polymerguru

Norda® and Envalior continue to push the boundaries of trail running performance with the launch of the 055, the latest evolution of high-performance footwear powered by Envalior’s Arnitel® thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPC) midsole technology. Building on the success of the norda® 005, the new 055 is engineered specifically for ultra long-distance racing and highly technical terrain, combining enhanced cushioning and rebound with the lightweight durability and stability required by elite trail runners. Demonstrating its performance in competition, ultra runner Rachel Entrekin recently won the Cocodona 250 race in Arizona in a record time, while wearing the 055 throughout the full 250 miles. The 055 highlights the versatility and resilience of Arnitel® foam technology across multiple trail running applications. While the norda® 005 was designed as the lightest and fastest trail racing shoe, the 055 expands the performance platform with a thicker Arnitel® midsole for greater cush...

Fibre handling and composites technology specialist #CygnetTexkimp has developed a VHD (very heavy duty) creel solution capable of handling 500kg packages of fibre as part of an industry collaboration to increase efficiency in carbon fibre manufacturing. The large-scale creel will be used to unwind bobbins of #PANprecursor fibre into #carbonfibre production lines. Its development signals a major leap in capability for the carbon fibre manufacturing industry which has, for over a decade, relied on fibre packages weighing up to 350kg. The impact of the new technology will be to reduce operational downtime and increase efficiency by cutting the frequency of package changeovers and allowing longer continuous run cycles between package changes. Cygnet Texkimp is a market leader in the manufacture and supply of #VHDcreels to the carbon fibre industry with over 70 VHD creels in operation globally, processing in excess of 24,000 bobbins of fibre. Peter Stevenson, Director of Projects at Cy...

Brazilian manufacturer of structural composite panels Diprofiber – which also supplies raw materials for composite processing – has launched #CoreFloor , the country’s first #thermoplasticcompositeflooring system intended for industrialised construction, i.e. the manufacture of all or part of a building’s components in an industrial setting, followed by their assembly on site. CoreFloor uses a #glassfibre reinforced thermoplastic composite sheet as its surface layer. The #Diprofiber system combines high mechanical strength with low weight; it is recyclable and can be installed quickly – a requirement that is becoming increasingly common in construction projects, given ever-shorter deadlines and tighter control over project delivery. Data centres are an example of an application where the installation process is particularly quick, making ready-to-install modules very useful. In this context, composite panels offer advantages in applications traditionally dominated by steel, aluminiu...

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐞 → 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 → 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 When we see a broken plastic part, our attention immediately goes to the fracture. That is the visible failure. The moment when the component can no longer perform its function. But did the failure really start there? In many polymers, the answer is no. The process often begins with a craze, a localized region where microvoids and fibrillar structures start to develop under stress. At this stage, the part is usually still functional. Sometimes, the only visible sign is a slight whitening of the material. As loading continues, these regions can grow and eventually develop into cracks. Once a crack forms, the remaining life of the component becomes significantly shorter, until the final stage is reached: fracture. What makes this particularly interesting from an injection molding perspective is that the origin of the problem is not always found in the application itself. Residual stresses from molding, m...

Global chemical leader #LyondellBasell today announced an innovative flexible packaging solution for Marabou chocolate bars, developed in collaboration with Mondelez International, Amcor, Taghleef Industries and other key industry players. Using LYB CirculenRevive polymers with 100% attributed recycled content via an ISCC PLUS-certified mass balance approach, Mondelez is now able to offer packaging sourced from 75% recycled content, helping transform hard-to-recycle post-consumer mixed plastic waste into high-quality materials for food packaging. “Our collaboration with Mondelez illustrates our shared vision for the future and highlights our ability to provide innovative, high-quality circular solutions tailored to demanding specifications,” said Yvonne van der Laan, executive vice president, Sustainable Solutions and Technology Business, LYB. “We’re committed to making circular and low carbon solutions work for businesses while creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Scal...

Toray Research Center Europe, located in the Munich metropolitan area of Germany, has recently introduced a Cryo‑BIB (Cryogenic Broad Ion Beam) processing system, significantly enhancing its cross‑sectional analysis capabilities, particularly for organic materials and electronic components. Since commencing operations in October 2022, Toray Research Center Europe site has been providing analytical solutions based on the extensive expertise accumulated at Japan headquarters, addressing samples that are difficult to evaluate with in‑house facilities and analytical challenges related to reproducibility and interpretation. With the introduction of Cryo‑BIB, the range of analytical services that can be handled locally in Europe has been further expanded. ■ Added Value through the Introduction of Cryo‑BIB BIB processing is a technique in which a broad ion beam is used to mill without mechanical contact and planarize a sample surface, enabling the preparation of flat and uniform cross‑section...