Mixed-mineral reinforced poly-propylene withstands sunlight and impact while providing stiffness and low warpage in parts for a solar-powered lawn mower from Solar Power International of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Pamlico Technical Molding Inc. of Washington, N.C., molds the solar panel cover and two side panels using PP compound from Ferro Corp. of Cleveland. The parts weigh a total of about 21/2 pounds. The 20 percent filled compound has tangent flexural modulus of 400,000 pounds per square inch and heat deflection temperature of 285 F at 66 psi.
Tel. (812) 435-2167
Nylon 11 suited for oil production pipe
Very low moisture absorption makes nylon 11 suited to extruded pipe used as a retrofitted liner for on-shore oil production pipe. The application also relies on the material's wide operating temperature range, pressure rating to 15,000 pounds per square inch and resistance to chemicals.
Elf Atochem North America Inc. of Philadelphia supplies Rilsan PA 11 for this use. Elf Atochem's experience in offshore oil pipe led to this application. Polytubes (West) Inc. of Edmonton, Alberta, extrudes the Rilsan PA 11 pipe.
Tel. (215) 419-5382.
Mokbil HDPEs reduce thermoforming times
Mobil Polymers has two new high density polyethylenes for sheet extrusion that it claims can reduce cycle times in thermoforming by up to 20 percent.
The materials also allow downgauging of as much as 10 percent, according to the Edison, N.J., firm.
HDA-303 is a medium-molecular-weight resin for food and consumer product packaging. HDA-026, a high-molecular-weight grade, is targeted at truck bed liners, pallets, containers and industrial products.
Mobil said their higher elasticity resists shear thinning and evenly distributes material in the mold.
Tel. (908) 321-6442.
Polymer Corp. adds polyimide shapes
Polymer Corp. expanded its line of engineering polymer shapes to include compression molded polyimide. The machinable Duratron shapes are suited to high-temperature, high-wear applications needing exceptional dimensional stability, such as semiconductor manufacturing parts, insulators and connectors. Shapes include rod up to 4.75 inches in diameter, disks up to 9 inches in diameter and tubular bars up to 15 inches in outside diameter. The Reading, Pa., firm offers Duratron HP, an unfilled high-purity grade, and two graphite-lubricated grades. Tel. (800) 729-0101.