Understanding Polymer Shear Rates and Their Relation to Molecular Architectures in Micro-Compounders

When and Where

Apr 11, 2023
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Moscone West, Level 1, Exhibit Hall

Presenter

Narcedalia Anaya Barbosa

Joshua Goetze

Christopher Ellison

Frank Bates

Co-Author(s)

Narcedalia Anaya Barbosa^1,2,Joshua Goetze²,Christopher Ellison²,Frank Bates²

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley¹,University of Minnesota²

Abstract

Narcedalia Anaya Barbosa^1,2,Joshua Goetze²,Christopher Ellison²,Frank Bates²

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley¹,University of Minnesota²

This research provides a better understanding of the rheological behavior of polyethylene at different processing conditions using the DSM Xplore 5 and 15 cc micro-compounders. Polymers used were high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a linear architecture, low density polyethylene (LDPE) showcasing a long chain branched structure, and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) exhibiting a short chain branched architecture. Measurements obtained in the micro-compounders were compared to those obtained with an ARES-G2 rheometer for a range of shear rates (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 RPM), temperatures (150<sup>o</sup>C, 200<sup>o</sup>C), fill volumes (80%, 90%, 100%) and polymers. The measurements were used to evaluate the accuracy of the micro-compounders and scalability between the systems. Comparing the rheometer data and micro-compounder predictions can aid in identifying differences related to the polymer architecture and help to understand the impact of simple and extensional shear on the polymer when it is processed.