Resins & Compounds

Small particles of gas-generating additives infused into the polymer melt during processing can reduce resin requirement by up to 50% and carbon footprint by up to 45%, according to its developer, Polyfil Corp. (Rockaway, NJ). The additives create a microcellular structure (cells less than 100 µm in size) via a chemical reaction that releases a small volume of gas, producing a cellular structure at a size unachievable with present-day chemical foaming agent (CFA) technology.

Performance on par with styrenics is promised by the latest formulation of Ingeo bioresin from NatureWorks LLC (Minnetonka, MN). The new grade enables injection molding of parts with thermal dimensional stability up to 248ºF, notched Izod impact strength greater than 2 ft-lb/in, and modulus of around 450,000 psi.

A mineral/glass-filled polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) with exceptional high-flow properties is targeting applications in the appliance, industrial, and electrical/electronics (E/E) sectors that need high temperature resistance in thin-wall designs.

Wear-resistant grades of KetaSpire polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and AvaSpire modified PEEK resins are now available from supplier Solvay Advanced Polymers LLC (Alpharetta, GA).

Colorant Chromatics has launched a line of color concentrates and masterbatches based on Moldflon, a melt-processable modified polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) introduced by ElringKlinger Kunststoff-Technik GmbH in 2006. ElringKlinger and Colorant will cooperate to color Moldflon with masterbatches produced by Colorant Chromatics, with the first product range called Moldflon MF 10010 masterbatch double strength. The initial range consists of 10 colors.

Maxithen polyacetal color masterbatches are particularly suited for the coloring of thin-walled, highly stressed injection molded parts, such as gear wheels, sliding and guiding elements, parts for electronic devices, fittings, locks, handles, and zip fasteners. Supplier Gabriel-Chemie Group (Gumpoldskirchen, Austria) has also recently expanded its operations in Poland, where it now operates a laboratory for onsite color matching.

If you’re involved in the molding of “Raster Anschluss Steck Technik” (RAST, roughly translated from German as “pitch connection plug technology”) standard connectors, you’ll be happy to know that you now have access to halogen-free solutions across several resin types from DSM Engineering Plastics (Sittard, the Netherlands).

High-chromaticity interference pigments that exhibit intense red shades of blue can be used to visually enhance mobile devices, consumer electronics, appliances, sporting goods, and cosmetic and personal care packaging. Lumina Royal Blue, for example, “Enables designers to create eye-catching effects for standard and high-end products,” says Thierry Chevrier, head of supplier BASF’s (Florham Park, NJ) pigments business in North America.

Challenging injection molded applications such as office chairs, outdoor power equipment, outboard motor covers, and gun stock components now can benefit from using a 17% glass-fiber-reinforced nylon 6 compound that is said to provide an optimum combination of strength and stiffness. Chemlon 217 GI from Chem Polymer, a unit of Teknor Apex Co. (Pawtucket, RI), is said to exhibit high levels of stiffness, flexural strength, and tensile strength.

Wear resistance has been significantly boosted in a pair of new Torlon polyamide-imide (PAI) grades from Solvay Advanced Polymers (Alpharetta, GA) over the previous wear-resistant Torlon materials. Ideal for use in applications including bushings, bearings, sliding elements, and needle bearing replacements in industrial, aerospace, and automotive industries, Torlon 4630 and 4645 provide an alternative to metal-based designs used in high-temperature and wear applications.