INNOVATION | OPTICAL MOULDING
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SABIC has collaborated with Polyray to use Lexan PC resin based on certified renewable feedstock in the lenses of several eyewear end applications
cal properties, stress cracking resistance and break resistance. The material also ensures long durability and high safety for premium lenses or high-quality visors for ski and snowboard goggles, as well as good wearing comfort due to its low weight. Safilo, a leading Italian global eyewear design, manufacturing, and distribution company, has used Trogamid myCX eCO for premium lenses for sunglasses. The company will launch eyeglass lenses made of the material with the BOSS Spring Summer 22 collection and gradually expand its use across its broad brand portfolio, especially in its Made in Italy brands. SABIC has developed a range of high-flow Lexan
PC resins for automotive lighting bezels that enables the industry to create complex geometries and integrate more features than previously with ease of manufacturing. The company says that as LEDs’ performance have improved and their power consumption and cost have dropped, they have become practical for use in multiple vehicle categories. In turn, broader adoption of LEDs has helped expand freedom in lighting design. Another outcome of increased LED use can be seen in expanded material options. The lower operating temperature of LEDs compared to incandescent bulbs has allowed PC to be used extensively in automotive lighting, particularly in bezels, where it may be coloured or metallised. Currently, due to its attractive aesthetics and impact resistance, PC is the most commonly used thermoplastic for bezels. Among SABIC’s PC resins for automotive
lighting, Lexan HF4010SR resin features the highest flow, measured by melt volume rate (MVR) testing. Super high flow not only enables automotive OEMs and tier suppliers to develop complex headlight bezels with enhanced aesthetics, it also reduces the amount of clamping force required for tooling. This offers the possibility to use existing injection moulding machines for more complex designs that normally would require a higher clamping force. Industrias Arteb, a Brazilian lighting manufac-
turer, recently benefited from this option when employing high-flow Lexan HF4010SR resin for the front bezel of a new compact sports utility vehicle. The SABIC material, which can be processed using a lower clamping force and injection pressure than lower-flow PC resins, enabled Arteb to reduce development costs by using its existing machine for this thinner bezel. The material also provides a solution to the industry challenge of poor mould release for PC parts with low draft angles. These angles can cause the part to stick in the mould or develop scuff marks when released from the mould, leading to
38 INJECTION WORLD | July/August 2021
rejects. The easy release properties of this resin enable faster de-moulding and the reduction of surface defects, even in parts with challenging release angles (0.5-1.0 degrees lower than the recommended PC draft angle) and thin walls. SABIC has also collaborated with Polyray to use
Lexan PC resin based on certified renewable feedstock in the lenses of several eyewear end applications, such as sunglasses, safety glasses and sports goggles. SABIC’s certified renewable PC is part of the company’s Trucircle portfolio and services. “Polyray is the first in the lens industry to offer a
renewable PC lens for our customers, in order to keep up with the trend towards more sustainability in the development of plastic lens components,” says Jessica Chen, Commercial Director at Polyray. Polyray is the first ISCC PLUS certified lens supplier for the eyewear industry. ISCC is an independent global organisation that provides the leading certification system offering solutions to address sustainability requirements for all feedstocks and markets, as well as traceability throughout the supply chain. The BioPC lens can be used as sunglasses lenses, demo lenses and many other lens applications such as polarised, photochromic and anti-blue light lenses – ideal for sport, lifestyle, safety glasses and snow goggles.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.arburg.com �
www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu �
www.engelglobal.com �
www.milacron.com �
www.fanuc.com �
www.husky.co �
www.covestro.com �
www.evonik.com �
www.sabic.com
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: POLYRAY
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