Lilli Manolis Sherman Contributing Editor
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SRIM: Material, Machine & Process Innovations Give Birth to SRIM Truck Box
Automotive use of high-density structural RIM (HD-SRIM) technology has progressed from its beginnings in bumper beams to full-size pickup-truck boxes and tailgates.
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Testing & Measuring Instruments: More Versatile, Compact, Affordable
From polymer characterization to on-line bottle or preform inspection, coordinate measuring, and color sensing, new testing and measuring instruments at the NPE show in Chicago were easier to use and more compact, yet often packed higher performance than earlier versions鈥攁nd sometimes with a more attractive price tag.
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More New Colorants & Additives at NPE 2009
In July we reported on new colorants and additives to be shown at NPE in Chicago, based on information available before the show (see Learn More box). But the miles of aisles at McCormick Place held still more newsworthy product introductions.
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Additive Manufacturing: New Capabilities for Rapid Prototypes And Production Parts
Many plastics processors are just starting to become familiar with the terms “additive manufacturing” or “additive fabrication,” which refer to a group of processes that build up parts by successively adding material, often in layers.
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Novel PC/Polyester Blends Combine Stiffness and Ductility
An unusual balance of high modulus and ductile impact behavior is claimed for Xenoy HMD resins, recently launched by SABIC Innovative Plastics.
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Global Warming: New Challenge for Polyurethanes?
鈥榋ero-ODP鈥 is no longer enough. Now, PUR foamers are being asked to consider blowing agents with 鈥榣ow-GWP鈥 (global warming potential). Another environmental push is to expand use of bio-based polyols in rigid and flexible foams. Both were key topics at this year鈥檚 PUR conference.
Read MoreColloidal Silica Processing Aid Slashes Molding Cycle Times
Ultra-fine synthetic silica particles have been shown in laboratory and commercial field trials to reduce injection molding cycle times by 20% to 30% in polypropylene, filled and unfilled nylon, PBT, and ABS.
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Novel Liquid Modifiers for Polyolefins Have Multiple Functions
A family of liquid polymer modifiers with a proven track record in EPDM compounds has been expanded for use in a broad range of polyolefins.
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Enhancing Biopolymers: Additives Are Needed for Toughness, Heat Resistance & Processability
Plastics are going 鈥済reen,鈥 but they will need some help to get there. Biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources are attracting lots of interest and publicity, but that enthusiasm is counterbalanced by persistent questions of availability, cost, performance, and processability. All these issues are inter-related: Increasing demand will lead to more capacity, which will presumably lead to lower prices. But the foundation is market demand, which ultimately depends on whether biopolymers will have the performance properties and processability to compete with existing non-renewable plastics.
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Clear Road Ahead for TPOs, TPVs
Olefinic TPEs originally comprised only two classes of rubber-modified polypropylene, known as TPO and TPV. More recently, these have been supplemented by new types of olefinic elastomers that can be used on their own or as the rubber component in TPO/TPV compounds. Additionally, a small handful of specialty TPEs using olefinic matrices occupy niche applications.
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Weather Testing For the Real World
Broader use of plastics in building products and a growing desire to minimize painting of automotive parts is increasing the need for reliable predictions of light stability and weathering performance.
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Polyurethanes: Bio-Based Materials Capture Attention
The hot topic at this year鈥檚 PUR conference was rigid and flexible foams with increased biobased content. There was also news in one-component cast elastomers, surfactants, and TPUs.
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