Reactive and Conventional Processing of Polymers

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Extrusion is a very important polymer processing operation. Conventional extrusion involves melting, homogenizing and shaping of polymeric materials into continuous final plastic products such as films and fibres. Reactive extrusion combines the previously mentioned operations with reaction(s) in the molten polymer for the purpose of producing new materials with enhanced properties. Typical applications involve reactive blending, addition of functional groups on otherwise inert polymers, and modification of molecular weight and structure. Each operation is governed by underlying interactions between material properties and processing conditions. The main thrust in the proposed research program is the fundamental understanding of these interactions in industrially important reactive and conventional polymer processing operations. Understanding of these complex phenomena can lead to optimal design and operation of advanced polymer extrusion processes for the purpose of producing novel polymeric materials/structures with enhanced properties. The objective of the research work proposed in this application is to study : (i) reactive extrusion operations for modification and upgrade of polymers, (ii) novel conventional and reactive extrusion operations employing supercritical fluids, (iii) polymer compounding and ( iv) rubber devulcanization operations. As a result of these studies, process models will be developed to relate application properties to processing conditions. The outcome of the proposed research plan will benefit polymer resin manufactures, plastics processors and recyclers, and processing equipment manufacturers. It will advance our knowledge in the area of polymer/rubber manufacturing technology and more specifically in the important sectors of reactive polymer extrusion, polymer blending and rubber devulcanization. Such knowledge will boost the competitiveness of the Canadian industry by helping in the evolution of technology related to polymer chemical modification, rubber recycling, and polymer compounding, elements deemed crucial by the industry for the next phase of technical and market development in plastics and rubber.