05/01/2023
By Danielle Fretwell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Plastics Engineering, invites you to attend a master’s thesis defense by Zarek Nieduzak on “Analysis of Embodied Energy as a Function of Melt Viscosity for the Development of Sustainable Design and Processing Guidelines."
Candidate Name: Zarek Nieduzak
Degree: Master’s
Defense Date: May 15, 2023
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Perry Hall 315
Committee Members
- Advisor Davide Masato, Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Margaret Sobkowicz-Kline, Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- David Kazmer, Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Peng Gao, Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Brief Abstract:
Energy consumption in injection molding is affected by processing conditions and polymer properties. Understanding the relationship between these parameters enables calculation of the embodied energy associated with injection molded parts. This research investigates the correlation between polymer rheology, tensile properties, and injection molding energy consumption for three grades of polypropylene: a virgin grade, a recycled grade, and a modified recycled grade. The secondary feedstock was fully obtained from a post-industrial film waste stream. The recycled polymer was modified via high-speed extrusion to reduce the molecular weight and control the rheological properties. The experiments focus on the characterization of thermal and mechanical energy drawn by the injection molding machine while monitoring the polymer states during the cycle. The data collected from the experiments is used to calculate the embodied energy as a function of the polymer rheology and processing conditions. The results analyze the relationship between polymer rheology and processing to provide guidelines with respect to the embodied energy and mechanical characteristics of the molded parts.
All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.