Plastics Engineering articles from November 2008

Plastics Engineering archives from November 2008

Getting more from regrind: high-quality reprocessed scrap helps offset high resin prices.(NORTH AMERICA)
November 1, 2008... As announcements of double-digit increases in resin prices have become almost routine, less-expensive reprocessed resins may appear more tempting to use. Yet using scrap, regrind, or recycled resin efficiently and effectively remains a...

Rotational moulding: rotomoulders take control.(COVER STORY: EUROPE)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rotomoulding may be seen as the "poor relation" of more high-tech production processes, but recent developments are creating marked improvements, helping produce some innovative products. Rotational moulding has...

Additives annual: tailoring plastics to enhance performance, cost-effectiveness, and appearance.(NORTH AMERICA)(Cover story)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Additives and masterbatches enable processors to precisely tailor plastics to meet a broad range of requirements and specialized applications. Enhancements in processability, versatility, cost-effectiveness, and...

Conducting polymers: smart materials with nanotechnology applications: polymers have traditionally been thought of as nonconductors of electricity. This perspective, however, has now changed with the introduction of plastics that exhibit conductive behaviour similar to that of metals and semiconductors.(EUROPE)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Commonly known as "conducting polymers" or "synthetic metals," these materials can replace gold or platinum, and are prominent candidates for biomimetic (bionic) applications. The chemistry of this special class...

NPE2009 will be more international than ever.(NORTH AMERICA: NPE2009)
November 1, 2008... It is no exaggeration to say that NPFA009 will be the world's greatest plastics event of the year. The sheer size of the show itself is one reason, and there is also its co-location with the world's largest plastics technical conference--SPE's...

Flow guides.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,402,267 (July 22, 2008), "Injection Molding Utilizing Base-Wall-Section Flow Guides," Philip Paul Brown and Jens Ole Sorensen (Sorensen Research and Development Trust, San Diego, California USA). Injection molding complex...

Profile extrusion.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,402,268 (July 22, 2008), "Method for Making a Composite Extruded Profile Formed With Thermoplastic Organic Material Reinforced With Fibers," Philippe Boissonnat, Edward Cooper, Guy Zanella, Remi Carel, Philippe Macquart, and...

Processing aids.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,402,625 (July 22, 2008), "Compositions and Method for Improving the Processing of Polymer Composites," Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Siegmund Papp, Nell R. Granlund, James M. Nelson, Ryan E. Marx, and Jeffrey G. Linert (3M Innovative...

Breathable film.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,405,009 (July 29, 2008), "Moisture Vapor Permeable Film Including Ethylene Copolymer and Articles Including the Same," Shaft U. Ahmed, Peter Remmers, Andualem W. Emiru, and Joachim Baumung (H.B. Fuller Licensing & Financing, Inc.,...

Natural composites.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,405,248 (July 29, 2008), "Plate-Shaped Molding Elements Based on Natural Fibers and Method for the Production Thereof," Matthias Troger and Uwe Lange (Homatherm AG, Switzerland). Particle boards, fiberboards, cellulose...

Superabsorbent polymers.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,407,912 (August 5, 2008), "Supersuperabsorbent Polymers," Richard Mertens and Olaf Holler (Stockhausen GmbH, Krefeld, Germany). Most supersorbents, which absorb large amounts of liquid in a short time, are lightly crosslinked...

Soil reinforcements.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,407,993 (August 5, 2008), "Compositions and Methods for Resisting Soil Erosion and Fire Retardation," Scott Harrison (Terra Novo, Inc., Bakersfield, California USA). Soil erosion is a serious worldwide problem. In the United...

Polyolefin film.(industry PATENTS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,410,675 (August 12, 2008), "Transparent, Biaxially Orientated Polyolefinic Film With Improved Bonding Properties," Detlef Busch and Joachim Jung (Trespaphan GmbH, Neunkirchen, Germany). Polypropylene films are usually...

Nanoparticle-reinforced fibers.(industry PATENTS)
November 1, 2008... U.S. Patent 7,410,697 (August 12, 2008), "Methods for Material Fabrication Utilizing the Polymerization of Nanoparticles," Thomas W. Schneider and Robert C. White (Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, California USA). ...

For members only: leadership skills & professional networking.(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Enhance your career and value to your company by developing your management and leadership skills through SPE. Open to all members--from students to the most experienced plastics professionals--SPE volunteer experiences give you an opportunity...

Letter to the editor.(NORTH AMERICA)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... To the Editor: I enjoyed reading the fine article about nylon in the July/August PE. The author mentions the development of nylon 6 (polycaprolactam) in Germany, and there is a very interesting story behind this event. This story is told...

Molecular engineering: inorganic molecular process increases polymer properties: when it comes to enhancing polymer performance, nothing beats molecular engineering. The ability to tailor a formulation by modifying its molecular backbone can significantly increase existing properties and provide additional performance benefits.(NORTH AMERICA)
November 1, 2008... Molecular engineering is the key to a new process from Applied NanoWorks Inc. of Rensselaer, N.Y. USA. The company has developed a technology called Molecular Control Platform (MCP) that creates inorganic molecules for use in organic materials....

Ken Braney's monthly look at SPE's activities in Europe.(SPENEWSROUNDUP: EUROPE)(Society of Plastics Engineers)
November 1, 2008... Yetty Pauwels, SPE Europe Coordinator set to retire at the end of this year, has accepted a position as part-time coordinator for SPE Europe's two Divisions--Additives & Colour Europe (ACE) and the European Thermoforming Division (ETD). She...

Industry events.(EUROPE)(Calendar)
November 1, 2008... NOVEMBER 3-5, Waterproof Membranes Site: Cologne, Germany Website: www.amiconferences.com 4-5, European Membrane Switch Symposium Site: Neuss, Germany Website: www.euromembraneswitch.org 4-6, Railway Interiors...

Industry events.(NORTH AMERICA)(Calendar)
November 1, 2008... SPE CONFERENCES Nov. 11-12. SPE's New Technology Symposium 2008. Site: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA. Sponsored by the New Technology Committee. Contact: Lesley Kyle, +1 203-740-5452; Email: lskyle@4spe.org. Feb. 22-25, 2009. SPE's...