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.
DIGIMAT micromechanics-modeling software was evaluated to
predict the nonlinear stiffness and strength properties of glass-filled
nylon. In this particular case due to the high aspect ratio of the fibers
the properties of reverse engineered effective actual matrix properties were needed to accurately correlate both the matrix" rather than theflow and transverse to flow stress-strain behavior."
This study aims to capture realistic anisotropic properties of a plastic
material in a structural analysis. Moldflow software has been used to
obtain the fiber-orientation details for a plastic radiator tank. This fiberorientation
output data have been transferred to the structural analysis
software (ABAQUS using commercially available interface software
(DIGIMAT). This integrated simulation technique helps in accurate
prediction of burst pressure strength of the plastic tank.
Modeling the stiffness of parts injection molded from long-fiber
materials is similar to yet different from behavior using short-fiberfilled
materials. This work discusses the effects of various modeling
assumptions and methods on stiffness predictions using a coupled
Moldflow-Digimat-Abaqus analysis methodology.
This paper presents the effects of melt temperature injection pressure
hold pressure and injection speed on the tensile and fatigue properties
of 33-wt% E-glass fiber-reinforced polyamide-66. It was observed that
these process parameters had a greater influence on the fatigue properties
than on the tensile properties. Melt temperature had the greatest
effect followed by injection pressure. Both hold pressure and injection
speed had smaller but significant effects on the fatigue life.
This paper examines the identification selection and development of
appropriate composite test methods as required in the composites
design process. Examples from the development of a load and
resistance factor design (LRFD) standard for pultruded composites are
presented. The issues addressed for this case study discussion are
applicable to any segment of the composites market that is looking
to establish design procedures or develop design standards.
The goal of this research project was to provide data to build FEA
tools and to improve the understanding of braiding technology in
order to expand predictive abilities for post-yield behavior of carbon
fiber products braided with multiple hybrid fibers.
This paper describes a mesoscopic approach of using beam and shell
finite elements to model the forming of composite parts using an
SMC woven fabric. Nonlinear constitutive models are implemented
in ABAQUS/Explicit via user-defined material subroutines to describe
the shear and tensile mechanical behavior of the woven fabric.
Both single-ply and multiple-ply layups are modeled.
Saturated- and unsaturated-polyester resins containing glycols made
from renewable or recycled sources are being developed as a way
to become less dependent on petroleum-based glycols. In this study
SMC performance of standard-density Class A automotive SMC
containing polyester resins produced from petroleum-based glycols was
compared to standard-density Class A automotive SMC containing
polyester resins produced from renewable-source glycols. The evaluation
included processing aesthetics and adhesion performance. Finally a
new low-density Class A automotive SMC containing polyester resins
produced from renewable-source glycols will be introduced.
Research on the use of soybeans to produce polyurethane polyols
unsaturated polyester resins and thermoplastic fibers has been funded
by the United Soybean Board (USB). The USB funds a wide range of
activities including research and development of new industrial products
made from soy. These developments have resulted in new patented
technology. Commercialization of this technology has resulted in the
production of unsaturated-polyester resins for fiberglass-reinforced
composites and urethane polyols for polyurethane foams. The commercial
applications of these bio-based polymers are found in a wide range
of applications in the transportation markets.
In order to advance the commercialization of natural fiber reinforced
plastics for automotive use a partnership was formed between
academia natural fiber processor material supplier and OEM.
This partnership improved the communication along the supply chain
and resulted in optimized material properties to meet OEM specifications
and application part performance. Several products have been
developed that meet current material specifications offer significant
weight savings over conventional mineral- and glass-reinforced composites
and are competitively priced.
External trends have continued to drive end users in consumer
and industrial applications to seek renewably sourced and sustainable
solutions to use in more and more demanding applications. To meet
this need a portfolio of renewably sourced engineering materials
was developed. The products are designed to provide performance
and functionality equivalent to or better than today’s petroleumbased
materials while reducing the environmental footprint.
The portfolio includes glass-reinforced thermoplastic grades for
high strength and stiffness.
A unique approach to toughening thermosets has been identified by
introducing small amounts of amphiphilic block copolymer. The result
is a good viscosity-Tg-toughness balance. In this work the fracture
behavior of these modified epoxies was carefully studied in an attempt
to understand the toughening mechanisms that exist. The findings
suggest that cavitation in even these nano-sized spherical micelles is the
primary mechanism of toughening. These findings were also found to
be a strong function of the cross-link density of the host network with
higher levels of plastic deformation at the crack tip being observed in
the low-cross-link density systems. Glass-fiber-reinforced composites
made with epoxies modified with these toughening agents were found
to have improved fatigue resistance.
In today’s environment there is an ever-increasing desire to ‘circle the
square’ reaching high-performance durability light weight and manufacturing
flexibility without increasing and even trying to lower overall
system costs. This presentation will discuss a new enabling technology
platform engineered towards these ends: cross-linked thermoset acrylics.
These are non-flammable zero-emission systems that contain no volatile
or hazardous components at any stage of their life cycle. They are easy
to use in molding processes and ideally suited for today’s ‘greener’ lightweight
automotive composites. Their application in natural fiber
composites will also be outlined in the presentation.
The direct process of producing long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics
(LFT-D) is highly innovative and economical for producing semi-structural
and structural components as well as cosmetic parts with grained
surfaces. The advanced plastic-hybrid developments with tailored LFT
and E-LFT technologies fulfill crashworthiness requirements. Similiarly
the direct processing of fiber-reinforced thermosetting materials – direct
strand molding compound (D-SMC) – is focused on the reproducible
manufacturing of the compound resulting in a constant part production
at a high level minimizing material costs and expensive post-mold operations
and paint processes as well as reducing logistical costs. The high
flexibility in composing the recipe in selecting the resins fillers and reinforcements
result in the high degree of freedom of this process.
Joining is often one of the critical steps in the fabrication of composite
products. However the low polarity and inert characteristics of
polypropylene composite surfaces cause many problems in the assembly
of these composites with dissimilar materials. In order to overcome the
adhesion issues an epoxy-based primer was developed and the compatibility
of several commercial adhesives with the primer was evaluated.
Results showed very-good lap-shear strength of up to 15 MPa with
substrate failure. The performance of the primer was also evaluated
between -30 and 80°C and after conditioning in humidity. While lapshear
strength decreased with increasing temperature it remained
unchanged after conditioning. Finally different practical approaches to
apply the primer film to a polypropylene continuous-fiber composite
were investigated including techniques to apply the primer during and
after composite consolidation.
The moulding system FIBRETEMP describes a procedure to heat
moulding surfaces efficiently with a consistent distribution of temperature.
The heart of this invention the use of carbon fibres to conduct
electricity as well as integrating the heating element and the structure
within the surface to be heated. These moulds are highly energyefficient
and extraordinarily dimensionally stable while also being
produced at low cost. This technology has already been proven in
manufacturing composite parts and has nearly halved cycle time for
some applications due to its efficient heating characteristics.
The relationship between the resin and fiber properties in polypropylene
long fiber thermoplastics is further analyzed in the second part of
this work. The properties of the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene
additives (coupling agents) are studied and correlations between
the maleic anhydride content melt flow and base polymer used is
presented. Polypropylene long fiber thermoplastics pellets were
compounded with various coupling agents. The materials were then
molded and tested. The results of the study are presented.
While numerous advances have been made in the manufacturing
methods of long-fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) their dynamic response in
terms of fatigue and vibration damping has been a subject of limited
study. There is presently no standardized design information for a
composites / automotive designer for use of LFTs in situations of longterm
fatigue and vibration. The behavior of E-glass fiber / polypropylene
LFT composites has been characterized for their fatigue behavior and
vibration response in the present study. The work provides an understanding
of the influence of extrusion / compression-molded long fibers
and the fiber orientation that is generated during their processing.
Results will be useful to designers in accounting for fatigue life and
damping factors.
The deterioration of macroeconomic conditions has severely impacted
automotive production and the autoplastics supply chain. Thermoplastic
composites – especially long-glass-fiber versions – will benefit from
these conditions via the development and implementation of new resin
and compound technology as well as advances in fabrication technology
adapted to the requirements of a new automotive paradigm and new
applications. Our outlook is for gains in high-performance long-glass
(and other fiber) reinforced-PP compounds in competition with shortglass
and mineral-filled compounds.
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.
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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.
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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.
