Page 34 - Plastics News December2018

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this treatment the parts did not move freely. This problem material to the cavity to offset the increased shrinkage
was solved by simply raising the mold temperature to 99 brought about by achieving a higher degree of crystallinity.
C (210 F), just as the molding guide instructed.
In our next article we will look at some of the long-term
It is frequently assumed that the additional shrinkage will effects of inadequately crystallized material. These
result in a part that is out of print on the small side. This effects reduce performance of a part in a way that may
may be the case if the shrinkage value that the tool was not be apparent until the part has been in service for a
built to is incorrect. However, a very important part of while. And the practice is unfortunately encouraged by
achieving stable dimensions is ensuring a fully packed-out some suppliers of these high-performance materials.
part. Raising the mold temperature also increases the ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mike Sepe is an independent, global
time required for the gate to freeze, thus allowing for a materials and processing consultant
longer pack and hold time that can provide the additional

Perhaps, the Long Lasting Solution

ICT researcher Ramanand Jagtap develops catalyst that will decompose plastic within set time; experts hail
invention as solution for our plastic problem

ith so much of noise about Plastics around the non-toxic brittle material, which will further decompose
Wcountry Prof Ramanand Jagtap might well have and become food for the surrounding microorganisms.
the answer with this new development . These microorganisms then release carbon dioxide and
Prof Ramanand Jagtap from the Institute of Chemical moisture into the atmosphere,” said Jagtap, Head of
Technology has developed a chemical agent, which Department of Polymer and Surface Engineering, ICT.
when moulded with plastic material can later aid its The polymer has been successful in several commercial
tests and has caught the attention of many private
organisations.
Apart from biodegradable plastic, there is another
kind called of polymer, oxopolymer that needs an
electrochemical reaction to break down but leaves
behind toxins and metals. But unlike oxopolymers this
innovation is foodsafe because it’s chemically inactive.
“For a city like Mumbai, we needed a viable solution.
Our research rooted for this need,” said Prof Jagtap,
who has called the catalyst the ‘envirodegradation
catalyst’. Though its composition has been withheld
biodegradation. While existing biodegradable plastics in the interest of a pending patent, we know that it is
need a controlled environment for decomposition by moulded into the polymer during production to make the
microorganism, this innovation does not need any pre- plastic biodegradable. “The quantity of the catalyst will
set conditions and starts degrading on its own after a determine the age of the plastic. We are in the process
given period of time, depending on the amount of the of applying for an international patent.
quantity of the catalyst.
According to experts, this assumes importance in the
“It is like a pharmaceutical product. This means that the backdrop of the ensuing plastic ban and could provide
polymer, or plastic as we call it, will come with an expiry a long-lasting solution. The researcher is now in the
date and has to be used within that date. Thereafter, process of applying for an international patent.
the catalyst in the polymer will start degrading it into a

Plastics News December 2018 34