New technology yields first commercial PE

Equistar Chemicals, LP has made its first commercial quantities of polyethylene using one of its new-generation, Star single-site catalysts. The initial material, a high-density polyethylene film resin, was produced on a vertical, slurry-loop reactor in the U.S. The company says the Star catalysts allow fine-tuning of polymer properties, including molecular weight distribution, melt index, density and long-chain branching. In particular the technology can be used to make polymers with a broad density range, from very low density plastomers to high density polyethylenes. As well, the resins have ease-of-processing associated with HDPE resins produced using chromium catalysts. Star-catalyzed resins are initially being targeted for a variety of flexible and rigid packaging applications.

Equistar Chemicals, LP 713/652-7300

Eco-compliant, flame resistant engineering resins

New portfolios of eco-compliant and flame resistant Lexan, Cycoloy and Noryl resins are now available globally from GE Plastics.

TCO99, the eco label standard in the European and Asian markets, requires resins be formulated without halogens or heavy metals.

Eco-FR Lexan polycarbonate technology closely matches the processing and end use performance of existing FR Lexan products in impact resistance, heat resistance and transparency.

The Cycoloy PC/ABS portfolio has a balance of flow and impact, typically achieving eco-compliance at cost parity with the original applications.

Eco-Flo Noryl resin has higher flow for easier processing with thinner wall molds, in addition to the classic advantages of Noryl resins.

GE Plastics Canada 800/437-5278

High-flow PS for large appliance housings

Nova Chemical’s ZYNTAR 7050 is a new ignition-retardant high-impact polystyrene developed for injection molding of large appliance housings such as large screen television cabinets, copiers and other consumer electronic appliances. The melt flow rate of 12 g/10 minutes surpasses that of competing polystyrenes used for large TV cabinets, and the material also exceeds these materials in key physical properties such as flexural modulus and tensile strength, according to the company. The ZYNTAR 7050 allows processors to consistently fill wide, thin-wall cavities while minimizing molded-in stress. The material has a UL 94 V0 rating and is available in black, pre-colored gray or custom blended colors.

NOVA Chemicals 403/750-3255

Paint-free SMC geared for trucks

Ashland Specialty Chemicals, Plasticolors Inc., and Union Carbide Corporation have collectively developed a new grade of sheet-molding-compound, Ekadure 2001 resin, designed to eliminate the need for paint in exterior truck box applications. EKADURE is UV stable and can be pigmented to appropriate color standards. The formula, while it meets OEMs’ requirements for structural truck box applications without paint, can also be used for other exterior parts on trucks or agricultural equipment. It dispenses with the use of primers and top coat paints, and will not release any volatile organic compounds. It will be available commercially in January 2001.

Ashland Canada Inc. 905/823-1800

Fire-retardant PBT runs cooler, faster

A new flame-retardant PBT from Lati USA offers a wider processing window, faster cycle times and better surface appearance than competitive flame retardant PBT grades. The new grade, 4 G/30 V0, has a melt temperature range of 445-485 C, thus permitting molding at lower temperatures, cutting cycle times by 10 percent or more and reducing warpage. Key uses for the resin are high-volume electrical/electronic applications such as switch housings, terminal strips and connector bodies. The resin can be used as a drop-in replacement for other standard flame-retardant grades of PBT.

Lati USA 888/USA-LATI

Acetal with improved resistance to diesel fuels

The Hostfoam C13031 XF acetal copolymer from Ticona has improved chemical and impact resistance for sustained use with new bio-diesel fuels at temperatures as high as 100 C. Aging tests show the acetal copolymer is stable during prolonged exposure to the fuels. The polymer also has about 40 percent improved elongation at break, which gives it high impact and crash resistance. Applications for the new grade include emission control and other tank-mounted valves in automobiles and light trucks.

Ticona 800/833-4882

Adhesive for difficult-to-bond substrates

A new tie-layer adhesive from Equistar Chemicals, Plexar PX 1164, is designed to bond polar polymers, such as nylon and ethylene-vinyl-alcohol (EVOH) barrier resins to polystyrene and co-polyester resins. Field trials have shown the material provides the highest performance for multi-layer applications involving polystyrene in both rigid and flexible packaging applications.

The tie-layer adhesive is an anhydride-modified, ethylene-vinyl-acetate co-polymer with a melt index of 3.4g/10 min. and a density of 0.929 g/cc. PX 1164 is also suitable for polyethylene copolymers such as EVA, EMA and polypropylene. Grades are available for blown and cast films, sheet, blow molding, extrusion coating and lamination, pipe and tubing. The adhesive is said to process like typical 15 to 20 percent vinyl-included EVAs that have melt indexes of three to four.

Equistar Chemicals, LP 713/ 652-7300