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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Titanate and zirconate coupling agents as invented by the author generate approximately six ACS CAS abstracted works (technical papers, articles and patents) per week. The author will review the literature and update ANTEC attendees on applications in thermoplastics and thermosets with an emphasis on the latest work in nano and green technologies such as biopolymers and landfill biodegradation. For example, investigators Lei, Yong; Wu, Qinglin; Yao, Fei; Xu, Yanjun from the School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA reported: Composites based on recycled high-polyethylene (RHDPE) and natural fibers i.e. pine wood flour and bagasse were made through melt blending and compression molding. The effects of the fibers and coupling agent type/concn. on the composite properties were studied. The use of maleated polyethylene (MAPE) carboxylated polyethylene (CAPE) and titanium-derived mixt. (TDM)-(20% pellet masterbatch of a neoalkoxy pyrophosphato titanate) improved the compatibility between the bagasse fiber and RHDPE and mech. properties of the resultant composites compared well with those of virgin HDPE composites. The modulus and impact strength of the composites had maxima with MAPE content increase. The composites had lower crystn. peak temps. and wider cryst. temp. range than neat RHDPE and their thermal stability was lower than RHDPE.""
Silica aerogels have attracted attention for many applications due to their unique properties such as low density (0.003g/cm), mesoporosity (pore size 2-50nm), high thermal insulation and high surface area (500-1200m2/g). However, their fragility and environmental sensitivity restricts the use of monolithic silica aerogel. In this paper, silica aerogel that is cross-linked with diisocyanate is introduced and the effects of polymer concentration on aerogel properties, especially mechanical strength are discussed. Fracture of silicaaerogel mainly occurs at the interface of secondary particles that are formed during aging. It is believed that if the surface of silica aerogel is covalently bonded to nanocast polymer coating, the interparticle necks become wider and can reinforce the structure of the aerogel.
Chi-Kai Shih, Mimi Y. Keating, M. Pottiger, M. Wetzel, May 2010
Explosive advances took place in all fronts of Polymer Analysis in the past 40 years. Selected breakthrough inventions in two of the most exciting areas, viz., thermal analysis and rheological analysis will be highlighted with emphasis on industrial applications. We'll discuss the evolutions, advancement, and impact to the industry and impact to science and technology as well as available stories behind these inventions. The selections were chosen from patent and journal articles on innovations such as DTA, DSC, TGA, thermal fractionations, TGA-GC, MASS, -IR etc., and MI, Mooney Viscosity tests as well as modern rheometers, polymer fingerprinting techniques.
David Grewell , Sean.T.Carolan , Gowrishankar Srinivasan, May 2010
Protein based plastics were processed using
anhydride chemistries in conjunction with glycerol to
obtain modified soy protein polymers that were water
stable. Formulations processed with chemistries such as
maleic anhydride (MA) and phthalic anhydride (PTA)
produced relatively water stable soy protein based
plastics. Various formulations were produced by varying
the anhydride content (3-10% w/w) in the final plastic
mass. The respective mixtures were extruded and
injection molded to form the samples for
characterization. Formulations with 10% PTA were
observed to have water absorption of only 19% after 24
hrs of water submersion as compared to 250% for the
control formulation.
Zhenwen Zhou , Haiying Zhang , Alexander Chudnovsky , W. Michie , M. Demirors, May 2010
Temperature strongly affects the mechanical
properties of pipe grade polyethylene (PGPE), such as
strength and toughness. It is observed in this study that
the temperature also affects the mechanisms of slow crack
growth (SCG). A change in the mechanism of SCG is
observed at certain temperature, named Crack Growth
Transition Temperature (CGTT). The CGTT of the cold
drawn (oriented) PGPE appears to be significantly higher
than room temperature. At the temperature above CGTT
the crack propagates discontinuously, stepwise, whereas
at the temperature below CGTT the crack grows
continuously. The slope of crack growth rate vs. stress
intensity factor (SIF) is also noticeably different for
temperatures above and below CGTT. The existence of
CGTT implies certain limitations for commonly used
extrapolation of SCG and lifetime data from the elevate
temperature of an accelerated testing to the room
temperature across CGTT.
Wei Yan, Shuhao Quo, Minmin Zhang, Jie Yu, May 2010
In this article, polyamide 6(PA6)/Organoclay masterbatch were prepared by melt mixing, and then acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS)/polyamide 6(PA6)(70/30,w/w) nanocomposites were prepared by the melt mixing of PA6, ABS and organoclay. The effect of organoclay platelets on dispersion of ABS/PA6/organoclay ternary nanocomposites had been investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Morphology analysis revealed that organoclay platelets were selectively dispersed and exfoliated in PA6 phase, but some were located in interface of PA6 and ABS phase.
Jason C. Baird, Ph.D. | John P. Christiano,, May 2010
A comprehensive study was conducted using three different types of extruder drive and motor configurations for a single screw extruder under identical conditions to compare the energy efficiency. Sound emission data was also measured and compared. Two systems of a conventional design used an AC or DC motor in combination with a mechanical gear reducer and were compared to a Direct Drive system using only a torque motor. The study showed that the Direct Drive system operated at higher energy efficiency and produced lower sound emissions compared to the AC & DC conventional systems. The results show that at the base speed of the drive train, the DC system consumed 10% more energy (kW) than the AC system, and the Direct Drive system consumed between 12 and 15% less energy than the AC system, depending upon the torque required.
Chan I. Chung, MoonKi Choi, Lee Gunning, Eberhard Gruenschloss,, May 2010
Plasma processes constantly gain importance in the field of plastics processing. They are influenced by production parameters on one hand and the substrate itself on the other hand. The properties of polymers vary substantially depending on their processing conditions or their history. This paper describes investigations on the plasma modification of polyamide (PA6) and polypropylene (PP). This includes the examination of the influence of absorbed water in the surface near regions of the bulk material as well as the interaction with the polymeric microstructure. The knowledge of this interaction between plasma and thermoplastic surface can be used for the process development or quality assurance in terms of plasma-assisted modification of polymers.
I. Sedat Gunes, Feina Cao, Sadhan C. Jana, May 2010
A new method of evaluating polyethylene (PE) pipe brittle failure time has been recently proposed. The method consists of an extrapolation of the failure time in standard PENT test to brittle failure time of PE pipes of arbitrary diameter and wall thickness at various loads and temperatures. The method is based on several assumptions that have not been adequately addressed in [1]. This paper presents a detailed review of the theoretical and experimental basis of the extrapolation proposed in [1] and reveals its limitations. A fracture mechanics analysis of the PENT test is presented. It requires evaluation of parameters in power law" equation of the slow crack growth (SCG). Thus a specimen whose stress intensity factor (SIF) is independent of crack length has been used to serve this purpose. Such specimen allows an accurate determination of crack growth rate vs. SIF relationship and thus predicts the duration of SCG stage of brittle fracture process at various temperatures. The study indicates that the formula proposed in [1] can be used for materials ranking with respect to SCG resistance within a limited temperature range but is inadequate for estimation of lifetime in brittle fracture."
I. Sedat Gunes , Feina Cao , Sadhan C. Jana, May 2010
In this paper water vapor permeability (WVP) of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites with crystalline soft segments was evaluated. Organoclay nano-size silicon carbide (SiC) and a high structure carbon black (CB) were mixed with shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) based on semi-crystalline soft segments. All nanocomposites were prepared by bulk polymerization using a Brabender internal mixer. Compression molded specimens were used in the determination of WVP. The results indicated that the presence of silicon carbide augmented WVP by reducing the soft segment crystallinity whereas that of organoclay reduced the WVP considerably due to excellent exfoliation.
The incorporation of renewable resources in composite materials is a
viable means to reduce environmental impact and support sustainability
efforts in the composites industry. This paper will focus on unsaturatedpolyester
resins prepared from renewable resources and their use in
composite materials. Applications of these resins in the automotive
industry will be described including a comparison of properties and
performance vs. typical petroleum-based resins.
This paper presents an independent cost analysis for a novel slurrybased
preform technology in order to understand its potential benefits
across a range of component and reinforcement scenarios. Specifically
the economics for small medium and large automotive composites
reinforced with glass carbon and natural fibers through the use of
manual sprayup automated P-4 and slurry preforming are examined
and compared through technical cost analysis. The molding economics
of SMC RTM and SRIM are also addressed in detail.
The use of new aromatic thermosetting copolyester (ATSP) is described
and compared to the best available epoxies for high performance
composites. ATSP oligomers display liquid crystalline behavior which was
identified using optical microscopy with cross-polarizers.ATSP tailored to
have a liquid crystalline structure has reduced stresses at the fiber/matrix
interface and better thermal fatigue resistance compared to epoxy.
A new polyurethane adhesive has been developed that provides
excellent adhesion to SMC HSU and RTM without surface preparation
and requiring only a room-temperature cure or greatly reduced postbake
temperatures. This presentation will review where such an
adhesive will find application its general chemistry and supporting data.
Details are presented on an automated process for manufacturing
net-shape charges for compression moulding using a spray-deposition
technique. The novel process uses a resin-spray technique and magnetic
fibre to position and hold fibres onto the tool face. The process is
intended for producing structural components using discontinuous
bundles for medium-volume applications.
Mould tools used for processes such as RTM and compression RTM
must withstand significant forces generated by the fluid resin and the
fibrous reinforcement. Prediction of these forces will allow for optimizations
in setup costs and time and maximize the usage of the capabilities
of peripheral equipment (such as presses). SimLCM is being developed
at the University of Auckland as a simulation package with the capability
to predict clamping forces and stress distributions during complete
moulding cycles for RTM and CRTM.
PlastiComp’s direct in-line (D-LFT) compounding process provides
processors of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics a simple and affordable
alternative to pre-compounded pellets and GMT sheet while yielding
equivalent and in some cases slightly higher mechanical properties.
This paper summarizes a comparative study of the properties of
D-LFT vs. traditional LFT pellets in an injection-molding process as
well as D-LFT vs. GMT sheet in a compression-molding process.
To achieve significant part weight reductions of 15-20% Milliken
Chemical's high performance reinforcing (HPR) additive may be an
excellent choice for the replacement of talc and other mineral fillers in
polypropylene composites. For instance vs. talc HPR will typically
provide comparable or superior performance with only about one-third
of conventional talc concentrations. Furthermore these improvements
may be realized without any detrimental effects on aesthetic properties.
A new patented in-mold assembly process forms an optimized
assembly using a combination of blow molding and injection molding
for a turbo-charged diesel charge air duct. The process incorporates
a 15%-GF-reinforced blow-molding grade and a 30%-GF-reinforced
injection molding grade of polyphenylene sulfide. PPS was the
material of choice due to its superior heat and chemical resistance.
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Any article that is cited in another manuscript or other work is required to use the correct reference style. Below is an example of the reference style for SPE articles:
Brown, H. L. and Jones, D. H. 2016, May.
"Insert title of paper here in quotes,"
ANTEC 2016 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA May 23-25, 2016. [On-line].
Society of Plastics Engineers
Available: www.4spe.org.
Note: if there are more than three authors you may use the first author's name and et al. EG Brown, H. L. et al.