Polyethylene Compressibility

Foamed polyethylene Compression tensile strength reduced elongation ... 

Fig. 4. Load vs compression for plastic foams (149). A, polystyrene, 32 kg/m (2 lbs/fT) B, polyethylene, 32 kg/m C, latex mbber foam. To convert...

Various geometric coring patterns ki polyurethanes (171,175) and ki latex foam mbber (176) exert significant influences on thek compressive behavior. A good discussion of the effect of cell size and shape on the properties of flexible foams is contained ki References 60 and 156. The effect of open-ceU content is demonstrated ki polyethylene foam (173). 

Melt viscosity is also affected by pressure (43,67,68). The compression of a melt reduces the free volume and therefore raises the viscosity. For example, the viscosity of low density polyethylene increases by a factor of roughly 10 over a static pressure range of 34—170 MPa (5,000—25,000 psi). 

Compression moulding is used only occasionally with polyethylene. In this process the polymer is heated in a mould at about 150°C, compressed to shape and cooled. The process is slow since heating and cooling of the mould must be carried out in each cycle and it is employed only for the manufacture of large blocks and sheets, for relatively strain-free objects such as test-pieces and where alternative processes cannot be used because of lack of equipment. 

The data presented in Figure 19.7 were obtained on a Sonntag-Universal machine which flexes a beam in tension and compression. Whereas the acetal resin was subjected to stresses at 1800 cycles per minute at 75°F and at 100% RH, the nylons were cycled at only 1200 cycles per minute and had a moisture content of 2.5%. The polyethylene sample was also flexed at 1200 cycles per minute. Whilst the moisture content has not been found to be a significant factor it has been observed that the geometry of the test piece and, in particular, the presence of notches has a profound effect on the fatigue endurance limit. 

Sheet molding compound (SMC) consists of randomly oriented chopped fibers in a matrix of resin and filler. SMC is produced in the continuous manner shown in Figure 1-16. Note that the polyethylene film protects the roller system from getting gummed up with the resin-filler paste. The rug-like rolls of SMC are then used in compression molding machines to create large parts such as the sides of cars and trucks. 

For polyethylene pipe, compression couplings may be used provided they comply with British Gas Specification PS/PL3. 

PET has the second highest scrap value for recycled materials, second only to that of aluminum.1 A typical PET beverage bottle consists of PET (60 g), polyethylene (1 g), and label and glue (5 g). Therefore, the PET bottle scrap must be separated before the PET can be recycled. The bottles are sorted at a material recovery facility and compressed. The compressed PET bottles are then washed and converted to flake by grinding. The flakes may be converted to pellets in an extruder. The pellets are more suitable for material handling. Currently recycled PET is being used to make food and nonfood containers, straps, sheeting, and... 

The ability of chitosan hydrochloride to enhance the transcorneal permeability of the drug has been demonstrated [289]. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) was used as a base material to which ofloxacin-containing chitosan microspheres prepared by spray-drying were added and powder compressed resulting in circular inserts (6 mm). 

In the high-pressure process for the production of polyethylene, ethylene is compressed in a two-step process. In the primary step, the gas is compressed in a two-stage compressor to 25 to 30 MPa. This is followed by compression in a hypercompressor to 150 to 320 MPa. 

Soft gelatin capsules are not an inexpensive dosage form, particularly when compared to direct compression tablets [3]. There is a more intimate contact between the shell and its liquid contents than exists with dry-filled hard gelatin capsules, which increases the possibility of interactions. For instance, chloral hydrate formulated with an oily vehicle exerts a proteolytic effect on the gelatin shell however, the effect is greatly reduced when the oily vehicle is replaced with polyethylene glycol [3]. 

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