EARTH: Polymer blend brings tractors into modern era
Canadian Plastics
For most people, tractors probably seem like the epitome of old fashioned living; something your grandfather -- if not your great-grandfather -- might have used, but definitely not the place to look for an example of new technology. The Same...
For most people, tractors probably seem like the epitome of old fashioned living; something your grandfather — if not your great-grandfather — might have used, but definitely not the place to look for an example of new technology.
The Same Deutz-Fahr Group, an Italian manufacturer of agricultural tractors, is determined to drag the venerable machine into the 21st century, however…with a little help from BASF.
BASF’s new Terblend N NG-02 EF, the company’s latest glass fiber-reinforced ABS/PA offering, is being incorporated into both large and small parts used for Same Deutz-Fahr’s newest line of tractors because — guess what? — tractor manufacturers have the same concerns about weight savings, processability and scratch resistance as auto manufacturers.
Providing ease of processing (the “EF” in the product name stands for “excellent flow”) with mechanical stability, the new Terblend offering is used to mold small, lightweight panels for the interior of the tractors, which traditionally presented challenging requirements, especially in terms of the flow length-to-wall thickness ratio. The easy-flowing Terblend material provides high surface quality on the one hand, and allows sturdier interior panels on the other.
Other, larger interior and exterior components can be easily molded as well, offering even greater weight savings.
And with high resistance to both impact and chemicals, the new Terblend will keep tractor parts looking newer for longer, regardless of tough outdoors conditions.
Definitely not your grandfather’s tractor.
BASF Canada (Mississauga, Ont.); www.basf.ca; 1-866-485-2273
