K-2007 Update: New resins and additives

Material suppliers are taking full advantage of the K-2007 show to introduce their most impressive new developments.

A new technology for manufacturing automotive dashboards was on display from Bayer MaterialScience. A thin layer of paint is sprayed into the mold, and then a layer of sintered polyurethane (PUR) powder is added behind the paint. The paint provides the colour stability and the PUR provides the soft touch feel. In order to get a good bond between the paint and the PUR, Bayer developed a special grade of PUR, called Desmopan 3790, for this in-mold coating process.

The focus at Arkemas stand was on bio-based, high performance resins made from renewable resources. One new grade is Pebax RNew, an engineering thermoplastics elastomer based on castor oil. It is available in Shore D hardness from 25 up to 72, and with 20 per cent up to 90 per cent carbon atoms from renewable resources. Performance and processability characteristics have not been compromised, according to Arkema. Pebax RNew is aimed at sports, electronic and automotive applications.

BASF has also dipped into the castor oil well. The companys new Ultramid Balance polyamide 6.10 material consists of approximately 60 per cent of the sebacic acid that is obtained from castor oil. The polyamide has a low density and good temperature and impact resistance, BASF said, as well as high dimensional stability due to its low water absorption.

Solvay Advanced Materials unveiled its newest product, Solviva Biomaterials, consisting of four different grades suitable for materials for implantable medical devices. Zeniva PEEK has high strength and stiffness, Proniva is a self-reinforced polyphenylene that offers chemical resistance and hardness, Veriva polyphenylsulfone combines toughness, transparency and chemical resistance; and Eviva polysulfone is tough, strong and transparent.

GLS Corp. introduced a new family of TPEs based on Infuse olefin block copolymers (OBC) fro the Dow Chemical Company. The new Dynalloy OBC injection-molding and blow-molding grades are suitable for a wide range of applications. The five standard injection molding grades include opaque and translucent materials and provide hardness levels ranging from 60 Shore A down to a gel-like 5Shore A. According to GLS, they offer excellent colourability as well as a non-tacky, soft touch feel that avoids dust pick-up. Other performance highlights include improved compression set and creep resistance.

Rhodia is now offering Technyl XT, described as a new family of nylon 6 for extrusion and blowmolding. The material can be processed at temperatures about 20 degrees C below that of standard polyamide, allowing processors to realize shorter cycles times and energy savings.

New from Borealis is a detergent-resistant, glass-reinforced polypropylene called GB266WG. According to the company, the material is cost effective and provides long-term performance in home appliances. It is lightweight and durable, making it an effective alternative to steel in applications such as the interiors of dishwashers. Additionally, it prevents the aging effects of light, oxygen, and usage-induced wear and tear that can casue loss of strength, discolouration, scratching or loss of gloss.

DSM Engineering Plastics announced the development of a new polyamide polymer, called PA4T, which the company said offers a unique balance of properties, including excellent dimensional stability, compatibility with lead-free soldering, high stiffness and mechanical strength at elevated temperatures. The PA4T material is particularly well suited for use in devices like cell phones and computers, DSM said, and will also assist automakers in continues weight reduction efforts.

And additives producer Huntsman Pigments is launching a new family of titanium dioxide. The companys Deltio 5X promises to make material handling easier by avoiding caking, bridging and sticking. According to Huntsman, the material, which is not chemically coated to achieve the effect but is physically produced, should result in less waste of material lift in bags, improved metering and shorter clean-down times.