11/22/2021
By Sokny Long

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Plastics Engineering, invites you to attend a doctoral proposal defense by Thamer Aldhafeeri on “Evaluating the Performance of Compounding Equipment.”

Ph.D. Candidate: Thamer Aldhafeeri
Defense Date: Monday, Dec. 6, 2021
Time: 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact Thamer_aldhafeeri@student.uml.edu and committee advisor carol_barry@uml.edu at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Chair (Advisor): Carol Forance Barry, D.Eng, Professor, Department of Plastics Engineering, UMass Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Amir Ameli., Assistance Professor, Plastics Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Davide Masato., Assistance Professor, Plastics Engineering, UMass Lowell

Brief Abstract:
Melt compounding of polymers enhances polymer performance by mixing other polymers or additives with the base polymer. Most commercial melt compounding is performed with twin screw extruders. This research focused on evaluating the performance of the newer compounding systems which can provided greater throughput than twin screw extruders. First, polypropylene and glass fibers were compounded using a quad screw extruder and critical processing parameters (i.e., screw speed, fiber content, feed rate, screw configuration, and feed location). The results were compared to those for a similar twin screw extruder. Second, three compounding systems (twin screw extruder, quad screw extruder, and continuous mixer) are being evaluated for their effect on the degradation of a biodegradable polymer, polylactic acid (PLA). The PLA will be processed using different screw speeds, feed rates, and screw configurations. Third, effect of processing compounding parameters (screw speed, feed rate, and screw configuration) in the three compounding systems (twin screw extruder, quad screw extruder, and continuous mixer) will be investigated for blending of PLA and polybutylene succinate (PBS).

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend the online defense via remote access.