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 paper presents a theoretical approach to the prediction of melt temperature profiles in cooling extruders. The effect of screw design on cooling performance in discussed. A new screw geometry is presented will substantially improved cooling capability. Initial performance data on a 200-mm cooling extruder are presented.
Conventional PET processing requires pre-drying, an energy- and cost-consuming process limiting production flexibility. The paper presents combined hopper- and melt degassing in a single screw extruder as a real alternative to predrying and investigates the influence of extrusion- and degassing parameters, screw-design and water content on both intrinsic- and melt viscosity.
The use of practical mathematical expressions can be used to evaluate the mechanical strength of a rotating shaft. Similar expressions can be used in the design of a feedscrew. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence the mechanical strength of a feedscrew and to show how to use these expressions from a practical standpoint to avoid failure during operation.
The surface condition of the screw and die can have a significant effect on extruder performance; however, little information about these effects is available in the open literature. This paper discusses various aspects of the screw surface conditions and how these can change the characteristics of the process and extruded product quality.
Die designs for production of cast polymer films typically include a flex lip for varying the geometry of the lip opening. The cast film process requires die lip gaps ranging from 0.4 mm to 0.8mm. Flex lip gap and the adjustment of said gap becomes increasingly difficult to control as it is reduced. An examination is made of the issue of die lip sensitivity with different polymers extruded at different lip openings.
The manufacturing costs for a process depend highly on the proper operation of the extrusion equipment. In general, proper operation requires that the metering section of the screw be the rate-limiting step. Using drag flow and pressure flow calculations for the metering section is a simple method to determine if the section is the limiting step. This paper shows how these types of calculations can be used to determine if the screw and process are functioning properly.
Graft copolymers of starch and polyacrylamide have been prepared using a twin screw extruder. The effects of monomer/starch ratio and moisture content on conversion, graft efficiency, graft molecular weight, and frequency of grafting are discussed. Conversion of monomer to polymer exceeding 90% and grafting efficiencies exceeding 60% can be achieved by this process, with residence times of approximately 250 seconds or less.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Polyamide (PA) can be compatibilized in one process step on a twin screw extruder using a novel coupling agent. This reagent is able to react with PET as well as with PA which leads to Copolyesteramids. Until now a compatibilisation was only possible in a three step process, this new reagent makes a one step process possible.
Multilayer coextrusion is a process in which two or more polymers are extruded and joined together in a feedblock or die to form a single structure with multiple layers. This paper will discuss the proper techniques for using rheology data to design coextrusion dies based on experimental rheology data for monolayer and multilayer structures.
In this paper, the effect of process aids on the interfacial instabilities in coextrusion flows is investigated theoretically via viscoelastic FEM simulations as well as experimentally. Theoretically determined processing/materials rules according to which a stabilization effect with process aids can be achieved are compared and discussed with experimental results.
In order to quantify interlayer adhesion of co-extruded sheets with strong interlayer adhesion, a test method was developed to first initiate delamination by uniaxial stretching and then measure interlayer adhesion by peel test. The method was applied to co-extruded sheets before and after biaxial stretching. Interlayer adhesion with peel force as high as 5330N/m (30lb/in) have been measured for the as co-extruded sheets. Reduction of interlayer adhesion as a function of biaxial stretching was revealed.
Four types of high temperature (HT) ultrasonic sensors have been installed at barrels and a flange of a 30-mm twin-screw extruder to non-intrusively and non-destructively measure barrel and screw wear, as well as screw misalignment and deflection during polymer extrusion. The sensors included sol-gel sprayed ultrasonic transducers (UTs), non-clad and clad buffer rod sensors, and stand-alone HTUTs. This study has demonstrated the capability of these ultrasonic sensors in monitoring the barrel and screw statuses at the pumping, mixing and melting zones of the extruder.
This paper describes an algorithm used to determine a single viscosity correlation from capillary rheometer experiments. One can choose any one of seven commonly used models for shear thinning fluids. The program then determines the constants in the chosen model which best describes all of the experimental data in a statistical (i.e., least sum of squares) sense. By comparing the results from several different models, one can determine in a matter of minutes the model, which best describes the measured rheology data.
J. Auger, A. Duff, M. Weber, C. Bellehumeur, May 2004
A new single-site catalyst and process technology has been used to produce resins for thin wall injection molding lid applications. The performance of the single-site resins is compared with conventional Ziegler-Natta resins. The single-site polyethylenes provide superior processability with less mold deposit and organoleptic concerns. Additionally, these resins possess equivalent or better stiffness and toughness versus competitor products along with an unusually high level of clarity in the final parts.
The performance of a cyclic mold cooling system has been investigated with particular emphasis on process power consumption. A highly instrumented proportional-hydraulic injection molding machine was used to produce tensile test specimens from HDPE. Mold temperature was monitored at high frequency during each cycle, as was nozzle melt pressure, temperature and power consumption. Reduced cycle times were achieved with cyclic cooling and savings in power consumption of up to 23% were recorded over conventional methods.
This paper presents the development of a novel microcellular co-injection molding process that combines aesthetic and processing advantages of injection molding with the benefits and property attributes of microcellular plastics (MCPs). While eliminating the swirling patterns seen on surface of microcellular plastic parts, this process is capable of producing lightweight parts with lower energy requirements, better dimensional stability, reduced sink marks, and desirable microcellular structure with fine cells and high cell density.
Y. Ono, M. Kobayashi, C.-K. Jen, C.-C. Cheng, A. Derdouri, Y. Simard, May 2004
Integrated ultrasonic sensors directly coated onto mold inserts of a molding machine together with rugged ultrasonic system are used for real- time, non- intrusive and non- destructive monitoring of injection and co- injection molding processes. Monitoring of flow front arrival, flow speed, filling completion, solidification, part detachment and thickness of skin and core inside the mold has been demonstrated.
In-line-activation of polymer surfaces by atmospheric-pressure plasma-treatment directly in the injection mould enables positive-joint composites to be made from polymer combinations that were hitherto unable to adhere to each other, significantly improves adhesion of compatible combinations and can be easily integrated into the process chain. The paper presents the technology, its advantages, and shows results for new compatible material-combinations.
Kenji Okubo, Shigeo Tanaka, Hiroyuki Hamada, May 2004
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a process to manufacture metal parts, combining powder metallurgy with plastic injection molding. With MIM process, it is possible to produce highly functional composite metal structures by insert molding, co-injection or double injection molding. In this study, co-injection molding was applied to manufacture composite component of dissimilar metals. The effect of injection speed on flow behavior of dissimilar metal powder was experimentally investigated.
Gregory S. Layser, John P. Coulter, Ahmet Pinarbasi, May 2004
This paper describes a numerical simulation based study of a new injection molding concept focused on locally controlling the filling of multi-cavity molds in real time. The concept is applicable to all runner system types and involves the utilization of controllable mechanical valves. Several types of valve designs in cold runners were modeled and the effects of various control scenarios on localized material conditions throughout the mold are presented.
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.
