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
THE EFFECT OF TESTING PARAMETERS ON THE FUNCTIONAL IMPACT RESISTANCE OF UPVC COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS
Liam Driscoll, Joshua Anthony, Akshay Agarwal, May 2011
The testing of plastics has become decidedly different and as technology improves, it is necessary to evaluate the accuracy of results based on testing methods, particularly when functional durability is critical. The research discussed in this paper focuses on the effect of changing test parameters in relation to the falling dart impact test, more commonly referred to as the Gardner impact test (ASTM D5420). The drop weight protocol accommodates real geometries and reflects environmental conditions including temperature and percent relative humidity, as well as end-use impacting speeds but is affected by tup weight, probe diameter, and support ring.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING RESISTANCE OF POLY-CARBONATE AS AN RESULT OF PROCESSING CONDITIONS AND INNER PROPERTIES
Christian Hopmann, Walter Michaeli, Andre Potthoff, May 2011
Environmental stress cracking is the most common failure reason of plastic parts. The influence of the processing conditions e.g. of the injection molding process on the environmental stress cracking resistance has not been investigated yet. Therefore several tests are carried out at the IKV. Test specimens are injection molded with different parameters for melt temperature, mold temperature and injection rate. These parameter variations cause variable inner properties of the molded parts. The environmental stress cracking resistance of specimens with different inner properties differs in a wide range. The results are discussed in detail.
THE PREDICTION OF INJECTION MOULDED PRODUCT MASS THROUGH PROCESS SIGNALS
Umar Mohammad, Leigh Mulvaney-Johnson, Russell Speight, Phil Coates, May 2011
The injection moulding process has a complicated set of process parameters and is subject to variations over time resulting from material, environmental and machine component changes. In order to maintain product quality it has been proven that monitoring the process signals is beneficial towards identifying possible changes in the moulded product. Here, the process signals (melt pressure, temperature and screw displacement) are utilised along with material pressure-specific volume-temperature (pvT) characteristics to estimate the moulded product mass. The successful validation of this method presented over a range of processing conditions.
THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF PLA STEREOCOMPLEX WITH IMPACT MODIFIERS
Bumsuk Lee, Byoung-Uk Nam, Dongseok Jeong, Miok Jang, ChaeHwan Hong, May 2011
Polylactide, polyester derived from renewable resources, can be synthesized using either L-lactide or D-lactide. A unique crystallization behavior of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) stereocomplex(SC) was observed when a PLLA/PDLA blend was subjected to the specific melting conditions. Therefore, we tried to blend PLLA and PDLA at overall compositions to form PLA stereocomplexes. Moreover, impact modifier was added to enhance the mechanical properties such as impact strength. The presence of the SC in the PLLA matrix was verified by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal and mechanical property of stereocomplexes were investigated by DSC, HDT, Izod impact tester, UTM.
THERMOFORMABLE BRIGHT FILM FOR TPO APPLICATIONS
Thomas Barr, May 2011
Thermoformable Fluorex Bright Film was developed to emulate the appearance of plated chrome. However, unlike plated chrome, Bright Film is flexible and thermoformable and can be applied to TPO. The film technology is environmentally friendly and cost-effective, and it has practical applications in various manufacturing processes, such as insert injection molding, thick-sheet thermoforming and extrusion lamination processes. Backed by successful weathering and other testing results, Bright Film has been accepted by the marketplace to accommodate or replace chrome plating as a decorative material for both interior and exterior finishes in the automotive and other industries.
THERMOPLASTIC STARCH BLENDS WITH POLYPROPYLENE
Gregory Anderson, May 2011
Polypropylene blends with thermoplastic starch (TPS) have demonstrated significant potential in the bioplastics field. The polymers are improved by achieving higher biocontent and lower green house gas emissions. The TPS is finely dispersed by means of a tandem extruder with plasticizer, water, heat, and shear, and then melt blended with the polymer to produce a co-continuous morphology of TPS and polymer. TPS blends produced in this method lead to improved retention of physical properties over conventional methods. The TPS method is presented as well as morphology, GHG emissions, and properties.
THERMOSET NANOCOMPOSITES FROM EPOXIDIZED LINSEED OIL FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS
Khozema Jafferji, Daniel Schmidt, Emmanuelle Reynaud, May 2011
In this study, a bio-based epoxy thermoset was made from highly functional epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) using a polyethyleneimine (PEI) crosslinking agent. Following optimization of cure conditions and the stoichiometric ratio of ELO to PEI, the compatibility of this system with several commercial montmorillonite and hydrotalcite layered nanofillers was studied. The hydrotalcites were observed to enhance the homogeneity of the ELO-PEI system, whereas the montmorillonites showed settling and produced inhomogeneous materials in all cases.
TRITICALE STARCH BASED BIOPLASTICS
Hingbo Li, Nathalie Legros, Christian Belanger, May 2011
Triticale is being developed and aimed as an industrial crop and biorefinery feedstock for the Canadian manufacturing industry within the CTBI networking. In this paper the potential of triticale starch for the TPS/polymer blend fabrication was explored in terms of the starch morphology, crystallization structure, and the TPS (thermoplastic starch) rheology properties. The possibility of using triticale to make 100% biobased blown film was investigated using a small lab-scale film blown line. Film thickness of 25 um was obtained successfully for the triticale starch based PLA/TPS blends.
ULTRASONIC CUTTING OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) FILMS
Julius Vogel, David Grewell, May 2011
Ultrasonic cutting systems are employed with materials that are difficult to cut with standard mechanical systems. The cutting knife/edge typically vibrates at a frequency of 20-60 kHz, heating the substrate during the cutting and simultaneously sealing the cut edges. Polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable thermoplastic material derived from starch and sugar, is relatively brittle compared to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which has similar mechanical properties. This brittleness is problematic during mechanical cutting, which produces micro-cracks that further embrittle the material.
UV CURABLE COATINGS FOR CONTAINERS AND CLOSURES
Meaghan Farley, May 2011
The containers and closures market utilizes numerous decorating techniques on a variety of plastic and glass substrates. These decorating methods need to be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. UV curable coatings can offer value to this market by providing high performance decorative coatings that are cost effective, easy to process and environmentally friendly. This paper will discuss the benefits of using UV curable coatings as an alternative to other ways of decorating containers, some challenges encountered in formulating coatings to meet all specifications of the containers and closures market, and typical performance and processing requirements.
Nanocomposites improve performance of biodegradable polymers
Carla Marega, Ramesh Neppalli, Roberta Saini, Valerio Causin , Antonio Marigo, April 2011
Nanocomposites based on polycaprolactone exhibit enhanced tensile properties and controlled biodegradation rates.
Tissue engineering scaffolds formed by pseudo-negative voltage electrospinning
Min Wang , Ho-Wang Tong, April 2011
An emerging electrospinning technique enables the fabrication of multilayered fibrous membranes with high fiber density and reliable fiber alignment.
Freeze-drying improves crystallization of biodegradable polymers
Nobuaki Tabata, Takashi Sasaki , Daisuke Morino, March 2011
Poly(L-lactide) prepared by freeze-drying exhibits higher crystallizability than the bulk polymer.
Processing and characterization of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends
Yottha Srithep, Lih-Sheng Turng, March 2011
Chain extenders blended with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) improve mechanical properties and moldability.
Biodegradable polymers based on starch and poly(lactic acid)
Tamas Tabi, Jozsef Gabor Kovacs, March 2011
Pre-process drying is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to enhance adhesion between fillers and polymers.
Environmentally friendly polymer composites prepared with cellulose nanocrystals
Vera Maria Wik, Mirta Ines Aranguren, Mirna Alejandra Mosiewicki, March 2011
Novel polyurethanes obtained from vegetable oil exhibit appreciably improved mechanical performance with inclusion of just 0.5% by weight of nanosized cellulose crystals.
Nanocomposites of new biodegradable polyesters and polyesteramides
Alfonso Rodriguez-Galan, Luis Javier del Valle, Jordi Puiggali , Maria Teresa Casas, Laura Morales-Gamez, Lourdes Franco, March 2011
Polymers are easily prepared by bulk polycondensation based on metal-halide salt formation, while crystallization is strongly influenced by incorporation and distribution of silicate nanoparticles.
Polymer blends with improved mechanical properties
Trevor Woods, Ramesh Babu, February 2011
Hydrolytic degradation and elongation properties of polylactic acid can be enhanced by blending with polyhydroxybutyrate.
Recycled polyvinyl chloride as a sustainable solution
Hong Chang , Nidal Abu-Zahra, December 2010
An improved extrusion technique for polyvinyl chloride regrind could be useful to manufacturers, builders, and architects.
Visco-elastic properties of modified poly(lactic acid)/ spruce-wood-flour composites
Adriana Gregorova , Rupert Wimmer, November 2010
Composite mechanical behavior is critically influenced by interfacial compatibility between the filler and polymer matrix.
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