A modular system for melt-processing of thermoplastic polymers: Phase 1 - Control System and Internal Mixer Units

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A torque rheometer equipped with a mixer/measuring head, rotors and softwares is an important apparatus for the melt processing and characterization of thermoplastic polymer based materials, including polymer blends and bio/nanocomposites. It is a mixer that allows laboratory scale melt processing experiments to obtain data on material flow properties, ease of processing, degradation behavior and blending of components. The applicants' research programs are all related to the development and processing of novel thermoplastic based materials, which usually start by studying their behavior at various controlled processing conditions of temperature, time and applied shear. Subsequently, formulations must be prepared, and the impact of parameters such as composition and mixing time must be quantified. The torque rheometer and internal mixer we request will allow all of these important studies. This instrument, central to our research programs, will ultimately allow us to optimize material properties, to submit patent applications, and to develop new commercial products with industrial partners. In Canada, the plastics industry comprises 2434 companies, 77 400 jobs for 19.7 B$ in shipments (38% of total shipments in 2010). Thermoplastic based materials are relatively inexpensive materials, lightweight compared to metals, synergistic properties can be obtained by blending, properties can be reinforced and/or modified by the addition of micro/nanoparticles, they are relatively easy to process and mold into various shapes, etc. As a result, the three main sectors of applications are the packaging industry (34%), building materials (26%) and the transportation/automotive sector (18%), with a number of technological niches (biomaterials for biomedical technologies, electronics, etc.). The materials currently developed by the applicants specifically target these fields of applications: new bio-based high performance polymer blends, high-performance bio/nanocomposites, functional polymer materials for smart detection packaging applications, new energetic materials, soft multiphase gel materials for the biomedical/biotechnology fields, etc.