PlastiComp Reveals Enhanced Aesthetic Capabilities of Nylon 6 & 66 LFT Composites

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 industrial goods and internal structural elements to consumer goods and exposed housings, their appearance and surface finish has become a more important selection criteria.”

With standard high fiber content materials, higher molding temperatures are required to obtain a resin-rich surface, which results in slower cycle times and increased operating costs. When using PlastiComp’s Velocity long fiber grades, enhanced, fiber-free surfaces are obtainable at 30-40°F (17-22°C) lower processing temperatures. A smooth to the touch, resin-rich surface free of fibers makes colors appear more vibrant and is capable of holding finer embossed details – such visual characteristics are important to establishing high product quality perceptions among consumers.

“The superior surface finish of our Velocity LFT products virtually eliminates the need for any type of secondary finishing operations and it’s possible to achieve a near class-A surface finish with polished molds,” said Wollan. “Combining these aesthetic benefits with Velocity’s capabilities for producing thinner wall sections that facilitate more complex designs while utilizing less material and PlastiComp has long fiber reinforced materials that are ready to take on a new generation of applications.”

Source: PlastiComp, Inc. 

Why BioPlastics / BioChemicals when Crude Oil is Crashing ?

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 field is continuously and rapidly evolving.

 The latest developments in PLA, PHA ,PEF and bio-sourced nylons,bio-PET and polyester show the entry of Bio plastics into newer applications in the automobile, electronics,medical, packaging and disposable products.

This bioplastic conference will bring more presentations from the leading bioplastic peers in the bioplastic industry with their latest developments takes place in their bio monomers and biopolymers for various applications.

The following Companies will have their presentation in the BIOPLASTICS conference Toyota,Natureworks,Dupont,DSM,Celanese,Arkema,Braskem,Henkel,RE:Chem,Enerkem,Global Bioenergies,Bioamber,Verdezyne,Riverdia,Avantium,Innoplast Solutions,Plaxica,Fraunhofer Institute,Corbion-PuracCathay Industrial Biotech,Zeal Optics
Meredian Holdings Group.

It is really a very good opportunity for the professionals in the polymer industry to learn more about bioplastic industry and also drive others in the right direction to make the ecofriendly atmosphere for the future.

Bioplastics conference will be held at InterContinental on Biscayne Bay,Miami,Jan 28-30 2015.

More details via the link, http://bioplastconference.com

US Army Selects DSM’s Dyneema® Force Multiplier Tech.-based Body Armor for Ballistics Safety

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 a standalone capacity that reduces the soldier’s load and provides optimum mobility.

“Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology helps armor manufacturers achieve the goal of combining the best protective performance with the lightest possible weight,” said Shitij Chabba, Global Segment Director, Life Protection, DSM Dyneema. “We are very pleased that our latest material innovation has achieved qualification for an advanced program like SPCS that must meet modern mission requirements.”

Built on the company’s Radical Innovation Platform and manufactured in Greenville, N.C., Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation UHMwPE fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering. Compared to body armor made from traditional materials such as aramid, protective vests engineered with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can reduce weight by up to 30 percent, while enhancing comfort and agility with fewer layers of material.

“Current and near-term predicted threats dictate that service personnel exhibit greater flexibility than ever before and an ability to respond quickly and decisively to changing conditions,” said Sam White, Executive Vice President, Point Blank Enterprises.

“The combination of our cutting-edge ballistics package design and DSM Dyneema’s breakthrough
Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology has resulted in an unmatched ability to accomplish the critical objectives of SPCS specifications, all while delivering the lightest and highest-performing protection. We’re honored to partner with DSM Dyneema to bring this game-changing system to our service men and women, and remain committed to protecting those who risk their lives every day to safeguard ours.”

Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ are trademarks of DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: DSM 

Latest Developments in biobased Nylons

Nylons:

Worldwide market for Nylons is forecasted to be $27B / year by 2018. There are many nylons   commercially available; most popular being Nylon 66 and Nylon 6   followed by specialty nylons. Rennovia's announcement of biobased C-6   diamine, along with Verdezyne's C-6 diacid promises to deliver a 100%   biobased Nylon 66. Other specialty nylons of the future from biobased   building blocks include N46, N410, N56, N510,N610, N612, N1010 and many   more. The presentation at the conference will exemplify the commercial developments in the   field of bio-derived di-acids.

 Bioplastics conference will be held at InterContinental on Biscayne Bay,Miami,Jan 28-30 2015.

More details via the link, http://bioplastconference.com

LANXESS Offers New PBT and PC+PBT Blend for Vehicle Exterior Body Parts

LANXESS sees great potential for the use of PBT and polyamide compounds in production of vehicle exterior body parts – for example bumpers, sills, front grilles, door handles, fuel tank flaps, spoilers and mirror housings. “That is why we are building up a wide range of Durethan and Pocan materials for this use segment. The development work is focusing on application-specific, optimized mechanical properties, as well as good surface qualities and good paintability,” says Frank Krause, design expert at LANXESS.

New PBT for fuel tank flaps — suitable for CDC and dimensionally stable

An innovative material for fuel tank flaps, for example, is Pocan B 5220 XF reinforced with a glass bead content of 20 percent. The product is an alternative to blends of polyphenylene ethers and polyamide (PPE+PA), which are often used in series-produced fuel tank flaps because they can be painted online. A disadvantage of such blends, however, is their high degree of moisture absorption, which has an undesirable effect on the required dimensional accuracy. PBT, by contrast, stands out by virtue of its high degree of dimensional stability. “Our Pocan B 5220 XF also withstands the usual temperatures required for cathodic dip coating (CDC). That means the part can be mounted to the vehicle body and go through online coating and the CDC process along with it, which yields savings on logistics and coating costs,” adds Krause. Mineral-filled PBT and PA compounds, on the other hand, which fuel tank flaps are also made of, are not suitable for CDC. 

LANXESS has intensively studied the new material's thermal expansion behavior, using fuel tank flaps that were produced on a series-production tool. “Even after one hour at 200 °C the expansion of the freely suspended parts was negligible,” says Krause. Another strength of the new PBT is the good surface quality and paintability, which is due to the absence of glass fibers in the material. Compared to similar glass bead-reinforced standard materials, its much improved melt flow properties and the approximately 50 percent greater toughness are especially noteworthy. 

New (PC+PBT) blend for radiator grilles

LANXESS specially developed Pocan TP 406-001 for radiator grilles. “The non-reinforced polycarbonate+PBT blend material was conceived primarily for parts with Class A surfaces, which are given a high-gloss coating,” Krause says. The material displays very low and uniform shrinkage and hardly any tendency to distortion at all. Thanks to the blend's extreme toughness even in cold temperatures, the radiator grille does not shatter into shards in the event of a collision, which helps protect nearby pedestrians. The high heat deflection temperature ensures that long, horizontal grille fins do not sag as a result of exposure to the radiator heat. 

For exterior bodywork parts that are not coated online, the LANXESS product line continues to feature materials including non-reinforced (PBT+PC) and (PET+PC) blends, and reinforced (PBT+PET) blends. A good choice for spoilers, for example, is Pocan TP 957-001, which consists of up to 25 percent post-consumer recyclate from PET bottles. The mineral-reinforced (PET+PC) blend is very impact-resistant and displays minimal distortion, among other properties. Durethan DP 2131/20 W1 EF, a heat-stabilized polyamide 6 with easy flow characteristics, is a great material for substructures of spoilers, exterior mirror housings and door handles. It provides non-coated exterior bodywork parts with excellent resistance to weathering.

Source: LANXESS 

TOYOTA on "Materials & Sustainable Society" @ BIOPLASTICS, Jan 28-30,Miami.

Toyota has taken various steps to reduce the weight of the vehicle by using carbon fiber, natural fiber and bioplastics in recent years.Toyota has introduced roof lining molded from a mixture of carbon and natural fibers. Injection molded air cleaner case by using Kenaf with PP. Like wise there are so many parts such as door trim,seat cushion,spare tire cover,tool box,scuff plates,trunk liner,headliners,sun visors,pillar covers,floor finish plate.Toyota also makes insulator parts (tunnel,floor carpett hood,apron,dash inner) from natural cotton fiber wastes. 

There are many research are taking place on various bio sourced materials in recent days.Nano-cellulose fiber based projects draw attention from the automakers now.

To know more about natural fiber bio-based monomer and polymer,pls mark your calender to attend this  worthy Bioplastics conference at InterContinental on Biscayne Bay,Miami,Jan 28-30 2015.

I strongly believe this conference brings out latest developments on Agricultual chemistries and make the world not fully depend on fossil based plastics anymore.This is going to be our life,future and food for all because this will enhance life style of our farmers too.We can make products even from biomass/waste too.

More details via the link, http://bioplastconference.com

DSM’s Dyneema® UHMWPE Fiber Replaces Metal in Solar Panels to Provide Ballistic Protection

A new solar panel system for Defense Forces provides ballistic protection and is lighter and more portable than systems currently available. The PowerArmor™ unit from IDG Europe has low-reflectance solar panels protected by an anti-ballistic surface made in an exceptionally strong unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite.

The composite is based on an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE) produced by DSM Dyneema and branded as Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. It replaces the aluminum normally used for portable solar panels, which provides no ballistic protection. IDG says this is the first time that solar panels have been given such a high level of ballistic protection. Panels made in Dyneema® also weigh around 20% less than aluminum panels of the same thickness.

DSM Dyneema and IDG Europe cooperated closely in IDG’s development of the dual-purpose system, intended to power electrical and electronic equipment used by armed forces in the field. The combination of ultra-light, low profile (anti-glare) solar panels and anti-ballistic panels with Dyneema® results in a system capable of providing energy and protection ranging from fragmentation to high-power rifle ammunition.

IDG Europe says that the switch from aluminum for the general-purpose stand-alone solar panels also meets calls from the market for lightweight units with high environmental resistance.

“As Defense Forces continue to carry more and more electronic systems into dangerous, inhospitable and isolated places, the need to keep portable electronic devices operable at all times in hostile environments is essential,” says Göran Johnson, CEO at IDG Europe. “With PowerArmor™, we think that we have a winning combination of solar panels that supply power and provide protection. We believe its chances are very good, especially as the two individual products were already being independently considered—and in some cases used in practice—by various Special Forces around the world.”

“Dyneema® offers the lightest armor protection materials in the market,” says David Cordova, Vice President Business Development for DSM Dyneema - Life Protection. “The combination of Dyneema® with the innovative low-glare IDG solar panels provides a unique value proposition to military personnel.”

IDG Europe introduced the PowerArmor™ concept at IESMA 2014, the conference and exhibition on Innovative Energy Solutions for Military Applications that took place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 12-14. IEASMA 2014 is organized by the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence, and the DELTA State Military Scientific Technical Center of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Source: DSM