ANTEC at NPE: Editors' Picks

One of the unusual features of NPE 2009 in Chicago June 22-24 will be the first-ever concurrent presentation of the SPE ANTEC conference, by far the largest of seven conferences at McCormick Place during the show. ANTEC, presented with financial support from Dow Chemical Co., will have a record 750 papers and interactive poster sessions. Our editors selected a handful of papers that address timely and newsworthy topics. Conference sessions are indicated by numbers and letters for the day of the week. (INT designates interactive sessions on Tues., June 23.) Access complete abstracts of the papers at www.npe.org.

 

INJECTION MOLDING

Development of Alternative Process Technology for Multi-Component Injection Molding [M30] by Rainer Kleeschulte, University of Paderborn, Germany. Process improvements seek to overcome common problems with bond strength in overmolding.

Study on the Mold Temperature Variation During In-Mold Decoration Process [T12] by Ying-Chieh Wang of the Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan. IMD films limit heat transfer from melt to mold and create core/cavity temperature differences.

Enhancement of Surface Replication by Micro-Gas-Assist-Injection Molding [T15] by Prabhu Palanisamy, Univ. of Mass.-Lowell. A method to achieve perfect replication of micron or submicron-scale features without creating sinks—essential to micro-fluidic devices.

 

EXTRUSION

Identification of a Plateau in Solid State Die Drawing of Polypropylene/Talc [T23] by Kevin Nichols, Dow Chemical Co. Optimum draw rate is determined by properties of board-like profiles (see also p. 15).

A New Electromagnetic Dynamic Micro-Cellular Foaming Technology for PP/HDPE Blends [M18] by Ping Zhang, Guong Dong Polytechnic Normal Univ., South China Univ. of Technology. Microcellular foam extrusion of PP gains melt strength with a vibrating rotor that induces shear in the axial direction.

Thin Nanocellular Plastic Sheet With Patterned Foaming [M18] by Junya Kojima, Oji Paper Co., Ltd. Photochemical foaming uses a new acrylic resin with t-butyl-ester groups that emit gas under IR and UV light. Continuous process makes thin nanocellular sheet with patterned foam.

Gradient Multilayer Films By Forced Assembly Coextrusion [M35] by Michael Ponting, Case Western Reserve Univ. Layer-multiplying device creates coex film with micro and nano gradient layers for light enhancers, optical filters, reflectors, and membranes.

Ultrasound Assisted Melt Processing of LCP/CNF Nanocomposites [T6] by Rishi Kumar, Univ. of Akron. Ultrasound helps a twin-screw extruder disperse carbon nanofibers without breakage in liquid-crystal polymer.

Characteristics of Conveying Research of Polymer Vane Extruder [T8] by Jinping Qu, National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing, South China Univ. of Technology. Conveying and plasticating with multiple vanes instead of a screw uses much lower temperature and less energy for the same throughput.

Performance of Helibar Extruder with Grooved Barrel [T9] by Chan Chung, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Extrudex introduced this extruder concept in 2003. This paper compares throughput data for smooth and grooved barrels with different resins.

 

BLOW MOLDING

Structural Strength of Blow Molded PET Bottles Using Microwave Pre-Heated Preforms [M3] by Syed Masood, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. Stretch-blow molded PET bottles are produced from preforms heated with microwave ovens instead of conventional infrared lamps.

A Novel 3-D Blow Molding Method and Its Part Thickness Control Strategy [M3] by Geng-qun Huang, South China University of Technology. Novel 3D blow molding machine uses compressed air to draw the extruded parison through the closed mold, reducing flash and improving quality.

 

MATERIALS

Breakthrough Material for Low Gloss and Abrasion Resistance with Molded-in-Color Automotive Interior Components [T3] by Steve Rogers, Dow Automotive. New reinforced elastomer with low gloss and high scratch resistance is for molded parts that don’t need paint.

Structural Composites from Recycled HDPE and Calcium Sulfite Crystallites [INT1] by Vivak Malhotra, Southern Illinois Univ. Developmental composite lumber contains recycled HDPE, natural fibers, and calcium sulfite hydrate (gypsum) waste from flue-gas scrubbers.

Enhancing the Gas Barrier Properties of Polylactic Acid by Means of Electrospun Ultra-Thin Zein Fiber [W24] by Jose Lagaron, IATA-CSIC (Spanish institute for food research). Zein plastic is based on maize protein. It’s also discussed in Investigation of Processability of Zein-Based Plastics and Composites [W17] by Gowrishanker Sririvasan of Iowa State Univ.

A Thermally Mendable Bricks-and-Mortar Thermoplastic Thermoset Blend [W25] by Patrick Mather, Syracuse Univ. “Self-healing” epoxy/polycaprolactone blend fills and repairs cracks automatically.

Edward Steward of American Kuhne will talk about Screw Design Considerations for Biobased Polymers [T11] and Roger Avakian of PolyOne Corp. will present Improving the Practical Heat Resistance of PLA [T28]. Also look out for interesting papers on improving the performance of PLA and PLA foams in Sessions M2, M7, and T28; extruding thermoplastic starches in M22 and T28; and “chaotic advection” polymer alloying in T4 and T26.

 

WELDING

Infrastake-Staking at the Speed of Light [T31] by Scott Beute, Extol Inc. A relatively new staking process uses radiant infrared energy.