FOR FOOD-PACKAGING

A. Lopez-Gil | M.A. Rodriguez-Perez | J.A. De Saja | F.S. Bellucci | M. Ardanuy, November 2011

This research work develops new methods to produce biodegradable starch-based trays for the purpose of replacing expanded polystyrene in the food packaging market. The starch based biopolymers present several drawbacks like poor mechanical properties and very high density. In order to overcome these drawbacks two research lines have been set up: blending thermoplastic starch with biobased reinforcements from agricultural wastes like barley straw and grape wastes, and testing the foamability of these materials with a Microwave-foaming method.

TRENDS AND NEEDS IN AUTOMOTIVE MATCHED BY ECO+ SOLUTIONS FROM DSM

Bert Havenith, November 2011

An overview is given of the various drivers, needs and trends in the automotive industry and how these are matched by various new plastic solutions, which in the end all significantly increase the sustainability of various car components and of the complete cars in total.

EFFECT OF PHYSICAL AGING ON ENTHALPY RELAXATION AND EMBRITTLEMENT OF ELASTOMER THERMOPLASTIC BIODEGRADABLE POLY (L-LACTIDE/ ε-CAPROLACTONE)

Susana Petisco | Jone M. Ugartemendia | Jorge Fernández | Jose-Ramon Sarasua, November 2011

In the design of new polymeric materials the longterm stability and durability are matters of considerable importance. It is known that during physical aging volume contraction and densification of polymers occur and therefore physical properties such as mechanical or crystallization behavior of amorphous polymers may be affected. In this work the impact that physical aging has on two biodegradable poly(L-lactide/ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) copolymers differing on their randomness character was studied. Their thermal behavior has been evaluated by specific aging strategies using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

Lexan* Specialties Copolymers - Performance Attributes for Automotive Applications

André J.P. van Zyl | Robert D. van de Grampel | Tapan Chandra, November 2011

Lexan* copolymers offer new performance attributes in comparison to conventional polycarbonates by combining building blocks from different monomeric species. In doing so the application space of polycarbonates are expanded to include e.g. weatherability and scratch performance. By improving these attributes on an intrinsic level unique value propositions can be realized which include non-hardcoat or paint-out solutions. This can lead to cost-out opportunities and environmentally friendlier solutions. To emphasize application possibilities in the automotive industry, attributes are considered with regards to scratch, chemical and UV resistance for both Lexan* DMX and SLX resins.