polymerguru

The new Ford 3.5L and 3.7L engine  manifold  uses a cross-over  coolant  component made of DuPont™ Zytel® HTN  PPA  resin instead of brazed  metal , shaving one pound to improve  fuel economy . Behind the scenes, the running change illustrates the trend toward using  high performance  thermoplastic where it is essential. And it shows how collaboration in the value chain continues to drive cost and weight saving by developing and investing in innovative techniques to help the industry meet new fuel and emissions regulations. The team from  Illinois Tool Works , Inc. (ITW) in Ohio arrived at DuPont's Innovation Center in Troy to brainstorm how to integrate a crossover coolant component into a V6 engine manifold that is made of traditional nylon polymer. The crossover coolant component is a hollow port that allows engine coolant to bypass the manifold as it circulates through the engine. Traditional  nylon 6  polymer doesn't withstand long-term exposure  to heat and long- life

The Environmental Protection Agency has honored the University of Delaware's Richard Wool with its Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for his extensive work developing bio-based materials to support the green energy infrastructure. Wool was recognized during a presentation at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Now in its 18th year, the EPA awards program recognizes the design of safer and more sustainable chemicals, processes and products. Awards are conferred annually in five categories: Academic, Small Business, Greener Synthetic Pathways, Greener Reaction Conditions and Designing Greener Chemicals. Wool, UD professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and director of the Affordable Composites from Renewable Resources (ACRES) program, is among the world leaders in developing safer chemical substances from renewable resources through processes that require less water and energy, and produce less hazardous waste compared to petroleum-based processes. The

Air Sentry, among the leading manufacturers of contamination control products, looked to Eastman Tritan™ copolyester to help create a new standard for its line of desiccant breathers. The company, based in Rockwall, Texas, selected Tritan, a new-generation copolyester, for its toughness and chemical resistance, and because it is free of bisphenol A (BPA). Guardian, Air Sentry's newest line of desiccant breathers, is the company's first product line to be made with Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. The devices are cylindrical with a clear, extruded tube made with Tritan at the center. The product is designed to replace the original equipment manufacturer breather cap or air filter on gear boxes, hydraulic fluid reservoirs, bulk storage tanks, oil drums, transformers and other fluid reservoirs. Downtime reduced; new applications realized: Moisture breaks down the properties of lubricants and fuels creating equipment wear as harmful as wear from debris. According to Air Sentry,

With a level of purity approaching 99 percent, SEPURAN® Green high performance polymers from Evonik Industries make biogas processing much more efficient. For this achievement, the company has now received the 2013 German Innovation Prize for Climate and the Environment in the "Environmentally friendly technologies" category. The prize is awarded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the Federation of German Industry (BDI). Dr. Dahai Yu, responsible for the Specialty Materials Segment in the Executive Board: "Innovations are a major contribution towards overcoming the challenges of the future. This also includes securing energy supplies practically from economical, ecological, and social aspects. With SEPURAN® Green, Evonik shows what the chemical industry can do to make this happen." Biogas, which consists mainly of the gases CO 2  and methane, is regarded as an environmentally friendly form of energy. B

Toyota Boshoku Corporation, among the premier manufacturers of automotive interior systems, and Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc., contributing to present and future businesses of Toyota Group companies through technological innovations, announce that they have developed an original technique to realize a bio-based plastic alloy with top-class impact strength. The bio-based plastic alloy (bio-alloy) is made from  polyamide 11  ( PA11 ), a 100% bio-based resin originating from plants and synthesized by castor oil *1  extracted from Ricinus Communis (castor bean plant) as a raw material, and  polypropylene  ( PP ) derived from petroleum-based resin. The performance of this high impact bio-alloy surpasses  polycarbonate  alloys. The impact strength of the bio-alloy was achieved by controlling the phase structure of  PP  and  PA11  at the nano level through a "salami structure *2 " mixture (dispersion) resulting in the world's first "salami in co-continuous phase

With 50 million tons of waste produced worldwide every year, electronics (smartphones, tablets, computers, etc.) are now a serious problem for the environment. To reduce the impact of the so called e-waste, a new contribution has arrived in the form of the revolutionary  bioplastics  designed by bio-on: this polymer (100% naturally biodegradable in water and soil) can be used as a substrate for electrical circuits. When combined with suitable nanofillers, it can act as an electricity conductor, with extraordinary, as yet unexplored potential. "In this way it's possible to build electronic devices with a reduced environmental impact - Marco Astorri, CEO and co-founder of bio-on, explained during Maker Faire Rome — but the use of  bioplastics  will not be restricted to smartphones and tablets. We can extend it to highly advanced technological sectors, thanks to the multiple features of our bioplastics, their outstanding technical performance and excellent biocompatibility.

BMW has started series production of the BMW i3 urban vehicle, which features a passenger cell made from carbon  fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). BMW says this is the first time that CFRP has been used in high volume automotive production. The i3 is being assembled at BMW’s plant in Leipzig, Germany, where some €400 million has been invested in new structures and machinery for the production of BMW i models and 800 new jobs have been created.      The production network for BMW i also sees key components manufactured at BMW Group plants and joint venture facilities at Moses Lake in the USA and Wackersdorf, Landshut and Dingolfing in Germany.      The company has invested a total of around €600 million in the BMW i production network and generated over 1500 jobs. Deliveries of the BMW i3 to customers in Germany and other European countries will begin in November, with the car’s launch in the USA, China and other markets to follow in early 2014.      “Today represents a mile

BOEING has completed its first 787-9 Dreamliner, the second member of the 787 family. The aircraft was moved to the flight line, where teams are preparing it to fly shortly.      The Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s construction is 50% composite materials. At 20 ft (6 m) longer than the 787-8, the 787-9 will extend the 787 family in both capacity and range, carrying 40 more passengers and has an  additional range of 300 nautical miles (555 km).  ( The ÿrst 787-9 rolled out of Boeing’s Everett, Washington, factory on 24 August.)      The second and third 787-9s are in assembly. First delivery to launch customer Air New Zealand is set for mid-2014.      At the Paris Air Show earlier this year, Boeing launched the 787-10 Dreamliner, the third and largest member of the 787 family. Source:www.boeing.com

Avantium has made another breakthrough with its PEF (or polyethylene furanoate). It has demonstrated that PEF can also be used to make fibers, and even that PEF bottles can be recycled into PEF fibers. These PEF fibers from recycled PEF bottles have been processed into 100% biobased T-shirts. The PEF fiber spinning and fabric weaving and dyeing was performed by the Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University, using conventional polyester processing technology and equipment. The fiber market is an important recycling outlet for today's  PET  packaging, and the results presented today show similar end-of-life solutions that can be applied for PEF. During the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, shorts and jerseys made from recycled petroleum-based  PET  bottles were introduced by Nike for the national soccer teams of Brazil, Japan, England, the Netherlands and Team USA, saving petroleum based raw materials and reducing energy consumption by an estimated 30%. PEF T-shir

Arkema has always been involved to propose innovative bio-based  polyamides  for highly demanding markets. Continuing the successful story of Rilsan® Clear G830 Rnew, the first bio-based transparent  polyamide , Arkema presents at the Optical fair (booth at 1C-G06) from November 6th to 8th two new grades — Rilsan® Clear G850 Rnew and Rilsan® Clear G120 Rnew — for specific customer needs. Rilsan® Clear G850 Rnew has been especially designed for injection molding application (i.e.: optical and electronic), to give maximum freedom to designers. It has higher temperature resistance compared with G830 Rnew, which allows broader decoration techniques use. At the same time, its high fluidity offers perfect solution for thin-wall injected parts and is therefore ideally suitable for eyeglass frames. Rilsan® Clear G850 Rnew owns a broad spectrum of performance properties and benefits for eyeglass frames: Excellent flexibility and fatigue resistance Outstanding optical properties and tr

NatureWorks now offers three new Ingeo high performance biopolymer grades designed for injection molding and extrusion applications. They will allow formulations comparable in performance to engineering thermoplastics at a cost lower than any previous high-biobased content polymers on the market. These new Ingeo grades allow faster cycle times and production rates, a 15°C improvement in heat deformation temperature, and a three-to-four fold increase in bulk crystallization rate. NatureWorks expects to see these new high performance Ingeo grades in applications such as consumer durable and semi-durable products as well as food service ware such as cutlery and hot cup lids. Compounders can use their expertise to introduce durables with the highest bio content ever achieved on this cost-effective commercial scale. "Commercializing these new grades follows the very positive market feedback NatureWorks received from customers during pilot sampling over the last year," said Fra

Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSA) today announced the completion of the Agro Operations Guayule Research Farm in Eloy, Ariz. The research farm will supply guayule biomass for rubber production at the company's BioRubber Process Research Center, which is currently under construction in Mesa, Ariz. "At Bridgestone, we are committed to helping ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations. Because the demand for tires is expected to increase in the long term, we are investing in identifying ways not only to diversify our natural rubber source beyond the hevea rubber tree, but also to explore other innovative methods to make our products more sustainable," said Bill Niaura, director of new business development, BSA. "Guayule fits the profile perfectly — as it's both domestic and renewable — and the completed Agro Operations site is a critical piece to delivering on our commitment." Agro Operations includes a dedicated 281-acre research farm,

Solvay Specialty Polymers has announced a major extension of its Kalix® high-performance  polyamide  (HPPA) product line, launching a new portfolio of bio-based high-performance  polyamides  offered for use in smart mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, and other smart mobile electronics. The introduction includes the Kalix® HPPA 3000 series, the first bio-based amorphous polyphthalamides (PPAs), and the Kalix® 2000 series, a family of bio-sourced semi-crystalline  polyamide  grades that provide outstanding impact performance. Solvay unveiled the new materials at K 2013. The Kalix® 3000 series breaks new ground as the industry's first bio-based amorphous  PPA  which delivers exceptional processability. The two new grades — Kalix® 3850 and Kalix® 3950 — provide less warp, reduced shrinkage, and low to no flash. This improved processability results in tighter dimensional tolerances and more cost-effective manufacturing due to fewer secondary operations such as de

Putnam Plastics Corporation, among the leaders in advanced extrusion for minimally invasive medical devices, reports increased interest in integrated catheter components made by medical device companies. These components leverage continuous manufacturing to combine sub-component processes, eliminate assembly steps and reduce manual labor, thus allowing device companies to reduce overall costs. "Industry reports in 2009 suggested double digit compound annual growth rates for the interventional cardiology devices. By 2012 some industry reports adjusted this growth rate down into the single digits," said Jim Dandeneau, Putnam Plastics Chief Executive Officer. "However, this more likely reflects competitiveness and cost reduction pressures on devices rather than decreased innovation." Over a ten year period beginning in 2003 there was a steady decline in these patents issued until 2008, where it bottomed out at 168. Since then, there has been a strong increase in ca

BASF is now globally offering Ultramid® S Balance in a version for monofilament applications. The high performance  polyamide 6.10,  partly based on renewable resources, is available in various viscosities. The bio-based sebacic acid, which is used to produce Ultramid® S Balance, originates from the castor oil plant. In compounded and glass-fiber reinforced versions, BASF has already introduced the material in different commercial applications, e.g. in a design lamp or automotive quick connectors. "The demand for bio-based raw materials is increasing worldwide", says Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President of the Global  Polyamide  and Intermediates Business Unit. “The introduction of Ultramid® S Balance for monofilament applications is another contribution of BASF to support this trend." Polyamide 6.10  offers unique mechanical properties such as higher dimensional stability and softness compared to  polyamide 6  or polyamide 6.6.  Many of the benefits arise from l

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ATK has achieved a milestone in its NASA Research Announcement (NRA) Advanced Booster risk-reduction program for the Space Launch System (SLS) by successfully completing filament winding of a pathfinder Advanced Booster composite case. Ultimately, this Advanced Booster NRA effort will enable NASA and ATK to optimize a case design that will be stronger, yet more affordable than traditional steel cases. In turn, this will provide increased payload performance due to reduced weight inherent in composite materials. The pathfinder article is a 92-inch-diameter, 27-foot-long composite case. In order to achieve both the affordability and performance required of an Advanced Booster, ATK overcame challenges during case winding operations. ATK leveraged 45 years of composite case winding experience, its experienced workforce, and a modern fiber-placement tooling system to achieve success on its first attempt. ATK has manufactured more than 1,600 commercial solid rocket motors to date, man

BIOTEC presented a real breakthrough in biodegradable bioplastic resins fit for film applications during the K 2013. With a biobased carbon share of more than 50% and intended suitable for film applications, the new BIOPLAST 500 is a real forerunner on the  bioplastics  market. Biodegradable bags are ready to meet the challenges of European waste disposal regulations that now require more than 40% biobased contents. The "OK compost HOME" certification also allows bags made of BIOPLAST to comply with waste disposal policies that strongly put the stress on home composting. Enhanced technical properties "The challenges to tackle were significant. Process ability and mechanical properties were key factors. And we are extremely proud to announce that BIOPLAST 500 can be extruded down to 18 microns films" says Harald Schmidt CEO of BIOTEC. "Our research team has been working for 3 years in order to deliver such performances, BIOPLAST 500 shows BIOTEC's

The global demand for PAN-based carbon fibers is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of exceeding 15% as an advanced material which contributes not only to energy saving through weight reduction but also to spread of renewable energy as alternative of fuel (oil and coal) energy. On the one hand, regular tow carbon fiber is widely being accepted in the field of high performance / high quality application such as aerospace, but on the other hand, large tow carbon fiber is anticipated to expand its applications, based on its reasonable balance between cost and performance, to wind energy-related which shows rapid demand growth in recent years, and automobile structural parts in future. It is foreseen that demands for regular tow carbon fiber and large tow fiber will grow separately, reflecting each characteristic. Zoltek entered into large tow carbon fiber business in 1988, and acquired textile acrylic fiber plants in Hungary and Mexico in 1996 and 2007 respectively, and has been

When it comes to replacing metals with intelligent plastic solutions, one can easily lose track of the spectrum of possible applications, also beyond the realm of automotive construction. Handles for doors and windows often have internal parts made of die-cast zinc that can be replaced with plastic. Heavy and expensive metals are still being used for sports equipment, household appliances, and furniture and even for thermal separators and assembly systems in solar modules. However, there are hardly any choices between standard  polyamide  – which does not always meet the requirements – and costly high-performance materials. In a quest to fill this gap, BASF has now expanded its Ultramid® portfolio and is introducing two new materials upon the occasion of the K 2013 plastics trade fair. Ultramid D3EG10 FC Aqua® and Ultramid D3EG12 HMG are two materials that are suitable for replacing metal in many different, and yet highly specialized, areas of application. Balancing act between cos