Plastics Review

2015 / issue 05

Processing of plastics

Quality assurance of injection moulding by technical means

Gives examples of the use of pressure and temperature sensors in tool cavities in the following article. The marking of mould cavities also helps to ensure the quality of the injection moulding process, but there are rules for this. For a conscious marking of the cavities, some simple rules to follow.

Advice for producing good quality injection mouldings: setting the temperature of the heating zones and positioning the inlet stub

Injection moulding, like other processing steps, is a complex process. It is never enough good advice. The following is a guide to adjusting the temperature of the screw heating zones and and choosing the location of the inlet stub.

New additives and new technologies for polyolefins processing

Several new additives were presented at the SPE Polyolefins 2014 international conference which can be used to facilitate processing or improve the properties of products. Among them, we present some of the new formulations for polyolefins.

The use of ultrasound, laser technology and other advanced processes in the manufacture of medical devices

The requirements for plastic medical devices are set out in are much stricter than average. The production of microscale devices for advanced surgery requires ever more advanced new processes. This is helped by techniques such as ultrasonic and laser welding or ultrasonic injection moulding.

In the crosshairs of development: natural fibre reinforced PP composites

PP composites reinforced with natural fibres are being developed in research centres around the world. The automotive industry is one of the users of these composites, as they can help reduce weight of vehicles and even have an environmental impact. Two different developments based on PP matrix are described below.

The importance of drying in plastics processing

With the exception of bulk plastics, most thermoplastics are used before processing must be thoroughly dried before processing. Failure to do so will not only result in aesthetic defects, but also products with significantly inferior properties due to breakage of the polymer chains inferior properties. If wood flour or natural fibres are used as fillers or reinforcing materials, the bulk plastic materials must also be dried.

New products

Lightweight milk bottles made from PET The weight of PET water and soft drink bottles has been significantly reduced. Now the KHS GmbH has developed lightweight bottles for milk and dairy products, which have been tested by the Bottles&Shapes-Centrum in Hamburg and found to be marketable marketable. The 0.5-liter bottle weighs 10.9 g, the 1-liter bottle with a 32 mm screw cap diameter weighs bottle weighs only 20 g, compared to 22 g for the same size bottles on the market compared with 22 g of the same volume in the same bottle.

Use of plastics

New ways to make packaging more attractive

The packaging "sells" the goods, and is therefore (almost) as important as the goods themselves. A packaging technology is constantly evolving. Here are some of the new a foil manufacturer, a new toolmaker idea and a new packaging concept. of a pigment manufacturer, which can be used to make a product irresistible. packages coloured with them.

Plastic car windows - the potential of PMMA and PC

The car industry is ready to use plastics as a way to reduce the weight of cars. However, replacing glass in windows is a complex task, and the options are far from being exploited. Different types of PMMA and PC compete for the complete plasticisation of car windows. However, this is still some years away.

Development of carbon fibre composites

The use of carbon fibre plastics in the automotive industry is becoming increasingly widespread. Developments results in other areas such as high-altitude lifts, walking aids exploiting the special properties of carbon fibres.

Market situation for plastics

Plastic prices in Europe

Price of plastics observed between August 2014 and August 2015 fluctuated in a wide range, but after a year it has returned to almost the same level. The 1. Figure 1 and Table 1 show that the price of raw materials in February 2015 when, for example, the impact resistant PS was at its lowest point with 17%, the PE-HD blown type 30% than in August 2015. On the other hand, the price of PVC pipes and tubes was barely fluctuated over a year (Figure 1, Table 1).

Market news

SABIC to import US shale gas to Europe Petrochemical giant SABIC (Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation, Riyadh) has signed a letter of intent to import shale gas from an unnamed US supplier to supply its Teesside processing plant. This would make it the first to do so. export from the southeastern United States of America (Gulf of Mexico) to the UK. Details and exact timing of the agreement will be announced in the third quarter of 2015. The shale gas will be fully the Teesside plant for the next ten years, and thereafter the contract may be extended.

In short...

Investments in Hungary

Contact lens production in Gyál; New investment in Samsonite's Hungarian plant; Farewell to the name Tisza Chemical Combine

FAKUMA exhibition in Friedrichshafen, 13-17 October

Injection moulding will again be at the heart of the most important trade fair for plastics processing. 1700 exhibitors from 35 countries will showcase their products and technologies. Market-leading machinery manufacturers will also be present. The new opening hours are Tuesday-Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-3pm. The fair had 45 176 visitors in 2014.

Plastics and composites

New perspectives for bio-based plastics

By modifying the structure of polylactic acids (PLA), German researchers have created hybrid block copolymers to create lactic acids suitable for technical applications. In another work, the "good old" cellulose acetate has been combined with polypropylene (PP), PP to make PP greener.

Properties of plastics

Physical ageing of plastics

The physical ageing of polymers occurs because the plastics produced in practice polymer chains are never in a thermodynamically equilibrium state, but the free volume between the chains is larger in comparison. Although the free space between the the movement of the chains is strongly limited, not completely zero, the polymer chains gradually fill this free volume as they strive towards equilibrium. As the free volume decreases, the mobility of the chains and hence the elasticity of the material the product becomes brittle and fragile. This process is called the beta temperature of the material and Tg, accelerating significantly near Tg.

New methods for testing the service life of pipes

Plastic pipes are usually installed for a long period of time, and their use in many withstand a wide range of stresses and strains. Their behaviour can be tested using various test methods methods, but many researchers are working on their further development.

Leadership skills

Shale gas expected to boost US and Europe

After gloomy predictions of running out of hydrocarbon resources, the discovery of shale gas revitalised the petrochemical industry. In the US, this has led to major investments plans to expand polyethylene production. Manufacturers now have to deal with it, where and how to export the rapidly expanding surplus. Europe is lagging a little behind in shale gas production, but the company Ineos is trying to use this new energy source on this continent. In its renewable polyethylene plant, initially from the US shale gas exported from the US, but in a few years it will switch to the shale gas used at the time. European shale gas already available.

Plastics and the environment

Recycling of PET and moulded polyamide waste

The recyclability of PET bottle and tray waste is significantly affected by the the material, size and adhesive of the labels, as well as the size and printing ink of the graphics used. The environmentally conscious choice of labelling technology has a major impact on the facilitates recycling to a large extent. Moulded polyamide waste with appropriate additives can be made suitable for recycling: extrusion and injection moulding.