Compostable cellulose material

 

The Biograde 300A injection moulding material developed by FKuR is now certified as a compostable materials according to DIN EN 13 432 and DIN Certco.

 

Having been producing biologically degradable plastics out of renewable materials, FKuR has so far offered Biograde injection moulding grades and Bio-Flex film application grades. Biograde Compounds are innovative cellulose blends, where a compromise can be reached with these blends between the conflicting requirements of compostability on one hand and high heat distortion temperature on the other.

 

Despite compostability, Biograde formulations have a heat distortion temperature of up to 129°C (Vicat A). Common biopolymers generally fail at temperatures above 65°C. With the trade name Biograde 300A, the compound has been recently registered as a compostable material at DIN Certco (certification number 7W0072) and is thereby fully compostable according to DIN EN 13432.

 

The Biograde 300A material is additionally characterised by noteworthy mechanical values that are comparable with those for standard polystyrene.

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Bost Garnache Industries choose Santoprene products to create more ernogonic design

 

Bost Garnache Industries, based in France, made use of a thermoplastic elastomer material from Santoprene specialty products of ExxonMobil Chemical to create a more ergonomic design for the Bost Expert screwdrivers. Santoprene TPE was selected because it is a soft, tactile yet durable material which has the performance characteristics of a rubber but the processing ease of a thermoplastic. Bost wanted to provide a new marketing and sales drive for its industry leading Expert screwdriver range. Creating a more ergonomic design was achieved by, first, redesigning the grip to focus on the pressure points of the hand when holding the screwdriver. Second, a softer, yet durable material needed to be used to optimise the ergonomic grip design while maintaining its chemical resistance. Bost also wanted to capitalize on two of their well known design elements: the typical blue color and the honeycomb look, which were both included again in this new series.

 

Two-shot injection moulding is used to mould the blue coloured Santoprene TPE with black PP and a third colour PP, which relates to the colour code for the various types of screwdrivers. This simplifies the production process and reduces costs.

 

Yann Pasco, Bost marketing operational manager, said: “Producing an ergonomically designed screwdriver with a soft, comfortable grip was critical in moving the Expert product range forward and bringing something new to the market that would help us maintain our leadership position. The use of Santoprene TPE for the main part of the handle is the most important aspect of the new screwdriver.”

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Sabic’s Stamax PP the material of choice for SEAT Altea

 

In Europe, Sabic collaborated with processor Dynamit Nobel Ibérica on the front end module for the SEAT Altea, a new vehicle concept that adds an innovative design to the qualities of compact monospaces.

 

With the high requirements for the material used for front end modules with no metal parts – to reduce complexity and weight, while offering characteristics of a hybrid system made of polyamide and metal sheets – Sabic provided extensive experience in front end modules and technical support for targeted applications.

 

The Sabic Stamax 30YM240 allowed Dynamit Nobel Ibérica to lower its production costs, because the material is lighter and the Sabic Stamax front end module is a lot easier and more reliable to process than a hybrid one.

 

Other benefits offered by Stamax PP are the combination of good stiffness and toughness with excellent impact and scratch resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion with good shot-to-shot consistency.

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Degussa develops film technology for mass production of Blu-ray discs

 

Degussa’s Plexiglas business unit (www.roehm.com) has developed a patented film material that meets the quality requirements for the 0.1 mm cover layer of the Blu-ray Disc, which provides larger storage capacity than on a DVD.

 

“We will manufacture the quantities required for market launch from the end of 2005 in a pilot plant," says Dr Herbert Groothues, Degussa project manager of the short-term objective for Blu-ray disc production. Cooperation partners Philips, Singulus and Sony have already manufactured functioning Blu-ray disc samples based on Degussa’s Europlex PC 0F405 film, a thin-gauge PC film designed for optical data storage.

 

Degussa’s breakthrough film technology allows for an economical mass production process for manufacturing Blu-ray discs – as the 0.1 mm thick cover layer must meet stringent optical requirements, most manufacturing processes to date have been costly.

 

Paul Put, general manager of Philips Optical Media and Technology, says: “We are very excited about this new breakthrough we jointly could achieve. This cost-effective, high quality 0.1 mm layer is the technology the media replication industry was looking for. The next step will be mass production of BD-ROM, BD-R and BD-RE based on the Europlex PC Film.”

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GE Advanced Materials introduces liquid silicone rubber grade for under-the-hood automotive applications

 

GE Advanced Materials (www.geadvancedmaterials.com) commercially launched the FSL 7586/40 TP 3854 grade of liquid silicone rubber.

 

This latest grade of liquid silicone rubber grade from GE combines improved oil and fuel resistance, self-lubricating performance, and excellent processing properties. Suitable for use in liquid injection moulding processes, the properties of this new material cater to applications that require occasional contact with automotive fuels or long-term contact with most automotive oils, like connector gaskets and air-intake system parts.

 

This fast-curing silicone elastomer may be used for gasketing and sealing applications, such as those found in under-the-hood automotive applications.

 

Junko Tsuda, communications manager of GE Toshiba Silicones, Japan, says: The FSL 7586/40 TP3854 enables high-performance elastomeric parts with self-lubricating properties. Its ability to self-lubricate derives from a fluid that exudes from the cured rubber over an extended period, ranging from a few hours to one day. The practical effect is that FSL 7586/40 TP3854 offers reduced insertion forces for complicated parts. Its high temperature stability translates into durable physical properties, potentially allowing extended performance in seals and gaskets. In addition, this new grade offers low temperature flexibility, ensuring excellent sealing, even at the lower limit of automotive requirements.”

 

Tsuda says GE is targeting the entire Asia Pacific region for the product including China, where rapid growth is observed.

 

GE's innovative formulation of the FSL 7586/40 TP3854 grade incorporates tailored fluorine structures that enable it to help deliver processing performance similar to non-fluorinated LSRs, but with greatly enhanced chemical resistance.

 

"FSL 7586/40 TP3854 LSR offers low compression set and low swelling, helping it to provide excellent long-term sealing," said Heinz Mueller, industry manager, automotive elastomers, GE Advanced Materials. "Also, its much lower volume swell makes this liquid silicone rubber product a versatile alternative to conventional, non-fluorinated grades."

 

Available as a translucent two-component silicone rubber, FSL 7586/40 TP3854 also offers colourability for colour-coded parts, while its high temperature stability translates into durable physical properties.

 

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