Performance for specific applications

Dow has developed a pultrusion simulation modeling (PSM) service designed to help fabricators achieve higher levels of productivity and reliability. Process variables such as pull speed, part and die temperature, heater output and pulling force can affect the quality of pultruded components. The PSM tool allows fabricators to predict processing performance for specific applications, and is accurate to within 10% of actual performance. The tool has been validated in customer trials and allows the pultrusion process to be optimized quickly. 

Polyolefins account for more than 50% of all synthetic polymers being produced today. The volume and applications of polyolefins have been substantially growing since the time of the Ziegler and Natta discoveries. With the introduction of metallocene and other single-site catalysts, polyolefins, with the simple chemistry of carbon and hydrogen, have evolved into complex microstructures that can be designed through multiple reactor-catalyst processes to achieve a desired performance for specific applications. 

We believe that in the near future, the use of computational methods in conjunction with spectroscopic techniques and thermodynamic considerations should allow the in silico simulation to be used broadly for the analysis of the influence of polymerization conditions (solvent, cross-linker, temperature) on the performance of imprinted polymers, for optimization of the monomer composition and for tailoring polymer performance for specific applications. The computational approach described here represents a first step towards the truly rational design (tailoring) of MlPs and prediction of polymer properties. Nonetheless, improvements in our capacity to predict polymer performance should be benefited through the combination of molecular modeling, further physical characterization of the imprinting process, and combinatorial strategies (Chapter 8). 

Epoxy resins can be used separately or in combination, such that formulations can be designed to take advantage of the desirable characteristics of several components. Because combining resins from different families can result in certain trade-offs, a careful balance of components should be investigated to produce optimal performance for specific applications. Table 18 shows effects of different resin backbones on cured properties with formulations based on hexahydroph-thalic anhydride as curing agent. 

Material selection for elevated temperature applications. The task of evaluating new materials and projecting their performance for specific applications is a challenging one for engineers and designers. Often materials are supplied with short-term test information such as deflection temperature under load (DTUL) (ASTM D693-03a... 

Commercial plastics are invariably mixtures of one or more polymers blended with a variety of additives such as colorants, flame-retardants, biocides, etc., all tailored to achieve cost-effective performance for specific applications or processibility requirements. For example, flexible PVC for wire insulation contains one or more plasticizers, and poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO), an engineering plastic, is marketed in several grades which may contain varying amounts of lubricants, stabilizers, fillers etc., in addition to the high-impact PS (HIPS) which is added to PPO to modify impact properties and melt viscosity. 

EFCs typically generate low power, in comparison with conventional batteries and fuel cells, and with their initial prototypes energy density and energy utilization from source fuels tend to be low. With further development, however, the advantages of EFCs are expected to provide competitive benefits for certain applications over the conventional electrochemical power sources. In hybrid approach, EFCs may be combined with conventional batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors to form advanced power sources with improved performance for specific applications. 

The proper placement of the impeller for specific applications is necessary for good mixing performance therefore, a thorough discussion with a mixing company specialist is useful. 

These EM techniques have been, in general, quite successful for specific applications but are limited in their scope and so can only ever have a predetermined impact on an enterprise s energy performance. Historically research and the resulting EM techniques have focused on... 

Tandem MS has been more or less successfully performed with a wide variety of analyzer combinations. What analyzers to combine for a certain application is determined by many different factors, such as sensitivity, selectivity, and speed, but also size, cost, and availability. The two major categories of tandem MS methods are tandem-in-space and tandem-in-time, but there are also hybrids where tandem-in-time analyzers are coupled in space or with tandem-in-space analyzers. Moreover, the ongoing development of faster electronics and high-voltage circuits as well as better software tools and hardware control devices constandy open up new possibilities of making innovative combinations of analyzers for specific applications. In this chapter a few examples of commercially available tandem MS instruments are presented. A brief summary of their weaknesses, strengths, and main areas of applications is given. 

Once the application performance and degradation requirements are understood, the next step is to review available information or conduct tests to screen product options to determine the most likely products that will meet application expectations. Weathering, aging and durability testing of polymers have been used extensively for years to qualify durable polymers for specific applications. Since the mid 1980s, new standard tests have been developed for degradable polymers [2],... 

Zeolite catalysts play a vital role in modern industrial catalysis. The varied acidity and microporosity properties of this class of inorganic oxides allow them to be applied to a wide variety of commercially important industrial processes. The acid sites of zeolites and other acidic molecular sieves are easier to manipulate than those of other solid acid catalysts by controlling material properties, such as the framework Si/Al ratio or level of cation exchange. The uniform pore size of the crystalline framework provides a consistent environment that improves the selectivity of the acid-catalyzed transformations that form C-C bonds. The zeoHte structure can also inhibit the formation of heavy coke molecules (such as medium-pore MFl in the Cyclar process or MTG process) or the desorption of undesired large by-products (such as small-pore SAPO-34 in MTO). While faujasite, morden-ite, beta and MFl remain the most widely used zeolite structures for industrial applications, the past decade has seen new structures, such as SAPO-34 and MWW, provide improved performance in specific applications. It is clear that the continued search for more active, selective and stable catalysts for industrially important chemical reactions will include the synthesis and application of new zeolite materials. 

The NRF explosive detection technology is much more immature than are the NRA, PFNA, and NQR approaches. Whereas PFNA and NQR have prototype systems and are examining engineering trade-offs for specific applications, NRF is at the stage where basic physics experiments are being performed in science laboratories. 

A model which is consistent with the chemistry described previously has been developed to predict the performance of ZSM-5 in an FGG unit. Application of this model allows the user to take full advantage of ZSM-5 s flexibility for specific applications. The model has been used in many commercial applications to determine the catalyst makeup rate required to achieve a given octane boost. It has also been used to tailor the catalyst makeup strategy to obtain a desired octane boost in a given period of time. 

With the development of the new Ecoflex FS, new performance characteristics have been achieved in addition to improved biodegradabUity and bio-based content. This new Ecoflex FS is used for the development of new Ecovio compounds for specific applications like paper coating and shrink film. Further Ecovio applications, where biodegradability adds value, are under development to extend the portfolio of BASF. 

Ferrimagnetic phases are widely used for the storage of digital or analogue data on computer disks or audio tapes. Because known and mineralogically well-defined systems exist, magnetometric methods allow precise and specific characterization of these phases in order to control and improve their magnetic performance for technical applications. 

Research and development of PAEH is continuing. New polymers with unusual properties will undoubtedly be forthcoming. More emphasis will be directed towards the evaluation of PAEHs for specific applications. Because of the attractive properties offered by these materials, the future looks very promising. Certain members of the PAEH family are expected to become commercially available and be used in a variety of high performance applications. 

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