Chanpen Thanomboon – รายงานประจำปี ศูนย์เทคโนโลยีโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ 2021 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021 MTEC annual report 2020 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 04:49:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.12 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-arrow_y-32x32.png Chanpen Thanomboon – รายงานประจำปี ศูนย์เทคโนโลยีโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ 2021 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021 32 32 Thermoplastic starch produced by twin screw extrusion process https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021/en/thermoplastic-starch-produced-by-twin-screw-extrusion-process/ Mon, 20 Dec 2021 07:43:40 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021/?p=5708 "Thermoplastic starch produced by twin screw extrusion process"]]> 1,547 Views

Research background

Siam Modified Starch Co., Ltd. has expertise in tapioca starch production. The company places importance on the problem of global climate change, as well as plastic waste contamination that affects creatures, environment, and society. The company, therefore, is interested in the concept of the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green Economy) and wanted to mitigate non-degradable plastic waste problems.

The company has cooperated with the Plastics Technology Research Team of MTEC in the development of biodegradable materials from tapioca starch since the research team has expertise in twin screw extrusion by designing the screws that can be melted and kneaded various polymer materials. Thus, a research project is initiated in order to develop the manufacturing process for the preparation of thermoplastic starch prototype (thermoplastic starch, TPS) with the twin screw extruder at the pilot scale.

The research team has employed an existing formula for a mixture of raw materials consisting of tapioca starch, water and plasticizer as a reference and then prepared a compound between thermoplastic starch and biodegradable polymer (TPS/biodegradable polymer) suitable for productions and various applications.

Research objectives

(1) To gain knowledge of thermoplastic starch production processes and to produce prototypes from a pilot-scale twin screw extrusion process.

 

(2) To develop compounds or mixed plastics between thermoplastic starch and biodegradable polymers that are ready to be molded into biodegradable plastic products.

What did the research team do?

The research team has applied the knowledge of twin screw extrusion process by designing the screws, the melting process, and controlling the vacuum system for the water extraction to convert tapioca starch into thermoplastic starches, as well as the preparing process of mixed plastics or ready-to-use compounds. In the final step, the research team has demonstrated the preparation of thin film products by the blown film process.

Tapioca starch
Blow-molded film from compound materials between thermoplastic starch and biodegradable polymers

Research results

  • Knowledge of thermoplastic starch production processes and prototypes.
  • Prototypes of mixed plastic pellets or compounds between thermoplastic starch and biodegradable polymers, and prototypes of biodegradable blow molding film due to the high content of starch.

Research status

The research result has been completed.

Outlook

The research team plans to apply the acquired knowledge and skill to further develop new formulas and products.

Research team

Dr. Noppadon Kerddonfag, Dr. Supanut Phattarateera and Mr. Pramote Kumsang

Contact

Mr. Chanit Wanikanukul (Senior Analyst)
Industrial and Business Liaison Section
Business Development Division
Tel. +66 2564 6500 ext. 4788
Email: chanitw@mtec.or.th

]]> Thermoplastic natural rubber traffic cones (TPNR traffic cones) https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021/en/educational-software-for-learning-of-computer-aided-engineering_en/ Sun, 19 Dec 2021 07:03:38 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021/?p=2841 "Thermoplastic natural rubber traffic cones (TPNR traffic cones)"]]> 1,620 Views

Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model is Thailand’s new sustainable growth engine and national development agenda. Natural rubber (NR) or para rubber is a “green” material and one of the most important crops and products of Thailand. Thai government policy is issued to encourage more domestic usage of raw natural rubber, thus an increase in the production of rubber products by SMEs is expected. This move will increase the value of natural rubber, hence generating more profit, instead of exporting as the raw rubber (concentrated NR latex and rubber smoked sheets/blocks).

MTEC/NSTDA research team carried out the traffic cone production trial and property testing with Tanattorn Company Limited. Normally, traffic cones are made from petroleum-based thermoplastics such as poly(vinyl chloride). However, the company has decided to produce traffic cones that contain natural rubber, or EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer.

An industrial prototype of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) traffic cone has been produced by a continuous process. The TPNR is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) obtained from mixing NR with various types of thermoplastics. An industrial-scale compounding and production technology of “Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Traffic Cones or TPNR traffic cones” has been transferred to Tanattorn Company Limited at the beginning of this year (2021) covering the production process of TPNR and all the materials and product testing required for TPNR traffic cones. This process is registered as a trade secret of NSTDA.

As mentioned earlier, thermoplastic natural rubber or TPNR can be obtained from mixing NR with various types of thermoplastics incorporating with the “dynamic vulcanization” by using twin screw extruder that can be called “Reactive Extrusion”. By using this process, TPNR can possess the rubber-like properties at the usage temperature while maintaining thermoplastic-like flowability and recyclability. This makes TPNR and all the TPEs fit well with the Circular Economy concept while TPNR also contains more advantages in line with Bio-and Green- Economy Model because it contains natural rubber.

Once the technology transfer process and testing in real-life application of TPNR traffic cones have been completed, the products are then commercialized. The advantages of TPNR traffic cones are an increase in tear resistance and an improved result in vertical impact test by dropping. Moreover, the process of removing TPNR traffic cones from an injection mold is faster, thus leading to an increase in productivity and a reduction in scrap. The most important advantage is that the product conforms to the BCG Economy Model, while, at the same time, NR is consumed domestically and transformed into useful product.

Research team

Dr. Pasaree Laokijcharoen and Thongsak Kaewprakob

]]> UV-shield HDPE cable spacer https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021/en/basket-stretchers_en/ Wed, 08 Dec 2021 04:31:35 +0000 https://www.mtec.or.th/annual-report2021/?p=2823 "UV-shield HDPE cable spacer"]]> 1,567 Views

The goal of this research is to improve the quality of polyethylene cable spacer using proper design, robust materials, and consistent manufacturing processes resulting in HDPE cable spacer prototype. Field tests have been conducted in 3 designated areas which are 1) high air-borne salinity coastal area at Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 2) high micro-particulates, air polluted area at Na Phralan, Saraburi and 3) high humidity area at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiangmai. The results show that, after 360 days in commission, the mechanical properties of the cable spacers currently used in the PEA distribution system drop dramatically and the degradations by UV are obvious, while prototype cable spacers show no trace of photo and thermal degradation all through the test period. The maximum loads of the prototype are stable. In term of flammability, new material used in the prototype can reduce the burning rate by 16%. All examined cable spacers still surpass electrical properties requirements after 360 days in service.

Research team

Dr. Wuttipong Rungseesantivanon, Dr. Piyawit Koombhongse, Dr. Bunpot Mai-ngam, Dr. Rittirong Pruthtikul, Dr. Bongkot Hararak, Dumrong Thanomjitr, Natcha Prakymoramas and Sanya Kaewke

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