polymerguru

Plastic gearing in the automotive industry is increasingly being subjected to extremely demanding applications having higher loads and operating temperatures. Lehvoss North America has responded to this trend by developing new thermoplastic compounds that make it possible to produce gear wheels that are more resilient when compared to acetal, nylon, and PBT even at elevated temperatures. New LUVOCOM® 1-8181 and LUVOCOM® 1-8520 compounds polyamide 66 fortified with carbon fibers and impact modifiers have been developed for gear wheels subject to high stresses. The strengths of these compounds at room temperature and at 120°C (240°F) have been increased by approximately 80% compared with standard polyamide 66 compounds. As an additional benefit, these new materials also exhibit an increased impact strength that meets or exceeds the requirements of many gear wheel applications. Depending on the service life of the component, the continuous operating temperature is 120°C (240°F) and up to...

3D Printing has begun reshaping the manufacturing base and promises to be the 21st Century's industrial revolution. In short, it can deliver "Real-Life Objects" FASTER, CHEAPER, and more importantly, ON-DEMAND. Major impacts on industrial Manufacturing & Productivity are to be realized as the prototypes can be rapidly fabricated and perfected without tooling limitations or wastage of materials and manpower.  Practically all industries will be impacted; examples include (1) Defense, (2) Medical, (3) Aerospace, (4) Automotive, (5) Consumer Products, (6) Sporting Goods, (7) Architectural, (8) Wearables, (9) Customized Foods, and (10) Household Items.  .............................. .............................. .............................. .......... Global premier companies listed below will share the advances being made at their respective institutions: • GE Aviation • Siemens Energy • John Deere • Reebok International • Lockheed Martin • IBM • Accenture • Wo...

PlastiComp, Inc., among the global leaders in long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) materials and technologies, recently revealed the enhanced aesthetic capabilities of its Velocity® high flow nylon long fiber reinforced composites. The products simplify the injection molding of high fiber content LFT components by more easily producing the smooth, fiber-free finish desired on external surfaces. PlastiComp developed its Velocity series of high flow nylon (polyamide) 6 and 66 LFT composites to facilitate easier and quicker molding of high glass or carbon fiber content materials. Standard LFT materials with fiber loadings of 50% or above exhibit high viscosity characteristics which can make them problematic to mold, especially in thin wall sections. “What was originally a side benefit of improving flow has turned out to be a very desirable attribute of our Velocity long fiber products,” said Eric Wollan, business development manager at PlastiComp. “As the use of LFT’s progresses from industria...

Bio Plastics are not only an alternate to fossil based plastics but also they are going to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and litter on the environment. The biodegradation by microorganisms not only helps the soil but also act as a fertilizer. At present nearly 4%-5% of fossil oils are being used to produce all types of fossil based plastic materials for various applications.In recent days the world has witnessed the over dependence on fossil based plastics, but the fluctuating crude oil process along with the environmental concerns has slowly started the recognition and need for bio-based products. A number of renewable chemicals have emerged in the last 5 years with the potential to enable traditional polymers while opening the path for newer materials using renewable food, especially non-food biomass as opposed to PetroChemicals. There has been a new wave of bioplastics entering the high-end consumer products such as auto-parts in TOYOTA,MERCEDES, FERRARI, and MASERATI; the fie...

DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema®, and among the world leaders in life protection materials and high performance fibers, announced that the U.S. Army has chosen a new body armor system that incorporates Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology to deliver unparalleled ballistics protection combined with unprecedented weight reduction. Point Blank Enterprises, one among the worldwide leaders in the production of soft body armor, designed the advanced ballistics package incorporated in the new system – the Generation II Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS). Using revolutionary Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology, Point Blank developed the core ballistics package for the SPCS to create the lightest soft armor system ever to be fielded to the U.S. Army. The lighter weight ballistics package meets the Army’s requirement for the SPCS to provide protection equal to the current Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), but in ...