Future Research Opportunities

Martin Rides

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Future research opportunities

• In-process rheometry – development of standards Alan George, Porpoise Rheometers

• Measurements for the prediction of naturalness (MONAT)

• Materials Metrology Programme - Materials 2007+

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In-process rheometry

In-process rheometry – development of standardAlan George / Martin Rides

Issue:Need for greater acceptance of in-process measurement technology, through standardisation, to improve uptake

Proposal:to develop ISO standard for in-situ measurement of rheological behaviour of polymers and correlate with melt flow rate values

NPL studio project to be developed to pursue this goal

Presentation

In-Process Rheometry

Alan GeorgePorpoise Rheometers Ltd

(http://www.porpoise.co.uk/)

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On-line rheometry –Porpoise extrusion trials

Approach and aims

• Demonstrate the use of on-line rheological equipment for monitoring extrusion processing and the potential for product quality control and process control

• Use of commercially available instrument for measurement on extrusion type processes

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On-line rheometry - Porpoise extrusion trials

Schematic of Porpoise P3 extrusion rheometer

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On-line rheometry - Porpoise extrusion trials

Heater

Die

Pressure transducer

Porpoise Viscometers’P3 extrusion rheometer

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On-line rheometry - Porpoise extrusion trials

Porpoise on-line rheometer mounted on a compounding line

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On-line rheometry - Porpoise extrusion trials

Basic theory

• Theory same as for capillary extrusion rheometry

• No entrance pressure drop correction - same as MFI

• Gear pump controls flow rate

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On-line rheometry - Porpoise extrusion trials

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0 10 20 30 40 50Hours of manufacture

Mel

t flo

w in

dex,

MFI

@19

0 o C

/ 2.

16

kg

• Variation measured on-line of the MFI of a filled polyolefin over a 2 day manufacturing run

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On-line rheometry - Porpoise extrusion trials

1.9

2

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

Sample

Mel

t flo

w in

dex,

MFI

@

150

o C/ 1

0kg

polymer batch reactor A

polymer batchreactor B

• Batch to batch variation of a filled polyolefin (polymer batches supplied from different reactors)

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On-line rheometry - Porpoise extrusion trials

Concluding remarks• Near immediate process and material consistency measures• Data can be used for process control and materials quality

control• Low level of operator input• Significantly higher sampling rates than practicably possible

by MFI• Residence times can be reduced through careful design of

rheometer positioning and of material through-put profile

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In-process rheometry

Issue:Need for greater acceptance of in-process measurement

technology, through standardisation, to improve uptake

Proposal:To develop studio project to enable UK to lead activities in

standardisation of in-process rheological measurement

Studio project criteria:– Approx. 1 year duration– 50% industrial contribution (15% cash, 35% in-kind (industrial

trials, meetings, materials and equipment supply, etc) / 50% DTI funded

– At least 3 industrial partners

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Measurements for the prediction of naturalness (MONAT)

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Measurements for the prediction of naturalness (MONAT)

Key objectives• Understand neurological and psychological

responses involved in perception of ‘naturalness’• Identify relationships between physical properties

of material and perceived ‘naturalness’• Determine most appropriate physical measures

for modelling perception of ‘naturalness’• Model relationships between physical attributes,

sensory network and higher-level cognitive functions to predict perceived ‘naturalness’

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Measurements for touch perception

Material hardness (compressibility)Surface roughnessSurface frictionTensile properties Thermal conductivity, heat capacity etc

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Measurements for the prediction of naturalness (MONAT)

Studio project• To develop studio project to enable UK

companies to benefit from EC Framework Programme (FP6)

• Studio project criteria– Approx. 1 year duration– 50% industrial contribution (15% cash, 35% in-kind

(industrial trials, meetings, materials and equipment supply, etc) / 50% DTI funded

– At least 3 industrial partners

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Materials 2007+

Materials Metrology Programme - Materials 2007+

Selection of short-listed projects:• Fluid properties for micro-processing – Martin Rides

• Diagnostics for Measuring and Modelling Dispersion inNanoparticulate Reinforced Polymers – Bill Broughton

• Moisture in materials - development of measurement capability– Stephanie Bell

Programme launch - April 2007

Annual “rolling” formulation – keep ideas flowing