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
Design of a Soft Sensor for Polymer Extrusion
Marion McAfee, Linda Caldwell, Steve Thompson, Gerry McNally, May 2004
The application of closed-loop viscosity control to polymer extrusion is desirable to achieve a consistent quality product. However, incorporation of such techniques is limited by the difficulties in obtaining an accurate, real-time indication of the melt viscosity. This paper outlines the design of an in-line viscosity sensor based on a capillary die and the use of software algorithms generated from off-line data. The use of data acquisition software to analyse and correct for errors is explored.
Kinematics of Solids Conveying
Stephen J. Derezinski, May 2004
Solids conveying is typically calculated using friction factors. The friction factors depend on material and conditions, are difficult to measure, and the calculation is extremely sensitive to their value. Kinematic analysis of solids conveying is shown to yield the “solids lead angle” for the resin solids plug that does not require friction factors. Solids lead angle for different polymers are shown, and the data are used to make predictions of solids conveying performance without evaluation of friction factors.
Troubleshooting Mixing Problems in Single-Screw Extruders
Mark A. Spalding, Kun Sup Hyun, May 2004
Mixing processes are very important for plasticating, single-screw extrusion operations. Numerous mixing processes can occur including pre-blending prior to feeding to the hopper, during melting, trapping and melting of solid fragments, mixing of fully molten resins, and mixing downstream from the extruder. This paper focuses on the mixing processes that occur during melting and the handling of solid fragments. Troubleshooting guidelines are presented to mitigate these mixing problems.
Troubleshooting Underwater Pelletization Processes
Anthony C. Neubauer, Seung J. Rhee, Gary L. Smitherman, May 2004
The fundamental parameters governing the underwater pelletizing process are proposed and confirmed based upon actual observations during process and mechanical troubleshooting of high capacity pelletizing systems.
Basic Extrusion Models as Diagnostic Tools in Extrusion Trouble Shooting
Eldridge M. Mount III, May 2004
Use of the basic mathematical expressions of the solids conveying, melting, metering and mixing theories for single screw extruders permits the rapid understanding of the functions of an extruder and the interrelationship of polymer properties and process conditions. Understanding the algebra of these models allows for the development of corrective actions and then interpreting the result of the changes permits a new insight into the root cause of the problem.
Effect of Xylene Solubles in Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene
Sehyun Kim, Victor M. DiNardo, May 2004
Xylene soluble is an atactic polypropylene and usually produced as a by-product during the polymerization of an isotactic polypropylene. Some amount of xylene soluble polypropylene is known to play a role in orientation of polypropylene to produce film. In this study, isotactic polypropylenes with various amounts of xylene solubles were prepared. The characteristics of these polymers and their performance on the TM long film stretcher were determined, as well as some structure-processing-property relationships.
Matching of Vulcanization with Blowing Reaction in Sponge Rubber Compounds
Edmund Haberstroh, Arndt Kremers, May 2004
Sponge rubber is a porous material, that is foamed by the decomposition of a chemical blowing agent. The blowing up of the profiles takes place inside the vulcanization unit parallel to the curing reaction. Both reactions are thermally activated processes, that interact regarding their kinetics. To simplify process design and optimization, a FEA model for the calculation of the local curing rate is presented and a new test method is introduced that enables a process oriented characterization of sponge rubber compounds.
Simultaneous Characterization of Dispersive and Distributive Mixing in a Single Screw Extruder
Kirill Alemaskin, Ica Manas-Zloczower, Miron Kaufman, May 2004
Simulation of the dispersion of solid agglomerates along their trajectories in a single screw extruder with sequential tracking of parents and fragments allow us to assess conditions appropriate for dispersive mixing and simultaneously account for the spatial distribution of all particles in the system. A new mixing index based on the calculation of Shannon entropy for different size fractions of the minor component present in the system and giving preference to smaller sizes was developed.
Extrusion of BaSO4 Filled Medical-Grade Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Guangyu Lu, Dilhan M. Kalyon, Iskender Yilgör, Emel Yilgör, May 2004
Extrudability of 20% (vol.) BaSO4 filled medical-grade (additive free) thermoplastic polyurethanes was investigated. Filled TPU exhibits decreased shear viscosity and elasticity in comparison to unfilled TPU, generating reduced pressure drop at the die and reduced pressurization in the extruder. The moisture remaining in the BaSO4 may hydrolyze the polymer. However, hydrolysis is not sufficient and air, entrained with the filler into the extruder, reduces the viscosity and elasticity of the compounded TPU.
An Analysis of the Effect of Elongational Viscosity on the Flow in a Flat Die
Y. Sun, M. Gupta, May 2004
The flow of a low-density polyethylene in a flat die is simulated using the axisymmetric and planar elongational viscosities estimated in an earlier publication by Beaupre and Gupta. Elongational viscosity is found to have only a limited effect on the velocity distribution at the die exit. However, the predicted pressure drop in the die and temperature distribution at the die exit changed significantly when the effect of elongational viscosity is included in the simulation.
An Optimization-Based Approach to Compute Sheeting Die Designs for Multiple Operating Conditions
Douglas E. Smith, May 2004
A simulation-based approach is presented to optimally design polymer sheeting dies to operate over a range of operating conditions. The computational approach incorporates finite element simulations to quantify the ’goodness’ of a die design and includes a gradient-based optimization algorithm to update the die’s geometry. Examples are provided to illustrate the methodology for the creeping flow of purely viscous fluids through thin cavities that may be modeled with the Generalized Hele-Shaw approximation.
Twin Screw Extruder and Continuous Mixer Rate Limitations
Anthony C. Neubauer, Edward A. Leach, May 2004
An overview and general description of the fundamental parameters that limit feed rates of twin screw extruders (TSE’s) and continuous mixers (CM’s) is presented. This paper also identifies relationships that can be used to identify the key rate limiting parameters for a given TSE/CM design and set of operating conditions.
Deconvolution of Residence Time Distribution Signals to Individually Describe Zones for Better Modeling
Paul Elkouss, David Bigio, Mark Wetzel, May 2004
Kinematic modeling has been shown to be important for the understanding and control of co-rotating twin screw extruders. Past techniques of kinetic modeling have dealt with the extruder as either one unit or a series of screw element wise units. In this work, multiple sensors are used to characterize the residence time distribution of an extruder. Additionally, the uncoupled signals from these sensors are deconvoluted to produce signals representative of the individual extruder zones.
A New High Speed Extruder with Melt Separation
Johannes Wortberg, Dirk Kaczmarek, May 2004
The new extruder – project name S-Truder - surrounds the screw with a perforated sleeve to separate melt from unmelted resin. As soon as the melt develops, it flows through conically-shaped holes in the melting sleeve into the intermediate melting zone area and then with a pressure flow toward the screw tip. Therefore, the screw can then run at a higher rotation speed without overheating the polymer, and, in contrast to a “normal” screw, solid bed width is maintained. Experimental results and theoretical background will be described in this paper.
Closed-Loop Process Control Strategies for Thermoplastic Injection Molding Machines
P.A. Brincat, A.S. Bakharev, R.G. Speight, May 2004
This document outlines the advantages of a closed-loop screw cushion control system for thermoplastic injection molding machines in the production environment. It also outlines the limitations of such a system and proposes a possible path forward towards closed-loop process control, through the use of a closed-loop viscosity control system.
Impact and Utility of Volumetric Melt Density Sensors
Frederick John Buja, May 2004
Since variance in melt density during a molding process can infer a change of product quality, careful measurement – and subsequent management – of this factor is essential. Considering that temperature is the primary, though not only, factor in this process, injected melt temperature was measured through two means: a melt sensor installed into a machine nozzle, and a melt sensor installed into a heated insert assembly. The injected melt fill-and-pack density" was profiled for consecutive cycles and the resulting melt-flow profiles and sensing means are presented."
The Effect of Mold Surface Topography on Plastic Part In-Process Shrinkage in Injection Molding
Uffe Rolf Arlø Theilade, Erik Kjær, Hans Nørgaard Hansen, May 2004
An experimental study of the effect of mold surface roughness on in-process in-flow linear part shrinkage in injection molding has been carried out. The investigation is based on an experimental two-cavity tool, where the cavities have different surface topographies, but are otherwise identical. The study has been carried out for typical commercial polystyrene and polypropylene grades.
Mechanical Properties and Microstructure Enhancement of Injection Molded Parts via Push-Pull Processing
D.B. Tchalamov, J.C. Viana, A.M. Cunha, May 2004
Push-pull injection molding is a live in-mold manipulation method used for enhancing the orientation of molecules and fillers. It implements an alternating shear field induced by a coordinated action of two injection units to create multiple oriented layers across the thickness of moldings. In this work design of experiment was used to analyze the processing parameters in push-pull molding of polypropylene homopolymer. The microstructure and the flexural and impact properties of the produced parts were assessed.
Injection Molding Process Optimization and Documentation
John W. Bozzelli, May 2004
Though molding for decades, we have yet to develop a scientific method of developing an optimized process. The established process is often poorly documented and cannot be transferred to another machine. This paper outlines a scientific process optimization based on data and defines the necessary variables to establish a reproducible consistent process. The procedure along with the resulting setup sheet, that will work on any appropriate machine (hydraulic or electric) are presented.
Design and Analysis of Model-Based Iterative Learning Control of Injection Molding Process
J.-W. John Cheng, Yu-Wei Lin, Fu-Sheng Liao, May 2004
Despite several researchers have reported excellent performance of iterative learning controls for injection molding process, a serious work remains, namely, stability guarantee of the learning controllers. This work presents the first effort on theoretical analysis of iterative learning injection molding control. Specifically, analysis of a filling velocity learning control is conducted. The analysis adopts Lyapunov’s indirect method. Experiment evaluation is carried out on a commercial injection molding machine.
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