Processing, thermoplastics process

The processing conditions of BAK poly(esteramide) are similar to those of pofyolefins [99], BAK 1095 resin can be processed into film and also into extruded or blow-moulded parts on conventional machinery used for processing thermoplastics. Processing conditions are given in Table 3.20. 

SAN resins are rigid, hard, transparent thermoplastics which process easily and have good dimensional stability—a combination of properties unique in transparent polymers. 

Hot Plate, Infrared, and Hot Gas Welding. These processes involve external means to heat thermoplastic polymers to a viscous state in... 

Considerable work has also been conducted to try to find thermoplastic elastomers that can be used to simplify processing by enabling dry blending and melt casting instead of the conventional mixing and curing process (see Elastomers, synthetic). 

The formaldehyde approach is stiU used by Futamura Chemical (Japan). They make spun-laid viscose nonwovens where the hydroxymethylceUulose xanthate derivative formed from formaldehyde ia the spia bath allows the fibers to bond after layiag. This process was originally developed by Mitsubishi Rayon (30), who later found that the derivative was thermoplastic, and the web could be calender-bonded (120°C) prior to regeneration (31). 

Bulky Rayons. Unlike the thermoplastic synthetic fibers, viscose rayon cannot be bulked by mechanical crimping processes. Crimpers impart crimp to a regenerated cellulose fiber but it is not a permanent crimp and will not survive wetting out. 

As a tme thermoplastic, FEP copolymer can be melt-processed by extmsion and compression, injection, and blow molding. Films can be heat-bonded and sealed, vacuum-formed, and laminated to various substrates. Chemical inertness and corrosion resistance make FEP highly suitable for chemical services its dielectric and insulating properties favor it for electrical and electronic service and its low frictional properties, mechanical toughness, thermal stabiUty, and nonstick quaUty make it highly suitable for bearings and seals, high temperature components, and nonstick surfaces. 

Standard thermoplastic processing techniques can be used to fabricate FEP. Thermal degradation must be avoided, and a homogeneous stmcture and good surface quaUty must be maintained. 

Many challenging industrial and military applications utilize polychlorotriduoroethylene [9002-83-9] (PCTFE) where, ia addition to thermal and chemical resistance, other unique properties are requited ia a thermoplastic polymer. Such has been the destiny of the polymer siace PCTFE was initially synthesized and disclosed ia 1937 (1). The synthesis and characterization of this high molecular weight thermoplastic were researched and utilized duting the Manhattan Project (2). The unique comhination of chemical iaertness, radiation resistance, low vapor permeabiUty, electrical iasulation properties, and thermal stabiUty of this polymer filled an urgent need for a thermoplastic material for use ia the gaseous UF diffusion process for the separation of uranium isotopes (see Diffusion separation methods). 

Additives have the same effect on thermoplastic foaming processes as on thermoset foaming processes. Environmental conditions are important in this case because of the necessity of removing heat from the foamed stmcture in order to stabilize it. The dimensions and size of the foamed stmcture are important for the same reason. 

Poly(vinylchloride). Cellular poly(vinyl chloride) is prepared by many methods (108), some of which utili2e decompression processes. In all reported processes the stabili2ation process used for thermoplastics is to cool the cellular state to a temperature below its second-order transition temperature before the resia can flow and cause coUapse of the foam. 

Polyester. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) [25038-59-9] (PET) polyester film has intermediate gas- and water- vapor barrier properties, very high tensile and impact strengths, and high temperature resistance (see Polyesters, thermoplastic). AppHcations include use as an outer web in laminations to protect aluminum foil. It is coated with PVDC to function as the flat or sealing web for vacuum/gas flush packaged processed meat, cheese, or fresh pasta. 

Free mono- and multilayer films may be adhesive- or extmsion-bonded in the laminating process. The bonding adhesive may be water- or solvent-based. Alternatively, a temperature-dependent polymer-based adhesive without solvent may be heated and set by cooling. In extmsion lamination, a film of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene is extmded as a bond between the two flat materials, which are brought together between a chilled and backup roU. 

LARC-TPI is a linear thermoplastic PI which can be processed ia the imide form to produce large-area, void-free adhesive bonds. Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., has obtained Hcense to produce this product commercially for appHcations such as adhesives, films, mol ding compounds, etc. These are thermooxidatively stable and show essentially no loss ia weight at 300°C ia air. Weight loss does not exceed 2—3% after isothermal aging ia air at 300°C for 550 h. 

Phase Materials. Phase holograms can be recorded in a large variety of materials, the most popular of which are dichromated gelatin, photopolymers, thermoplastic materials, and photorefractive crystals. Dichromated gelatin and some photopolymers require wet processing, and thermoplastic materials require heat processing. Photorefractive crystals are unique in that they are considered to be real-time materials and require no after-exposure processing. 

The two primary types of plastics, thermosets and thermoplastics, are made almost exclusively from hydrocarbon feedstocks. Thermosetting materials are those that harden during processing (usually during heating, as the name implies) such that in their final state they are substantially infusible and insoluble. Thermoplastics may be softened repeatedly by heat, and hardened again by cooling. 

Ionomer resins are produced in multiple grades to meet market needs, and prospective customers are provided with information on key processing parameters such as melt-flow index. Nominal values for many other properties are Hsted in product brochures. The ASTM test methods developed for general-purpose thermoplastic resins are appHcable to ionomers. No special methods have been introduced specifically for the ionomers. 

EPDM-Derived Ionomers. Another type of ionomer containing sulfonate, as opposed to carboxyl anions, has been obtained by sulfonating ethylene—propjlene—diene (EPDM) mbbers (59,60). Due to the strength of the cross-link, these polymers are not inherently melt-processible, but the addition of other metal salts such as zinc stearate introduces thermoplastic behavior (61,62). These interesting polymers are classified as thermoplastic elastomers (see ELASTOLffiRS,SYNTHETIC-THERMOPLASTICELASTOLffiRS). 

Polyuretha.ne, A type of spunbonded stmcture has been commercialized in Japan based on thermoplastic polyurethanes (15). This represents the first commercial production of such fabrics, although spunbonded urethane fabrics have been previously discussed (16). The elastomeric properties claimed are unique for spunbonded products and appear to be weU suited for use in apparel and other appHcations requiring stretch and recovery. Polyurethanes are also candidates for processing by the meltblown process. 

Recycling of HDPE. Polyolefins, including HDPE, are the second most widely recycled thermoplastic materials after PET (110). A significant fraction of articles made from HDPE (mostly bottles, containers, and film) are collected from consumers, sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed (110—113). Processing of post-consumer HDPE includes the same operations as those used for virgin resins blow mol ding, injection molding, and extmsion. 

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