GE Plastics introduces new resins for powder coating

Pittsfield, Mass.-based GE Plastics has officially added the conductive Noryl GTX resins to its portfolio of environmentally responsible products. The new materials are optimized for powder coating, and contain conductive fillers that eliminate the need to apply an electrostatic primer.

According to the company, electrostatic primers can emit harmful solvents and related compounds into the air. Additionally, the Noryl resin grades also allow processors to powder-coat metal and plastic on the same production line.

“Powder coating is a fast-growing technology due to its environmental benefits, particularly the elimination of solvents and related compounds that are emitted into the air in conventional liquid paint,” said GE Plastics spokesperson Kristie Dolan in a press release. “GE Plastics’ conductive Noryl GTX resin grades make powder-coating plastic parts more practical by eliminating the cost, time and environmental concerns of electrostatic primers. Our unique Noryl GTX resins open new opportunities for design innovation and product efficiencies.”

The resins are a blend of polyamide (PA) with modified polyphenylene ether (MPPE) reinforced with conductive filler packages to ensure electrostatic adhesion of the powder coating. Also, unlike conventional plastics that must be coated with an electrostatic primer, GE’s resins only require a washing step.

Noryl GTX resins include flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant grades, as well as glass- and mineral-filled materials. The new resin family is ideal for powder coating applications such as furniture, marine engine components, automotive and non-auto transpiration, and electrical and lighting devices. The grades can either be extruded, or processed in injection molding machines.