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 comparative analysis of TPV vs. EPDM with respect to noise reduction is examined for automotive weatherstrip body sealing applications. Specifically, EPDM sponge is compared with JyFlexTM, a TPV compound of equivalent stiffness. The study is performed using multiple acoustic tests (road and component), supported by FEA analysis as a diagnostic tool [1].
This paper presents the results of a study on weld line strength as affected by materials, injection velocity, distance from the gate, and the strategic positioning of high sheared melt laminate prior to weld formation.
S.G. Kim, J.W.S. Lee, C.B. Park, M. Sain, May 2007
There is a growing interest in developing foamed TPO since replacing solid TPO will reduce material cost and fuel usage. In this paper, various talc contents are added into a TPO matrix, consisting of PP blended with a metallocene-based polyolefin elastomer. The effect of talc on TPO foams blown with N2 is studied using the batch foaming simulation system. The influence of N2 content and processing conditions on cell nucleation behaviour is discussed.
A major technical hurdle to overcome in making an all-plastic heat exchanger is welding tubes to the base plates of tanks. A heat exchanger that must remove a large quantity of heat quickly requires a large number of tubes, usually closely packed. Various techniques to achieve this have been investigated. The materials for tubes and tank plates were all polyamides; various combinations of PA 66, PA 612 and PPA were studied. Data on successful laser welds are presented.
D.S. Langhe, Y. Jin, A. Hiltner, E. Baer, May 2007
Microdroplets of ?-phase polypropylene nucleated with the calcium salt of pimelic acid (Ca-Pim) and quinacridonequinone (QQ) were produced by layer breakup of Polypropylene (PP) / Polystyrene (PS) coextruded nanolayer films. These microdroplets were investigated using DSC and WAXD to study the effect of nucleating agent concentration and particle size distribution on fractionated crystallization. By using varying heating and cooling rates, the kinetics of crystallization of these microdroplets was studied.
The bulk density of a material greatly influences the total storage capacity in a silo. Although it has significant meaning, little research has been done in determining how compressive polymer materials are in their bulk states. The focus of this research is to investigate the changes in bulk density that occur with changes in pressure for several different polymer materials and determine the compressibility of these materials in the bulk state.
John R. Wagner, Jr., Mark A. Spalding, Sam L. Crabtree, May 2007
This paper analyzes the barrel pressures and motor current data acquired using a high-speed data acquisition system. Graphical analysis shows the relationship between screw design and screw speed.
This article, particularly tailored to cover plastics materials products, provides an overview of the three major theories under which a products liability action may be initiated, namely; negligence, breach of warranty and strict products liability. Negligence liability claim elements of duty owed by the manufacturer, breach of duty, causation and damages are discussed. Also, discussed are claims brought under the theories of breach of warranty and strict products liability.
Polybutene-1 is a polyolefin with unique characteristics which distinguish it from PE and PP. They include: low heat of fusion, shear thinning, creep resistance and an intriguing polymorphic structure. Compatibility of PB-1 with PP and immiscibility with PE are often exploited to create convenient packaging which is easily opened by the consumer. This paper will review examples of the use of PB-1 in such applications and in the modification of the sealing initiation temperature of films.
A.B. Coffey, C.M. Ó Brádaigh, A.G. Gately, May 2007
There is a need in biomedical engineering for thin-walled, high-performance structures, which could be used as catheters, or as replacement implants in the body. Reinforced thermoplastic materials are becoming exceptionally important due to their ease of fabrication and reduced costs of manufacture. This paper outlines the theoretical modeling of a filament wound catheter and the associated outputs from which a catheter with specific required properties may be designed.
Jason D. Conrad, James P. Eickhoff, Graham M. Harrison, May 2007
Over the past decade, considerable interest has emerged in replacing conventional fossil fuel-based polymers with bio-derived polymers. Two bio-derived polymers that have garnered significant interest are PHA and PLA. In this study, shear and extensional rheology, coupled with degradation studies using GPC, are used to investigate the flow properties of blends of these two polymers. The development of blends with tailored flow and thermal/mechanical properties is pursued.
The effect of sparse long-chain branching on extensional rheology is analyzed for metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resins with varying degrees of branching. The onset of extensional strain hardening distinguishes the degrees of branching while such distinctions are not apparent in shear flow behavior.
Robert Lee Browning, Han Jiang, Allan Moyse, Hung-Jue Sue, Edmund Lau, May 2007
Work has recently been conducted at Texas A&M University to evaluate the mar resistance of thermoplastic olefins using a modification of a currently established ASTM standard (ASTM D7027-05). This work strives not only to examine how the mar" is formed but also to illustrate the potential for this methodology to be established as a quantitative method for evaluating mar resistance of polymers. Approaches to improve mar resistance of polymers are also discussed."
Film casting is a common industrial process used to produce polymeric films. The material properties and processing conditions have a significant impact on the process and the final thermal/mechanical properties. We experimentally investigate the impact of polymer molecular weight on the films. The effect of process conditions and post-processing steps like uniaxial stretching, on film strength, orientation and crystallinity is also studied. The measured velocity and temperature profiles are compared to model predictions.
Nicole Hoekstra, Nate Slesinger, Luke Murphy, Jordan Keisser, May 2007
The variables that contribute to the processing difficulties of Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) are many and not well understood. A screening designed experiment was run to determine the most vital of these variables. It was found that all of the variables had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the PDCPD parts. A Central Composite designed experiment was then run to determine the optimum processing parameters including all of these significant variables.
John W.S. Lee, Jing Wang, Chul B. Park, Guoliang Tao, May 2007
The change in pressure drop and pressure drop rate at the gate of the mold during the structural foam molding process results in an inevitable nonuniform void fraction along the melt flow direction in injection molded structural foams. The nonuniform void fraction not only reduces the achievable void fraction but also can deteriorate the mechanical properties of structural foams. In this paper, an effort has been made to overcome this problem with various injection speed profiles.
P. Gupta, S. Costeux, T. Oswald, Y.W. Cheung, L. Weaver, S. Karande, S. Chum, May 2007
The melt rheology of novel Olefin Block Copolymers (OBCs), recently developed by The Dow Chemical Company, was investigated. The melt shear rheology of OBCs was found to be characteristic of linear random copolymers of ethylene and __olefins. Furthermore, the melt rheology can be modified to target certain specific application areas by chemical means or by blending with traditional polyolefins with broader molecular weight distributions or those containing long chain branching.
K.A. Narh, M. Khanolkar, S.M. Umbrajkar, E. Dreizin, May 2007
The effect of well-dispersed carbon nanotubes on the crystallization characteristics of polyethylene-oxide was studied. The specimens were prepared via the solution-sonication procedure. The results confirm the effectiveness of CNTs as nucleation agents for semi-crystalline polymers.
Johan J. Sánchez, María A. Navarro, Alejandro J. Müller, Orlando O. Santana, May 2007
The Fracture behavior of Medium Density Polyethylenes (MDPE) with different melt flow indexes (1.9 to 5.0 dg/min) employed in rotational molding were studied by Essential Work of Fracture (EWF). The EWF parameters obtained were equivalent for all samples examined regardless of their differences in comonomer content and molecular weights. Annealing of samples resulted in lower ductility values according to EWF parameters, in spite of minimum crystallinity changes.
Linus Leung, Christine Chan, Janice Song, Billy Tam, Hani Naguib, May 2007
In this study, the effects of processing parameters on cell morphology and mechanical properties of PLGA 50/50 bioscaffolds for tissue engineering applications were investigated. The PLGA samples were processed using a salt leaching technique in a batch foaming setup. The foaming parameters were varied, and the physical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were investigated.
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.
