Melt Processing Method

R. Haggenmueller, H.H. Gommans, A.G. Rinzler, J.E. Fischer, and K.I. Winey, Aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes in composites by melt processing methods, Chem. Phys. Lett., 330(3-4) 219-225, November 2000. 

The need for highly fluorinated thermoplastic polymers that, unlike PTFE, could be fabricated by conventional melt-processing methods led to the development of a group of resins that are copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) with other perflu-orinated monomers. Commercially, the copolymer of TFE and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) is commonly known as fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). Copolymerization of TFE with perfluoropropylvinyl ether (PPVE) leads to PFA resins, and copolymerization of TFE with perfluoromethylvinyl ether (PMVE) produces MFA resins. 

EVOH have superior gas barrier properties.80 89 They are often used as the internal layer in multilayer food packaging films, blow molded rigid containers, gasoline tanks for automobiles for a variety of purposes, etc. EVOH can be fabricated by the usual melt processing methods. The barrier properties of films decrease in the presence of moisture, so multilayer with protective polypropylene (especially biaxially oriented material), low-density polyethylene, nylons, or other moisture barrier films provides films or products that are useful even with liquids. The... 

Aside from PTFE and PCTFE, copolymers of TFE and a few other fluorocarbon polyuners are processed by melt-processing methods. Commercial fluoropolymers that have found application in chemical processing industries include PFA, FEP, ETFE, ECTFE, and PVDF. These plastics are fabricated into parts by common techniques such as injection molding, transfer molding, blow molding, compression molding, rotational molding, and extrusion (Table... 

A complete rheological study of the polymer component serves to establish knowledge of the flow behavior of the material and thus contributes toward an optimal choice of melt processing methods. 

Several techniques such as intercalation of polymer from solution, in-situ intercalative polymerization, melt intercalation, direct mixture of polymer and particulates, template synthesis, in-situ polymerization and solgel process, are being employed for the preparation of polmer-layered silicate nanocomposites. Among them the most common and important approaches are in-situ polymerization, solution-induced intercalation method, and melt processing method, which are briefly discussed below. 

Fereidoon, A., Ahangari, M. G., and Saedodin, S. 2008. Thermal and structural behaviors of pol5q)ropylene nanocomposites reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotubes by melt processing method. Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part B Physics 48 196-211. 

Pullulan can be melt processed by conventional melt-processing methods with the addition of a plasticizer. Plasticizers such as glycerol and ethylene glycol have been shown to reduce the glass transition temperature to below 160°C with the addition of more than 10% plasticizer. Modification of pullulan has also been accomplished by acetylation [35]. 

Copolyester elastomers can be processed by conventional thermoplastic melt processing methods such as injection molding and extrusion. They require no vulcanization. These polymers can be processed successfully with low-shear processes such as laminating, rotational molding, and casting. 

Haggenmueller R, Gommans H H, Rinzler A G, Fischer J E and Winey K I (2000) Aligned singlewall carbon nanotubes in composites by melt processing methods, Chem Phys Lett 330 219-225. Reneker D H, Yarin A L, Zussman E and Xu H (2007) Electrospinning of nanofibers from polymer... 

Haggenmueller R. G. H., Gommans, H. H., Rinzler, A., Fischer, J. E., Winey,K. L. (2000), Aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes composites by melt processing methods. Chemical Physics Letters, 330, 219-25. 

This book is the second of two volumes about fluoropolymers. The division of the volumes is based on the processing techniques of commercial fluoropolymers. Volume One covers the homopolymers of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) or polytetrafluoroethylene plastics, which are processed by nontraditional techniques. The extremely high melt viscosity of TFE homopolymers precludes its processing by conventional melt processing methods such as injection molding and melt extrusion. The copolymers of TFE and other fluorocarbon polymers, which are processed by melt-processing methods, have been covered in Volume Two. This book is devoted to exploring the various perflu-orinated and partially fluorinated copolymers of tetrafluorethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene. Polymers of vinyl fluoride and vinylidene fluoride that are, for the most part, melt-processible have been discussed in the second volume. 

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene, (PCTFE) is less crystalline and less inert than PTFE it can be shaped by normal thermoplastic melt processing methods. Because of its relative transparency, it finds limited use as observation windows (in sheet form), or as specialist tube material. 

In bionanocomposites, the reinforcement content is very low, so they can be processed by the same methods used for the pure polymers. These methods are mainly limited by the fusibility of the polymer, nature of the reinforcements, and their thermal resistance (if melt processing methods are used). The most common methods are extrusion, injection molding, casting, and compression molding, with reactive extrusion a potential option [22, 59, 123, 130]. More information... 

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