Metallocene offers exceptional clarity
LyondellBasell Industries AF SCA said it has developed an experimental metallocene resin with exceptional clarity that also delivers strong performance.
RM2073 is a cost-effective alternative to polycarbonate in injection molding, according to the Rotterdam, Netherlands-based firm. It also is suitable as a replacement for glass and other amorphous, transparent plastics such as polymethyl methacrylate and styrene acrylonitrile.
The new metallocene resin achieves 2 percent haze in a 1-millimeter-thick plaque. Its high melt flow of 40 grams per 10 minutes makes it possible to reduce wall thickness. Improved chemical resistance is also possible, the firm said.
Compared with PC, RM2073 has better environmental stress-crack resistance and requires a lower processing temperature.
LyondellBasell said applications include food and beverage packaging, food-service items, storage containers, CD and DVD cases and technical products.
Tel. 302-559-2948, e-mail [email protected]
PSI designs pumps for PEX extrusion
PSI-Polymer Systems Inc. has introduced a line of extrusion gear pumps designed for processing cross-linked polyethylene.
PEX pipe is used for plumbing and radiant floor tubing.
PEX has presented a challenge for extrusion gear pumps, according to PSI-Polymer Systems. Gear pump shafts are lubricated by the material that the pump is processing, and it may take several minutes to travel through the bearing journals in the pump. That means the PEX material could cross-link between the bearings and shafts, causing the gear pump to freeze up.
In 2006, PSI installed a custom-designed extrusion gear pump on a PEX extrusion line at Vanguard Piping Systems Inc. (now Viega LLC). According to PSI, the pump significantly improved output rates, reduced scrap, improved gauge control and reduced gel formation. That installation led PSI to commercialize a new line of gear pumps for PEX.
PSI-Polymer Systems is based in Hickory, N.C.
Tel. 828-345-6264, fax 828-345-6265.
Addex method adjusts blown film thickness
Blown film extrusion equipment maker Addex Inc. of Stoughton, Mass., has received a patent covering a method of correcting blown film thickness variations.
Addex uses the technology in its automatic Model EGC and manual MGC air rings. Both control the air volume of the Addex air ring-based system. Just two motors activate all movable parts in the automatic EGC system, reducing the need for maintenance.
The automatic system comes with direct-contact or air-cushioned capacitive thickness sensors, or an air-cushioned nuclear sensor.
Tel. 781-344-5800, fax 781-344-5766.
Blendur PUs suited for high-heat uses
Bayer MaterialScience LLC has introduced to North America its Blendur polyurethane resin systems.
The materials exhibit high glass transition temperatures and low smoke and fire spread, making them well-suited to high-heat applications. In Europe the systems are used in aerospace, automotive, rail and electrical markets.
Blendur systems are available in a wide variety of viscosities and gel times. Key properties include low thermal expansion, chemical and hydrolysis resistance, glass transition temperature of about 536° F and heat resistance to about 464° F. The systems can be processed by common thermoset technologies, the Pittsburgh-based company said. Bayer MaterialScience is a subsidiary of Bayer AG of Leverkusen, Germany.
Tel. 800-662-2927, 412-777-5200, e-mail [email protected]
Sacmi line to mold caps at Beijing show
Sacmi Imola SC said its compression molding machine, the CCM64M, can crank out 1,600 plastic caps a minute.
The Imola, Italy-based company is introducing the production line at China Brew & Beverage 2008, from Oct. 20-23 in Beijing.
Sacmi technicians are equipping the CCM64M with a mold to make high density polyethylene caps for hot filling at an output rate of 1,400 caps a minute. The compression molded caps have a diameter of 28 millimeters, or 1.1 inches, and weigh 2.65 grams.
Tel. 39-542-607-111, fax 39-542-642-354, e-mail [email protected]
X-Rite xDNA helps auto parts sparkle
X-Rite Inc., the maker of color measuring equipment, has developed xDNA technology that helps solve mismatch problems with parts that have a ``sparkle'' finish, such as matching bumper fascia and body panels.
Measuring and matching sparkle finishes has been a challenge since the automotive industry introduced metallic flake, pearlescent and other special finishes in the 1970s, according to a X-Rite news release.
The company said xDNA can indicate whether the problem happened on the production floor, or in formulating the coating.
X-Rite's xDNA can be used for a coating applied to a plastic substrate, as well as for ingredients mixed with resin to give a sparkle appearance throughout the part.
``With today's introduction, X-Rite is giving automakers and their suppliers the appropriate tool to distinguish characteristics of effect paints that can't even be detected — much less analyzed — by other systems,'' said Brian Teunis, market manager for X-Rite's Industrial Color & Appearance Division.
The xDNA name emphasizes that each paint has a unique, three-dimensional mathematical model, a ``DNA,'' Teunis said in the release. The formal name is Dynamic Numerical Analysis.
X-Rite said the new system solved in just three days a mismatch problem between an unidentified automotive supplier and a European automaker over a silver metallic-color paint of bumper fascia and body panels — after they spent two months trying to resolve the issue using other measurement equipment, said X-Rite of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Tel. 800-248-9748, e-mail [email protected]
TSM system manages blenders plantwide
TSM Control Systems of Alpharetta, Ga., has developed a system for plantwide materials management and monitoring for its TSM blenders within a customer's plant.
Each blender can be controlled from a central location, including current and historical data, recipes, and other functions.
Company officials can measure and monitor the consumption of materials, and check the total cost of materials used in the plant. Information can be opened in any spreadsheet, or enterprise resource planning system.
Standard features include plantwide alarms and reporting.
Tel. 770-886-6630, fax 770-886-2395, e-mail [email protected] trols.com.
SPXD digital display back-lit, easy to read
Dynisco LLC has developed a loop-powered digital display, called the SPXD, which includes a highly visible five-digit display that is back-lit for easy viewing.
A pressure-compensated moisture barrier prevents the display from fogging in humid environments.
The display also includes bar graph that shows the measured value in 10 percent increments of full scale. Parameters such as range setting, decimal placement and offset are easily configured via a front-panel push button.
Dynisco is based in Franklin, Mass.
Tel. 508-541-9400, fax 508-541-6206.
Onsrud Cutter drill works on composites
Onsrud Cutter LP has developed a diamond-coated parabolic drill, suitable for drilling both carbon fiber and graphite epoxy materials.
The drill overcomes typical problems such as delaminating, flaking and splintering encountered while drilling composite materials.
Onsrud is headquartered in Libertyville, Ill.
Tel. 847-362-1560, fax 847-362-5028.