Based on numerical calculations and simulations of polymer flow in the new plasticizing systems, a model of the plasticizing system was selected, which will be made in metal. All elements of the new extruder were designed, the motors and instrumentations were selected, and an automatic extruder control system and extrusion process visualisation were developed. The extruder parts were made of metal and assembled into an extruder. The extrusion process of LDPE with nanofiller in the form of HNT was carried out. The extruder and the extrusion process were studied by determining the pressure and temperature distribution in the plasticizing system and extrusion head, screw torque, specific energy consumption, efficiency, die swelling, extrudate temperature, output, extrusion speed, power supplied to the extruder and transferred by the polymer at low and high screw speed. The properties of the resulting extrudate were then investigated by determining the melt flow rate (MFR and MVR), heat deflection temperature (HDT), phase transition temperature, degree of crystallinity and enthalpy, Young's modulus, pvT, tensile strength, breaking stress, strain at ultimate stress, strain at break, impact strength, hardness and linear shrinkage. The final scientific step was to carry out comparative tests.
All planned training and networking activities were implemented. 6 workshops and 3 training courses were conducted, in addition 5 training courses and workshops were organised, an e-learning platform, project website and social media were being developed.
Training, knowledge transfer and networking are carried out mainly through secondments. We have completed WP3 and WP4. 169.4 secondments were planned and 165.7 secondments took place. The difference is due to the need to adjust the number of secondments to the scope of tasks and availability of human resources, as well as to organisational and security issues arising from the start of the pandemic period caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Project coordination and all Newex project activities are based on GA document 734205. The consortium also has a signed CA before the GA. The project is managed by MB. During the reporting period there were 4 meetings of MB and EAB. All reports and results of the project have been submitted to REA.
IPR issues in our project are governed by GA and CA. IPR refers to the following publications and patents. We aim to publish papers in journals where the copyright is not held by the editor, and ghostwriting and guest authorship are prohibited. IPRs on patents are governed by contracts between the partner and the researcher.
Dissemination of results mainly concerns industrial property rights and publications. In the reporting period so far we have obtained 19 patents and 3 utility models, published 22 scientific publications, produced 3 scientific monographs, 27 chapters in monographs, participated in 12 international conferences and 3 invention exhibitions, obtaining three medals for developed solutions. A project summary conference was organised, conference materials were published, materials were developed to promote the Newex project and Horizon 2020 and MCSA. A website, Facebook page and two videos on YOUTUBE were developed. A number of promotional activities were undertaken, e.g. radio interview, publications in local magazines, and many promotional materials were developed, e.g. flyers, posters, e-mail footers, postcards, banners, calendars, pendrives, pens, etc. The publications have been placed in an open access repository: (
https://depot.ceon.pl(se abrirá en una nueva ventana))
