Local process-dependent structural and mechanical properties of extrusion blow molded high-density polyethylene hollow parts

Although applied for several decades, production of hollow plastic parts by extrusion blow molding (EBM) is still over-dimensioned. To overcome this issue, a thorough investigation of the process-structure-property relationship is required. In this study, the local process-structure-property relationship for high-density polyethylene EBM containers is analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanic analysis microindentation. Local process-dependent crystallinity and complex modulus data at various processing conditions are supplemented with wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The crystallinities and the complex moduli clearly show lower values close to the mold side than at the inner side and the middle of the cross-section, which reflects the temperature gradient during processing. Additionally, the orientation of the polymer chain (c-axis) reveals a low level of biaxiality with a slight tendency towards transverse direction. The biaxiality increases for low mold temperature and high draw ratio. Finally, biaxiality is confirmed with TEM, which reveals no preferred lamellar orientation.     

Measurement and quantitative analysis of fiber orientation distribution in long fiber reinforced part by injection molding

The fiber orientation distribution is one of the important microstructure variables for thermoplastic composites reinforced with discontinuous fibers. In this paper, the long fibers in the injection molded part are measured in detail by micro X-ray CT. A three dimensional (3D) structure of the sample is built and two dimensional images are generated for image analysis. The orientation tensor of fibers is calculated in the flow plane. It shows a symmetric distribution of fibers through the thickness direction, which consists of outer skin, transition zone and the core. The skin layer is so thin that it has only one layer of highly oriented fibers. The core layer also has highly oriented fibers but the direction of fibers is different from that in the skin layer. Nevertheless, the clustering of the fibers is characterized quantitatively in the core. The transition zone can be divided into two subzones by the principal directions of the tensor.     

The Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Isotactic Polypropylene Injection-Molded Samples with the Presence of β-Nucleation Agent and Periodical Shear Field

The pressure vibration injection molding (PVIM) method was used to prepare β-nucleated isotactic polypropylene samples (PVIM β-iPP samples); a relatively low, periodical shear was imposed on the polymer melt in the mold at the filling and packing stages. The crystal structures and crystal orientation of the PVIM β-iPP samples were investigated by polarizing light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and synchrotron two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction (2D-WAXD). The PLM observations indicated that a cylindrite layer, rather than the transition layer, was found in PVIM β-iPP samples, which is different from the conventional injection-molded (CIM) samples. In addition, the thickness of the oriented layer of the PVIM samples was obviously greater than that of the CIM samples. The SEM observations demonstrated that a large amount of shish-kebab structures appeared in the shear layer of the PVIM β-iPP samples; at the same time, numerous β-spherulites were formed in the core layer. The 2D-WAXD data indicated that orientation homogeneity, to some degree, could be obtained by the periodical shear during PVIM. As a result, the above-mentioned morphology of the PVIM β-iPP samples leads to potentially useful prominent reinforcement and toughening of the material.     

Role of dicumyl peroxide on the morphology and mechanical performance of polypropylene random copolymer in microinjection molding

The purpose of this work is to systematically investigate the effects of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of polypropylene random copolymers (PPRs) during the microinjection process. Polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electronic microscopy measurements were employed to characterize the morphology evolution of the PPR microparts with DCP. A hierarchical structure was found in the PPR microparts with DCP. Specifically, with the individual addition of organic peroxide, the orientation parameter of the PPR microparts decreased pronouncedly and the formation of skin layer was suppressed, while the formation of core layer was promoted. This was ascribed to the distribution of shear rate in the microchannel, which was determined by the wall ship effect in the filling stage and the relaxation behavior in the cooling stage. A mechanism was proposed to explain the distinctive filling behavior and molding characteristics of PPR with DCP in microinjection molding.     

Optimization of injection‐molding process for mechanical properties of polypropylene components via a generalized regression neural network

This study analyzed contour distortions, wear and tensile properties of polypropylene (PP) components applied in the interior coffer of automobiles. A hybrid method integrating a trained generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method is proposed to determine an optimal parameter setting of the injection‐molding process. The specimens were prepared under different injection‐molding conditions by changing melting temperatures, injection speeds, and injection pressures. Average contour distortions at six critical locations, wear and tensile properties were selected as the quality targets. Sixteen experimental runs, based on a Taguchi orthogonal array table, were utilized to train the GRNN and then the SQP method was applied to search for an optimal setting. The trained GRNN was capable of predicting average contour distortions, wear and tensile properties at various injection‐molding conditions. In addition, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was implemented to identify significant factors for the molding process and the proposed algorithm was compared with traditional schemes like the Taguchi method and the design of experiments (DOE) approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

半结晶聚合物注射成型中结晶动力学的数值模拟

对半结晶聚合物注射成型过程及其结晶过程进行偶合模拟,分析了二者的相互影响.具体是在注射成型数值模拟中考虑结晶动力学效应,分别在本构方程、能量方程及材料物性参数方程中引入反映结晶效应的参数;同时在结晶动力学计算中考虑流动诱导效应,从能量的角度提出并使用修正的动力学模型,用材料流动过程的耗散能表征流动对结晶的影响.通过对等规聚丙烯(iPP)和聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)两种半结晶聚合物注射过程模拟结果的分析比较,证实成型过程具有加速结晶的作用.同时,材料的结晶也对注射成型加工过程,尤其是保压与冷却过程的温度场分布有较大的影响.     

基于遗传算法和神经网络的注塑工艺参数优化

基于Moldflow模拟仿真的结果,结合GA算法优化BP网络的结构,建立了模具温度,熔体温度,保压压力,注射速度等工艺参数与塑件体积收缩率的BP网络模型.获得了最优的工艺参数组合,同时预测结果与实际结果吻合.通过神经网络算法(BP)预测注塑工艺参数对塑件质量的影响,可以有效降低其他建模方法的难度和工作量,方法可以推广到塑件其他质量预测过程中.     

TiO2微图纹结构的制作

The representative soft lithographic techniques are used,which are micromolding and microtransfer molding methods to fabricate the micro array patterned titanium dioxide on glass substrates. Firstly titanium dioxide sol was synthesized by sol-gel method using tetrabutyl titanate as the precursor,then the pre-patterned poly（dimethylsiloxane） elastomeric stamp was used to mold the TiO2 sol on glass substrate by micromolding and microtransfer molding methods,micro patterned TiO2 sol was gelled at 70℃ with 0. 5 N pressure applied on the PDMS stamp,further heat treatment of TiO2 gel by annealing at 550℃ for 2 h produced the TiO2 microstructure. The TiO2 microstructure was observed by the optical microscope and the optical micrographs demonstrated the satisfactory yield and fidelity of pattern transfer by micromolding method and microtransfer method. The effect of gel temperature,the pressure applied on the PDMS stamp and the silicone mold on the fidelity and yield of TiO2 microstructure are discussed.     

Styrene Butadiene Rubber/Silicone Rubber Blends Filled With Dough Moulding Compound

Blends of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/methyl-vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) filled with dough molding compound (DMC) were prepared and the effects of various amounts of the SBR, as a compatibilizer of MVQ and DMC, on the mechanical properties and the oxygen index of the DMC filled SBR/MVQ blends were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and infrared spectrum analysis (IR) of the DMC/SBR/MVQ blends were also investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the DMC filled MVQ blends were improved when SBR was used as a compatibilizer; the best mass ratio was 60 phr (parts per hundred total rubber) DMC, 25 phr SBR and 75 phr MVQ. The volume electric resistivities of the DMC filled SBR/MVQ blends with various DMC mass ratios were all above 5.8?×?10¹² Ω?m; i.e., the electrical insulating property of the blends was excellent. Compared with the blends without DMC and the blends without SBR, the energy storage modulus and the peak area of the loss factor tan δ of the DMC reinforced SBR/MVQ blends were largest; the addition of DMC and SBR improved the thermal properties of the blends.     

关于副本交换分子动力学模拟复杂化学反应的研究

本文研究用温度副本交换分子动力学(T-REMD)和哈密顿副本交换分子动力学(H-REMD)方法模拟复杂化学反应的问题。使用具有不同活化能和反应能的简单置换反应模型,我们检验了上述两种方法用来预测反应平衡产物的效率和应用范围。T-REMD方法对具有适度活化能(约< 20 kcal·mol^-1)或者反应能量(< 3 kcal·mol^-1)的放热反应是有效的。由于在相空间的不完整采样,对于同时具有高活化能和反应能量的反应其模拟效率有严重障碍,并且对于吸热反应问题更为显着。另一方面,H-REMD对一系列具有不同活化能的反应能的模型表现出色,与T-REMD相比,H-REMD可以使用更少的副本获得优异的结果。