ADDITIVES | HIGH DENSITY COMPOUNDS
Right: Ecomass Technologies specialises in production of high denisity compounds
Tech materials are FDA compliant and based on a non-formaldehyde formulation. According to PolyOne, there are also advantages for converters in using the Gravi-Tech materials. They allow plastics converters to compete in premium markets where they can provide luxury aesthetics that match metal alternatives. The manufacturing process is simplified compared to injection moulding followed by the subsequent incorporation of a metal weight, eliminating a costly assembly process and the associated inventory of multiple component parts. In addition, the Gravi- Tech material provides more consistent weight distribution across the packaging component. Another manufacturer of high density com- pounds for luxury packaging applications is LEHVOSS Group. It has developed its LucoCom HW for the production of high quality, heavy bottle closures for premium spirits, where the weight conveys quality without adding to the cost and in many cases providing enhanced design flexibility. LucoCom HW high density materials are available with densities of up to 5.0 g/cm3
. The
company says the compounds provide good processing characteristics, design freedom and cost savings compared with metals in premium closure applications. It adds that closures produced using LucoCom HW can be printed, metallised and coloured. Aside from heavy closures, other exam- ples of applications for LucoCom HW can be found in weights in the sporting sector and in casings, closures and decorative articles items in various consumer goods. Technical applications include vibration absorption, increasing weight and shielding. RTP Company also offers custom-formulated thermoplastic high gravity compounds designed to replace metals while retaining a weightier feel. Suitable for injection moulding processing, densities of up to 11 g/cm3
are possible. Other
features include multiple base polymer options for inherent chemical and corrosion resistance and that balance density, durability and cost. Custom colour matching is available. The company’s high gravity compounds can be moulded to complex designs and present an environmentally and cost-friendly option for metal/ lead replacement. The compounds offer improved sound and vibration dampening, and can increase perceived value by adding weight, says the company. They can also fulfil a technical role, allowing designers to adjust centre of gravity in products such as tennis racquets. Specialising in high density and lead replace- ment applications, Ecomass Technologies, which
70 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2019
is based in Austin, in Texas in the US, manufactures high density compounds that can be formulated up to 11 g/cm3
and can be used in a wide array of
applications, including weighting, balancing, radiation shielding and vibration damping. All Ecomass Compounds meet the EU RoHS Directive, are 100% lead free, and do not contain any toxic constituents or material considered hazardous by the US EPA. They also comply with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The company recently developed a high density compound for researchers at the University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geological Sciences, who wanted to produce a series of “smart” rocks for analysis of flash flooding and sediment flow in rivers and streams. Similar in weight and shape to real river rocks, each smart rock carries electronics designed to capture acceleration and motion data along with an RFID identification chip within an internal cavity. The researchers had originally used concrete cases but found these had a limited lifetime. They then moved to lead-weighted plastic cases but discovered this interfered with the RFID data retrieval. Ecomass Technologies developed an injection moulding grade based on PA12 with a copper powder filler that provided a density of 3.3 g/cm3
together with good toughness (Ecomass Compound 1050CO78).
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.phantomplastics.com �
www.arcticminerals.com �
www.lkabminerals.com �
www.polyone.com �
www.lehvoss.de �
www.rtpcompany.com �
www.ecomass.com
www.compoundingworld.com
PHOTO: ECOMASS TECHNOLOGIES
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