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
Cellular Anisotropy in Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Foam
Akihiko GOTO, Kazumi YAMAGUCHI, Umaru S. Ishiaku, Hiroyuki HAMADA, May 2005
We suggested that the cell shape in the polyurethane foam could be approximated to be the simple oval. We have investigated the relationship between the mechanical properties and the cell structure of the polyurethane foam. Deformation of cell structure was observed under the tensile load. Cellular anisotropy of the polyurethane was examined.
Continuous-Time Dynamic Exogenous Modeling from Plant Data
Derrick K. Rollins, Nidhi Bhandari, Natalie M. Matos, Swee-teng Chin, Stephen W. Mohn, May 2005
Dynamic models that describe strong physical relationships are typically difficult to create from plant data. The application of a recently developed method by Rollins, et al. for Hammerstein block-oriented modeling to 3M data revealed feasibility. The Hammerstein system consists of a nonlinear static block followed by a linear dynamic block.
Estimation of Distributions of Crystal Sizes from DSC Melting Traces for Polyethylene
Lijun Feng, Musa R. Kamal, May 2005
Melting curves from differential scanning calorimetry are used to estimate crystal size distributions. The proposed theoretical analysis is applied to polyethylene polymers, especially for linear low-density polyethylene copolymers. Theoretical predictions are in agreement with experimental results. The corresponding melting temperature distribution characteristics are calculated from the crystal size number distribution.
Prediction of Heat Treatment Effects on Injection Moldings
M.R. Kamal, T.S. Saini, May 2005
A comprehensive study was conducted on the shrinkage of rectangular injection molded plates (HDPE and PS), using a 3-D thermovisco- elastic simulation of the process, to estimate shrinkage in the flow, cross-flow, and thickness directions. The simulation was then extended to estimate the effects of a post-molding heat cycle. The results were in good quantitative agreement with experimental results.
Polymer Composites Based on Agave Fibres
Dinorah M. Gómez, J. Ricardo Galindo, Rubén González-Núñez, Denis Rodrigue, May 2005
Low density polyethylene was blended with agave fibres of three sizes: 0.21, 0.81 and 1.11 mm. Fiber concentrations between 10 and 25% were used to produce composites using twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. To determine the effect of processing on mechanical properties, uniaxial traction and impact resistance were obtained, in relation with morphology and density. The results show that there is an optimum concentration and fibre length for each processing technique.
What is 6 Sigma - A Case Study of Designing a Color Center of Excellence
Edward E.D. Tucker, May 2005
6 Sigma has been around for some time. It is being used to control products to decrease their defects. Here is how 6 Sigma can be used to design and sucessfully implement a Color Center of Excellence.
The Effect of Compatibilisation on the Rheology of Polyamide Blends
F. Gribben, G.M. McNally, W.R. Murphy, A.H. Clarke, May 2005
Blends of Nylon 6.6 with metallocene catalysed polyolefins have previously demonstrated phase separation and component immiscibility. This work investigates the effect of blend composition and of the addition of ethylene copolymer based physical and reactive compatibilisers on the rheological performance of these blends. The results demonstrate that the viscosity of the blends showed negative deviations from a simple log additivity rule but was dependent on both blend composition and compatibilisation.
Nano-Clay and Long Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Composites
Gang Zhou, L. James Lee, May 2005
High-performance phenolic composites are prepared by using both long fibers and nano-clays. First, Phenolicclay nanocomposites are synthesized by in-situ polymerization. Then, long carbon fibers are added into the phenolic nanocomposites to produce hybrid composites. Mechanical and thermal properties of such composites are compared with both long fiber-reinforced composites and polymer-layered silicate composites. The optimal conditions of sample preparation and processing are also investigated to achieve the best properties of the hybrid composites.
Blends of Polylactide with Thermoplastic Starch
P. Sarazin, M.A. Huneault, W. Orts, B.D. Favis, May 2005
Blends of polylactide with thermoplastic starch are prepared using a one-step extrusion process. These materials, subsequently processed via injection molding, possess interesting properties. The tensile properties in these samples are related to the composition of the blends and also to the glycerol plasticizer content in the thermoplastic starch. These materials possess an advantage for the environment since they are fully biodegradable and are derived principally from renewable sources.
Average Temperature or Mean Kinetic Temperature: Which One Applies?
John Spevacek, May 2005
Reaction rates are not proportional to temperature, but instead follow Arrhenius behavior. Consequently, for systems with varying temperature, the “average temperature” is erroneous and should not be used. Instead, the easily calculated “mean-kinetic temperature”, should be used. The difference between these temperatures can be significant and failure to understand the differences can lead to catastrophic consequences. Specific examples of the calculations and the consequences are discussed.
A Statistical Analysis of the Tensile Strength of Blown Film
Amber D. Carlile, Earl A. Foster, May 2005
Many processing parameters have an effect on the tensile strength of blown film. In this study a Taguchi L8 designed experiment was used as a screening design. This design allowed the determination of which processing parameters had the biggest effect on the tensile strength of blown film in both the machine and transverse directions. The processing parameters examined in this experiment were: materials, die temperature, take up roll speed, blower speed, air ring gap, extruder speed and air volume.
Study of CBA-Blown Bubble Nucleation and Life Span under High Pressure Gas Environment
Q. Guo, D. Xu, S.S.Y. Chang, J. Wang, C.B. Park, R. Fenton, May 2005
This research investigated the bubble nucleation and life span phenomena occurring in chemical blowing agent (CBA)-based foaming of plastics under atmosphere and high pressure conditions. The behaviour of CBA-blown bubbles exposed to various pressure conditions was observed in a high pressure chamber using optical microscope-based digital image processing system. Critical experiments were conducted to explain the mechanisms of CBA-blown bubble nucleation.
Erroneous, Accelerated, UV-Aging Results
John Spevacek, May 2005
It has been found that some thermoplastic systems survive accelerated UV weathering but fail in true environmental conditions. This is because quartz filters pass artificially high levels of 275 nm - 340 nm light, but artificially lower levels of longer wavelengths. For systems that are more reactive to longer wavelengths, the accelerated exposure tests provide false assurances of true weatherability. A specific example of this phenomenon occurring within polypropylene will be shown and discussed in detail.
Critical Issues in Extrusion Foaming of Plastic/Woodfiber Composites
G.M. Rizvi, G. Guo, Y.S. Kim, C.B. Park, May 2005
Foaming of plastic/wood-fiber composites (PWC) with a fine-celled structure can offer benefits such as improved ductility and impact strength, lowered material cost, and lowered weight, which can improve their utility in many applications. This paper presents the critical issues in extrusion foaming of PWC and proposes processing techniques and strategies for producing artificial wood with enhanced properties.
Rheological and Morphological Properties of VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding) Epoxy Resins/Clay Nanocomposites
R. Peila, S.S. Sangari, T. Karaki, J.C. Seferis, G. Parker, May 2005
Three types of modified organoclay were incorporated into VARTM resins at various concentrations. A Rheometric Dynamic Analyzer was used to analyze the flow behavior of the resins, while the morphology of the clay was examined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). It was found that the viscosity of the resins increased after the addition of the clays and the clays were exfoliated into the matrix.
Ten Things Plastics Engineers Should Know about Intellectual Property
Steven J. Grossman, Jeffrey T. Placker, Beth A. Filip, May 2005
Intellectual property law has had a number of somewhat remarkable changes in recent years. For example, the scope and enforceability of patents in the United States has been modified with respect to what might be considered an “equivalent” to a claimed invention. The role of judges and juries in ascertaining the scope of a patent has been dramatically altered. This paper will identify these new and important changes in the law of intellectual property and how such issues should be considered by the community of plastics engineers.
Warpage Study on Two-Shot Injection Molding
Jeffrey Passilla, Kristin Zupancic, May 2005
A common problem affecting all thermoplastic parts is shrinkage and warpage. With two-shot molding the parts will have two materials with different properties molding onto one another. Through a design of experiments (DOE) the cause and effect of changing different processing parameters along with part dimensions and materials, can be used to determine the amount of warpage on the part.
The Coupling of Gas Chromatography with Olfactory Detection (GC/O) and Mass Spectrometric Detection (GC/MS) in Solving off Odor Issues
Roger Pearson, Ken Rice, May 2005
Off odor issues in packaging materials can have significant financial implications. Gas chromatography with a combination of detection techniques, olfactory (GC/O), and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) can help solve such problems. A general problem is the low detection limits afforded by the sense of smell versus the instrumental detection limits of GC/MS. Various methods of sample introduction that enhance the GC/MS response allowing identification of odor relevant compounds will be discussed.
Measurement of Swollen Volume of Polymer Melt Due to Gas Dissolution
Y.G. Li, H.B. Li, J. Wang, C.B. Park, H.S. Park, P. Chen, May 2005
The pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) property of polymer/gas mixtures is critically important in the polymer foaming process. Accurately measured volume swelling of polymer/gas solutions is not yet available. The objective of this paper is to propose a novel methodology for measuring the volume swelling accurately. The preliminary result using PP/N2 and accuracy verification using a known volume sphere will be presented.
Foamability of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV) with Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Nitrogen (N2)
S.G. Kim, B.S. Kang, C.B. Park, May 2005
The foamability of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) has been investigated in a customized foaming system using carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) as a physical blowing agent. TPV or dynamic vulcanizate is a special class of thermoplastic elastomer that is produced by mixing a crosslinked rubber and a thermoplastic simultaneously. The influence of blowing agent content and the processing conditions on the expansion behaviour, the cell-number density and the foam structure are discussed.
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