engineering plastics | Compounds


ments of up to 150°C. At Lati, Technical Service and Technical Marketing


Above: Base of emergency sign moulded in Alcom LB from Albis


dently verified, Nilit Plastics is reducing the amount of testing - and the often substantial costs involved in that testing - that its processing customers have to put their products through before they get the go-ahead from their own customers for commercial production.”


Targeting weight savings Automotive lightweighting issues are being tackled by A. Schulman with developments such as its Schulamid RD “reduced density” glass fibre reinforced polyamides. The reduction is obtained through the addition of an immiscible polymer blend (details of the polymer are confidential) which the compounder says requires optimisation of compatibilisation system, component viscosities, and, most of all, design of the compounding process. “By blending nylon with low-moisture absorbing


polymers, Schulamid RD provides part designers with predictable physical properties and part dimensions when their application is exposed to real environmental conditions,” says the company. “For processors, drying Schulamid RD is easier and faster than conventional nylons. Cost savings can be realised by the reduced melt temperatures that can be used (as much as 20°C lower) due to the improved flow characteristics of Schulamid RD.” Several grades are commercially available. Product Manager Jayson Humble highlights a 30% glass reinforced polyamide 6 grade, Schulamid RD6 GF30, which he says has a 9% lower density with only a 10% lower tensile strength after conditioning than a comparable reinforced polyamide 6. He says this is better than many recycled polyamides currently on the market, and adds that its tailored heat stabilisation technology has allowed its use in under-the-hood applications such as active grille shutters, fan shrouds, and other components operating in environ-


80 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2016


Coordinator Luca Posca says the company is currently putting a lot of effort into applications in the food and pharma markets, with “MDT” compounds that are detectable by any kind of metal detector. These MDT grades can be considered as cost-saving substitutes for metals and ceramics in food processing and handling where a contaminant-free environment is mandatory, he says. MDT compounds include no steel fibres, no graphite, and no carbon black. US-based Polymer Technology and Services (PTS), which has a particularly strong focus on engineering thermoplastics with a full UL Yellow Card for applica- tions in the telecom and E&E markets requiring high levels of flame retardance, says it plans to expand its support for European markets. PTS (no relation to German company PTS Plastic-


Technologie-Service) describes itself as a global formulator and producer and most of its materials are produced externally or with associate companies under toll arrangements. In late 2014, the company an- nounced a trademark license and technology collabora- tion agreement with French company Eurostar Engi- neering Plastics (EEP) that enables PTS to design and manufacture EEP’s Starflam flame retardant polyamide compounds for various markets in North America. PTS says that under the agreement it now exclusively offers more than 120 UL approved flame retardant products in polyamide and polypropylene. PTS has had a presence in China since 2007, and it is


now looking to expand its operations in Europe. Jonathan Guévart, the company’s Director for Interna- tional Development and Marketing, says PTS has four fulltime staff in China, but they run a “significant” business. “It will be the same in Europe,” he says, adding that the short term goal is to set up R&D activities. Guévart says PTS has identified a gap in the market for its business model of collaboration with end users in development of compounds for specific applications and specifications.


Click on the links for more information: ❙ www.lehvoss.de ❙ www.teknorapex.com ❙ www.akro-plastic.com ❙ www.rtpcompany.com ❙ www.polyone.com ❙ www.albis.com ❙ www.nilit.com ❙ www.aschulman.com ❙ www.lati.com ❙ www.ptsllc.com


www.compoundingworld.com


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