1. Predicting Polyolefin Foamability Using Melt Rheology Associated Polymer Labs Presented by Jim Zwynenburg

2. Agenda Define Rheology Test Resulting Data Converting Data Plots Interpretations Examples Remember to Remember Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 2

3. Definitions Rheology Rheo means Flow Ology means the study of The Study of Flow Melt Strength Is a property of the polymer melt which indicates its ability to withstand drawing without breaking. Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 3

4. 4 ASTM D-4440 Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties Melt Rheology Frequency Sweep at 190C Temperature Ramp from 140C-230C for Polyethylene Temperature Ramp from 180C-260C for Polypropylene

5. Rheology Test Sensitivity Increases with Decreasing Frequency Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 5

6. Rheology Lab for Solids and Melts Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 6

7. Typical Data from Temperature Ramp Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 7 Temp (C)G' (Pa)G" (Pa)Tan-delta Eta* (Pa-s) 139.716904146050.863993557 144.016320142100.870753446 149.515503137400.886273299 154.914704132900.903853156 160.013926128750.924483020 165.413127124510.948482881 170.112405120460.971072754 175.011645116090.996932618 180.010909111881.02552488 185.410093106671.05682338 190.19427102421.08642217 195.0874197691.11772087 200.4800592411.15451947 205.0743088231.18751837 210.1682383431.22291716 215.5621778561.26361595 220.0575774651.29671501 225.1525670401.33951399 230.5477366031.38331297

8. Rheology Plot 1 Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 8

9. Converted Data Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 9 Temp (C)G' (Pa)G" (Pa)Tan-delta Eta* (Pa-s) Torque (g/cm) Phase Angle Log tan- delta Log Eta* (Pa-s) 139.716904146050.86399355767.16240.827-0.0633.551 144.016320142100.87075344667.16441.048-0.0603.537 149.515503137400.88627329967.16741.55-0.0523.518 154.914704132900.90385315667.16942.109-0.0443.499 160.013926128750.92448302067.17242.753-0.0343.480 165.413127124510.94848288156.36343.485-0.0233.460 170.112405120460.97107275456.36644.159-0.0133.440 175.011645116090.99693261856.36844.912-0.0013.418 180.010909111881.0255248856.37145.7220.0113.396 185.410093106671.0568233847.20246.5830.0243.369 190.19427102421.0864221747.20447.3720.0363.346 195.0874197691.1177208747.20748.180.0483.320 200.4800592411.1545194740.22349.1010.0623.289 205.0743088231.1875183740.22649.8990.0753.264 210.1682383431.2229171640.22950.7250.0873.235 215.5621778561.2636159533.75351.6420.1023.203 220.0575774651.2967150133.75652.3620.1133.176 225.1525670401.3395139933.75953.2560.1273.146 230.5477366031.3833129728.08954.1360.1413.113

10. Plotting Data Tan-Delta (G”/G’) Converted into log. Fractions (less than one, become negative numbers) Plot on Linear Scale Eta* (Complex Viscosity) converted into log. Decimal place becomes the first number, example 4000Pa-sec is 4.0 Plot on Linear Scale Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 10

11. Rheology Plot 2 Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 11 Temp (C) 230 225 220 215 210 205 200 195 190 185 180 175 170 165 160 155 150 145 140

12. Rheology Plot 3 Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 12

13. Rheology Plot 4 Every Polyolefin has a Unique Curve Fingerprint The Resin Know the response of the polymer Imagine The Possibilities Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 13

14. Example 1, Using Recycled Resin Recycled content appears to separate at higher temperatures Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 14

15. Example 2, Blending Vertically To blend Polyolefins, Use the WZ Theorem: geometric averaging of the viscosities produces the new blended viscosity. Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 15

16. Example 3; Blending is as easy as 1,2,3 Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 16

17. Remember to Remember Polyolefins viscosity is 1+2=3 Testing takes one hour Measure and Know the Resin Properties Applies to recycled, fractional melts, additives, rheology modifiers, crosslinking agents, etc New Models are available for all thermoplastic materials Cost Savings Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 17

18. The End I’m Grateful to share my experience and knowledge Extra Special Thanks to Gary Wilkes Special Thanks to Stephen Driscolle, University of Massachusetts Jay Patel, Patel Scientific Members of the Foams Committee for accepting my paper Everyone present for listening Associated Polymer Labs www.testplastic.com 18