Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
$147,862.00
Fundamental studies into causes of colour mismatch
FY 2011-12
Summary
Plastic fabrication is a key industrial sector in Canada on which most modern innovative products depend. Getting the right coloured plastic raw materials at economical cost and short lead times is extremely important, and is a major challenge faced by those involved in innovative products development, and by the raw material suppliers ""compounders"" who produce it. Slight variations in either the pigment composition or their dispersior results in rejection of the batch produced, and necessitates adjustments to be made a few times before the correct formulation is achieved, with the resultant increase in cost.
Most colour problems are a result of, poor pigment dispersion, pigment or resin degradation or incorrect formulations. The compounders use more than 200 pigments and numerous resins. Those who cater to the prototyping/new product industry, produce a large number of plastic resins, few of which are ever made again. Thus problems cannot be resolved by focusing on some specified set of resins and pigments, rather the underlying scientific reasons causing colour variations have to be understood. Therefore, this project will undertake broad based scientific studies in collaboration with SABIC Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics) who have a compounding plant in Cobourg, Ontario, to find the causes of colour variations when different resins and pigments are used.
In order to do so, three types of studies will be undertaken. 1) Data analysis of current and old production records at SABIC; 2) Controlled variations in processing parameters at end of regular production runs and analysis of the results; 3) Studies using lab-scale equipment to observe effects of material and processing conditions. The project will increase our understanding of colour variations and the wastage reduction in plastic compounding, with the resultant benefits to the Canadian industry using plastic components. It will also provide industry focused expertise to HQP, who will be trained in many aspects of plastic processing able to benefit Canadian industry.
Program
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
363523-2007
Name nom
Rizvi, Ghaus
Department département
Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of
Organization id
19222
Institution établissement
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2007
Award amount
147862
Program id
CRDPJ
Program nane en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
500
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Research subject code
2100
Research subject group en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie mécanique
Research subject en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie mécanique
Partie
3 & 4
Nb partie
4
Application title
Fundamental studies into causes of colour mismatch
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Plastic fabrication is a key industrial sector in Canada on which most modern innovative products depend. Getting the right coloured plastic raw materials at economical cost and short lead times is extremely important, and is a major challenge faced by those involved in innovative products development, and by the raw material suppliers ""compounders"" who produce it. Slight variations in either the pigment composition or their dispersior results in rejection of the batch produced, and necessitates adjustments to be made a few times before the correct formulation is achieved, with the resultant increase in cost.
Most colour problems are a result of, poor pigment dispersion, pigment or resin degradation or incorrect formulations. The compounders use more than 200 pigments and numerous resins. Those who cater to the prototyping/new product industry, produce a large number of plastic resins, few of which are ever made again. Thus problems cannot be resolved by focusing on some specified set of resins and pigments, rather the underlying scientific reasons causing colour variations have to be understood. Therefore, this project will undertake broad based scientific studies in collaboration with SABIC Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics) who have a compounding plant in Cobourg, Ontario, to find the causes of colour variations when different resins and pigments are used.
In order to do so, three types of studies will be undertaken. 1) Data analysis of current and old production records at SABIC; 2) Controlled variations in processing parameters at end of regular production runs and analysis of the results; 3) Studies using lab-scale equipment to observe effects of material and processing conditions. The project will increase our understanding of colour variations and the wastage reduction in plastic compounding, with the resultant benefits to the Canadian industry using plastic components. It will also provide industry focused expertise to HQP, who will be trained in many aspects of plastic processing able to benefit Canadian industry.
