polymer processing

25th July 2008 Autodesk® acquired Moldflow® , about plans I informed recently. The transaction is worth a total of USD 297 million. I wrote then… Moldflow® today is not only injection simulation software, CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) based on FEM (Finite Element Method) but offers process optimization, management and production control. This acquisition evidence of development in mold and plastic injection production and shows how plastics impact our life. Autodesk® sees it. CAD/CAM/CAE integration will not stop only on this tree systems in the way of full computer integration.

Terms, allegiances, connecting molecular weight (or range) and viscosity will be explained for polyethylene terephthalate, PET and how it influences applications and processing. Intrinsic viscosity, I.V we measure by measuring viscosity of solvent and polymer solution solved in it. How to interpreted I.V ? Molecular weight grow means longer polymer chains consistence intrinsic viscosity, I.V grow, forward, e.g. stiffness grow. I.V determinates PET resin application, for I.V : • 0,40-0,60 dl/g fiber • 0,76-0,84 dl/g bottles • 0,85-1,05 dl/g extrusion As we know the relations we can chose the adequate resin for the application. When we produce bottles in, injection stretch blow molding, ISBM for e.g. water we will chose higher I.V (0.82 – 0.84 dl/g), bottle stiffness will be the most important. For cosmetic packaging, when shapes are more complicated we will chose lower I.V (0.76 – 0.80 dl/g) for better flow properties, which will give better detail mapping.