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.
A blend of two polycarbonate copolymers, high-heat poly(ester-carbonate) (PEC) and polycarbonate-polydimethylsiloxane copolymer (PC-PDMS) provided an opaque, pearlescent blend. However, when a transesterification catalyst was used, the blend becomes miscible and translucent/transparent. The high-heat, ductile (HHD) materials were analyzed for a range of properties including optics, rheology, heat performance, flame retardance, and mechanical properties. The hydrolytic stability of the HHD materials was also measured by comparing the ductility of the blends before and after autoclaving.
Wenge Zheng, Patrick C. Lee, Chul B. Park, May 2007
This paper investigates the extrusion foaming behaviors of Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) blown with supercritical CO2. The evolution of the foam's morphology once it exited from the die was recorded using a CCD camera and also characterized by SEM. Microcellular PET foams can be prepared by optimizing the PET properties as well as the processing conditions.
Kam-Wa D. Lee, Musa R. Kamal, Philip K. Chan, May 2007
The effect of shear on the temporal development of phase separation in thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP)/polycarbonate (PC) blends was examined. Experiments were performed using a polarized-light microscope, equipped with a shearing hot stage. Phase separation, with and without shear, in blends containing 50 wt % LCP were analyzed. The results showed that the speed and amount of phase separation increased when shear was applied.
Zhihua Guo, Maxwell J. Wingert, Jiong Shen, L. James Lee, David L. Tomasko, May 2007
To better understand the underlying mechanisms of immiscible blend polystyrene/poly (methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) foaming, a simple bilayer representation is examined. Visual observation of batch foaming of this system is conducted and a quenching method is used to study foams with different bubble growth time. These help understand the effects of blend morphology on foaming in a more quantitative way.
Charles L. Rohn, Eric Bennett, Fred Mazzeo, May 2007
Heterogeneous polymers represent an important class of plastics that comprise polymer blends, alloys, and fiber or mineral filled plastics. The rheology of these melts is dominated by the transient morphology that is produced during fabrication into finished products. Standard laboratory rheological tests do not take into account morphology. Combined measurements of a capillary viscometer and controlled stress rotational rheometer can provide a better understanding of the processing behavior of these complex rheological plastics
The effects of degradation on the mechanical and aesthetic properties of injection-molded biodegradable polylactide (PLA) parts were studied. Standard tensile test specimens were molded from NatureWorks 3051D injection-molding grade PLA. Barrel residence time, machine nozzle temperature, and shear rate were varied during the injection-molding process. The resulting specimens were analyzed in a tensile testing machine. Tensile strength, tensile modulus and visual inspection were used to characterize the extent of degradation that occurred during each process.
Polypropylene pipe and fittings were selected for a high-purity, highly chlorinated water system in a medical research facility. In the first four years of operation, the system sustained an excessive number of leaks. This paper is an account of the investigation of the causes of those leaks.
W.L. Griffith, G.F. Dorsey, T.G. Rials, D.P. Harper, Nicole Labbé, T. Elder, May 2007
For high doses, a DMA analysis of wood and composites revealed a change in lignin resulting in reduced Tg, and that electron scavenging from lignin's aromatic structure could hinder the cure. An investigation of purified cellulose revealed changes at higher doses in the physical response to moisture and thermal stability without a change in the degree of crystallinity as measured by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS).
A. Polynkin, J.F.T. Pittman, J. Sienz, L. Mulvaney-Johnson, E.C. Brown, P.D. Coates, May 2007
A preliminary account is given of issues involved in numerical simulation of water assisted injection molding (WAIM), extending techniques used previously for gas assisted molding. An industrial scale, instrumented process is used to guide and validate the simulations. Novel sensor technologies, including ultrasound, are used at process to monitor the position of the water bubble during filling, together with melt pressures and temperatures as well as the residual wall thickness.
Mark A. Spalding, Brent A. Salamon, Mike E. Hus, Steven A. Sell, Curt E. Peterson, Jeffrey D. Wenzel, May 2007
Several processes currently exist that produce a thin-walled part with a fabric-covered surface. These processes, however, are limited by cost, low production volumes, and durability of the part. A new process is described here that produces a high-quality and durable, thin-walled part using low-cost mass production techniques.
The color and appearance of a formulation must be engineered just like any other desired thermal or mechanical property of the resin itself. The ability to achieve the desired color can be adversely affected by processing or the combination with modifiers and additives in the resin system. Even if colors can be achieved, other performance attributes such as UV stability, flammability or mechanical properties may be adversely affected as well. This paper looks at some of these color concerns.
It is widely recognized that molecular weight distribution (MWD) is an important factor affecting the rheological behavior of polymer solutions. In this contribution, the effects of MWD on the formation of electrospun polystyrene fibers in THF have been studied. The results are compared with the monodisperse system. The importance of chain entanglements attributed to high molecular weight component within the polydisperse system has been acknowledged. Concentrations for the incipient as well as stable fiber formation in a polydisperse system may be predicted.
Carlos F. Jasso-Gastinel, Reyes J. Sanjuan-Raygoza, May 2007
The capability of using residual agave fibers from the tequila production process, to reinforce virgin, reprocessed or recycled polypropylene, is studied. Polypropylene composites were prepared with milled (65 mesh) agave fibers and Epolene E-43 in a twin screw extruder, varying the amount of fiber. Tensile, impact and dynamic tests, along with scanning electron microscopy observations were carried out. The importance of polymer-fiber interaction through the presence of the coupling agent is clearly shown.
The instantaneous melting rate of single screw extruders are primarily affected by the screw speed, barrel temperature and screw diameter. However, with all things being equal the overall melting capacity of the screw is controlled by the solids bed-barrel contact area. Three screws, a conventional, a barrier and a barrier-XLK design with variable melting areas are evaluated for overall melting capacity as defined by their specific output.
A common pigment used in many plastics application is titanium dioxide, TiO2. The pigment is a very effective light scattering inorganic oxide for the coloration and protection of plastic articles. TiO2 is also an insoluble material within a polymer matrix that has the ability to adsorb other materials within the matrix. Additionally, a TiO2 particle can catalyze the formation of chromophores from additive deactivation. This aper describes the adsorption behavior of several TiO2 materials compares the rate of chromophore formation in a polyethylene matrix compounded.
The current coronary artery stent coating, styrene-bisobutylene- b-styrene copolymer, [1] has been researched and several problems arise when this coating is used. A alternative coating needs to be developed with several polymers forming from the main chain of the polymer. Several different bromination techniques have been researched to achieve the desired polymer to create the drug eluting coronary artery stent. This paper will describe the methods used.
A. Caratus, Z. Zhou, A. Masud, A.Chudnovsky, May 2007
Pinhole mode of polyolefin pipe failure in water distribution systems is commonly assumed to result from a sharp object impingement and attributed to inadequate installation practice. The cases of this mode of failure are investigated by direct observations of field failure combined with review of installation, service condition and stress analysis of the problem in question.
Zuzanna Cygan, Mohit Singh, Sri Seshadri, May 2007
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bioresin that is rapidly expanding into a variety of applications requiring a range of processing techniques including extrusion, calendaring, blow molding, and thermoforming. However, the low melt strength and brittle nature of the polymer provide challenges in processing and in the final product performance. We have demonstrated that the use of additives can improve processibility, melt strength and impact strength of PLA. The effect of additive type and loading levels on PLA resin properties and clarity will be presented.
Daniel D. Hershey, Scott Caldwell, Ken Nelson, Paul Rooney, May 2007
Three welding technologies are compared using a hydrostatic burst test as the testing standard. Vibration (VW) and Hotplate (HP) welding are used as benchmarks of performance for Broadband IR (IR) welding. An injection molded three-inch diameter sphere in various materials is welded and tested for all three processes. Pressure vessel characteristics and assumptions help to determine weld tensile strength to be compared against parent material tensile strength.
Traditionally, automotive body mounts have consisted of a steel casing with either a natural rubber, a blend of natural rubber to increase certain properties, or Butyl. In the past several years synthetic rubber technology has expanded and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) have been introduced. TPEs can retain the same properties of a natural rubber and reduce the cost of producing a body mount. This study comprises a comparison of thermoplastic elastomers to materials traditionally used in automotive body mount applications.
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.
