Polyvel concentrate helps laser marking
Polyvel Inc. has developed laser additive concentrates for use in polyolefins, polyesters, PVC and other thermoplastics.
When the concentrates are let down into polymers, the resulting plastic part can be laser marked using fast laser technologies that had been restricted to marking metal products. The concentrates are suited for most common processing technologies.
Polyvel of Hammonton, N.J., said examples of applications include electrical components and insulation, bottle caps, labels and packaging.
Tel. 609-567-0080, fax 609-567-9522, e-mail [email protected]
POSS brand protects arrow reproductions
Hybrid Plastics Inc.'s POSS Imiclear-brand coating is being used to preserve American Indian arrow reproductions.
POSS Imiclear is based on the firm's POSS silicone nanotechnology material combined with polyimide resin. The combination gives a sprayable, colorless coating that resists scratches and scrapes. The coating provides see-through protection of hand-made arrow reproductions. It is tough, adheres well and is highly water repellent.
POSS compounds have particles with average diameter of 1.5 nanometers. Hybrid of Hattiesburg, Miss., claims such compounds are biocompatible, nonflammable and competitively priced compared with conventional polymers. POSS compounds are readily incorporated into polymers through blending, grafting and copolymerization.
Tel. 601-544-3466, fax 601-545-3103, [email protected] plastics.com.
Teknor introduces 3 colorants for PLA
Teknor Color Co. has new color concentrates for use with polylactic acid and blends.
The Pawtucket, R.I., company says the three series of colorants are designed for clear and opaque bottles, film, sheet, profiles and injection molded goods.
One series uses PLA as the carrier and is suited for use in all biodegradable applications. Another has a copolyester carrier resin and is for biodegradable blown film and other uses requiring greater flexibility than is possible with 100 percent PLA.
The third series of concentrates has a PET carrier and is aimed at nonbiodegradable end uses where application of a biopolymer like PLA is desired, such as in toys and housewares.
All series are available in a wide range of colors.
Tel. 800-554-9885 or 401-725-8000, fax 401-724-8520, e-mail [email protected]
Invista's resin offers clarity akin to glass
Invista is debuting a PET resin with glasslike clarity for food, beverage and beauty product packaging.
Polyclear AE Crystal PET 3302 is intended mainly for thick-walled bottles of unconventional sizes and shapes. It has good moldability for thick-wall applications and high processability and efficiency. It provides surface sparkle and a clean appearance to attract consumers' attention, according to the Wichita, Kan., company.
The new resin also gives a high-gloss finish. Its strength makes more flexibility and tighter angles in packaging design possible. It can be processed in integrated, single-stage machines and in two-stage machinery. Its wide processing window also helps with design flexibility, Invista said.
Tel. 704-586-7367, fax 704-586-7564, e-mail jeffrey.g. [email protected]
Innovative touts PU for medical, autos
Innovative Polymers Inc. has a new series of polyurethanes that simulate thermoplastic processing and performance.
The new resins rely on cross-linking technology to give polymers gel times of seven to 15 minutes and demold times of less than seven hours at room temperature. Cured properties include good impact strength, good heat deflection temperature and a high flexural modulus. Several products are flame retardant.
The new polyurethanes are well-suited for equipment housings, automotive interior and under-the-hood parts, medical and electronic components and water-clear lenses, according to the Saint Johns, Mich., company.
The materials can be hand cast or vacuum cast to create parts that act as if they were injection molded, claims Innovative Polymers.
Tel. 800-340-4563, fax 989-224-1400, e-mail [email protected] polymers.com.
Sabic creates film for security records
Sabic Innovative Plastics has developed three high-performance polycarbonate film grades for making electronic identification cards and security documents.
The grades include a laser-markable grade, a bright white, opaque film, and a clear grade for the cover or intermediate layers of an ID card. The Pittsfield, Mass., firm says the films offer optimal performance, aesthetics and processing benefits sought by the card marketplace.
For electronic security documents like drivers' licenses, the films use heat and pressure to join all layers so that a card can't be pulled apart, unlike hybrid cards that rely on adhesives. Narrow gauge tolerance of plus/minus 2.5 percent enables converters to assemble multilayer cards within a mandated thickness range.
The laser-markable Lexan for top or middle layers provides gray-scale graphics. The white film for core layers prevents graphics from showing through to the back of the card. The clear film has high optical quality and easy processing for clear overlays or intermediate layers.
Tel. 704-516-1715, fax 866-773-3529, [email protected]
Cytec says additive has easy handling
Cytec Industries Inc. has introduced a line of stabilizer additives for demanding applications.
Cyasorb Cynergy Solutionst provides trouble-free processing, good dispersion and easy handling. It gives a high performance-to-cost ratio and helps processors speed up commercialization of new products, according to the West Paterson, N.J., company.
New light stabilizers in the series were made available in the second quarter of 2008.
Tel. 973-357-3266, fax 973-357-3050, domenico.romanino @cytec .com.
ABA-PGT marketing flexible work cell
ABA-PGT Inc. is touting a flexible work cell that allows automated insert loading to plastic gears, part removal and park packaging as a low-cost investment.
The cell is specifically designed for production volume that is not high enough to justify buying a full-time, fully automated independent manufacturing cell. That means injection molded gears with annual volumes between 40,000 and 500,000.
The customer will buy end-of-arm tooling, pallet inserts and trays, if required. ABA-PGT will handle the rest.
Manchester, Conn.-based ABA-PGT, an injection molder and mold builder specializing in plastic gears, said molds of one or more cavities will generally provide the best performance.
Tel. 860-649-4591, fax 860-643-7619, e-mail [email protected]
Toshiba continuing deal with Ohio's NFM
Toshiba Machine Co. Ltd. has extended its license agreement with NFM/Welding Engineers Inc. for the next 10 years, so that NFM will continue to make the TEM series of high-torque, high-speed compounding extruders at its plant in Massillon, Ohio.
The machines are co-rotating, intermeshing twin-screw extruders. Applications include engineering plastics, fiber compounding, filler compounding, color concentrates, polymer alloys, direct extrusion and reactive extrusion.
Toshiba of Japan also awarded NFM/Welding Engineers an expanded sales territory that now covers Europe, Africa, Central America and South America, in addition to NFM's home market of North America.
Tel. 330-837-3868, fax 330-837-2230, e-mail [email protected]
Brabender trumpets twin-screw extruder
C.W. Brabender Instruments Inc. said its Mini-Compounder TSE 12/36 is a miniature, co-rotating twin-screw extruder for new-product development.
The laboratory machine has an integrated drive with an output of 3.2 horsepower. It reaches speeds of up to 600 revolutions per minute. The clamshell barrel is divided horizontally and can be opened to allow visual assessment of individual processing steps, easy screw mounting and quick cleaning of the barrel, the South Hackensack, N.J.-based firm said.
Tel. 201-343-8425, e-mail [email protected]
