chimical foaming agents structural foam molding
Published

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Mix of New Materials

Look for novel PVC compounds, PP with short- and long- fiber reinforcements, new acrylics including high heat-resistant versions, and flame-retardant CPE for wire & cable.

Share

Two new families of flexible PVC compounds are spotlighted by Teknor Apex (S22045).

Apex 1523-LG Series compounds, designed for automotive window encapsulation are said to exhibit gloss levels similar to those of EPDM rubber beltline seals or glass run channels, enabling manufacturers of PVC encapsulated windows to meet OEM demand for a closer match in the surface finish of these critical appearance parts. These compounds achieve a gloss level of 3 to 4 range without need for surface treatment of the tooling. Compared to standard window encapsulation PVC compounds which are in the 9 to 12 range, Apex 1523 compounds eliminate the cost associated with tooling maintenance and repair to keep a consistent surface appearance from part-to-part. This series has several OEM approvals such as GM’s GMW-16084 spec for quarter windows and sunroofs from Chrysler.

Apex 2324A2 Series compounds are made with ingredients listed under California Proposition 65 and are said to provide similar performance to standard compounds used in indoor and outdoor building products.  The eight compounds in the series have Shore A hardness ranging from 55 to 90, are opaque grades that are said to extrude well across a wide temperature range, and in some cases are suitable for co-extrusion with rigid PVC. Applications include gaskets, flexible glazing, weather-stripping, door sweeps, and other interior and exterior profiles.

Wellman Advanced Materials (S12189) is featuring the latest additions to its specialty PP line geared to automotive including:

Pret A422-G30, a 30% short glass reinforced PP that has had its first application in the U.S. with an automotive OEM in a grille-opening reinforcement panel. It boasts excellent appearance and performance.

Pret A422-LG60, is one of the company’s newest long-glass fiber PP products. Shanghai PRET has been a leader in LFT (long fiber thermoplastics) in Asia, and since its acquisition of Wellman have expanded into the North American and European markets. This material was used in the first instrument panel substrate application for a new BMW model produced here.

Arkema’s subsidiary Altuglas (S34146) is showcasing its new Plexiglas Sylk acrylic which boasts an exceptional combination of diffusion and light transmission, with maximum LED hiding power lighting and skylight/luminary applications, but also furniture, privacy partitions, and POP displays due to its soft, smooth texture and modern finish.

Altuglas will also highlighting the expansion of its Plexiglas ELiT Series acrylics positioned as a new option for larger edge-lit signs while maintaining a slim and modern appearance, as well as Altuglas LED Bloc which is changing the face of store-front signage with its thin, modern profile and ability to be used independently without the additional components previously required for signage.

For automotive, Altuglas is featuring Plexiglas HT121-LPL, a highly heat-resistant acrylic resin, formulated specifically for long path length (LPL) applications, such as signature lighting and thick lenses. In addition to the already robust optical properties, chemical resistance, and outdoor stability of Plexiglas resins, HT121-LPL is said to have much improved light transmission and heat stability, ensuring the polymer’s water-white clarity is maintained after injection molding and in its end-use application.

PolyOne is highlighting (Room S230BC) new FireCon CPE, a flame-retardant chlorinated PE for wire and cable, said to resist acids, alakalis, oils, fuels, solvents, and extreme temperatures.

 

Advantage temperature control units
New 2024 Twin Screw Report
Shuttle Mold System
AM Workshop
Vacuum conveying powders to extruders compounding
RoyAlloy Stainless Mold Base Steel
Make Every Pellet Count
Uway LLC
New Tinius Olsen VectorExtensometer testing
Blending Revolution
Plastics Recycling Latam
Konica Minolta

Related Content

Understanding Strain-Rate Sensitivity In Polymers

Material behavior is fundamentally determined by the equivalence of time and temperature. But that principle tends to be lost on processors and designers. Here’s some guidance.

Read More
Blow Molding

Understanding the ‘Science’ of Color

And as with all sciences, there are fundamentals that must be considered to do color right. Here’s a helpful start.

Read More
PVC

Commodity Resin Prices Flat to Lower

Major price correction looms for PP, and lower prices are projected for PE, PS, PVC and PET.    

Read More
processing tips

The Effects of Stress on Polymers

Previously we have discussed the effects of temperature and time on the long-term behavior of polymers. Now let's take a look at stress.

Read More

Read Next

Injection Molding

Processor Turns to AI to Help Keep Machines Humming

At captive processor McConkey, a new generation of artificial intelligence models, highlighted by ChatGPT, is helping it wade through the shortage of skilled labor and keep its production lines churning out good parts.

Read More
Extrusion Know How

Troubleshooting Screw and Barrel Wear in Extrusion

Extruder screws and barrels will wear over time. If you are seeing a  reduction in specific rate and higher discharge temperatures, wear is the likely culprit.   

Read More
sustainability

Lead the Conversation, Change the Conversation

Coverage of single-use plastics can be both misleading and demoralizing. Here are 10 tips for changing the perception of the plastics industry at your company and in your community.

Read More
Build custom Smartflow Assemblies on your schedule