SHEET MATERIALS | MATERIALS
in its labs and with customers. The materials allow the replacement of sheet metal or thermosets in final applications – and can be used to create prototypes to determine the feasibility of investing in injection moulding tools.
Record attempt A speedboat powered only by the wind – which glides across the water at 80 knots – is hoping to break a world record next year. Weight and safety play a major role in achieving
speed records on the SP80 speedboat. The cockpit is made of 12mm-thick solid polycarbonate sheets from Exolon that are thermoformed by French company Vitalo/Starplast. The transparent sheets provide optimum visibility thanks to their high optical quality, are resistant to environmental conditions, and are impact resistant and lightweight. They can be hot and cold formed, so can be adapted optimally to the aerodynamic requirements of the boat. The SP80 is 10.5m long and 7.5m wide and has space for two pilots. Together with the sail and the power module, the cockpit is one of the three most important elements of the sailboat.
Multiwall sheet Exolon has also expanded its range of heat-insulat- ing polycarbonate multiwall sheets. Its Multi UV Hybrid-X (HX) is now also available in a thickness of 50mm and completes the HX multiwall sheet family, which already includes 25, 32 and 40mm thicknesses. The HX structure enables maximum insulation while reducing energy consumption, says Exolon. The sheet thickness improves thermal insulation, with a Ug value of 0.85 W/m 2 K, and extends the application possibilities of the multiwall sheet due to its load bearing. Exolon Multi UV HX/50-32 is suited to flat
glazing, such as in conservatories, industrial glazing, sports halls, skylights and continuous
IMAGE: EXOLON
rooflights as well as roofs and wall cladding (facades). The sheets have a UV-protective layer – applied using co-extrusion – that is homogeneously bonded to the sheet material. Last year, Exolon launched its Hybrid-X multiwall
sheet. The X structure is the result of several years of R&D. The complex combination of walls and air chambers maximises thermal insulation, light transmission and mechanics without adding weight, it says.
Turkish takeover Isik Plastik of Turkey has acquired Ug Plastic Inc – a sheet manufacturer that trades in North America as US Plast.
US Plast makes multi-wall and solid polycarbon-
ate sheet, and multi-wall polypropylene sheet. It operates an 8,000 m² production facility in York, Pennsylvania, where it has an annual production capacity of 11,500 tonnes. Its products are sold into many end markets, including automotive, lighting and agriculture. “We entered the US market in 2016 with the acquisition of Sirius Plastic,” said Abdullah Ceker, CEO of Isik Plastik. “With the Ug Plast transaction, we will reduce lead times, create cost advantages and acquire a new customer base.” Isik operates two production facilities in Turkey, with a total production area of 28,000 m² and annual production capacity of 65,000 tonnes. Its products include plastic sheet and thermoformed food packaging.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.trinseo.com �
www.simona.de �
www.plexiglas.de �
www.sabic.com �
www.exolongroup.com �
www.isikplastik.com �
https://usplast.com
www.filmandsheet.com
Above: The SP80, which has a polycar- bonate cockpit, will attempt a world speed record next year
Left: Exolon has expanded its range of heat-insulating polycarbonate multiwall sheets
November 2023 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 25
IMAGE: MATEO GIRAUD
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