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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Conference Proceedings
THE EFFECT OF COMPATIBILIZER ON MICROFIBRILAR-PHASE FORMATION IN PE/PP BLENDS
Dana Hnidáková , Roman Cermák , Jana Výchopnová, May 2010
The paper focuses on the role of ethylene-propylenediene rubber compatibilizer in the formation of polypropylene microfibrils in polyethylene matrix during extrusion through semihyperbolic die. Several blends varying in phase composition was processed. The structure and properties were examined by scanning electron microscopy DSC and tensile testing. Significant changes in morphology and properties were observed.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE THERMOPLASTIC FOAMS: POLYLACTIDE FOAMS VERSUS POLYSTYRENE FOAMS
Shia-Chung Chen, Pham Son Minh, I-Sheng Hsieh, Yan-Chen Chiou, May 2010
Polystyrene (PS) foams have a number of desirable properties and thereby have been used for many applications. However, one of the most notable drawbacks of PS foams is its non-biodegradability. In recent years, polylactide (PLA) has been viewed as an environmentally sustainable substitute of PS. In this context, this paper aims to provide head-to-head comparisons between PLA and PS foaming processes, in terms of the cell formation mechanisms and foamability of the resultant foams.
EFFECTS OF E-BEAM IRRADIATION ON MELT BEHAVIOR OF POLY(LACTIC) ACID
Jon Lazarus , Anthony DiFonzo, May 2010
In this paper the effects of ionizing radiation on poly(lactic acid) PLA will be investigated. The PLA used in this experiment is a NatureWorks LLC extrusion and thermoforming polylactide resin product code 2002D. Its rheological properties will be investigated. This team worked in conjunction with Mr. Song Cheng and Scott Goetz of Sterigenics and Professor John Bartolomucci of the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The material was irradiated using electron beam radiation. The material was then tested to obtain rheological properties at various dosage levels.
ASYMMETRIC AND SYMMETRIC COMPOSITE FOAMS
Han-Xiong Huang, Jian-Kang Wang, Hong-Fei Xu, May 2010
In this work, symmetric and asymmetric structural polyethylene foams were produced via compression molding using a chemical blowing agent and wood fibres as reinforcement. By modifying the temperature field in a compression molding process, it is possible to adjust the density across the partƒ??s thickness. Here, the results are discussed in terms of density profile and mechanical properties.
CAVITY PRESSURE CONTROL DURING INJECTION IN AN INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE
José M. Hernández , Ma’moun Abu-Ayyad , Rickey Dubay, May 2010
Many investigations have emphasized the importance of cavity pressure in determining final part quality in an injection molding machine. During the injection cycle the main factor affecting cavity pressure is the screw hydraulic pressure valve Y3. Cavity pressure has some nonlinear characteristics thus an advanced control strategy is developed. Experiments quantified the relationship between the nozzle pressure and the Y3 valve in order to design a predictive controller. The controller was implemented with good closed loop results.
SIMULATION OF THE FOUNTAIN FLOW EFFECT BY MEANS OF THE RADIAL FUNCTIONS METHOD (RFM)
Lenka Chvátalová, Jana Výchopnová, Roman Cermá, Martin Obadal, May 2010
The fountain flow effect affects the orientation of the macromolecules and the mechanical and optical properties of injection molded parts. The fountain flow effect is modeled using the Radial Functions Method (RFM). In this paper, the flow in a planar slit and a steady state is considered. Good agreement between the obtained results (velocity field, pressure field and front shape) and the existing data in the literature was attained.
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF INJECTION PRESSURE SCREW POSITION BARREL TEMPERATURE AND OTHER VARIABLES ON CAVITY PRESSURE
Daniel Hazen , Lee Hutson, May 2010
An investigation into the effect of injection pressure screw position barrel temperatures and other variables on cavity pressure data is presented. This approach consists of monitoring key process data features and using a Projections to Latent Structures (PLS) multivariate modeling technique to correlate injection molding process variables to cavity pressure data.
INFLUENCE OF CROSSLINKING ON RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ELASTOMER AND ITS FOAM EXTRUSION
N. Chen, J. Wang, R. Chu, C.B. Park, May 2010
In this paper, the effect of crosslinking on the flow properties in foam extrusion and injection molding was studied using. The change in flow resistance of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) from partial crosslinking of the resin was characterized, with and without the influence of the dissolved blowing agent. The shear and extensional viscosities of the resin were approximated through the analysis of the pressure drop across a Hele-Shaw die channel. The influence of blowing agent on the viscosity of the EVA resin was also investigated.
DEVELOPMENT OF CROSSLINKED WOOD FIBER/ELASTOMER FOAMS
Shia-Chung Chen, Shih-Hsien Tarng, Cheng-Han Tsai, Yan-Chen Chiou, Wen-Hsien Yang, May 2010
In this paper, the development of crosslinked wood fiber/Elastomer foams was investigated using a batch foaming system. Potential cost reduction and improvement of certain mechanical performance are the motivations of this study. The cell morphology of the foamed products was optimized by varying processing. The influence of different parameters on the cell structure was analyzed. The mechanical properties (tensile modulus and durometer hardness) were also measured to pursue the effect of wood fiber.
NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY PROGRESSIVE POLYESTER FR RESINS
Rama Konduri , Chris van der Weele, May 2010
New family of ENH flame retardant PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) thermoplastic polyester resins developed is aimed at helping electrical/electronics (E/E) manufacturers and suppliers comply with regulations restricting use and disposal of hazardous substances. The non-chlorinated non-brominated resin based on PBT delivers good ductility and strength than other nonhalogen flame-retardant PBT materials as well as electrical properties of standard flame-retardant PBT materials. Some of the resin properties will be discussed in this publication.
FATIGUE TO CREEP PREDICTION IN BIMODAL POLYETHYLENE
Z. Zhu, J. Wang, J.W.S. Lee, Christian B. Park, May 2010
This paper describes the numerical analysis of cell growth during the filling and post-filling stages in injection foam molding. The pressure change with regard to a Lagrangian framework, as well as temperature distribution, was calculated using the Finite Element Method. The foaming initiation line was predicted by utilizing the solubility of the blowing agent in polymer. Individual bubble growth during the filling and post-filling stages was simulated using the Cell Model. Furthermore, cell trajectory during the filling stage was tracked.
INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY APPLIED TO THE TENSILE TESTING OF PLASTICS
Moiz Jafferji, Daniel F. Schmidt, Emmanuelle Reynaud, May 2010
In this study, polypropylene tensile bars were tested at rates of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mm/min while monitoring their heat output using an infrared video camera. Stress-strain-temperature curves and plots correlating mechanical work with heat output were then generated. The results demonstrate that changes in deformation behavior may be quantified via this approach, providing a new means of relating loading conditions, microstructure and ultimate properties.
THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF LASER-WELDED JOINTS
Mohammad H. Al-Wohoush , Musa R. Kamal, May 2010
The microstructural characteristics of laser-welded joints of PC PA-6 and PA-6 reinforced with 30% glass fibers were examined using optical and polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of laser power on the tensile strength of the laser-welded joints was examined and discussed in terms of various microstructural aspects. The melt fronts at the contact interface of PA-6 joints were monitored as a function of laser power. Glass fiber re-orientation in the reinforced PA-6 was also examined.
POLYETHYLENE – LAYER DOUBLE HYDROXIDE NANOCOMPOSITES: FLAMMABILITY AND THERMO PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Divya Kosuri , Sunny M. Ogbomo , Nandika A. D’Souza, May 2010
Layer Double Hydroxides (LDH) as flame retardants are a growing interest. The quest for non-halogen flame retardants has led to the need to find non-toxic flame retardants for commercial use in polymers. This article reports the thermal and flammability properties of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) incorporated with LDH. The objective of this project is to evaluate the flame retardance of polyethylene. Thermophysical measurements and tensile results are also conducted.
NANOSCALE IR SPECTROSCOPY OF POLYMER SYSTEMS USING AN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE
Nivedita Sangaj, Amol Mohite, Abhijit Namjoshi, Vijay Mhetar, May 2010
We describe a lab based AFM based IR measurement capability that can obtain local spectra and IR maps over the spectral range of 1000-4000cm-1 with spatial resolution as high as 100nm. We demonstrate this new capability on a polymer multilayer.
INSERT FILM INJECTION MOLDING TECHNOLOGY FOR AUTOMOTIVE PLASTIC PARTS WITH THE MULTI-CAVITY MOLD SYSTEM
Sunghee Lee , Youngbae Ko , Jongwon Lee, May 2010
As modern users of automotive interior plastic parts demand to enhance higher surface quality and lower manufacturing cost, film insert molding method has been widely applied lately to these injection molded products. In this paper, the integration technique of vacuum thermal forming, insert film injection molding and cavity monitoring processes, which is performed on multi-cavity mold system, is proposed and performed both experimentally and numerically for an automotive plastic part model.
DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF NOVEL ORIFICE DIE DESIGN FOR EXTENSIONAL VISCOSITY MEASUREMENTS
M. Zatloukal , J. Musil, May 2010
In this work novel patent pending orifice die design for precise extensional viscosity data determination from entrance pressure drop measurements has been developed and tested both theoretically (through Finite Element Analysis) and experimentally. It has been demonstrated that the proposed novel orifice die allows much more precise extensional viscosity measurements for polymer melts in comparison with conventionally used orifice dies.
DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF NOVEL ORIFICE DIE DESIGN FOR EXTENSIONAL VISCOSITY MEASUREMENTS
M. Zatloukal , J. Musil, May 2010
In this work, novel patent pending orifice die design for precise extensional viscosity data determination from entrance pressure drop measurements has been developed and tested both, theoretically (through Finite Element Analysis) and experimentally. It has been demonstrated that the proposed novel orifice die allows much more precise extensional viscosity measurements for polymer melts in comparison with conventionally used orifice dies.
STUDY INTO THE DENSIFICATION BEHAVIOUR OF POLYETHYLENES FOR ROTATIONAL MOULDING
P.R.W. Hanna , M.P. Kearns , E. Maziers, May 2010
The melting and densification behaviour of a range of Polyethylenes (PEs) produced from 2 different catalysts, Ziegler-Natta and Metallocene types, were investigated using a novel visual data acquisition and analysis system (TP Picture??), developed by Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy. Differences in the dissolution behaviour of the bubbles were observed and correlations with the material density, densification rate, bubble size/ distribution and MFI were determined.
UNDERSTANDING AND QUANTIFICATION OF DIE DROOL PHENOMENON DURING POLYPROPYLENE EXTRUSION PROCESS
M. Zatloukal , W. Sambaer , A. Libotte, May 2010
In this work die build-up phenomenon has been investigated theoretically by using FEM analysis as well as experimentally for polypropylene resins which are commonly used in the biaxial oriented film production. It has been demonstrated that the negative pressure at the die exit region is correable with die drool phenomenon in this case.
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