polymerguru

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Some molding compounds contain a so-called "external lubricant". It is essentially a second immiscible polymeric material with a much lower viscosity. What happens when you mold such materials ? In extrusion things are quite obvious. The hydrodynamic forces push the dispersed lubricant to the surface of the die where they can act as expected and promote slip of the major phase polymer. In Injection Molding the combination of the Fountain flow, moving inner flow layers to the very edge, and the presence of a frozen skin, create a more complex situation. The high shear layer where lubricant will accumulate is INSIDE the frozen skin ! While this can still help to reduce the pressure to fill, this situation will also induce a serious risk of blistering/delamination. This delamination was well known for instance in the Xenoy grade made of PC/PBT. But other compounds, containing for instance a silicon based lubricant, will produce the same result, as rep...

Syensqo, formerly part of Solvay Group, has announced the extension of its Ajedium™ Films offering for slot liners in electric motors to a range of polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) based products. These films are developed to replace conventional paper slot liners in motors up to 400V. Require Less Energy Throughout the Manufacturing Process: In contrast to incumbent NKN (aramid paper and polyimide film) laminates, Ajedium™ PPSU films can help manufacturers reduce the thickness of slot liners by more than 42%. It maximizes the possible copper slot fill. In addition, PPSU slot liners require less energy throughout the manufacturing process. Their carbon footprint can be further reduced with optional grades using ISCC Plus mass balance certified circular feedstock. The extended Ajedium™ slot liner films portfolio underscores Syensqo’s role as an innovator in this market segment. It responds to a growing trend towards greater sustainability and energy efficiency. The compan...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share ALPLA Launches Recyclable PET Wine Bottle ALPLA launches a recyclable wine bottle made of PET. The bottle weighs approximately only an eighth of a glass bottle, reduces the carbon footprint by up to 50% and allows for price savings of up to 30%. It can be made entirely of recycled PET (rPET). The packaging solution is available now in 0.75-liter and 1-liter bottle sizes and is already being used in Austria by the pilot customer and development partner Wegenstein. Weighs 8X Less than the Glass Alternative: The global packaging specialist ALPLA has added a PET wine bottle to its product range.The 0.75-liter bottle weighs just 50 grams – around eight times less than the alternative made of glass. The first white wine bottles belonging to the Wegenstein winery recently went into circulation in the Austrian wine market, making them part of the Europe-wide bottle-to-bottle loop. The sustainable solution reduces carbon consumption by 38% compared to the glass alter...

Innovia Films launches a uniquely engineered two-sided coated cavitated film for pressure sensitive labeling (PSL) applications which is marketed as Rayoface™ AQBHA. The polypropylene (PP) film offers outstanding printability with a backside coating specifically designed for hot melt pressure-sensitive label coating. HMA with Anti-migration Properties: The film is 58 microns thick, has a printable top-coating, and an adhesive receptive coated surface on the reverse side that provides anti-curl and migration properties with hot melt adhesives. Rayoface™ AQBHA offers good moisture resistance and cold temperature performance, making this the perfect material for fridge and freezer applications. “As more SKU’s move to polypropylene containers, having a label made from the same material supports the design for recycling criteria for filmic facestocks”, explains Lucija Kralj, business unit director labels EMEA. Rayoface™ AQBHA has undertaken extensive hot melt barrier testing and the film re...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Researchers Use Fibers from Avocado Trees as Reinforcing Material in Packaging A study published by the University of Cordoba, in which the University of Girona also participated, has found a way to manufacture a prototype of a material for food packaging that is more ecofriendly. The study manages to produce a prototype of a more durable material that increases the biodegradability of food packaging. It partially replaces its bioplastic with cellulose fibers extracted from the branches and leaves of the avocado tree. Replacing a Portion of the Bioplastic Used in Food Packaging: It exploits waste devoid of any added value until now: residues from the pruning of the avocado tree; Spain is the main producer of avocados at the European level, with production being concentrated in the Axarquia region of Málaga. Although plastic allows food to be packaged safely and hygienically, its extensive use constitutes a significant environmental challenge due to its limit...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Microrobotic Swarms Tackle Microplastics and Bacteria Pollution In a recent study published in the journal ACS Nano, researchers reported how swarms of microscale robots, or microrobots, collected microorganisms and plastic fragments from water. The bots were then cleaned and put to use again. Cleaning up outdated food packaging, abandoned kid's toys, and other poorly managed plastic garbage from rivers and oceans becomes harder when it degrades into microplastics. These microscopic pieces of plastic also draw bacteria, even pathogenic ones. The minute size of microplastics, measuring 5 millimeters or less, introduces an additional layer to the plastic pollution issue. Animals can ingest these particles, posing potential harm and leading to their incorporation into the food chain, ultimately impacting humans. While the complete health implications for humans remain unclear, it is important to note that microplastics themselves are not the sole focu...

SABIC announced the availability of VALOX™ HX325HP resin. It is a new high-performance, medical-grade, injection molding polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin. This resin is developed especially for high-precision parts, such as components of insulin delivery pens, insulin pumps, auto-injectors and continuous glucose monitors. It combines outstanding processability with high chemical resistance and validated biocompatibility. SABIC featured VALOX™ HX325HP resin at NPE2024. Complies to International Biocompatibility Standards: The new medical-grade PBT resin has passed stringent injection molding trials. It demonstrated high flow even in complex designs. It has excellent mold release properties with lower shrinkage variation compared with competitive engineering plastics. In service, VALOX™ HX325HP resin delivers high resistance to a wide range of chemicals for the mitigation of environmental stress cracking (ESC). It offers compatibility with ethylene oxide (EtO), g...