Expert Details
Polymer and Plastic Rheology, Polymer and Plastics Processing, Plastic Molding Processes
ID: 725031
Canada
Cold extrusion has been used to study the processing of polytetrafluoro polymer and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in the form of paste. The fundamentals of such processes have been studied in detail and all critical issues associated with this process have been mastered in his research efforts. Preforming, degassing, cold extrusion of pastes, formability, and drying of the final product have been studied in detail.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) paste extrusion has been studied in great detail including performing, flow, extrusion, drying, and sintering. PTFE tube extrusion, wire coating have also been particularly studied. Several publications in the open literature have been produced by his group. Expert is perhaps the top world's expert in the area of PTFE paste extrusion.
The rheology and processing of fluoropolymers (several types) have been studied in capillary extrusion in order to identify the critical conditions for the onset of flow instabilities and wall slip. Typical resins studies were copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and TFE/HFP/PAVE (perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) (PAVE) respectively. All flow regimes have been identified and studied in detail. Processing aids for the extrusion and processing of fluoropolymers have been identified that reduce dramatically the pressure drop along the capillary die and eliminate instabilities.
Plastic forming has been studied from many different points of view. These include capillary extrusion, single screw extrusion, parison formation, and solidification as well as molding. In all these processes many critical issues exist that contribute to plastic forming. Polymers studied include polyethylenes, polypropylenes, fluoropolymers, PET, and PVC.
Plastic molding has been studied in his lab for various polymers including polyethylenes, polypropylenes, fluoropolymers, PET, and PVC. In rheology, the most critical initial aspect is the formation of a suitable sample. Such samples are formed through compression molding. In such processes, temperature and pressure should be carefully selected as well as the cooling process to avoid detrimental effects such as frozen stresses, weld lines, micro-cracks, etc.
Polymer extrusion is the basis for many other polymer processes. In his research, polyethylene extrusion has been studied as single-screw extrusion, twin-screw extrusion, and capillary extrusion. Extrusion of polyethylene blends has also been studied. A critical parameter in the extrusion of polyethylenes is the use of processing aids and in this area, his group has perhaps the best expertise in the world.
Polymer processing includes many fundamental processes such as extrusion, fiber spinning, film blowing, blow molding, co-extrusion, and injection molding. He has recently edited a book on polymer processing and instabilities, control, and understanding. He is also teaching courses and short courses on polymer processing in general and therefore he has mastered all fundamental issues associated with polymer processing, instabilities, and processing aids. In addition, he has mastered the importance of using rheological techniques to understand polymer processing.
Polymer Rheology is central to Expert's research. In his efforts, rheology is used as a tool to solve practical problems in polymer processing. In general, it is difficult to understand polymer and plastic processing without understanding their rheology. Therefore it is crucial to relate polymer rheology with molecular structure and processability. This is the main philosophy of Expert's research. In the area of applied polymer rheology is a world expert and has consulted with many companies including ExxonMobil, DuPont, Daikin, Chevron Phillips, etc.
DuPont & de Nemours Co., Wilmington, DE, USA (October 1992-2001)
He was developing processing aids that help plastics processors to increase the rate of production in various processes Carborundum, Buffalo, NY, NY (September 1998-December 2002)
He was studying the properties of Boron Nitride (a technologically important material) for potential applications to polymer processingChevron Phillips Chemicals (March 2007- current)
A new technology HDPE could not be processed properly. He is studying ways to enhance processingDuPont (1999-2001), Daikin (2001-2004), Solvay Solexis(2004-2006), Donaldson Co (2006-2007), Tensolite (2007)
He studied the issues and difficulties associated with the paste extrusion of PTFE (an extremely important material technologically).RoofRoc. BC, (May 2000-Sept. 2001)
He developed a slate for roofing applications from completely recycled materials. The company now is commercially producing the slate.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1991 | Degree: PhD | Subject: Chemical Engineering | Institution: McGill University |
| Year: 1988 | Degree: MASc | Subject: Chemical Engineering | Institution: U of Toronto |
| Year: 1984 | Degree: Diploma | Subject: Chemical Engineering | Institution: Aristotlean U of Thessaloniki |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1991 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Professor | Department: Chemical and Biological Engineering |
Responsibilities:Research in the area of polymer rheology and processing |
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Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| 1. Patent litigation between Exxon Mobil and Dow for three years (1977-1999) Law firm: Fish and Neave Signed declarations and provided continuous consulting 2. Consulting of a few hours (less than 5) on black ice formation for an accident 3. Consulting on deterioration and degradation of rubber in commercial mattresses (2 hrs) 4. Translation of declarations from English to Greek for a dispute that took place in a Greek court. 5. Expert witness (Law Firm: Faegre-Baker-Daniels) in a patent dispute, W.L. Gore and Associates vs Atrium Medical Corporation (2013) |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| Canadian Society of Rheology Society of Rheology Applied Rheology Interest Group Society Plastics Engineers Polymer Processing Society Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers Society of Plastics Engineer’s, member Secretary of the Hellenic Society of Rheology |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| PE in Canada PE in European Union |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| 1. Mason Award of the Canadian Society of Rheology, CSR 2. Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, CAE 3. Best Paper Publication Award in Journal of Rheology (2 years), Society of Rheology 4. Future Technology Award, Society of Plastic Engineers, ANTEC 5. Killam Fellowship for Faculty, 2 years 6. Best Paper in ANTEC’96 in Applied Rheology Interest Group 7. Best Paper Publication Award in Journal of Rheology (2 years), Society of Rheology |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| He has 95 journal papers, 54 papers in proceedings, 70 presentations in conferences, 5 patents, and 1 book edited in polymer processing instabilities. 90% of the publications are in the area of polymer rheology and processing. |
Fields of Expertise
capillary rheometer, cold extrusion, polytetrafluoroethylene ram extrusion, fluoropolymer processing, plastic forming, plastic molding, polyethylene extrusion, thermoplastic extrusion, polymer extrusion, polymer processing, polymer rheology, slate roof, polyester production, melt extrusion tableting process, medical polymer molding, polymer coextrusion, medical polymer extrusion, polyvinyl chloride extrusion, plastic handling, polyethylene terephthalate extrusion, polyester extrusion, nylon extrusion, fluid compressibility, ethylene-vinyl acetate extrusion, extruded plastic, extrusion, plastic manufacturing, amorphous polymer, polyvinyl resin processing, fluid compression, melt flow, polypropylene extrusion, parison, granular plastic, thermoplastics compounding, elastomer compounding, injection compression molding, polymer grinding, plastics finishing, plastic flow, Newtonian mechanics, intelligent polymer processing, rubber compounding, rubber extrusion, fluid mechanics mathematical modeling, interfacial fluid mechanics, fluid boundary layer, hot extrusion, material curing, fluorocarbon polymer film, chlorotrifluoroethylene, plastic material, rubber molding, plastic profile extrusion, extrusion die, internal fluid mechanics, Bernoulli equation, thermoforming, polymer joining, polymer film production, polymer compounding, plastic welding, plastic injection molding, pipe flow, mechanics, friction, fluid mechanics, fluid dynamics, rubber processing, compression molding, Bernoulli theorem