The article discusses the principles of tooling selection in pipe extrusion in the broader sense with the help of tables, examples and drawings. This includes the die itself, the calibrator, the die itself, the calibrator and the die itself. tooling, cooling system and tools to support further operations. These ensure that the extrusion line optimally.
The development of flame retardants is aimed at reducing the risk of poisoning when used, but without interfering with processing and without reducing their flame retardant effect. Among the conventional flame retardants, brominated compounds have to meet strict specifications. In addition to additives that do not contain halogens, bio-based substances have also appeared. Here are some manufacturers of some manufacturers are briefly presented.
The article outlines the possible faults that are directly linked to the injection moulding machine malfunctioning a badly executed start-up. It also describes a reliable setup audit that helps to reduce and and, in most cases, eliminate scrap and downtime caused by new starts after tool changes.
CAI Performance Additives offers new additives for polyesters that eliminate the need for traditional slip additives such as CBT, EBS, silicones and Montan waxes. The high-performance additives are manufactured by Starbetter Chemical Materials of China, with CAI as sole distributor.
In the field of packaging, sustainability aspects include carbon footprint and post-consumer after-waste management are the most important aspects. The poly(hydroxyalkanoate) family of polymers is attractive from both points of view, e.g. because they have a lower carbon footprint than poletylene and are naturally degradable.
There is a lot of debate today about the future of multilayer films, which are very well adapted to a combination of requirements (e.g. strength, vapour permeability, moisture and oxygen barrier, weldability) but pose a serious problem in recycling. Many are moving towards single-component films, but varying the orientation and molecular weight distribution in the layers to achieve the same effects.
Traditionally, plastics are arranged in a pyramidal way. At the bottom are the bulk plastics, which are produced in the largest quantities and are the cheapest (polyolefins, polystyrene, PVC and nowadays Above are the engineering plastics, which have better heat resistance and strength, they are produced in smaller quantities and are more expensive (ABS, acrylates, polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonate, polyurethanes, etc.).
Weinheim-based Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) has developed Quantix Ultra to improve fire protection in electric vehicle powertrains. Until now, plastic parts have not generally been met the stringent testing standards required for electric drives in the automotive industry, but the FST's new material does not melt or catch fire at very high temperatures.
PP (C3H6)n belongs to the family of polyolefins, a low-density, high-temperature-resistant bulk plastic. It has a wide range of applications: packaging, automotive, medical, consumer products, etc.
The mechanical properties of PA 6,6 make it a suitable raw material for electromobility. However, a problem in this field is that PA 6,6 polymer cannot be used without proper stabilisation at high temperatures for long periods and is prone to oxidative degradation in certain media. At present, copper or halogen containing thermal stabilisers are commonly used, but these have a negative effect on the electrical properties and hinder recyclability.
The Polish subsidiary of the Synergy Horizon Gruppe in Cyprus and Krauss Maffei have developed a bio-based reinforced based plastic. The matrix of the new bioplastic is polylactic acid (PLA), with lignin used for reinforcement up to 30%. The new bioplastic contains natural antioxidants, has good mechanical properties and allows controlled degradation.
Black and white pigments play a major role in the production of plastic products. Their role is not only in direct colouring, but they are an important component of many colour recipes. The article shows several recent developments focusing mainly on black pigments.
OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), including car manufacturers, are also looking intensively at how to increase the use of renewable (mainly agricultural) raw materials in their products. In the case of plastics, cellulose-based reinforcing materials are being considered, but also plant-based from polymers, oligomers and monomers derived from the processing of plant materials.
There is growing interest in natural-based biopolymers and biodegradable polymers, although the quantities are still small. According to the European Bioplastics Association, 1.9 million tonnes of partially or fully bio-based plastics will be produced in 2022. This is still only half a percent of the world's total plastic production (400 million tonnes).
Bio-plastics, especially biodegradable or compostable ones, have proliferated over the last 20-25 years the last 20 years. However, their price, performance, availability and applicability have relegated them to niche markets such as packaging or agriculture. Lack of knowledge of other other problems, such as how and under what conditions they degrade.
In previous decades, there was considerable resistance to bioplastics because of their cost, unique and often difficult processing characteristics. However, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based plastics - often in combination with polylactic acid (PLA), have resulted in solutions that meet current market needs
The German company Hoffmann Mineral has developed a new filler called Gloxil iM16k A. The new product is a 3M hollow micro-glass bead with a surface modified with amino groups. The parameters of the surface treatment ensure a fixed bonding of the functional groups and at the same time the removal of the by-products generated.
Swiss company Ems-Givory has developed a transparent, hot water resistant polyamide with the above properties that can replace glass in kitchen applications. Grilamid TR HT 170 has been developed specifically for this application, taking into account the use of dishwashers.
In the field of electronic devices (prototypes and products), thermoplastic composites are constantly finding new applications. Among these, carbon fibre-filled composites play a very important role, e.g. in the field of telephone housings, which partially shield radio frequency radiation, are well grounded and conduct static charges.
Nano-scale additives, in particular graphene and carbon nanotubes, can reduce costs and provide significant property improvements at low concentrations. However, in addition to the potential benefits, the challenge is to disperse the additives properly, for which technological solutions already exist in thermoplastic applications.
LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a polyolefin with long branches and relatively low crystallinity, but has many advantages as a packaging material, making it one of the largest polymers produced in the world.
Since the discovery of composites, the marine industry, and in particular the sporting sector, has been a favourite testing ground for new materials, technologies and reinforcements, because they can be tested relatively quickly under high mechanical stress in highly corrosive environments. Today, in all fields, more and more attention is being paid to the recyclability of components at the end of the product's life.
Energy Efficiency Award for the direct recycling of waste film (foil flakes) without regranulation by the foil producer Policycle in Weißandt-Gölzau, Germany. Launched in 2019, the "Fluff2Film" (Fluff to Film) project, which was launched in 2019, the waste film is mechanically shredded, and processed directly into new film products, eliminating the need for energy-intensive granulation and pre-processing. pre-drying process steps
Roydon Polythene in the UK to switch from conventional filtration technology to Maag in 2023 Ettlinger's ERF 500 continuous high-efficiency sludge filter, which has significantly to significantly increase the efficiency of recyclation of highly contaminated films. This not only reduced costs, but also increased the yield of recyclate.
The different characteristics of each type of plastic waste can make recycling operations challenging. This article presents possible solutions to common problems encountered in plastics recycling.
The biggest challenge in the recycling of used plastic products is to reduce the deterioration of mechanical and other properties, in which additives play a key role. This article describes the additives that aid in the recycling and processing of recycled plastics. Evonik's TegoCycle products help in the first steps of recyclability (shredding, washing, drying) to remove contaminants, washing, drying, deodorisation.
EUR 105 billion in turnover, 310 000 employees and a return rate of 12.7%: these are the figures for the German circular economy in 2021. Activity is on the rise, in line with Germany's declining demand for fresh raw materials.
The German Institute for Textile and Fibre Research (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung -DITF) and the Institute for Floor Systems (TFI) are developing polyamide 6 (PA6) based flame retardant fibres which can be thermally separated from the textile backing of carpets and used in a pure state recyclable in a clean state.
Delta Tecnic, a Barcelona-based company, has developed a master mix that can be used to adjust the opacity and colour of small diameter cable ducts. The precise identification of each cable identification of each cable.
3D printing innovator Formlabs has introduced a new resin pumping system and two new materials: polypropylene powder and premium dental resin, to increase the efficiency, diversity and scalability of its 3D printing system, which supports more than 130,000 printers worldwide, and to make in-house 3D printing available for a wide range of consumer products, dentures, industrial and automotive components, and prototyping.
Hardness is an important, easily measurable characteristic of plastics that often helps in itself identification of a material (or at least the choice between the options) and the choice of material. The ASTM D2240 standard (the European analogue of which is ISO 868) refers to this property as durometer hardness, which is essentially measured by indentation.
The article briefly discusses the effect of time on the mechanical properties of polymers. When testing the load carrying capacity, the response of the material changes continuously after the measurement time has elapsed. Under constant load this can be observed as deformation, creep or cold flow, or as a decrease in the stress required to maintain deformation (stress relaxation).
The surface of PMMA displays is usually finished by polishing, which is a rather lengthy process. A new technology streamlines this operation by using a special milling process. A collaboration of German companies (Enggruber, Paul Horn GmbH) has shown that the high surface gloss of plastics can be adjusted by conventional milling machines. Monocrystalline diamonds have to be incorporated into the tool to achieve chipping in the nanometre range.
The stand-alone plastic compounding process is used to improve electrical properties and UV resistance, among other things, while custom compounding is more about improving the performance of plastic-based products. According to a recent report by a London-based market research and consultancy firm, the plastics compounding market is expected to grow by 7.4% between 2022 and 2032, while the market size will expand from the current 64.8 billion $ to 163.9 billion $.
Opening this May after a 6-year hiatus due to COVID, the NPE Global Plastics Exhibition is taking place amid significant changes in the plastics industry. In 2023, the plastics industry was more recessionary - despite economic growth fuelled by significant household spending, unimaginable without plastics. A downturn is also forecast for 2024, which may be milder than in 2023.
Sales in the German plastics processing industry in 2023 fell by 61T3T to EUR 72.5bn. A expectations for this year are similar. According to the president of the German Plastics Processing Association (GKV), the economic crisis is mainly structural. A plan of forward-looking activities is needed to get German industry back on the growth track within 2-3 years.
Covestro, a company that produces, among other things, polyurethanes, an important intermediate for the production of MDI is building the world's first pilot plant for the production of aniline from plant waste. MDI-based insulating foams reduce CO2 emissions, and if the carbon footprint of the raw material is smaller, the is a particular advantage.
