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.
The SPE Library is just one of the great benefits of being an SPE member! Are you taking advantage of all of your SPE Benefits?
Mukerrem Cakmak, Emre Unsal, Jason Drum, Orcun Yucel, Isil Nugay, Baris Yalcin, May 2012
This paper describes the design and performance of a new instrument to follow the drying behavior of polymer solutions and monomers during drying/photocuring. This real-time multisensory instrument follows the in-plane and out-of-plane birefringence, weight, thickness and surface temperature during the course of drying of coatings and films in a controlled atmosphere. It is specifically designed to simulate the behavior of polymer solutions inside an industrial size, continuous roll-to-roll solution casting line and other coating operations that are typically used in manufacturing of functional films including flexible electronics and membranes. Processing variables including air speed and temperature, initial cast thickness, solvent type and solute concentration are controlled to study the effect of each parameter on the real-time drying behavior of polymer solutions and their final properties. The instrument can also be modified to investigate the UV curing of non-solvent systems. Several polymer solution systems were tested and the data will be presented during the presentation
Hand holds are the safety devices used in mass transport vehicles to provide support for the standing passengers to hold. The conventional handles are manufactured by metal fabrication process involving lot of secodary operations. The metal handles generally have problems such as poor product consistency, lower productivity, higher cost and weight etc. Engineering thermoplastics is the right choice of material for this application as it offer design flexibility and better aesthetics but the challenge is to ensure long term performance requirements. Designed Innovative thermoplastic handle with finger grip impressions for better comfort. Manufactured using Gas assisted injection molding technology to maintain product consistency, improved productivity, reduced weight and cost. Extensive part testing and validations were done to ensure performance before commercialization. The objective of this paper is to cover in detail the application development process starting from concept to reality meeting all the technical requirements. This successful application development opened up new market space for SABIC Innovative Plastics business and there is huge translation opertunities in Global Mass Transportation market space.
Lisa Madenjian, Jeff Munro, Jeff Liu
Madenjian, Jeff Munro, Jeff Liu, May 2012
Flexible polyvinyl chloride has found suitability in a number of injection molded applications over the last several decades. While the material offers a very good balance of properties and processibility, it has come under scrutiny because of its plasticizer content and recyclability, especially in Europe. As such, there are many active programs to replace f-PVC. This paper will review design considerations beyond the datasheet to use when selecting a thermoplastic olefin elastomer to replace f-PVC.
E. Ray Harrell, Joseph C. Golba, Jr, Jill Kunzelman, Jane M. Spikowski, May 2012
Frequency-dependent viscoelastic properties are used to elucidate the relationships among the method of compounding, the types of CNT used within the CNT-PC composite and the changes in structure (CNT-PC interaction) and molecular weight of the base PC. CNT-PC interaction increases increasing CNT content and CNT aspect ratio. Addition of the CNT to a TSE at entry ports after attainment of a PC melt provides higher CNT-PC interaction. Increasing TSE residence time by using multiple passes, significantly decreases the molecular weight of the PC within the CNT-PC composite that is attributed to chain-scission that is intensified by the presence of the CNT-PC interaction.
This paper discusses three separate failure analysis case studies involving Chlorinated Polyvinylchloride (CPVC) fire suppression sprinkler pipe(s) alleged to have failed due to Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC) from exposure to an incompatible chemical. The investigations highlight the importance of the interpretation of fracture surface morphology, review of background information regarding service history, performing material characterization testing, as well as developing an understanding of the interaction of various chemicals with CPVC material when attributing a failure of CPVC sprinkler pipe to ESC. The case studies discussed are helpful in understanding the ESC mechanism in CPVC sprinkler pipes, which is a complex failure mode. This paper discusses the technical issues that should be addressed in determining whether ESC is the primary cause of failure in a CPVC fire suppression sprinkler pipe system.
In this work, the crystal morphology of water-assisted injection molded (WAIM) parts of in-situ microfibrillar polypropylene/acrylonitrile–styrene copolymer (PP/SAN) blends with four weight ratios were studied. The results showed that transcrystalline structures formed in the inner layers of the WAIM PP/SAN blend parts at the SAN contents of 4, 6, and 8 wt%, but were absent at an SAN content of 2 wt%. The formation mechanism of the transcrystalline structures was interpreted with the aid of stress and temperature ?elds of the melt within the mold cavity under high-pressure water penetration during the WAIM. It was found that the high shear stress and cooling rate in the inner layer were responsible for the formation of the transcrystalline structures.
Bi-layer flow in a profile coextrusion die was simulated. Prediction of post-die changes in extrudate profile was included in the simulation. Mesh partitioning technique was used to allow the coextrusion simulation without modifying the finite element mesh in the profile die. Effect of polymer viscosities on the change in profile shape after the polymers leave the die is analyzed. It is found that a difference in the viscosities of the coextruded polymers can lead to a highly non-uniform velocity distribution at die exit. Accordingly, post-die changes in extrudate shape were found to be widely different when the polymers in the two coextruded layers were changed.
This research work explores the feasibility of ultrasonics to recycle lactic acid by depolymerizing. Post consumer PLA chopped up to 1mm2 was exposed to high power ultrasonics with water or methanol as the suspension media. The treatments were carried out in the presence of organic and ionic salts of alkali metals such a potassium carbonate and zinc chloride as the catalysts. The treatments were replicated by replacing ultrasonics with Hot water bath as the energy source. Analysis with HPLC indicated PLA to Lactic acid conversion was achieved with yields up to 90% utilizing ultrasonics. Energy calculations indicated that Ultrasonics used 30% less energy to achieve the same yield levels as achieve with hot bath technique
Ryan Vadori, Manjusri Misra, Amar Mohant
y, May 2012
In this paper, the method for design of a bio-based green material for use in electronics applications is discussed. The aim is substitution of currently used petroleum-based acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) with a bio-based polymer blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ABS. In this method, polymers will be melt blended and extruded to test their thermal and mechanical properties. The goal is to achieve performance of the blend equal or better to currently used ABS, as well as be a cost competitive alternative.
Harekrishna Deka, Manjusri Misra, Amar Mohanty, May 2012
The search for natural resource based composites for a spectrum of commercially viable “green products” is drawing a great importance in recent time. In this regard, natural fibers have become an attractive substitute for synthetic glass fibers in polymer composite systems. The natural fibers have advantages such as lower cost, eco- friendly nature, biodegradability, high specific strength, and good mechanical properties as compared to glass fiber. Amongst the biobased matrices, poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA), possesses high chemical and heat resistance properties. This makes it suitable for chemical resistance, corrosion resistant and heat stable type applications. As such, an overview of the recent development of PFA based natural fiber composites in terms of their overall properties and their future prospective is evaluated in this work.
Amar Mohanty, S. Vivekanandhan, Nima Zarrinbakhsh, Manjusri Misra, May 2012
Ever increasing energy demands, instability and uncertainty of petroleum/fossil fuel sources, and concern over global climate change have led to resurgence in the development of alternative energy that can replace fossil transportation fuel. Biomass conversion into biofuels, results a huge amount of residues or downstream products called as co-products such as distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), protein meals, crude glycerol, hemicellulose and lignin. As the production of biofuel continues to grow, surplus amounts of co-products become a critical issue and new value addition is needed for their effective utilization. A successful biorefinery begins with the productive usage of all components of biological feedstocks for value-added fuels, chemicals or materials that parallels the traditionall approach used in “petro-refineries”. Still biorefienry is risky investment, with respect to commercial benefits and finding value added uses for their co-products creates economic returns and lead to their sustainability. Thus present articles summaries the prospects of improved utilization of co-products from biofuel industries for new industrial applications.
Yazan A. Hussaun, Scott J. Smith, Joseph M. DeSimone, Tao Liu, George W. Roberts, May 2012
Particles of cross-linked, partially-neutralized poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were synthesized in high yield via suspension polymerization of an aqueous solution of acrylic acid and sodium acrylate in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). Siloxane-based surfactants were used to produce particles with an acceptable size range for superabsorbent polymer applications. Several different surfactants were tested and the particle yield was used to compare their performance. The effects of surfactant concentration, degree of neutralization, and agitation rate on the yield and morphology are discussed.
Reduced capillary number theory was used to predict the flow field-induced morphology development of polypropylene/polyamide 6 (PP/PA6) blend with a compatilizer in a convergent-straight channel. Numerical simulation was carried out to predict the flow fields in the channel. The predicted results showed that the dispersed phase featured a droplet structure and a fibrous structure near the center line and wall of the channel, respectively. The predicted results were verified by the experiments. Between the center line and wall, a clear transition of the morphology of dispersed phase was predicted. The predicted transition location was compared to the experimentally-determined result and a good agreement was obtained.
Wenyi Huang, Cailiang Zhang, Shuai Zhang, Chenglong Dai, L. James Lee, May 2012
The quest of novel materials for making lighter fibers for textile and non-woven fabrics applications prompts us to exploit the nanocellular fibers. Thermoplastic polyurethane nanocellular fibers were prepared by extrusion foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide as the blowing agent. Nanoparticles such as nanoclay, multi- walled carbon nanotube, and graphene nanosheets were added as the heterogeneous nucleation agents in order to achieve high-efficiency nucleating effects. Surface functionalizations on nanoparticles were conducted in order to ensure the high-degree dispersion of nanoparticle in the polymer. Optimization of processing conditions is necessary for achieving uniform foams with cell size below 1 m in the fiber having a diameter of less than 30 m. The density of nanocellular fiber was reduced by 30- 50% as compared with that of bulk polymer.
Functional graphenes were synthesized from graphene oxide, which was obtained from low-cost graphite via oxidation. In order to prevent the precipitation of graphene during the reduction process, graphene oxide was partially reduced using sodium borohydride and then treated with diazonium salts having –SO3H or –COOH groups, followed by complete reduction with hydrazine. Functional graphenes were prepared in such a way that they could be well dispersed in water, and as a result, nanopapers could be obtained by flow-directed assembly of individual graphene nanosheets via simple filtration. The presence of functional groups in the graphene also allows the formation of covalent bonds between nanosheets by crosslinking with other polymers. The resulting nanopapers have high electrical conductivity with excellent mechanical properties close to those of steel. These functional graphenes are also promising for the applications in water purifications, ultracapacitors, lithium batteries, and electronic materials.
Three formulas of alkyd resins were prepared from phthalic anhydride, glycerol, linseed oil, and ethylene glycol or glycolysis product from post-consumer PET bottles. Linseed oil content of 50 wt% was selected aiming to be suitable for WPC. Surface chemistry was studied by contact angle. Coating properties such as drying time, hardness and adhesion strength were studied. It is found that alkyd resin film from glycolysis-product alkyd resins had better than those of conventional alkyd resins.
Specific mechanical energy (SME) is a single parameter that represents the energy transfer from the main drive motor through frictional heating for melting, mixing and die pressurization in the compounding process. The calculation of SME is performed using the extruder motor load, screw speed and total throughput to provide energy input on a unit mass basis. Use of one-dimensional computer simulation to analyze the axial distribution of specific energy reveals strategically where this energy is applied in fully-intermeshing, co-rotating twin-screw extruders as a function of screw design.
Polypropylene (PP) and polyamide-6 (PA6) blend and nanocomposite were prepared using melt intercalation technique by blending PP and PA6 by the incorporation of nanoclay. The melt intercalation of PP and PA6 blend was carried out in the presence of a compatibilizer maleic anhydride grafted polyolyaltha olfin. The rheological property, melt strength and the morphology of PP/PA6 blend and PP/PA6/CN nanocomposite were studied. It was found that the incorporation of nanoclay has positive influence on the rheological property and the melt strength of PP/PA6 blend.
For the first time, an analytical computation model has been developed to design and virtually blow preforms on single-stage machines. Due to the complexity of the single stage process, this simulation has been difficult to accurately perform in the past. The model takes into account variables, such as molding temperature and conditioning, to correctly predict the preform profile before blowing. Virtual Prototyping™ software is used to simulate the container blow molding process for round- and oval- shaped containers. The sidewall thickness and mechanical property outputs that are dependent on extent and temperature of stretch are input into finite element analysis software. This enables the computational model to predict container top load and side indentation resistance. A 3L toner bottle case study will show how the computational model was used to evaluate several wide-mouth container preforms for desired thickness distribution and top load performance.
Yuanqing He
, Amit Kulkarni, Karin van de Wetering
, Vikram Daga, James
DeRudder, May 2012
Incorporation of nano to micron scale mineral reinforcements in impact modified polycarbonate blends provides a potential route for achieving high stiffness dimensionally stable blends which are an attractive engineering thermoplastic solution for automotive exteriors and body panels. Designing such blends has traditionally focused on optimizing the flow-impact-stiffness balance. The toughness and impact properties of such reinforced blends are to a large extent dictated by the reinforcing agent characteristics, loading, particle size etc. to name a few. Modifying the surface chemistry of the mineral reinforcements for achieving exceptional toughness and impact properties is the focus of the current paper. The results shall focus on how the interfacial chemistry between the engineering thermoplastic blend and the mineral reinforcement is a key enabler to push the boundaries of flow-impact-stiffness balance in these systems.
84 countries and 60k+ stakeholders strong, SPE
unites
plastics professionals worldwide – helping them succeed and strengthening their skills
through
networking, events, training, and knowledge sharing.
No matter where you work in the plastics industry
value
chain-whether you're a scientist, engineer, technical personnel or a senior executive-nor
what your
background is, education, gender, culture or age-we are here to serve you.
Our members needs are our passion. We work hard so
that we
can ensure that everyone has the tools necessary to meet her or his personal & professional
goals.
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.
This site uses cookies to recognize members so as to provide the benefits of membership. We may also use cookies to understand in general how people use and visit this site. Please indicate your acceptance to the right. Learn More..