September 30, 2010 - Nantong, China - Dr. Y. Martin Lu, Vice President of Polymax Elastomer Technology of Nantong, China, whose TPE manufacturing firm just opened doors through Alliance Polymers & Services in North America, introduced a new fire retardant thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for wire and cable jacketing applications. It was developed as an environmentally-friendly and safe alternative to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or halogenated flame retardant TPE.
The introduction was made at the SPE TPE TOPCON 2010 (topical conference) highlighting thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. in Akron, OH on this date.
The low smoke, zero halogen, flame retardant TPEs are sold as Maxelast® FH7990U and FH7990V to meet UL 62/1581 VW-1 or VDE H03Z1Z1/HO5Z1Z1 specifications, respectively. These TPE-based zero halogen, flame retardant compounds are offered in Shore A hardness grades of 87 or 85.
According to Dr. Lu, “Customers will find these new Maxelast TPEs make a better and more efficient alternative to PVC in wire and cable insulation and jacketing applications. Unlike PVC, these Maxelast TPE formulations are safe – they are non-hazardous to the environment, can be recycled and during burn tests, emit no hazardous gases and have low smoke.
“Further,” the Polymax VP continues, “these new low smoke TPEs, after thorough testing, will not crack at 150°C/302°F, have excellent resistance to aging, have good melt strength and result in rugged jackets for wire and cable with a smooth surface. The material also processes extremely well.”
For more information on the new Maxelast TPE grades in North America, contact: Alliance Polymers & Services, 30735 Cypress Road, Suite 400, Romulus, MI 48174 USA. Tel: 1-734-710-6700. Fax: 1-734-710-6715. Email: info@apstpe.com. Web: www.apstpe.com.
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September 2010
Red Bull Racing Chooses Helius:MCT for Composites Simulation
Firehole Technologies Inc has announced that Red Bull Racing has chosen its Helius:MCT software for computer-aided design and engineering of advanced composite materials – such as the carbon fibre composites used in Formula One car wings and chassis structures.
According to Firehole, Red Bull Racing's use of Helius:MCT will result in better designs in a shorter amount of time, and ultimately improve performance on the track for the Red Bull Racing Formula One cars.
“The composites on our racecars must meet strict FIA regulations, while also being extremely strong, stiff and reliable," says Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner. "We have a short production schedule to meet, so our parts must be engineered right the first time – we have no time for extensive physical prototyping and redesigns. Integrating Helius:MCT into our engineering process will allow us to quickly produce accurate ‘virtual prototypes’ enabling us to improve the performance of our cars."
"Additionally, we are excited to have Firehole Technologies join us as an Innovation Partner; the exchange of expertise in our areas will exemplify the kind of innovative solution development we are looking for in such partnerships,” he adds.
Firehole Technologies: www.fireholetech.com
Red Bull Racing: www.redbullracing.com
Source: ReinforcedPlastics.com
Seals made from Victrex® Peek™ Polymer Eliminate Manifold Leaks on Vintage Motorcycles
September 28, 2010 - West Conshohocken, PA – Bruce Argetsinger, CEO and owner of Mold Threads, Inc., (MTI), a Branford, CT, USA custom molder, races vintage motorcycles in his spare time. While competing on the flat track racing circuit, he saw riders replacing leaking intake manifold seals made of brass with seals made from VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer. As an injection molder, Argetsinger knew that the polymer was the best material choice for the application. “I realized that MTI could injection mold the seals at a much lower cost,” he explained. “We build our own molds and have been molding complex components from VICTREX PEEK polymer for years.”
Argetsinger described the market for replacement components for vintage motorcycles as “huge” and not limited to flat track racing. “There are thousands of owners around the world who need high quality affordable parts in order to restore these antique machines,” he said. “By injection molding the VICTREX PEEK polymer, we’ve been able to offer affordable intake seals that eliminate manifold leaks.”
“Seals made of brass are notorious for leaking. They were factory installed on Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles built between 1932 and 1965 and need to be replaced each time the engine is re-built,” Argetsinger explained the function of the seals, “They are located on the manifold and when the piston goes down it actually creates a vacuum that sucks an air fuel mixture in through the carburetor. The seals are actually between the carburetor and the cylinder itself so if there is a leak it sucks in extra air. This additional air causes a lean mixture, which is a mixture that’s got more air in it than is actually required for actual combustion. If the mixture becomes too lean (approximately 14% fuel to air) it burns a lot hotter. A hot burn can cause a number of problems including seized pistons, bent rods and even destruction of the engine.”
What makes VICTREX PEEK polymer a great option for intake seals is its 260°C (500°F) continuous operating temperature said Argetsinger. “I’ve done some tests on the temperature in this area and it’s up around 135°C (275°F),” he said. “VICTREX PEEK polymer retains its mechanical strength at these high temperatures and doesn’t tend to push out of the area when it’s under compression. Some materials will actually creep or “cold-flow” when they are under constant pressure. VICTREX PEEK polymer does not. Another very important feature of the seal is that, unlike brass seals, it is re-usable.”
Injection molding the intake seals for vintage motorcycles is just a sideline for MTI, which is known as the “problem-solver” injection molder for some of the most complex plastic components in the motorsport market today. “We mold the intake seals in our slow time,” explained Argetsinger. “We make all three different sizes for the vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles and three for the Indian motorcycles. The owners tell us they won’t use anything else.”
His love of the sport has led him to create www.enfieldracing.com, a website dedicated to MTI’s line of vintage motorcycle racing parts. “Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that the value of these machines and scarcity of parts has kept many potential riders from using them for their intended purpose.” This is an attempt to solve the problem by combining modern materials and modern manufacturing technology to produce parts that have strength and quality that was unheard of when these machines were manufactured.
For more information, please call (800) VICTREX or visit the Victrex website at www.victrex.com.
New Special ABS Terluran for Electoplating
September 28, 2010 - Upon the occasion of the international plastics trade fair K 2010, BASF will be introducing a new member of its ABS product line (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer) that was specifically developed with an eye towards the requirements made in electroplating. This material goes by the name Terluran® BX 13074 and is intended particularly for plumbing fixtures, the household sector and automotive construction. The first components made with the new product will be showcased at BASF’s trade fair stand in Düsseldorf in October.
Terluran® BX 13074 has a very broad processing window when it comes to its residence time and the temperature of the electroplating bath. It can be used in all commercially available baths, and its very high reliability translates into a lower reject rate.
Basic studies pertaining to the metal coating of the new material by means of electroplating were conducted at the Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid (Lüdenscheid Plastics Institute). The properties of this new ABS grade are remarkable: for instance, the peel strength of Terluran® BX 13074 achieves very high values and the material also passes the stringent adhesion test on a complex grid plate. Moreover, this new electroplating grade also exhibits the well-known flow and filling properties of the major Terluran® standard grades made by BASF and, like these, is produced at the large world-scale plant in Antwerp, Belgium. ABS is the plastic used most frequently for electroplating.
The first high-quality operational plates for flushing mechanisms have already been manufactured from the new Terluran® by Werrit, located in Buchholz (Westerwald, Germany). Other possible applications in the realm of sanitary engineering are water faucets, shower heads and other shiny surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens. In the automotive sector, radiator grilles and trim strips are electroplated, and the method is also employed in jewelry production.
Additional information on Terluran® (ABS) resins from BASF can be obtained at Styrenics.infopoint@basf.com or by calling 0049 621 60 41446
SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Flexible Noryl* Resin Gives Chiangyu’s DC and Data Cables Customized Aesthetics, Eco Edge, Superior Performance
September 28, 2010 - Pittsfield, MA - SABIC Innovative Plastics today announced that Chiangyu Electric, a leading Chinese wire and cable manufacturer and long-term customer, is helping to lead the rapid growth of Flexible Noryl* resin, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and halogen-free, flame retardant alternative for wire cables into high-end direct current (DC) charger and data cables. Producing ultra-white, custom-colored cables from this high-end product, Chiangyu Electric can now offer consumer electronics OEMs fashionable new alternatives to traditional black and gray cables. SABIC Innovative Plastics’ ongoing investment in innovative technologies and sustainable solutions is enabling customers in the dynamic consumer electronics industry to keep pace with changing aesthetic trends and heed the call for ever-improved performance while meeting tough, global requirements for environmental protection.
Flexible Noryl resin not only provides a solution for customers concerned about the environmental performance of halogenated materials such as PVC, but also surpasses other non-halogenated materials such as polyethylene (PE) with an excellent balance of flexibility, mechanical properties and processing ease. It also offers exceptional indoor ultraviolet (UV) performance to resist fading and degradation.
“Collaborating with SABIC Innovative Plastics has given our company a major competitive advantage in the eco-savvy consumer electronics industry,” said Sunny Wu, president, Chiangyu Electric. “We selected Flexible Noryl resin for its superior stability under exposure to indoor UV light – reducing yellowing of the white cable – and its green, non-halogenated flame retardant technology. Thanks to this SABIC Innovative Plastics solution, our customers are very pleased with handsome, ultra-white cables, which add a fresh and stylish look to their products, while also giving them extreme high performance.”
Replacing PVC with Flexible Noryl Resin Helps Customers Meet Halogen Reduction Targets
Previously, Chiangyu Electric used PVC for its cable products, but recognized the environmental drawbacks of this traditional wire and cable coating material, and wanted to substitute a material that not only provided non-halogenated flame retardance but also could be processed on its existing extrusion equipment to keep production costs down. Further requirements for the new material included: tensile strength, elongation, flexibility, heat aging, cold bending and custom color. Based on a longstanding relationship and previous experience with Flexible Noryl resin in its DC charger cable, Chiangyu Electric again turned to SABIC Innovative Plastics for a solution.
SABIC Innovative Plastics provided two new grades of Flexible Noryl resin: WCD801AU, designed for cable jacketing and WCP821U, designed for molded cable components. Ultraviolet weathering tests, performed at the company’s China Technology Center, located in Shanghai, per the ASTM D4459 standard, resulted in a color shift Delta E value of less than 3 after 300 hours of exposure to a CWF2 light source.
“SABIC Innovative Plastics is intensely focused on developing advanced material solutions such as Flexible Noryl resins to address our customers’ concerns for the environment,” said Wilson Chan, general manager, Noryl resin Greater China, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “Flexible Noryl resin continues to break new ground by meeting high customer standards for environmental performance in the most demanding wire and cable applications, together with superior color stability. This application demonstrates SABIC Innovative Plastics’ commitment to working with our customers to achieve environmentally progressive solutions and fashion-leading products.”
In addition to meeting all of Chiangyu Electric’s performance and environmental criteria, Flexible Noryl resin offers a lower specific gravity than PVC, reducing the weight of cable products. The new resin was able to be extruded on the same equipment as the previous material with only minor adjustments.
SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Flexible Noryl resins have achieved the UL 80dc rating for VW-1 flame retardance, provide Shore A hardnesses of 80 to 89, and can be customized for different levels of flexibility. The resins offer easy processing and fast throughput, and do not require secondary processing.
For additional information on SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Flexible Noryl resins, please go to www.sabic-ip.com.
SABIC is Exhibiting at K’ 2010 in Düsseldorf, Germany in Hall 6, Stand D42
For K’ 2010, SABIC’s focus is A Culture of Innovation, which means investing in Growth, Technology, Sustainability and Customer Focus. We help our customers to innovate, differentiate their applications and optimize costs by:
- Investing in global expansion;
- Providing the broadest product portfolio that delivers better performance and adds value;
- Developing environmentally responsible products and solutions that provide significant and measurable performance advantages; and
- Working closely with our customers to build long-term, lasting relationships.
About SABIC Innovative Plastics
SABIC Innovative Plastics is a leading, global supplier of engineering thermoplastics with a 75-year history of breakthrough solutions that solve its customers’ most pressing challenges. Today, SABIC Innovative Plastics is a multi-billion-dollar company with operations in more than 35 countries and approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. The company continues to lead the plastics industry with customer collaboration and continued investments in new polymer technologies, global application development, process technologies, and environmentally responsible solutions that serve diverse markets such as automotive, electronics, building & construction, transportation, and healthcare. The company’s extensive product portfolio includes thermoplastic resins, coatings, specialty compounds, film, and sheet. SABIC Innovative Plastics (www.sabic-ip.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the world’s top six petrochemicals manufacturers.
Executive From Polymax, China Introduces New Low Smoke Zero Halogen Fire Retardant TPE at SPE Topcon in Akron
September 25, 2010 - Akron, OH – Dr. Y. Martin Lu, Vice President of Polymax Elastomer Technology of Nantong, China, whose TPE manufacturing firm just opened doors through Alliance Polymers & Services in North America, introduced a new fire retardant thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for wire and cable jacketing applications. It was developed as an environmentally-friendly and safe alternative to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or halogenated flame retardant TPE.
The introduction was made at the SPE TPE TOPCON 2010 (topical conference) highlighting thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. in Akron, OH on this date.
The low smoke, zero halogen, flame retardant TPEs are sold as Maxelast® FH7990U and FH7990V to meet UL 62/1581 VW-1 or VDE H03Z1Z1/HO5Z1Z1 specifications, respectively. These TPE-based zero halogen, flame retardant compounds are offered in Shore A hardness grades of 87 or 85.
According to Dr. Lu, “Customers will find these new Maxelast TPEs make a better and more efficient alternative to PVC in wire and cable insulation and jacketing applications. Unlike PVC, these Maxelast TPE formulations are safe – they are non-hazardous to the environment, can be recycled and during burn tests, emit no hazardous gases and have low smoke.
“Further,” the Polymax VP continues, “these new low smoke TPEs, after thorough testing, will not crack at 150°C/302°F, have excellent resistance to aging, have good melt strength and result in rugged jackets for wire and cable with a smooth surface. The material also processes extremely well.”
For more information on the new Maxelast TPE grades in North America, contact: Alliance Polymers & Services, 30735 Cypress Road, Suite 400, Romulus, MI 48174 USA. Tel: 1-734-710-6700. Fax: 1-734-710-6715. Email: info@apstpe.com. Web: www.apstpe.com.
For more information on Maxelast products in Europe, the Far East and China, contact: Marketing Department, Polymax Elastomer Technology Co., Ltd., 698 Changtai Road, Gangsha District, Nantong, Jaingsu, China 22601. Tel: 86-0574-87562100. Fac: 86-0574-87562121. Email: tlxu@polymax.com.cn. Web: www.polymax.com.cn.
LyondellBasell Expands Process and Product Performance of Spherizone Polypropylene Technology Plant in Italy
September 23, 2010 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - With growing customer requirements for high-performance, specialty polypropylene (PP) products, LyondellBasell announced today that it plans to extend production and technology capabilities at its Spherizone PP process technology plant in Brindisi, Italy.
Scheduled for completion in 2012, an upgraded process design and capacity expansion will include the use of additional co-monomers such as hexene to manufacture products with the properties required by pipe, sophisticated film and healthcare applications. Plant capacity is expected to be increased by 50 KT, extending total capacity to 235 KT per year.
According to Anton de Vries, LyondellBasell’s senior vice president, Olefins and Polyolefins, Europe, Asia and International, “This project will enable LyondellBasell to better support the growing demand for higher-value, specialty PP grades.”
Next generation in specialty PP production
LyondellBasell’s Spherizone process manufactures PP with selectively adjusted, multi-modal molecular weight distribution through the use of a multizone reactor. “The Spherizone technology is the industry-leading process for the production of high-quality, high-performance PP resins,” said de Vries. “Based on this success, we believe this upgraded process design represents the next generation in specialty PP production.”
For pipe, the new grades should offer improved expanded creep characteristics and excellent processability compared to current grades. In specialty film and injection-molded applications, the products should address customer needs for improved toughness, flexibility and higher melt strength.
“This performance can help converters reduce wall-thickness, which can reduce raw material and energy costs as well as waste, ultimately reducing environmental impact,” said Paul Turner, LyondellBasell’s vice president, polypropylene, Europe.
ABS/PA Terblend N With Improved Flow in Speaker Grilles
September 22, 2010 - The especially easy-flowing ABS/PA brand Terblend® N NM 21 EF marketed widely by BASF in 2010 has found its first high-volume application in automobile interiors. Peguform, an automotive supplier for interior and exterior components headquartered in Bötzingen, is using the material to manufacture speaker grilles for a mass-produced German automobile.
In addition to its high surface quality, which does not require painting, Terblend® N NM 21 EF (EF: excellent flow) can be colored in a variety of shades for automotive applications. The excellent flow characteristics of the improved grade make it easy to fill the fine structure of large speaker grilles, while the morphology of the resin ensures a uniformly matte surface.
When it came to achieving the necessary colors, the close cooperation with Peguform bore fruit: Thomas Weber, Project Manager for Interior Components at Peguform, explains: “The woofer, a very stable speaker optimized for low tones, presents significant challenges when processing the plastic for the grille. Moreover, by working with the experts from the designfabrik™ at BASF, we succeeded in coloring the Terblend® N resin at a very high quality in the many, sometimes unusual and challenging interior colors required by the automobile manufacturer.” The speakers are installed in the door panel.
Additional information on Terblend® N (ABS/PA) resins from BASF can be obtained by sending an e-mail to styrenics.infopoint@basf.com or by calling the telephone number +49 (0) 621 60 41446.
