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.
What is Intellectual Property (IP)? IP commonly refers to creations of the human mind: New discoveries, New product designs, Original pieces of art, music, drama and literary work (including software codes) and Recognizable brands. When IP is protected by law, it gives rise to IP rights and IP assets: IP rights give IP owners control over the use of their IP: (i) for themselves and their licensees; and (ii) for a specific period of time.
Migration of Plasticizer: Diffusion rate = diffusion coefficient .concentration gradient; Diffusion coefficient –molecular weight, property of the diffusing medium (density, crystallinity, glass transition temperature), plasticizer -diffusing medium interaction, temperature, pressure etc.; Plasticizer migration can compromise the mechanical strength and aesthetic appearance of plastics.
Improve performance of polymers and chemicals. Image beam sensitive materials.
In situ solutions for polymers and chemicals. Multi modal microscopy. Correlative microscopy. Advanced microscopy in 3D
Chemical solutions for a circular economy: Mechanical recycling (Re-use: PET/PP/PE); Plastic waste to fuel (Conversion: PP/PE); Plastic waste to fine chemical (PS); Dynamic reversible crosslinker; Self-immolative, polymers; Fully recycle monomer-polymer-monomer; Bioplastics
Autodesk Generative Design: Multiple methods of Manufacturability (Additive, Subtractive, Formative); Multiple materials; Combinations of Loads; No defined Volume; Part Consolidation
What is XRF?A method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the elemental composition by excitation of atoms and detection of their characteristic X-rays. Polymer analysis with XRF, how does it work? Minerals: Calcite CaCO3; XRF provide elemental information; Stoichiometry by calculation or user input (CaO or CaCO3); Evaluation based on 100% known matrix, i.e everything is measured; Polymer: matrix is balance (100-X) as {CxHyOz}.
6 research platforms dedecated to sustainable development: New energies; Biosourced materials; Water treatment; Home efficiency and insulation; Lightweight materials; Consumer electronics.
What is Aerogel? Lightest but strong solid material with extreme low densities of 3 to 40 mg/cm3. Highly porous materials (> 99% of air) with large surface area. Objectives of the using coffee for aerogel: Repurpose food wastes into something useful while keeping environmental impacts to a minimum; Design a FULLY BIODEGRADABLE aerogel for various applications; Sustainable processing development for designed coffee aerogels; Functionalize the aerogels towards certain applications.
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF THE FEEDSTOCK SHAPE ON ULTRASONIC MICROINJECTION MOULDING
M Gulcur | B. R. Whiteside | P. D. Coates, March 2019
Ultrasonic microinjection moulding technology uses ultrasound energy for melting the standard pellet-shaped polymer feedstock used in the plastics industry to facilitate melting of the material prior to the flow into the mould cavity. During the melting phase, the pellets are compressed against the sonotrode surface by using appropriate forces applied by an injection plunger. The pellets act as conductors of the acoustic energy and the contact points between the pellets act as initiators of the melting due to an interfacial friction heating mechanism. Both the pellet geometries and contact areas vary from shot to shot (due to variations in the pellet manufacturing process and the random distribution of pellets as they fall into the melting chamber) which causes process variation and a lack of repeatability of final product quality.
In order to overcome these issues, a more regular feedstock geometry was adopted. Identical disc shaped preforms were used in an ultrasonic micromolding process and compared with the process using standard pellets. The temperature distribution within the material was monitored for each feedstock geometry using a high-speed infrared camera. Characteristic features of the temperature profiles were analyzed and compared together with the final part quality. Results suggest that the initial contact interfaces of the polymer feedstock play a significant role in ultrasonic micromolding for micro-feature replication.
In this paper, the simulation of multiple variations of mixing elements and their results are presented. It is intended to create reliable information on how rather unconventional mixing elements in comparison to standard mixing elements can help to improve melt homogeneity. Therefore, a post processing method is developed to indicate the mixing efficiency of each simulated geometry. Finally, a conclusion is given recommending certain geometry parameters to optimize individual mixing elements.
High density polyethylene is challenging to use in standard additive manufacturing methods today, but would provide desirable properties such as chemical resistance, lightweighting, and durability to enable applications beyond prototyping. In this work, we describe high density polyethylene blends with highly branched polyethylene or polyethylene copolymers that improve adhesion and reduce warpage, significantly improving printability in standard filament extrusion 3D-printing methods.
The effects of high-shear flow on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are studied to demonstrate potential impacts of industrial processing. A microcapillary rheometer was used to characterize the shear thinning characteristics of CNCs at diverse concentrations. Shear thinning characteristics follow the Sisko model which allows reduction of the data onto time-concentration superposition master curves. Shift factors follow a Williams-Landel-Ferry-like (WLF) relationship.
Each model film is made in machine direction orientation and consists of two types of polyolefin; For some model films, a different compatibilizer was used; Each model film has a structure of ‘ABCBA’. Here, B is a tie layer; The thickness of the model films is from 2 mil to 2.5 mil, and the thickness of the skin layer is from 5 to 10%.
In this work, linear polypropylene (L-PP) and longchain branched polypropylene miscible blend (LCB-PP), both having comparable weight average molecular weight, zero-shear viscosity and polydispersity index, were used to produce nonwovens via melt blown technology in order to understand role of long chain branching on the fiber diameter distribution.
Continuous mixing technology was first developed in the early 1960’s in an effort to create continuous rubber processing traditionally done in batch form. Due to the method of melting and mixing in a highly efficient manner, it has found a niche in highly filled or shear sensitive mixing/compounding applications. Polylactide resins are shear and temperature sensitive polymers that can benefit from continuous mixing technology in both neat and compounded processing applications.
This paper presents the results of new extremely low emission (XLE) POM and low emission and improved odor PP long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT). The results highlight emissions that meet the current VOC requirements. Additionally, the products have significant improvement in odor and meet global demands.
The need to be able to directly join polymers to metals is growing. For example, in the drive to make batteries smaller, more energy efficient, longer lasting, and less expensive to manufacture, direct joining of polymers to metals offers many benefits. In this work, the use of a unique, commercially available, surface treatment method has been investigated as a potential method of making direct joining feasible.
Against a background of increasingly aggressive disinfection protocols being used in the medical sector, there is a compelling need for improved chemically resistant thermoplastics for medical device housings. We describe the development of exciting new materials, leveraging SABIC’s LNP™ copolymer technology to step beyond the performance of existing materials, such as polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate, showing compatibility with the most aggressive disinfectants currently in the market.
Flexil®, a polymeric modifier can be used to uniquely tune and modify various types of elastomers and polymers. The versatility of Flexil creates a new platform for engineers to slightly tune their matrix polymer without sacrificing the inherent performances for a variety of end applications.
Semi-crystalline polymers undergo necking followed
by stable drawing under tensile forces. Whereas, a rubber
extends many times its original length uniformly under
tension. The necking and drawing behavior of the semicrystalline
material can be modified by the addition of a
rubber layer. Finite element simulation of plastic-rubberplastic
tri-layers suggest that the applied stretch at which
the neck develops, and the natural draw ratio can be
controlled by varying the thickness of the rubber.
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.
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.
