SPE Looks at Emerging Polymers

An online presentation organized by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) will examine how new structural “biocomposites” are being made by embedding natural/bio-fibers into petroleum-derived traditional plastics.

“Materials development has changed significantly over the last few years,” the SPE notes in a news release about the online presentation, being offered Tuesday, April 4 at 11 a.m. Eastern time. The presenter is Lawrence T. Drzal of Michigan State University.

“The increasing need for more environmentally friendly materials has resulted in new ‘green’ materials that are available commercially, and the desire to take advantage of materials engineered at the ‘nano’ level has resulted in new multifunctional materials that appear to be on the road to commercialization,” according to the SPE.

“Nanocomposites are also opening up ‘windows of opportunity’ for new applications of polymers by providing ways to tailor surface, electrical, thermal and barrier properties,” says the organization. “Both of these developments will have important benefits for the automotive industry in terms of weight reduction, recyclability, and environmentally friendly materials,” the SPE predicts.

The presentation, which is scheduled to be one hour in length, will start at 8 a.m. Pacific time, 4 p.m. in London and at 5 p.m. in Paris.

Those wishing to register for the session can contact Elizabeth Mitchell of the SPE at(203) 740-5472 or via e-mail at elearning@4spe.org.