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Showing posts from December, 2018

Graphene nanotubes make difference in the PVC plastisol industry

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Graphene nanotubes are becoming a mainstream conductive additive. This technology is helping to create new business opportunities in various industries, including the PVC plastisol market. Successful market products with graphene nanotubes include ventilation ducting and fiberglass mesh for mining applications, anti-static textiles, and treadmill belts. With their unique properties, graphene nanotubes push PVC plastisol performance higher, to fully satisfy market demand for 105 – 109 Ω/sq resistivity, to preserve a permanent and stable form even after harsh working conditions, to maintain abrasion resistance, and to demonstrate flexibility in the colouring of final products. This all is possible with just 0.25–2 wt.% of graphene nanotube concentrate, recently developed by OCSiAl.   New technology is able to eliminate the common friction points in the usage of conventional anti-static additives, such as carbon black or ammonium compounds. Application of carbon blac

An eco-friendly vinyl hybrid resin made with zero styrene

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Perma-Liner Industries, the manufacturer and supplier of trenchless pipeline rehabilitation equipment and materials in North America, is introducing a eco-friendly resin called Perma-Liner vinyl hybrid resin. The newest resin in the company’s robust catalog is the only vinyl hybrid that was designed with zero styrene, extremely low VOC’s and is a hybrid vinyl ester with high-rigid polymer backbone. “Our newest resin, the Vinyl Hybrid, has an array of benefits that are attractive to those looking for reduced labor costs, fast cure times and more,” said Rishi Vasudeva, business excellence manager at Perma-Liner. “This Resin is formulated with zero styrene – a potentially harmful substance per OSHA – allows it to be used in areas that would previously need to be evacuated due to the presence of styrene, such as schools, hospitals, churches, office buildings and more.” The vinyl Hybrid resin has a standard pot life of more than eight hours and uses an

Scientists Discover Method to Produce FDCA Using Non-food Glucose Derivative

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Scientists have discovered a novel method to synthesize furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) in a high yield from a glucose derivative of non-food plant cellulose, paving the way for replacing petroleum-derived terephthalic acid with biomaterials in plastic bottle applications. Decreasing Burden on the Environment with Renewable Resources   The chemical industry is under pressure to establish energy-efficient chemical procedures that do not generate by-products, and using renewable resources wherever possible. Scientists believe that if resources from non-food plants can be used without putting a burden on the environment, it will help sustain existing social systems. It has been reported that various useful polymers can be synthesized from 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF), the biomaterial used in this study. A high yield of FDCA can be obtained when HMF is oxidized in a diluted solution under 2 weight percentage (wt%) with various supported metal catalysts. Howev

U.S. DOT approves high-pressure vessel hydrogen transport systems

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Hexagon Composites has received a special permit from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for the highest pressure gas transport systems ever. The permit authorizes the manufacture, marking, sale and use of Hexagon’s 500 and 950 bar cylinders for over-the-road transport modules in the United States, for hydrogen and other gases. “The DOT permit is a milestone for the hydrogen refueling market where higher pressures are sought to move more hydrogen per trailer trip, which in turn reduces the overall price of hydrogen fuel at the pump,” said Hartmut Fehrenbach, Vice President of Hydrogen Distribution of Hexagon. “This represents a key step to accelerate the ongoing adoption of fuel cell vehicles and transformation to a zero-emission and domestically sourced energy landscape.” Hexagon is the first manufacturer to receive U.S. DOT special permit (SP20391) for 950 bar (13,775 psig). Being able to move 950 bar pressure vessel systems over the

Evonik Offers Methacrylate Monomer with Flame Retardant & Anti-corrosive Properties

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Evonik  has planned to market 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphate as an anti-corrosion agent and flame retardant under the brand name  VISIOMER®  HEMA-P 70M. Typical product applications of this methacrylate monomer include adhesives and plastics, paints and coatings, fibers, composite resins, and gel coats.  New Options Open for Customers with VISIOMER Customers mainly use VISIOMER® HEMA-P 70M as an adhesion promoter, but the latest findings have also shown it to be an effective halogen-free, reactive flame retardant or anti-corrosion agent.  Since the substance serves as a reactive diluent or as a co-monomer bonded within the polymer backbone, it does not migrate like conventional flame retardants. VISIOMER® HEMA-P 70M further improves flame retardancy in combination with non-polymerizable flame retardants.  “ VISIOMER® HEMA-P 70M offers new options for customers with special requirements for flame-retardant and anti-corrosion properties. This monomer adds a specialty m

Circa Receives ECHA Approval for Bio-based Di-polar Solvent Manufacture

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Circa Group has received authorization from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to manufacture or import up to 100 tones/year of its bio-based solvent Cyrene™ in the European Union, after receiving REACH Annex VIII approval. Cyrene™ : An Alternative to Polar Aprotic Solvents   A chiral dipolar aprotic solvent, Cyrene™ was developed in conjunction with the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE) at the University of York. Cyrene™ is a two-step conversion of waste biomass, produced at Circa's large-scale prototype plant, built in partnership with pulp and paper company Norske Skog in Tasmania, Australia. Cyrene™ provides a safer alternative to these polar aprotic solvents facing regulatory pressure worldwide and is available through Circa’s distributors Merck/Sigma and Will&Co. Restricting the Possible Toxic Solvents Solvent regulation is increasingly focused on restricting hazardous chemicals to manage their risk to people animals and the environ

Sulzer Enters into Partnership to Promote PLA-based Sustainable Plastics Production

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Futerro, Sulzer and TechnipFMC team up to simplify the manufacture of bioplastics . Three major process technology and equipment specialists, Futerro, Sulzer and TechnipFMC, have formed the PLAnet™ initiative in equal partnership to promote the production of sustainable plastics made of Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) . The strategic collaboration will support manufacturers interested in entering the bioplastic market by delivering integrated PLA technology packages. PLA is a versatile bio-based and biodegradable polymer that can replace petroleum-based plastics in a wide range of applications. Different stages are required to convert sugars from crops into lactic acid, lactide and subsequently PLA. Facilitating Bioplastics Production Futerro, a well-established technology provider for lactic acid and lactide production, and Sulzer Chemtech, a leading specialist in separation and mixing technologies have over 25 years of experience in lactic acid and PLA’s related pro

Plastics Machinery Shipments Continued to Increase in Q3 of 2018 in North America

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 The plastics machinery shipments in North America continued to increase in the third quarter according to the statistics compiled and reported by the Plastics Industry Association’s (PLASTICS) Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES).     Injection Molding & Extrusion Machinery Shipment The preliminary estimate of shipments of primary plastics equipment (injection molding and extrusion) for reporting companies totaled $349.4 million in the third quarter. This was a 4.1-percent increase from the $335.5 million (revised) second-quarter shipment. Injection molding shipments in the second quarter were higher than previously thought. Year over year, shipments grew 5.6 percent. Perc Pineda PhD, Chief Economist of PLASTICS, said: “Plastics machinery shipments recovered in the third quarter following a weak second quarter. We expect higher shipments in the fourth quarter. We have a tight labor market and U.S. manufacturers, including plastics machinery manufactu

California Bans Sale of Upholstered Products Containing FRs Above 1000ppm

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California has joined states to ban flame retardants in certain household products. Starting January 1, 2020, it will be prohibited to sell or distribute children’s products, mattresses, and upholstered furniture that contain flame retardants in concentrations above 1,000 parts per million (ppm) in the state of California. Link Between Flame Retardants and Various Health Problems  In passing the bill, the Legislature cited proof that flame retardants do little to increase fire safety, and expressed concerns about the link between flame retardants and various health problems, such as developmental problems in children and cancer. Implementing Rules and Regulations The law needs the International Sleep Products Association to survey mattress producers every three years to determine what materials are being used to meet flammability standards. The Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, and Thermal Insulation is sanctioned to enforce

Teknor Apex’s New Medical-grade TPEs Replace Silicone in Biopharmaceutical Tubing

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Three new medical-grade thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for biopharmaceutical tubing provide performance superior to the industry standard TPE in this application, making them effective alternatives to widely used silicone. Teknor Apex Company will introduce the new Medalist® compounds at MD&M West (Booth 2015) and will make a presentation on grades for peristaltic pump applications at the “Tech Theater” during the show. The presentation is scheduled for 1:30 pm on Wednesday, February 6. Clear & Translucent Medalist® Medical TPEs Teknor Apex recommends three compounds for challenging tubing applications in the biopharma industry for peristaltic pumps and extreme low temperature applications. The materials designed for peristaltic pump tubing provide the elasticity required to keep pace with rapid pump action and the durability needed for the tubing to retain its shape and remain intact over time. In comparison with the industry-standard TPE alternati

Scientists to combine ultrasonic, vibration and heat for flaw detection in aviation

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Daria Derusova, JRF from the TPU Research School of High Energy Physics is developing a system combining three methods of non-destructive testing including a vibrational, resonant ultrasonic and thermal ones to test composites for aviation applications. This approach is of interest for aviation and automobile industries as it will make it possible to monitor the quality of complex and large-sized products made of composite materials taking into account their physical properties. The Russian Science Foundation has supported this two-year project up to 2020. The project manager Daria Derusova says ‘Every ye ar, new composite materials appear and they challenge existing methods of non-destructive testing. Joints between the materials are of particular complexity and importance.’ Now classic ultrasonic and X-ray testing are used at the production. The latter is the most accurate but it does not fit to large-sized objects that are presented in aviation a lot.