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
RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYCARBONATE RESINS AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Vitaly Benkin, May 2011
We show results of rheological testing of polycarbonate resind and its applications. Rheological characterization provides indirect measurements of materials properties, such as molar mass and molar mass distribution. Dynamic storage Gƒ?? and loss Gƒ? modulus represent elastic and viscous properties of the material. Viscosity curves give information about materials behavior under different temperatures and shear rates. Dynamic mudulus and zero shear viscosity can be used as qualitative parameters to characterize and distinguish different materials, and to predict materials performance. Rheological data can be used for process optimization and quality control.
ORDERING KINETICS OF BLOCK COPOLYMER SOLUTIONS DURING SOLVENT REMOVAL
Michael Heinzer, Sangil Han, Stephen Martin, Donald Baird, May 2011
The ordering kinetics of block copolymers in solution are studied during a solvent removal process. The kinetics of styrenic block copolymers in a neutral solvent, toluene, are tracked at various concentrations along a drying path to determine the effect of concentration on phase separation. The ordering process is modeled with the Avrami equation. Small angle X-ray scattering has been used to determine that the structures developing during solvent removal are cylinders. Scattering data also indicates that the concentrations studied by the rheology experiments are limited by the conditions under which samples are dried.
MODELING AVERAGE CAVITY TEMPERATURE USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS
Scott Everett, Jose Hernandez, Rickey Dubay, May 2011
Average cavity temperature has been shown to be a suitable control variable in obtaining repeatable part quality. Existing control schemes for average cavity temperature use on-line and off-line identification techniques to formulate system models. These models are often linearized about a specific operating region and introduce inaccuracies in control due to process nonlinearities. This work presents an online artificial neural network black-box system identification routine to model the nonlinear dynamics of the average cavity temperature with respect to mold and process conditions.
LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES FILLED WITH CERAMIC FILLERS FOR ELECTRONIC PACKAGING APPLICATIONS
Ellen Chan, Siu Ning Sunny Leung, M. Omer Khan, Hani Naguib, Francis Dawson, Vincent Adinkrah, Laszlo Lakatos-Howard, May 2011
This study details the fabrication of linear low-density polythene (LLDPE)-based composite materials containing silicon carbide (SiC) and boron nitride (BN) filler particles. The composites were created by using a twin-screw compounder, and evaluated based on their morphology, as well as their thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. Overall, the addition of ceramic fillers increased the thermal conductivity of the composites, without compromising the electrical resistivity, which is desirable for electronic packaging and heat management components in microelectronics.
A STUDY ON EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PARAMETERS ON COLOURS DURING COMPOUNDING OF PLASTICS
Musharaf Rabbani, Jamal Alsadi, Ghaus Rizvi, Shahid Ahmed, Daniel Ross, May 2011
The historical production data of SABIC IP, Cobourg, was used to determine effects on colours of compounded plastics, of using extruders of different configurations, incorporating minute variations in pigment compositions and using different grades of resins. The colours had been measured in terms of CIE L*,a*,b* values using a spectrophotometer. The measured L*,a*,b* values were then analyzed and compared to the target values using statistical methods. The differences in the observed trends are discussed.
THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CARBONACEOUS FILLER-REINFORCED POLY(PHENYLENE SULFIDE) COMPOSITES
Muhammad Omer Khan, Siu Ning Sunny Leung, Ellen Chan, Hani Naguib, Francis Dawson, Vincent Adinkrah, Laszlo Lakatos-Howard, May 2011
Poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) composites, reinforced by carbon fibers (CFs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), were fabricated through melt compounding. Their thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties were systematically studied as functions of filler contents and properties. The electrical percolation thresholds for CFs and MWCNTs were identified; however, the thermal percolation thresholds could not be achieved. This illustrates different requirements are needed in carbonaceous filler network to promote different functional performances of the composites.
MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE COMPOSITES OF POLY(LACTIC ACID)/POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL) OR POLYPROPYLENE CREATED VIA SOLID-STATE SHEAR PULVERIZATION
Philip Brunner, John Torkelson, May 2011
Hybrids of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or polypropylene (PP) with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were created using solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP). For the PLA composite, this was followed with melt processing (MP) with added polyethylene glycol (PEG). We demonstrate a synergistic effect of MCC and PEG in enhancing the crystallization kinetics of PLA. Additionally, an SSSP processed 80/20 wt% PP/MCC composite was successfully injection molded into a bottle cap, which shows excellent MCC dispersion and stiffness.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL, HIGHLY BROMINATED, FLAME RETARDANT POLYMER
Samim Alam, Bret Chisholm, May 2011
A novel brominated polymer was synthesized from pentabromo-6-ethoxybenzene vinyl ether using cationic polymerization. The thermal and rheological properties of the polymer (i.e. PBrVE) were compared to the commercial brominated flame retardant, poly(pentabromobenzyl acrylate) (PBrBA). The glass transition temperature of PBrVE was determined to be 103 C which was 57 C lower than that of PBrBA. The higher molecular mobility of PBrVE resulted in lower melt viscosity in blends with PBT. Characterization of the PBT blends using transmission electron microscopy indicated higher compatibility between PBT and PBrVE as compared to PBT and PBrBA.
PROCESSING LINEAR POLYPROPYLENE-CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES WITH SILANE COUPLING AGENTS
Amit Chaudhary, Krishnamurthy Jayaraman, May 2011
Two different grades of organically modified montmorillonite were treated with several aminosilanes before compounding with a linear polypropylene (MFR=4) and a high molecular weight PP-g-MA in the same proportions in all cases. This treatment served to promote reactive coupling of the polymeric compatibilizer (PP-g-MA) to the nanolayer edges alone in some cases or to the nanolayer faces as well as edges in other cases. Edge coupling alone or coupling at the faces and edges give rise to different effects on the morphology and melt rheology ƒ??particularly strain hardening in extensional flow of the nanocomposites.
BARRIER PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYGLYCOLIC ACID FOR UN-ORIENTED AND ORIENTED FILMS
Daisuke Ito, Kazuhisa Takatsuji, May 2011
Measurement of oxygen permeability of biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) un-oriented amorphous and crystallized films, and oriented films showed superior values versus general barrier materials. The effect of orientation and crystallization was investigated, showing that oxygen permeability was dependent upon the polymer's free volume and its degree of crystallinity. By stretching an un-oriented amorphous film, PGA chains became highly oriented, resulting in increased temperatures of glass transition and tan?? peak. PGAƒ??s carbon dioxide barrier was tested using PET/PGA multilayer bottles, with 1 and 3wt% PGA bottles showing 1.5 and 2.5 times better gas barrier, respectively, versus a PET monolayer bottle.
PROPERTY RETENTION OF HIGH-FLOW MEDICAL-RESINS AFTER GAMMA-IRRADIATION
Pierre Moulinie, John Charles, May 2011
In this work, newly-introduced polycarbonate resins targeted for medical device applications, Makrolon Rx2435 and Makrolon 2258 were studied after sterilization with 30 kGy and 60 kGy gamma-irradiation. Despite characteristic color shifts and slight losses in molecular weights, the polycarbonate resins showed excellent retention of properties after irradiation up to 60 kGy. Although the polycarbonate color shifts were greater than what was observed for a medical copolyester, the copolyester yielded greater viscosity losses after sterilization. The color shifts for Makrolon point to the polycarbonate rearrangement reactions which occur upon irradiation.
CONFIRMATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF LINEAR LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LLDPE) AND MALEATED LINEAR LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LLDPE-g-MA) INFUSED WITH NANOCLAY IN SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE
Matthew Factor, Sunggyu Lee, May 2011
Nanoclay fillers have the ability to enhance the thermo-mechanical, barrier and flame resistant properties of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). One method employed to successfully disperse nanoclay powders into polymers that is both inexpensive and deemed environmentally friendly is supercritical carbon dioxide processing. With supercritical carbon dioxide processing, Cloisite 93A was infused into LLDPE and Maleated LLDPE (LLDPE-g-MA). The infusion of Cloisite 93A was confirmed by XRD and FTIR analysis. In addition, XRD analysis suggests that clay intercalation was achieved for select runs. And FTIR analysis was used to determine the amount of nanoclay infused into the polymer.
FRACTURE OF RUBBER-TOUGHENED EPOXY ON METAL SUBSTRATES: EFFECT OF BONDLINE THICKNESS AND INFLUENCE OF BONDLINE NONUNIFORMITY
Jie Feng, Hua Liu, Gavin Vogel, May 2011
Fracture behavior of rubber toughened epoxy on metal substrates was investigated in this paper. The elastic-plastic behavior and mode I fracture resistance characteristics of the rubber-toughened epoxy were experimentally characterized. A cohesive zone based finite element model was developed to understand the influence of bonding thickness and nonuniform bonding layout on the fracture behavior. It was observed that the bondline thickness can affect the fracture behavior, particularly the fracture initiation, profoundly. It was also found that the nonuniformity in bond line can have significant impact on the crack propagation.
EFFECT OF EXTRUSION DEVOLATILIZATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF AN END-CAPPED POLYPHENYLENE ETHER COPOLYMER
Gerardo Rocha, Alvaro Carrillo, Hua Guo, May 2011
Methacrylate terminated telechelic polyphenylene ether copolymer is produced by reacting methacrylic acid anhydride with a telechelic PPE copolymer. The reaction takes place in a solvent which needs to be removed in an isolation step. The isolation can be done by precipitation with an anti-solvent or by removing the solvent in a devolatilization unit. Avoidance in the use of an anti-solvent is of interest to make the process more environmentally friendly. This paper describes the feasibility of the use of devolatilization extrusion for the isolation step and investigates the effect devolatilization extrusion has on the structure and properties of the copolymer.
THE EFFECT OF SURFACTANT ON THE FOAMING OF POLYSTYRENE
R.K.M. Chu, Yanting Guo, Siu Ning Sunny Leung, Nanqiao, Chul B. Park, May 2011
This paper presents an experimental study on the foaming of polystyrene in a batch-foaming apparatus under three control factors: surfactant content, temperature, and saturation pressure. A one-way ANOVA test was conducted to identify the significance of each factor on cellular properties of the foam specimens. Results showed that the surfactant content and saturation pressure possessed contributions onto the cell density of foams, whereas the temperature and saturation pressure posed noticeable influence on the expansion ratio of foams.
EFFECT OF THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER PROPERTIES IN MOLDED MICROSCALE FEATURES
Younghyo Kim, Sung-hwan Yoon, Si-Hyeong Cho, Jin-Goo Park, Joey Mead, Carol Barry, May 2011
Preliminary investigation indicated that the hardness and viscosity of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) affected replication of microfeatures. Over several types of TPEs, a moderate hardness and viscosity demonstrated superior replication quality. In this work, further study for relationship between TPEs properties and replication quality was performed. Copolyesters (COPEs) with a range of hardness and viscosity were evaluated. Replication of the molded parts was characterized using microscopy, surface profilometry, and scanning electron microscopy.
ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CHITOSAN BIOMEMBRANES LOADED WITH NATURAL POLYPHENOLS ISOLATED FROM FRUITS
Sergio Madrigal-Carballo, Gerardo Rodriguez, Marianelly Esquivel, Jose Vega-Baudrit, Guillermo Jimenez, Maria Sibaja, May 2011
Chitosan biomembranes loaded with natural polyphenols isolated from cramberry presscake and pomegranate peels have been developed as a novel device for the controlled release of these well known phytonutrients. Characterization of biomembranes loaded with polyphenols was performed by thermal, morphological and crystallographic analysis. Addition of polyphenols into chitosan matrix modifies thermal behaviour and surface morphology of chitosan biomembranes. Release studies indicate that cross-linked chitosan biomembranes are a suitable controlled release system for natural polyphenols. Antimicrobial assays indicate that chitosan biomembranes loaded with polyphenols showed higher bioactivity than the polymer itself and for some cases, even higher than the positive control.
TRITICALE STARCH BASED BIOPLASTICS
Hingbo Li, Nathalie Legros, Christian Belanger, May 2011
Triticale is being developed and aimed as an industrial crop and biorefinery feedstock for the Canadian manufacturing industry within the CTBI networking. In this paper the potential of triticale starch for the TPS/polymer blend fabrication was explored in terms of the starch morphology, crystallization structure, and the TPS (thermoplastic starch) rheology properties. The possibility of using triticale to make 100% biobased blown film was investigated using a small lab-scale film blown line. Film thickness of 25 um was obtained successfully for the triticale starch based PLA/TPS blends.
HOW POLYAMIDE BECAME KNOWN AS NYLON: AN EXAMINATION OF TRADEMARK GENERICISM AND ITS AFFECTS ON THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY
Jennifer Fessler, May 2011
Trademarks play an integral role in our society. They serve as source identifiers which create marketability and drive the economy. Trademarks must be properly used and enforced or risk loss of distinctiveness thereby losing their value. One example of this is genericism. Owners of trademarks which are used by consumers as the name for the product itself, rather than as an indicator of source, may have to take special proactive measures to escape genericism. This paper discusses how to create a strong brand, how marks become generic and how to avoid having your mark become the next victim of genericism.
RESIDENCE STRESS DISTRIBUTIONS IN TWIN SCREW EXTRUDERS
David Bigio, William Pappas, Harry Brown, Beserat Debebe, William Dunham, May 2011
An experiment has been created to directly relate the stress distribution history (RSD) with the Residence distribution. Stress beads are used to determine the percentage of material that experiences a certain amount of stress at each location on the residence distribution. This experiment directly relates stress data as a function of the residence distribution and will be recorded for a range of specific throughputs. A comparison of a mixing section comprised of narrow versus wide kneading blocks is performed to demonstrate the power of the approach.
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