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.
Sébastien Delorme, Denis Laroche, Robert DiRaddo, Jean Buithieu, May 2004
Postulating that arterial injury resulting from the angioplasty intervention is a possible predictor of restenosis, a three-dimensional finite element model is proposed to predict stresses during balloon angioplasty. The model simulates balloon folding, insertion and deployment into a diseased artery. This work focuses on the balloon material model and properties, using experimental characterization and inverse modelling. A numerical example, including balloon folding and deployment inside a stenosed artery is also presented.
C. Daly, D. Leonard, F. Buchanan, J. Orr, N. Dunne, May 2004
The small punch test is a useful technique in the mechanical testing of polymers where limited material is available. This investigation focuses on the latest developments in the small punch test design, including integrated temperature control and environmental conditioning and its use in analysis of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement.
It has never been easy, in the Medical Products Industry to design and build a custom plastic enclosure when the initial or lifetime quantities do not justify molds or tooling. In the last few years, a toolless technology has been commercialized to allow the manufacture of such enclosures, with minimal up front costs and broad design flexibility. This paper describes the technology, its application, strengths and limitations and provides an economic comparison to the other enclosure technologies used in the industry.
J. Godinho, I. Moore, A.C. Ruddy, G.M. McNally, W.R. Murphy, May 2004
Barium sulphate (BaSO4) is widely used as a radiopaque additive for medical grade PVC tubing in surgical procedures. The rheological characteristics and mechanical performance of two different medical grade PVCs containing BaSO4 (10-15 % w/w) having two different mean particle sizes (1 and 40 micron) was investigated. The results show significant change in melt viscosity, tensile properties and phase transitions (Tan ? max) with increase in BaSO4 concentration.
K. Cota-Alvarez, G. Borruel, M. Arellano, May 2004
The effect of epoxy/hydrogen-amine ratio and thermoplastic molecular weight on the curing process and final morphology of epoxy thermoset-polysulfone blend is presented. The cure kinetics was followed by differential scanning calorimetry, the beginning of phase separation by was determined by visual inspection and final morphology was analyzed by SEM.
C.F. Jasso-Gastinel, E. Mendizábal, J.M. Vivero, May 2004
Using a 3 mm thick mold trying to reproduce common industrial situations, a general purpose UPR was cured with styrene, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) and cobalt naphthenate. Modelling of the curing reaction (using a 2k with 5 central points design), tensile and impact strength and glass transition temperature was accomplished. To obtain close fitting, parameters interaction was considered for modelling.
David O. Kazmer, Bingfeng Fan, Ranjan Nageri, May 2004
Plastics injection molding has been limited by the lack of observability and controllability, such that it has not been possible to know or control flow rates and pressures at multiple locations in a mold. An instrumentation and analysis method is presented that allows the estimation of flow rate and pressure at multiple points in an injection mold. While potential improvements are discussed, the presented methods will assist real time process and quality control.
Novel high flow, low crystallinity polyolefin polymers offer a wide variety of attributes in a broad range of applications. The basic characteristics of these polymers and their usefulness in applications such as hot melt adhesives, flow modification, masterbatches and color concentrates, thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs), and thermoplastic road markings will be discussed.
M.P. McCourt, G.M. Mc Nally, W.R. Murphy, May 2004
This paper reviews the research over the past number of years on diffusion of fuels and fuel components into polymers used in near engine fluid and fuel delivery systems. The areas investigated cover Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR-ATR) spectrometry and standard immersion procedures to measure the migration of fuel components in a series of fluoropolymer, polyester and polyamide materials at various temperatures.
General Motors’ next generation full-size truck frames are currently 80 pounds over their targeted weight. By replacing the current steel transmission cross member on General Motors’ full-size trucks through the application of a composite material transmission cross member, a substantial weight reduction will be achieved. Reducing the weight of General Motors’ full-size trucks will consequently increase the fleet-wide fuel economy for the company’s truck line, allowing CAFE requirements to be met more easily.
The enhancement of one particular performance parameter in a Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is often tied to a decrease in another property. This trade-off is evident in the balance between compound viscosity and impact performance. While low melt index elastomers will result in higher impact performance, the increase in compound viscosity is undesired. This paper discloses the utility of adding ultra-low viscosity modifiers to a TPO to achieve high flow while retaining impact performance.
Ward Narhi, Shaival Mehta, Philippe Cusson, May 2004
Computer aided engineering has impacted the design process of weatherseal systems by reducing the number of prototypes needed to create a part. Finite Element Analysis is useful in predicting compression load deflection and frictional forces. Advances in FEA include how forces change over time and loading; stress relaxation, cyclic loading, compression set, and elastic recovery. This paper follows the design and prototyping of a unique weatherseal system and highlights the role of CAE.
This paper examines material and design trends in exterior automotive plastic applications. Plastics are widely used in exterior automotive applications. With the many different exterior applications, this paper concentrates specifically on fascia, body side moldings/ claddings, rocker moldings, wheel flare, and cowl vent leaf catchers. Examination of the material and design trends for these exterior applications is accomplished by benchmarking a number of OEMs. Insight into future material and design trends is gained by identifying the drivers.
In this work, an extrusion process has been developed for the devulcanization of rubber crumb from recycled tires employing supercritical CO2. For that purpose supercritical CO2 has been injected in a twin screw extruder to swell the rubber crumb and to facilitate the otherwise impossible rubber extrusion process. As a consequence, waste rubber can be processed under mechanical shear and extensional forces at various operating conditions that may lead to different degrees of devulcanization.
Many experiments have been performed globally to investigate ways of improving adhesion to polymers. This paper discusses current atmospheric surface activation systems, appropriate measurements of wettability and adhesion, over-treatment effects and surface analysis techniques relative to optimizing the adhesion of inks, paints, coatings and adhesives to polymer surfaces. Recommendations for improved activation by substrate and application are discussed.
Martin T. Price, Jeffrey M. Cosman, Alexander L. Neymark, May 2004
Functional performance of slip and release additives was investigated in low density polyethylene (LDPE) pigmented injection molded plaques. Coefficient of friction and adhesion studies were used to characterize migration of slip agents to the polymer surface and interaction between composition components. An attempt was made to combine different additives to achieve optimum slip performance while minimizing organoleptic impact of packaging material.
Color plays a critical role in the manufacture of wire and cable products. Colors are frequently created in wire and cable products through the use of color concentrates. There are some misunderstandings about how the concentrates affect the finished products. Because color accounts for a relatively tiny part of a compound, for example, some manufacturers neglect its potential influence on their products. Others make color concentrates their first suspect when problems occur.
Color Masterbatches are widely used in all types of Applications such as Injection Molding, Blow Molding, Blown-Film Extrusion, Monofilaments, Rafia tapes, etc. This paper is the study done to facilitate faster matching and understand the hue variation in different color with different extrusion applications. Hue variation is studied keeping Injection Molding Application as Standard.
The oxidative photodegradation of colored linear low density Polyethylene (LLDPE) have been studied. Extruded colored films were exposed to natural tropical sunlight for times ranging up to three months simultaneously with control films. Pigment masterbatches had been incorporated into the colored films by means of the now effective masterbatching process. The photooxidized films were analyzed with respect to the pigment effects. Results indicate considerable modifications on the LLDPE properties; the extent of which depends on the nature and composition of the applied pigments.
Polyethylene and polybutene were used as carriers to produce two color concentrates with a high amount of organic pigments. Different colored plastic products, namely polyethylene film and polypropylene injection molded parts, were produced using both masterbatches. The polybutene masterbatch promotes a better dispersion of the pigment and improves the toughness of injection molded polypropylene.
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.