Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Understanding Shrinkage in Injection Molding: The Role of the Packing Phase

In injection molding, shrinkage is fundamentally linked to thermal expansion.

However, this relationship can become complex, especially when we factor in the "Packing Phase."

During this phase, we apply significant pressure to the molten material, allowing us to inject more grams of material into a predefined mold volume, assuming we disregard mold deformation for now.

As a result, the final shrinkage can vary widely—ranging from high shrinkage, dictated by the room pressure PvT curve (in cases where no packing is applied), to even negative shrinkage in situations of overpacking.

While the basic principles of shrinkage are driven by Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE), the reality is much more nuanced.

For instance, with glass-filled polymers, increased packing pressure can influence the anisotropy-driven warpage of the material; it may even suppress warpage without affecting the CTE anisotropy itself.

source:Vito leo

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : POM vs Other Plastics

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Comparative Analysis of POM with Other Plastics:

Some of the key advantages and limitations of POM compared to other plastics are highlighted below:

POM vs Nylon

POM has lower moisture absorption and better dimensional stability than nylon

It has higher tensile strength, hardness and modulus than nylon

Nylon offers higher toughness, ductility and impact strength compared to POM

Nylon has better chemical resistance than POM, especially to bases, oils and greases

POM provides lower coefficient of friction than nylon

POM vs Polycarbonate

POM has much higher strength, hardness and stiffness than polycarbonate

PC offers very high impact resistance compared to brittle

POMPolycarbonate has superior temperature resistance up to 140°C vs 90°C for POM

POM has lower moisture absorption and better dimensional stability

PC has higher ductility and fracture toughness compared to POM

POM vs Polyimide

Polyimide can withstand much higher temperatures than POM

It has excellent strength retention at high temperatures vs POM

POM offers better impact strength and machinability

Polyimide has superior wear resistance and chemical resistance

POM has lower density and moisture absorption compared to polyimide

source:beeplastic.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Mass Production Technology to Build Supply Structure for Non-Edible Biomass-Derived Nylon

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Toray and PTT Global Chemical Agree to Explore Mass Production Technology to Build Supply Structure for Non-Edible Biomass-Derived Nylon

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with major Thai petrochemicals producer PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) to explore mass production technology for adipic acid made from non-edible biomass*1.

Toray and GC will jointly evaluate the feasibility of mass production technology and commercialization in Thailand and Japan. If business is determined viable, they aim to commercially manufacture several thousand metric tons of bio-based muconic and bio-based adipic acid annually by 2030.

Last year, both companies began jointly developing technology to produce these raw materials for nylon-6,6 from non-edible biomass-derived sugars made at Cellulosic Biomass Technology Co., Ltd., a Thai company in which Toray has an 84% stake.

GC employs its proprietary fermentation technology to quickly convert non-edible sugars into high yields of muconic acid. Toray uses its hydrogenation process to produce high yields of high-purity bio-adipic acid from muconic acid. The resulting bio-based adipic acid can serve as a raw material for nylon-6,6 for resins and fibers similar to the petroleum-derived nylon-6,6. On top of that, the manufacturing process does not generate nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas by-product typically associated with chemical synthesis-based processes.

Toray and GC will build a supply chain to manufacture tens of thousands of metric tons of bio-based adipic acid from agricultural waste in Thailand, which is rich in natural resources. They will use this acid to make eco-friendly nylon-6,6, assisting efforts to create a circular economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry selected this study for its fiscal 2023 supplementary subsidy for the Global South Future-oriented Co-creation Project (Survey on the Promotion of Overseas Development of Infrastructure by Japanese Companies).

Toray is engaging in R&D, such as to develop technologies to switch to biomass-derived materials. It seeks to reach a 20% recycling rate for raw materials it uses in its core polymer offerings by 2030 and thereby help materialize a sustainable, circular economy in keeping with its commitment to delivering new value and contributing to social progress.

source:Toray

SABIC OPENS MULTI- MILLION-DOLLAR ULTEM™ RESIN MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN SINGAPORE

SABIC, a global diversified chemicals company, today announced the official launch of its new US$170 (S$220) million ULTEM™ resin manufacturing facility in Singapore, marking the company’s first advanced specialty chemical manufacturing facility in the region producing the high-performance thermoplastic, ULTEM™ resin.

The new facility is a strategic move to support SABIC’s goal of increasing global ULTEM™ specialty resin production by more than 50%, responding to the growing demand from high-tech and manufacturing industries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan and China.

The facility opening was officiated by Ms. Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Eng. Khalid H. Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SABIC, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, SABIC Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Omar Al-Harthi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Singapore.

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the new Singapore facility reinforces SABIC’s commitment to localize a reliable supply of high performance materials that support complex and demanding supply chain requirements.

Ms. Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said, “The opening of SABIC’s new facility underscores Singapore’s role as a gateway to Asia and a leading hub for the chemicals industry.”

Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO, SABIC said, “We’re excited to leverage SABIC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities to produce one of the world’s most advanced plastics in Singapore. The ULTEM resin facility reflects our long-term commitment to the region’s high-tech economies and advanced manufacturing sectors, supporting the growth of advanced applications. Singapore’s widely networked trade agreements also provides us with competitive access to markets in the region.”

Lim Wey Len, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board said, “The opening of SABIC’s new ULTEM plant reflects its confidence in Singapore as a hub to capture the growing demand for high-performance specialty chemicals in Asia. We look forward to how the new plant’s advanced manufacturing capabilities will boost our chemicals sector to meet customers’ needs in growth areas such as mobility and electronics. We continue to welcome like-minded partners like SABIC to invest in our talent and capabilities here in Singapore, to create cutting edge material solutions for the world.”

SABIC’S ROLE IN SINGAPORE

source:SABIC

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share :Floor Tiles with Cellulose Microfiber

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Mitsui Chemicals & Partners Create Floor Tiles Comprising of a Cellulose Microfiber

The three partners have created floor tiles made of Transwood™ with Prasus™ a fully bio-based composite that combines a cellulose microfiber compound with Prasus™ a mass-balanced bio-polypropylene resin produced by Prime Polymer.

New Building Material Selected for use in Flooring of an Event Facility

The new building material was selected for use in the flooring of an event facility for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Expo 2025): the EXPO National Day Hall, which has been designed by Akihisa Hirata Office, among others.Mitsui Chemicals has decided to provide sponsorship for Expo 2025 in the form of supplying the 20,000 floor tiles each measuring 15 centimeters square required for the facility.

In providing these biomass-based floor tiles,Mitsui Chemicals aims to express its endorsement of the theme of Expo 2025,Designing Future Society for Our Lives,and help to ensure that the event demonstrates consideration for the achievement of carbon neutrality and a circular economy.

The Ministry of the Environment’s Roadmap for Bioplastics Introduction defines the mass balance approach as A method in which, during the process of turning raw materials into final products and the distribution process, raw materials with certain properties (e.g., bio-based raw materials) are mixed with raw materials that do not have the properties (e.g., fossil-based raw materials); thus, the properties are assigned to a portion of the product according to the amount of input of the raw materials with those properties.

The physical properties of plastics and chemical products made under the mass balance method do not differ from their fossil-derived counterparts. The mass balance method also allows for the use of biomass in the production of materials where it has traditionally been difficult. Therefore, the mass balance method is a significant means of increasing the adoption of biomass in society and realizing a carbon-neutral society. As of October 2024, around 40 products across the Mitsui Chemicals Group have already switched to the use of biomass resources based on the mass balance approach.

BePLAYER™

Under BePLAYER™, they will help the transition to a bio-based society to solve the problem of climate change. They will further the development of bio-based products via the mass balance and segregation methods alike, along with other products and technologies contributing to carbon neutrality, in an effort to substantially assist in reducing society’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Prasus®

Prasus™ is the brand name for Prime Polymer’s eco-friendly and sustainable polyethylene and polypropylene products made with a new feedstock based on the mass balance approach.

Source: Mitsui Chemicals/polymer-additives.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Issues with Color Masterbatches in Injection Molding

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Understanding Common Issues with Color Masterbatches in Injection Molding:

The use of color masterbatches is prevalent in injection molding. However, over the years, I have frequently encountered several issues that typically result in surface defects on the molded parts.

These issues can be categorized into three main scenarios:

1. Incompatible Carrier Materials

Sometimes, masterbatches (e.g., with 50% pigment and 50% carrier) use a high-flow carrier like LLDPE, even when the host polymer to be colored is not LLDPE-based.

Issue: The incompatible high-flow carrier is pushed to the surface by hydrodynamic forces. For instance, small amounts of LLDPE in a nylon part can readily create blisters or delamination.

2. Neglecting to Dry the Masterbatch

In nylon or polyester parts, even when the masterbatch uses the correct carrier (same as the host matrix to be colored), users often neglect to dry the masterbatch, drying only the bulk resin to be molded.

Issue: Users may assume that the small amount of masterbatch added doesn’t need drying. However, a very wet, small amount of carrier can cause surface blooming, silver streaks, and potentially significant hydrolytic degradation issues in sensitive materials like PET or PBT.

3. Improper Dispersion of Masterbatch

Even when the masterbatch uses the correct carrier and is properly dried before feeding into the hopper, part issues can still arise.

Issue: The problem often stems from less than perfect dispersion of the masterbatch in the injection molding machine screw. These screws are not always ideally designed and may lack the ability to fully disperse the pigment, leading to color issues due to inhomogeneous color concentrate.

Understanding and addressing these common issues can significantly improve the quality of injection molded parts. Ensuring compatibility of carriers, proper drying of materials, and optimal dispersion techniques are crucial steps in achieving defect-free products.

source:Vito leo

#plastics #injectionmolding #blisters #masterbatches #dispersion #moldedparts

Avantium and SCGC to Accelerate the Market Adoption for FDCA and PEF in Asia

Avantium and SCGC are long-term strategic partners. SCGC, through SENFI Ventures, is a cornerstone investor in Avantium and furthermore collaborates with Avantium in CO2-based polymers technology. Building on their strategic intent letter from January 2024, the companies have decided to take the next step in their collaboration and accelerate the market adoption for FDCA and PEF in Asia. This is backed by Avantium’s achievement in securing global industrial-scale capacity reservations and Flagship Plant offtake agreements in key markets such as rigid packaging and apparel. A joint team will work with local and global brands to validate the market potential, further develop FDCA and PEF applications, and enhance volume commitments across the region to underpin future large-scale production in Asia.

Dr. Suracha Udomsak, Chief Operations and Innovation Officer at SCGC, stated: “One of our aspirations is to become a leader in sustainability and green innovation. Avantium's expertise in green business technology, along with SCGC’s presence in Asia, creates a solid basis for our collaboration. This initiative aligns with our strategy to grow our eco-friendly business and addresses the rapidly increasing demand for sustainable plastics in the Asian market.”

Tom van Aken, Chief Executive Officer of Avantium, added: “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with SCGC, a key partner that shares our commitment to sustainability and innovation. SCGC’s commitment to work with Avantium to accelerate the market adoption of FDCA and PEF in Asia through joint market studies marks an important development in our global commercialization strategy.”

source:Avantium