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.
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.
Alexandria Niemoeller, Alexandria Niemoeller, May 2012
Poly(butadiene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable polymer that is used in film applications due to its exceptional elongational properties. Nanoclays such as organically-modified layered silicates are used in an increasing number of applications to improve mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of films. This work aims to elucidate the deformation mechanism and the effects of incorporating a modified MMT clay into PBAT at various clay loading through viscoelastic and tensile measurements, XRD and TEM imaging.
Jo Ann Ratto, Jeanne Lucciarini, Gregory Pigeon, Danielle Froio, Sarah Schirmer Cheney, Christopher Thellen, Darin Vanderwalker, Ron Walling, Greg Geil
and
Scott Winroth, May 2012
Layer multiplying coextrusion was utilized to produce a films containing polylactic acid and polyvinyl alcohol for food packaging applications. Control films and films containing 9, 25, 73 and 145 layers were produced. The emphasis of this study was to investigate the processability, morphology, barrier, mechanical and biodegradability properties of these multilayer films. The films showed stable layers, high oxygen barrier and mechanical performance that could all potentially be used in a food packaging applications.
Bernard E. Obi, Edwardo Leyva, Yoshiaki Miyazaki, Parvinder Walia, Venkat Minnikanti
Edwardo Leyva,
Yoshiaki Miyazaki
, Parvinder Walia and
Venkat Minnikanti, May 2012
High resiliency polyurethane (PU) foams are used to provide superior comfort in automotive seating. An existing industry need is to reduce the foam thickness in the seat in order to improve passenger head space and seat weight. In order to maintain the current level of comfort while reducing seat thickness, the underlying physical mechanisms that provide comfort must be well understood. Previously, we presented a method to evaluate dynamic comfort based on a modified Voigt viscoelastic model, and the use of a servo-hydraulic frame to generate model parameters [1]. In this paper, we report the validation of the method and model. Two comparative evaluations were carried out: (1) The transmissivity and damping characteristics of high resiliency (HR) foams were measured by the industry standard Japanese Automobile Standard (JASO) method and compared with the new dynamic oscillatory hysteresis analysis method (DOHA) reported in this paper. (2) Evaluation of the role of foam thickness on dynamic comfort using the new DOHA method. The results showed that the DOHA method compared well with the JASO method for predicting comfort in PU foams. Thus a simple and easy to implement servo-hydraulic method can be quickly leveraged to obtain comfort characteristics of any given foam. A comparison between actual JASO and DOHA predicted transmissivities show good match in terms of shift to higher resonance frequency and amplitude with decreasing foam thickness. Hence DOHA method is an effective tool for studying effect of foam thickness.
Tyler Skiba, John Coulter, Samarth Desai, May 2012
An experimental analysis of the degree of particle diffusion is conducted and analyzed, focusing on multi-cavity tooling. Highly reinforced composite resins are injected into multi-cavity tooling and subsequently analyzed by thermal and mechanical approaches to uncover the degree of shear-induced particle diffusion manifesting under varying injection velocities, mold temperatures, and primary runner aspect ratios. Results indicate that shear induced diffusion is occurring in the length and time scales employed, yet the imposed environments, favorable to particle diffusion, show relatively low influence on cavity-to-cavity gradients in particle concentrations with net migrations occurring opposite to theoretical notions under molding environments. A significant local migration is found to occur radially within the melt delivery. Mechanical properties exhibit a dependence on the rheological history of the polymer in.
Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Adam R. Pawloski, Steven K. Manfred, Neil R. Granlund, May 2012
Synthetic fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite materials have become staples for automotive, construction, defense, aerospace and consumer products. Most of these composites are derived from glass or carbon fiber reinforced engineering thermoplastics. However, polyolefin based composite materials are being applied in cost sensitive applications that demand higher performance. Examples include glass reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites and natural fiber reinforced polyolefin composites. Wood composite based products (WPC’s) have rapidly penetrated non-structural wood applications because they offer the consumer low maintenance attributes and durability. However, the best wood composites on the market today are ½ the strength, twice the weight, and as much as five times the cost of pine and cedar! Additionally, there is a need for composites to have improved resistance to moisture and the elements. This work describes new interfacial modifiers for natural fiber and wood filled polyolefin composite materials that have been recently developed by Interfacial Solutions.
Bonnie J. Bachman, Shristy Bashyal, Margaret Baumann, May 2012
In the past green business evolution among business organizations has gone through “three waves of change” (Makeower, 2009, p. 12). In the 1960s businesses started being green with the notion “Do no harm” and companies started minimizing the environmental impacts (Makeower, 2009, p. 12). In the 1960s, companies mainly focused on pollution control that included stopping illegal activities such as “spewing smokestacks and drainpipes” (Makeower, 2009, p.12). In the 1970s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and similar agencies were formed in the United States and in the other countries with standard laws about pollution of air and water (Makeower, 2009, p. 9). The second wave occurred in the 1980s and emphasized “Doing well by doing good” as companies realized that taking a few proactive steps could reduce costs and enhance a company’s image (Makeower, 2009, p. 10). Later, companies started being concerned about issues like pollution prevention, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. Then in the 1990s came the third wave: “Green is green” (Makeower, 2009, p. 12). During the third wave companies paid more attention to the environmental issues. As stated by Makeower (2009), “Companies recognized that environmental thinking can do much more than improving the bottom line i.e. it can help grow the top line through innovation, new markets, and new business opportunities”. In September 1996, the ISO 14001 environmental management system was issued and applied, establishing “a baseline set of rules for how companies should be organized environmentally” (Makeower, 2009, p. 10). According to Makeower (2009), “as companies scrutinized their operations, they understood how much of their environmental impacts were affected by their external stakeholders hence Supply-chain Environmental Management became the watchword after that the concepts of industrial ecology, zero waste, and carbon-neutrality emerged” (p. 11). Today companies are finally concerned about the “S-word, sus
The material of choice in the foam industry for many years was Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate copolymers (EVA). This dominance was based on its flexibility, adhesion performance, and foaming window. In the last ten years, ethylene- ?-olefin inter-polymers (or Polyolefin Elastomers (POE)) have been integrated in foam formulations as a means to increase processability and cost efficiency. In recent years, the discovery of INFUSE™ Olefin Block Copolymers (OBC’s) has increased the benefits of using ethylene-?-olefin inter-polymers in foam applications. This paper shows that the characteristics that make INFUSE™ OBC’s of interest in Crosslinked (XL) foam systems are increased softness, improved shrinkage, and compression set resistance at elevated temperatures. The paper also shows that OBC foams long term fatigue behavior departs from that of EVA and POE foams with the same cure state. The room temperature data allowed one to draw the following conclusions: (i) OBC foams showed a more elastic response than EVA and POE as demonstrated by lower final strain and faster recovery after dynamic testing; the elastic response of OBC foams was attributed to its block architecture, and (ii) short chain branching based materials (OBC and POE) seemed to recover faster than the long chain branching based EVA foam.
Kim McLoughlin Senior Research Engineer, Global Materials Science Braskem
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Kim drives technology programs at Braskem to develop advanced polyolefins with improved recyclability and sustainability. As Principal Investigator on a REMADE-funded collaboration, Kim leads a diverse industry-academic team that is developing a process to recycle elastomers as secondary feedstock. Kim has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell. She is an inventor on more than 25 patents and applications for novel polyolefin technologies. Kim is on the Board of Directors of SPE’s Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division, where she has served as Education Chair and Councilor.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Gamini has a BS and PhD from Purdue University in Materials Engineering and Sustainability. He joined Penn State as a Post Doctorate Scholar in 2020 prior to his professorship appointment. He works closely with PA plastics manufacturers to implement sustainability programs in their plants.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Tom Giovannetti holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tulsa and for the last 26 years has worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Tom started his plastics career by designing various injection molded products for the chemical industry including explosion proof plugs and receptacles, panel boards and detonation arrestors for 24 inch pipelines. Tom also holds a patent for design of a polyphenylene sulfide sleeve in a nylon coolant cross-over of an air intake manifold and is a Certified Plastic Technologist through the Society of Plastic Engineers. Tom serves on the Oklahoma Section Board as Councilor, is also the past president of the local Oklahoma SPE Section, and as well serves on the SPE Injection Molding Division board.
Joseph Lawrence, Ph.D. Senior Director and Research Professor University of Toledo
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Dr. Joseph Lawrence is a Research Professor and Senior Director of the Polymer Institute and the Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization at the University of Toledo. He is a Chemical Engineer by training and after working in the process industry, he has been engaged in polymers and composites research for 18+ years. In the Polymer Institute he leads research on renewably sourced polymers, plastics recycling, and additive manufacturing. He is also the lead investigator of the Polyesters and Barrier Materials Research Consortium funded by industry. Dr. Lawrence has advised 20 graduate students, mentored 8 staff scientists and several undergraduate students. He is a peer reviewer in several journals, has authored 30+ peer-reviewed publications and serves on the board of the Injection Molding Division of SPE.
Matt Hammernik Northeast Account Manager Hasco America
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Matt Hammernik serves as Hasco America’s Northeast Area Account Manager covering the states Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He started with Hasco America at the beginning of March 2022. Matt started in the Injection Mold Industry roughly 10 years ago as an estimator quoting injection mold base steel, components and machining. He advanced into outside sales and has been serving molders, mold builders and mold makers for about 7 years.
84 countries and 85.6k+ 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.
Need help from SPE Headquarters?
SPE HQ provides a range of services to Chapters. If you are a chapter and need HQ services (i.e.,
event registration - full list of HQ services can be found here), please fill out and submit the HQ services request form found
here: www.4spe.org/HQservices.
IMPORTANT! If you are simply looking to post your
event on SPE's calendar, please click the "Submit an Event" button below. All events
submitted for inclusion in the SPE calendar are subject to approval.
Going to a SPE event?
If you are going to a SPE event and need a Visa invitation letter, please submit your request for a Visa Invitation letter.
SPE Members receive discounted rates on all event registrations. Not a member of SPE? Join today!
How to reference articles from the SPE Library:
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, ISBN: 123-0-1234567-8-9, pp. 000-000.
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.
