Mechanically Induced reactions during Ultra-High Shear Polymer Processing

Objective

Objectives and content

Unexpectedly, it has been found that when mixtures of incompatible polymers are blended in an ultra-high shear (10(6) S(-l)) internal mixer, developed by Newplast (partner), they are transformed into real alloys exhibiting excellent physical homogeneity and good mechanical properties. This technique, developed originally for polymer waste recycling, has potential applications for the development of polymer alloys without the addition of compatibilizers.
It is believed that the ultra-high shear rates induce mechano-chemical reactions in the polymer melts but these have not be investigated and, as a result, the method is not predictable.

The objectives of the basic research are:

- to develop an understanding of the underlying chemistry and physics of the mechanically induced compatibilization during the ultra-high shear (UHS) process.
- to determine the feasibility of converting the process from a batch to a continuous one.
- to assess the viability of the UHS materials produced in existing industrial applications.

The project consortium comprises the manufacturer/inventor of the ultra-high shear internal mixer (Newplast (FR), the Universities of Lille (FR) (USTL), Aveiro (PT) (U.A.) and Louvain-la-Neuve (BE) (UCL), who bring polymer mechanical properties, polymer filler and polymer melt chemistry expertises respectively, CRIF (BE), a research Centre experienced in polymer machinery development and scale-up and an end-user (Derbit Spa (IT ))

Programme(s)

• FP4-BRITE/EURAM 3 - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 0204 - Technologies for recovering products at the end of their lifecycle

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN

Address

2,Place Sainte Barbe 2
1348 Louvain-la-neuve
Belgium

Participants (5)

Centre de Recherches Scientifiques etTechniques de l'Industrie des Fabrications Métalliques - CRIF/WTCM

Belgium

Address

12,Rue Du Bois Saint-jean
4102 Seraing

Derbit SpA

Italy

Address

Via Romitino 5
40055 Castenaso Bologna

Newplast Process France SA

France

Address

Le Savoy Germain Sommelier
74490 Saint-jeoire-en-faucigny

UNIVERSITY OF AVEIRO

Portugal

Address

Campus Universit.santiago
3800 Aveiro/eixo

UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF LILLE

France

Address

Université Des Sciences Et Technologie De Lille (L
59655 Villeneuve D'ascq