Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Acrylic (PMMA) vs. Polycarbonate (PC) :

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share 

Acrylic (PMMA) vs. Polycarbonate (PC) :

Acrylic offers greater tensile strength than polycarbonate, typically around 80 MPa, compared to polycarbonate at 60-70 MPa. That means it can stretch a bit more before breaking.

Similarly, acrylic wins the battle for flexural strength at 115 MPa vs. 90 MPa for polycarbonate, set a heavy object on unsupported sheets of each and PC will give way first (but not by much).

Both polymers are quite impact resistant, but where acrylic comes in around 17 times that of glass, polycarbonate boasts a whopping 250x increase.

However, polycarbonate is more prone to scratching than acrylic, but as many eyeglass wearers know, coatings are available to avoid this common problem.

There's little difference in transparency between acrylic and polycarbonate (92% light transmission for acrylic vs. 88% for PC). Glass straddles the two at 90% transparency.

Leave these two polymers outside for a few years, however, and you’ll have no problem determining which is polycarbonate, since it will have taken on a yellowish hue; acrylic is much more resistant to sun and UV-light. That said, stabilizers are available for its UV-challenged issues.

Put those same plastic parts in a hot oven and just the opposite will occur. Where acrylic has a maximum service temperature of 100 °C (212 °F), polycarbonate is good to 150 °C (300 °F).

Fire is a different matter. Polycarbonate has low flammability and tends to self-extinguish while acrylic burns slowly and releases carbon monoxide, so it is not recommended where flames may be present.

Chemical resistance is another important attribute. Polycarbonate is generally the winner here since it better withstands acids and alkalis and can be cleaned with ammonia-based products. Not so with acrylic. Both polymers, however, fare poorly around solvents (which are often used to join machined acrylic and polycarbonate parts)

source:www.protolabs.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : High shear layers in Injection molding process

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

A local temperature increase in excess of 100°C is absolutely a realistic number for the thin high shear layers in Injection Molding.

Because this high T will last often less than a second (filltimes are short, the cold steel mold is extremely close), such high melt T will not necessarily result in a very visible quality loss, like discoloration.

This high shear-heating also happens in your barrel if you push RPM and backpressure up. However, testing for melt T plunging a thermocouple on the purged melt will hardly measure a significant change in average temperature, because the very hot layer is extremely thin (small overall volume fraction).

Despite the small volume involved in possible degradation, significant issues may arise, like VOC (volatile organic compounds) degassing, which will mess with your process and parts.

The message is : be aware that due to the low thermal conducivity of plastics, heating will be very localized (adiabatic) and will be difficult to evidence with typical observation/testing, while already creating issues.

Vito leo

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : New Project to Develop 100% Recyclable Flexible Skinpack Packaging Using rPET

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The BOTTLE4FLEX project: developing 100% recyclable food packaging:

The European Union’s Circular Economy Strategy stipulates that all plastic packaging in the European Union must be 100% recyclable by 2030. This is a particular challenge for food-contact packaging.

Recycling flexible PET packaging is tricky because it is made up of layers but in Spain, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is the only type authorised for post-consumer recycled content for food packaging.

AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, Covinil and Eroski took up this challenge by launching the BOTTLE4FLEX project which aims to develop 100% recyclable flexible skinpack packaging using rPET. 'Skinpack' is the type of clear packaging which clings closely to the product, so that consumers can actually see what they are thinking of buying while producers and distributers get the benefit of cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Unfortunately, these advantages are offset by a major drawback: since it is made up of layers, it is very difficult to recycle.

Through innovations in chemical recycling and polymerization technologies, the project consortium aims to overcome this drawback. The key will be to develop a single-material film based on rPET. The BOTTLE4FLEX project is focusing on promoting solvolysis processes for recycling and modifying the properties of PET through partial depolymerization. It will also harness innovative technologies such as reactive extrusion, as well as monomers and additives to increase the flexibility of recycled PET.

The research project is funded by Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the EU under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

source:www.circulareconomy.europe.eu

 

ENVALIOR AND FORD WIN SPE AUTOMOTIVE AWARD FOR MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF PLASTICS

Envalior and Ford Motor Company received the "Most Innovative Use of Plastics" award in the "Materials" category at the 53rd SPE Automotive Innovation Awards.

Ford redesigned an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cold Tube and diffuser, incorporating Xytron™ PPS thermoplastic material, to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve durability.

The award celebrates the partnership between Envalior, Ford, Sogefi, and Viking Plastics, with each contributing to the development, molding, and supply chain of the innovative EGR assembly.

Livonia, MI, DECEMBER 5, 2024 – Envalior, in collaboration with Ford Motor Company, has been honored with the Most Innovative Use of Plastics award in the "Materials" category at the 53rd Annual SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Competition & Gala. This highly regarded event, held at Laurel Manor in Livonia, Michigan, celebrates groundbreaking achievements in automotive plastics.

The award recognizes the development of a re-engineered Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cold Tube and diffuser, a critical component designed by Ford. By replacing Stainless Steel, with Envalior's advanced Xytron™ PPS thermoplastic material, the application realized a 28% part weight reduction and achieved superior chemical resistance to withstand extreme environments for long-lasting performance.

With Xytron™, the EGR Cold Tube and diffuser can now withstand a highly acidic environment with pH levels of 2.2 and temperatures up to 200°C. Furthermore, the new design eliminates the need for multiple components, including a gasket, O-ring and fasteners, resulting in a greatly simplified part that directly integrates into the air intake assembly. This sets a new standard for EGR system efficiency, greatly simplified manufacturing and assembly processes, and significant cost savings.

“This award validates Envalior's commitment to material innovation and the collaborative expertise of our team,” said Russ Bloomfield, Application Development Engineer at Envalior. “It highlights the power of partnerships between Envalior, Ford Motor Company, Sogefi, and Viking Plastics.”

Envalior also extends its congratulations to its partners, Sogefi and Viking Plastics, for their vital roles in this achievement. Sogefi serves as the Tier 1 supplier for the EGR assembly, while Viking Plastics molds the Xytron EGR Tube supplied to Sogefi.

“This recognition underscores Envalior's dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and fostering successful collaborations,” added Grace Showalter, Regional Commercial Director – Americas at Envalior. “We are incredibly proud of our team and partners for achieving this milestone.”

source : Envalior

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Jiangsu Suoteng Offers Dicumene as a Non-toxic, Synergistic Flame Retardant

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Jiangsu Suoteng Offers Dicumene as a Non-toxic, Synergistic Flame Retardant

Jiangsu Suoteng offers Dicumene (DMDBP), a non-hazardous, carbon-based initiator with excellent performance. It is mainly used for polymer cross-linking or grafting reactions at higher temperatures. 

Solution for Halogen-antimony Systems and Halogen-free Alternatives:

In recent years, the flame retardant industry has seen growing demand for dicumene. It is known for its high stability, safe use, and good environmental performance.

Dicumene is primarily used as an initiator, grafting agent, and flame retardant synergist in engineering plastics, flame retardant polyolefins, and other applications.

As environmental regulations become stricter, traditional flame retardants are facing restrictions due to low efficiency, large dosages, and environmental concerns. This has led to a shift toward greener, more efficient, and low-toxicity flame retardants.

Dicumene, as one of the earliest free radical initiators used as a flame retardant synergist, fits well with this trend. Its non-toxic, smoke-suppressing, and cost-effective properties are attracting increasing market interest.

It is widely used in flame retardant polystyrene, polypropylene, brominated and phosphorus flame retardants, bromine-phosphorus composite flame retardants, and engineering plastics. In the halogen-antimony flame retardant system, dicumene reduces the amount of halogen flame retardants and antimony trioxide, which lowers costs, enhances polymer performance, suppresses smoke, reduces toxicity, and improves flame retardancy and mechanical properties of plastics.

Dicumene also serves as a synergist in flame retardancy for polyolefin plastics, replacing antimony trioxide in bromine systems to boost flame retardancy and improve plastic properties. It is used as a grafting catalyst for polystyrene and polypropylene and as a polymer cross-linking initiator.

2,3-Dimethyl-2,3-Diphenylbutane (DMDPB) is versatile in plastic applications and works as a synergistic flame retardant in both bromine-antimony and halogen-free systems. Its high heat resistance makes it suitable for engineering plastics requiring higher processing temperatures. Dicumene is a popular, low-cost, non-toxic, and smoke-suppressing flame retardant.

Product Applications

Flame Retardant Enhancement: Used in polymers like PP, EPS, HIPS, XPS, ABS, etc. In halogen-antimony systems, it reduces halogen flame retardant and antimony trioxide usage, suppresses smoke, cuts toxicity, lowers costs, and improves polymer properties. It also enhances flame retardancy in halogen-free systems.

Minimal Impact on Tensile Strength: Adding 0.1%-0.2% to the system has minimal impact on tensile strength while enhancing flame retardant properties. This reduces the overall flame retardant usage by 15%-30%, offering a cost-effective solution.

Source: Jiangsu Suoteng/www.polymer-additives.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Resonac Develops New Photosensitive Film for Advanced Semiconductor Packages

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Resonac Develops New Photosensitive Film for Advanced Semiconductor Packages

"Resonac has developed a new high-resolution photosensitive film for use in the manufacturing of advanced semiconductors, such as AI processors. This film enables the formation of ultra-fine copper circuits with a line width and spacing of 1.5 micrometers (μm) on organic interposers 1. (Patent acquired).

 

Semiconductors have evolved to integrate more functions on a single integrated circuit by miniaturizing circuits, allowing for complex computational processing at high speeds. In recent years, packaging technologies have continued to innovate, including chiplet technology*2 which interconnects multiple chips on an interposer to achieve both high functionality and high-speed processing.

Currently, interposers are manufactured using wafers, but as the number of chips increases, the interposer area needs to be enlarged, presenting challenges such as yield rates. As a solution, organic interposers, which are produced using organic materials and copper plating in a square panel with a side length of about 500 to 600 millimeters, have gathered attention. The newly developed photosensitive film by Resonac achieves a resolution of 1.5 μm in both line width and spacing for organic interposers. The product is provided in a film type suitable for the panel manufacturing process.

In the development process, co-creation was carried out by four organizations. This time, we developed a new polymer resin that is key to achieving the required high resolution. In this development, we utilized AI technology provided by the Research Center for Computational Science and Informatics to perform optimal resin design, while the Institute for Polymer Technology was responsible for the actual resin development. Furthermore, the Photosensitive Materials Development Department conducted the formulation and film processing using this resin. Finally, the Packaging Solution Center 3 conducted prototype testing and evaluation of copper wiring on panels using this film, verifying the optimal process.

Resonac will continue developing and providing cutting-edge materials to support the evolution of semiconductors for the next generation.

 

source:Resonac

Bio-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO used on front grille of Suzuki's new Fronx compact SUV

DURABIO™, a bio-based engineering plastic from the Mitsubishi Chemical Group ("the MCG Group"), has been adopted for use in the front grille of the new Fronx compact SUV from Suzuki Motor Corporation ("Suzuki") launched on October 16.

DURABIO™ is a bioengineering plastic made from isosorbide, a renewable plant-derived raw material that reduces the consumption of petroleum, a depletable resource, and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases because the plants used as raw materials absorb CO2 during their growth. Offering excellent impact resistance, scratch resistance, and colorability, this material is being developed for use across a wide range of fields, including automotive interior and exterior parts, optical and electronic device components, and everyday sundries.

DURABIO™ has been widely used for front grilles on Suzuki's domestic and overseas models such as Swift, Spacia Custom and Vitara since S-Cross was launched in Europe at the end of 2021. The recently released Fronx has earned a strong reputation for its impact resistance, weather resistance and other outstanding features, which include a glossy, sophisticated design achieved simply by adding a colorant that eliminates the painting process previously required and reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during manufacturing.

 

The MCG Group will continue providing high value-added products and helping bring about sustainable societies through more extensive utilization of DURABIO™.

source:Mitsubishi Chemical Group