Polymer processing properties

Of particular relevance to this chapter is the use of CO2 in polymer synthesis, in the manufacture of polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene (Xerox) and for the production of fluoropolymers (DuPont). One of the main drivers for the latter was the phasing out of the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in the original process. The main advantage to this application is not necessarily the avoidance of the use of CFCs (although this is important), but the superior polymer processing properties made possible by the relative volatility of CO2 and its ease of removal. 

Sources of traces of metals in polymers are neutralising chemicals added to the final stages of manufacture to eliminate the effects of acidic catalyst remnants on polymer processing properties (e.g., hygroscopicity due to residual chloride ion). A case in point is high-density polyethylene (HOPE) and PP produced by the aluminium alkyl-titanium halide route which is treated with sodium hydroxide in the final stages of manufacture. 

Rosato, D. V. Polymers, Processes Properties of Medical Plastics— Including Applications. In Szycher-Robinson, Synthetic Biomedical Polymers, Technomics, 1980. 

Plackett D V and Andersen T L (2002), Biocomposites from natural fibres and biodegradable polymers processing, properties and future prospects , Ldholt H et al.. Sustainable Natural and Polymeric Composites - Science and Technology,... 

Dow catalysts have a high capabihty to copolymetize linear a-olefias with ethylene. As a result, when these catalysts are used in solution-type polymerisation reactions, they also copolymerise ethylene with polymer molecules containing vinyl double bonds at their ends. This autocopolymerisation reaction is able to produce LLDPE molecules with long-chain branches that exhibit some beneficial processing properties (1,2,38,39). Distinct from other catalyst systems, Dow catalysts can also copolymerise ethylene with styrene and hindered olefins (40). 

Polyesters are known to be produced by many bacteria as intracellular reserve materials for use as a food source during periods of environmental stress. They have received a great deal of attention since the 1970s because they are biodegradable, can be processed as plastic materials, are produced from renewable resources, and can be produced by many bacteria in a range of compositions. The thermoplastic polymers have properties that vary from soft elastomers to rigid brittie plastics in accordance with the stmcture of the pendent side-chain of the polyester. The general stmcture of this class of compounds is shown by (3), where R = CH3, n = >100, and m = 0-8. 

Another example of static SIMS used in a more quantitative role is in the analysis of extmded polymer blends. The morphology of blended polymers processed by extrusion or molding can be affected by the melt temperature, and pressure, etc. The surface morphology can have an effect on the properties of the molded polymer. Adhesion, mechanical properties, and physical appearance are just a few properties affected by processing conditions. 

A large part of polymer processing technology can be summed up in the statement get the shape then set the shape. The purpose of this chapter will be to try to expand on this, showing how processing behaviour can be related to fundamental polymer properties. We shall not at this instance concern ourselves with compounding techniques but be primarily concerned with the production of objects of definite shape and form. 

Fibres, film and moulded objects may be made from the polymer but properties are very dependent on morphology which is greatly affected by processing conditions and by subsequent annealing. 

Increase in the chain branching in the polychloroprene, reducing the stability in polymer viscosity and deteriorating the processing properties. 

When formulating a silicone adhesive, sealant, or coating, based on hydrosilylation addition cure, one must consider the following properties of the uncured product pot life, dispensing technique, rheology, extrusion rate, cure performance. These characteristics directly affect the processing properties of the polymer base or crosslinker parts. The degree of cure conversion at the temperature of interest is determined by properties such as tack free time, cure profile and cure time. Once... 

The important point to note from this Example is that in a non-symmetrical laminate the behaviour is very complex. It can be seen that the effect of a simple uniaxial stress, or, is to produce strains and curvatures in all directions. This has relevance in a number of polymer processing situations because unbalanced cooling (for example) can result in layers which have different properties, across a moulding wall thickness. This is effectively a composite laminate structure which is likely to be non-symmetrical and complex behaviour can be expected when loading is applied. 

G. Pastuska, Polymer Processing and Properties (G. Ast-arita, L. Nicolais, eds.) Plenum Press, New York, p. 295 (1984). 

PEs, as other polymers, exhibit nonlinear behavior in their viscous and elastic properties under practical processing conditions, i.e., at high-shear stresses. The MFI value is, therefore, of little importance in polymer processing as it is determined at a fixed low-shear rate and does not provide information on melt elasticity [38,39]. In order to understand the processing behavior of polymers, studies on melt viscosity are done in the high-shear rate range viz. 100-1000 s . Additionally, it is important to measure the elastic property of a polymer under similar conditions to achieve consistent product quality in terms of residual stress and/or dimensional accuracy of the processed product. 

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