Keywords
Citation
(2000), "NPL offers assistance for processing and recycling plastic materials", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 12 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2000.21912bab.014
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
NPL offers assistance for processing and recycling plastic materials
Keywords NPL, Thermoplastics, Recycling
The National Physical Laboratory helps companies to solve specific processing problems of thermoplastics and thermosets. This indudes advice on tool design and providing data for process simulation packages. Materials data are generated in a wide variety of areas including:
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PVT (pressure/volume/temperature) data at fast cooling rates (e.g. for predicting shrinkage and warpage).
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Viscosities under high pressure (e.g. for flow simulation).
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Melting point.
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Glass transition temperature.
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The time and temperature dependence of materials degradation.
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Cure kinetics for thermosets.
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Crystallization kinetics for thermoplastics.
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The influence of pigments and other additives on crystallization behaviour.
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Surface finish.
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Rheological characterisation in extensional flow and in shear.
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Thermal conductivity.
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Specific heat capacity.
NPL can help to improve the efficiency of the curing cycle using real-time non intrusive methods such as ultrasonics and dielectrics. Also to solve problems with:
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Excessive shrinkage and warpage.
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In-line measurements of processing conditions (viscosity, temperature, pressure).
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Automatic data acquisition.
New and impending European Commission directives contain targets for the recycling of plastics. All plastics companies will ultimately be affected. NPL offers impartial advice for recycling:
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Re-processing post-consumer scrap.
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Tests needed to adequately characterise recyclate.
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Contamination issues.
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Compliance with standards.
NPL is a member of an extensive European network of research organisations who are actively helping companies to recycle more plastic material.
For more information contact: Dr Paul Tomlins. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8977 3222; Direct line: +44 (0) 20 8943 6778; Fax: +44 (0) 20 8943 6453; E-mail: paul.tomlins@npl.co.uk