
Lilli Manolis Sherman Contributing Editor
Carbon Nanotubes Improve In Properties, Purity and Price
ew suppliers and manufacturing technologies continue to emerge in the burgeoning field of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Recent news includes North American availability of CNFs from Austria’s Electrovac Group.
Read MoreNew Resins and Modifiers for Extruded Profiles
Among new developments discussed at the Profiles 2007 conference in Charlotte, N.C., were high-melt-strength polyolefin elastomers for use as ingredients in TPO compounds that can compete with TPVs and flexible PVC.
Read MoreNew Additives and Colorants To Debut at K 2007
The world’s largest plastics show next month in Dusseldorf will highlight an unusual mix of new polymer additives, including some based on novel chemistries that reportedly set new levels of performance.
Read MoreWhat's New at the Show in PUR/RIM
At this year’s K show, look for the launch of fiberglass/polyurethane pultrusion into window frames, as well as several new high-efficiency mixing heads, MDI prepolymers for cast elastomers, and an energy-absorbing PUR foam for car bumpers. PUR pultruded windowsBayer MaterialScience will showcase polyurethane pultrusion technology, which recently has penetrated new applications.
Read MoreCarbon Nanotubes Lots of Potential--If the Price is Right
With capacity scale-ups driving prices down, the pace has picked up for commerical applications that boost electrical and thermal conductivity, structural strength, and thermal stability.
Read MoreNanocomposites: Less Hype, More Hard Work On Commercial Viability
Nano-fillers for enhancing thermoplastics and thermosets continue to make headway in commercial applications, although at a slower pace than had been anticipated.
Read MoreNon-Contact IR Analysis Simplifies On-Line Quality Control
A new method of mid-infrared analysis allows on-line monitoring of both the composition and physical properties of a plastic while it is being compounded or extruded.
Read MoreNovel Two-Stage Approach Makes Purging Hot Runners a Breeze
Two new and unusual compounds have been developed to ease the challenge of purging injection molding hot-runner systems.
Read MoreNew Customizable Additives for Polyolefins and PVC
Developing a wide range of customizable additives to meet specific needs in polyolefins and PVC is a major thrust at Chemtura Corp., Middlebury, Conn.
Read MorePolyurethanes: Fine-Tuning Insulation Foams
Thermal insulation has become ‘eco-friendly,’ but now the challenge is to optimize economics, processing, and performance.
Read MoreNPE 2006 News Wrap-Up: Testing and QC--New Lab Instruments Stress Affordability and Convenience
Thermal and mechanical testers, color and appearance sensors, vision inspection devices and CMMs—the NPE had them all in more compact, economical, and easy-to-use models.
Read MoreNPE 2006 News Wrap-Up: New Materials and Equipment for Decorating In and Out of the Mold
Among the latest developments in decorating and printing at the NPE show in Chicago were digital printers, flexographic printers for bags, and scratch-resistant heat-transfer foils for hot stamping and in-mold decoration (IMD). Also featured was new equipment for laser marking and engraving and an electrostatic charger for in-mold labeling (IML). News in stamping foilsSolidBrush metallic finishes are the latest heat-transfer foils from Kurz Transfer Products.
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