PP Formulations for Smooth-Surface Foam
Collaboration produces 10%-glass PP for the MuCell foam process without surface swirl.
At NPE2015, , Wilmington, Mass., revealed the result of its collaboration on smooth-surface foam compounds with Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Fowlerville, Mich. The two firms jointly developed glass/PP formulations that provide a much smoother surface when foamed by the MuCell microcellular process. These specialty grades of Asahi’s Thermylene PP can provide a 10% weight reduction along with significantly reduced warpage and shorter cycles in a variety of automotive and consumer products. Although not yet at the level of automotive Class A finish, work is continuing. The accompanying photo shows 10%-glass plaques (left to right) of a commodity grade unfoamed, a commodity grade with MuCell, and the new Thermylene grade with MuCell.
Related Content
-
Prices Up for PE, PP, PS, Flat for PVC, PET
Trajectory is generally flat-to-down for all commodity resins.
-
Fundamentals of Polyethylene – Part 3: Field Failures
Polyethylene parts can fail when an inappropriate density is selected. Let’s look at some examples and examine what happened and why.
-
The Fundamentals of Polyethylene – Part 1: The Basics
You would think we’d know all there is to know about a material that was commercialized 80 years ago. Not so for polyethylene. Let’s start by brushing up on the basics.