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.
For an economical production of micro components made of thermoplastics by injection molding a reproducible and precise process control is essential. An alternative to two-step plasticizing units, which are commonly used in micro injection molding, is the so-called inverse screw. This newly developed plasticizing principle enables the integration of a conventional three-zone-screw’s geometry in a miniaturized plasticizing unit drastically reducing the overall melt volume.
Improvement of the dielectric properties was achieved by combining two or more polymers in a layered geometry using film coextrusion process. In recent development, film production scale-up of thin nanolayered films, film metallization and capacitor winding capabilities were demonstrated to create the world’s first nanolayer film capacitor prototypes. Increased temperature use of the high energy density films was demonstrated in capacitors. The detailed results of the capacitors fabrication process and the corresponding properties are discussed in this paper.
Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) belongs to the family of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and is both, biobased and biodegradable. Due to its linear chain structure, PHB is highly crystalline and has a melting temperature close to its decomposition temperature. Pure PHB crystallizes very slowly, so that the use for some technical applications is not commercially viable. This paper describes the crystallization of pure and nucleated PHB by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The cooling curve and the metabolic rate as a function of temperature are elaborated.
Jianmin Liu, Sathish Kumar Ranganathan, Sean Culligan, May 2016
A new thermoplastic semiconductive power cable jacket compound is presented. The compound is designed by adding carbon blacks to a blend of linear low density polyethylene and elastomer to achieve overall excellent performance, including good electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical properties, superior environmental stress crack resistance, and low moisture vapor transmission rate as well as low temperature brittleness property. The compound meets wire and cable industrial specifications such as ICEA S-94-649-2013.
In this work, viscoelastic, isothermal extrusion film casting modeling utilizing 1D membrane model and modified Leonov model was performed in order to understand the role of extensional viscosity, elasticity and viscoelastic stress state at the die exit, on the polymer melt film stretching in the post die area. Experimental data for LDPE and theoretical predictions based on the eXtended Pom-Pom (XPP) model taken from the open literature were used for the validation purposes.
This paper details the analysis of the foam injection molding process which uses a foaming gas generated from a chemical blowing agent. The analysis is done using a numerical simulation program developed in this study. The simulation analyzes the injection molding process with the calculation of bubble nucleation and growth. Some experiments were conducted to validate the simulation results. The experiments performed include viscosity measurement and molding experiments. The experiment and simulation results compare reasonably well.
Lun Howe Mark, Raymond K.M. Chu, Guilong Wang, Chul. B. Park, May 2016
Achieving uniform, microcellular injection molded foams with large cross sectional thicknesses and high void fractions is difficult, due to the large temperature gradient. To investigate this issue, a thick part mold cavity has been manufactured and the effects of injection flow rate and mold temperature have been investigated. Higher injection flow rate resulted in higher cell density; while higher mold temperature resulted in more uniform cell density.
Gabriel Geyne, Matt Proske, Laura Florez, May 2016
This paper explains a new approach taken by a thermoplastic supplier running virtual trials instead of floor trials to compare and evaluate the performance of different MFI grades. The evaluation results showed energy consumption reduction in high MFI grades due to lower injection pressures and lower clamping force requirements. The total cycle time was reduced when using high MFI grades in comparison to low MFI due to faster cooling rate of the part.
Robert L. Sherman, Jr., Kimberly E. Kern, Steven R. Torchia, May 2016
Baerlocher has developed a new family of polymer stabilizers called Baeropol® RST (Resin Stabilization Technology). Baeropol® RST works synergistically with standard antioxidants to improve color, stability, and performance of polyethylene and polypropylene resins, while maintaining GRAS FDA food contact regulations. This synergy can allow for a reduction in the amount of both phosphite and antacid used in current resin formulations, while giving equal or better performance.
Seemingly simple errors by the designer can add up to millions of dollars or more in direct, indirect and opportunity costs. A hypothetical case study based on realistic situations will illustrate how this can happen. Actual parts will be handed out to the attendees to drive home the point.
It‘s common practice for the production of PVC compounds to generate a premix of all components first. This premix is then plasticized and homogenized by an extruder. The production of the premix is a complex, energy consuming and expensive process. The concept of direct extrusion is to dose all components directly into the extruder and to eliminate the entire premixing procedure. With this method, product composition and quality can be optimized and an increased cost efficiency can be achieved.
In order to develop new improved material by blending or alloying polymers effectively, it is important to understand the fundamental mixing behavior of the polymers. This paper studied phase behavior of aliphatic nylon 6 and nylon 612 blends based on melting temperature depression theory. A phase diagram was constructed using Flory-Huggins approach. This information will help formulators develop useful materials.
Variables that effect layer interface distortion in multi-layered systems were studied computationally to understand how to control layer alignment for the creation of multi-layer tubing with high layer numbers consisting of concentric rings of material. Variables were studied through one particular geometric transition, from flat to a semi-circle and it was found that layer alignment could be controlled by the incorporation of slip conditions in the channel.
Praveenkumar Boopalachandran, Xue Chen, Kasem Chowdhury, Janece Potter, Yan Yang, Steve King, May 2016
Dow is exploring new uses for polyethylene-acrylic acid (EAA) based copolymer dispersions. The use of hard water during the synthesis and dilution of EAA dispersions can cause precipitation leading to both technical and economic challenges. This report documents the characterization of the cross-linked reaction product generated from a model EAA copolymer dispersion with calcium ions.
In this work, we consider the effect of the addition of functionalized silica particles to a poly (tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) based polyurethane that is a candidate to be used as for flexible storage containment for a variety military fuels. We have synthesized urethanes with silica concentrations varying from 0% to 40% by weight and evaluated the diffusion of commercial gasoline and their mechanical properties.
Four case studies are presented to illustrate failures associated with the interaction between plastic components and metal fasteners. The use of metal fasteners to secure and assemble plastics is widespread. The presented cases illustrate how the failure analysis process was used to identify the failure mechanism as well as the primary factors responsible for the failures. The four cases depict representative failures involving varied designs and service conditions.
Formulating the wide variety of Colors in demand today for thin section injection molding can be challenging. Customers require dimensionally stable parts that often must match or nest in assembly. Colorant selection is critical to meeting today’s demands and this paper describes a system to achieve these goals.
Hesam Ghasemi, Ying Zhang, Philip J. Bates, David DuQuesnay, Gene Zak, May 2016
Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to detect thermal degradation of polyester-polycarbonate blends at the weld interface after laser transmission welding. TGA and FTIR were found to be the most sensitive and able to differentiate between degraded and non-degraded material.
Teresa Karjala, Lori Kardos, Apurva Shah, May 2016
Blends of LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) and LDPE (low density polyethylene) are used in many film applications. This paper shows how several high performance LDPE resins can be used as a blending component to increase output or throughput on blown film lines. In addition, some of these LDPE resins are utilized in shrink films, providing a good combination of shrink and optics, and are also used in foams and extrusion coating among other applications.
Anthony Walder, David Cozzens, Pallavi Kulkarni, May 2016
Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are a class of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) that are used in a variety of applications (1). TPUs exhibit low temperature flexibility, excellent abrasion resistance, high tensile strength and good processing characteristics. The current medical grade TPU’s have unique property that the flex modulus decreases (softens) when placed in the body. A new resilient non-soften (RNS) thermoplastic polyurethane has been developed that does not soften like the current grades.
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.
