Strictly-Extrusion

Dow Europe GmbH (“Dow”) has launched an enhanced linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin for high-throughput lamination and protective film applications. XZ 89446.00 Polyethylene Resin is a new higher-alpha polyolefin copolymer LLDPE specifically designed for high conversion rate processability and improved seal through contamination performance for both blown and cast flexible packaging film structures.

The new resin, which can be used alone or in blends with low density polyethylene (LDPE), has a 2 g/10-minutes Melt Flow index (MFI: 190°C/2.16 kg) and a density of 0.916 g/cm³. According to the company its high-throughput processability can offer clear advantages when compared to similar melt flow index resins, including equivalent metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) resins. The polymer design of XZ 89446.00 will potentially reduce overall processing costs in three ways: by helping to lower energy consumption by enabling processing at lower temperatures; by leveraging higher throughput efficiency to help improve the unit cost of producing films; and by helping reducing wear and tear costs for conversion equipment as a result of processing with lower extruder pressures.

For blown film lamination applications, such as for dry or frozen food packaging, XZ 89446.00 can provide improved seal through contamination performance with low seal and low hot-tack initiation temperatures. When tested against a comparable polyethylene resin used for such applications, XZ 89446.00 sealed at lower initiation temperatures by approximately 10°C.

For use in protective film applications, such as films used on glass, plastic sheet, appliances or consumer electronics products, the new resin’s higher melt flow offers smoother, flatter film surfaces with good optics, continuous high quality processing (low gels) and good chemical resistance.

For more information: www.dowplastics.com

The two-day technical conference on extrusion “Plastic Extrusion Asia 2010″ will be held at the Impiana KLCC Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 29-30, 2010. Experts from all over the world will be speaking at this conference.

The emphasis of this conference will be on innovative methods and machinery that will allow extrusion companies to reduce material usage and scrap, increase uptime, output, and product quality. Since the 2008 conference the world economy has seen a severe downturn. This puts extrusion companies under increased pressure to reduce cost and increase quality.

Several new developments in extrusion will be presented at this conference. Papers will be presented on advances in twin screw compounding, high speed single screw extrusion, blown film extrusion, compounding of nano composites, profile extrusion, machinery to produce filled polymers, process monitoring and troubleshooting, etc.

A panel discussion on “Cost Saving Opportunities in the Extrusion Process” will be held in the conference, which is beneficial to plastic industries in Asia.The conference will be followed by four technical training seminars on extrusion. For more information: www.plasticextrusionasia.com

A new series of Elexar thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds for wire and cable and molded products provides a combination of RoHS compliance, UL-V0 flame retardance and good performance over a wide range of end use conditions.

The Elexar High-Performance FR series includes six grades, with Shore A hardness ranging from 58 to 85, upper use temperature from 105 to 125 ºC., low-temperature flexibility down to -50 °C., very good UV resistance, and good oil resistance. For applications where appearance is critical, the compounds provide good colorability and non-blooming surfaces.

Elexar HPFR compounds embody a combination of end-use performance and compliance with the stringent standards required in the global marketplace. According to the company, conventional flame retardant TPEs not only fail to comply with the RoHS directives but are more limited in terms of flame test ratings and service temperatures. In addition, their flame retardant formulations often present the problem of blooming or surface staining.

The Elexar high-performance FR compounds are used in extrusion applications like insulation and jacketing for automation and control cables, fiber optic cables, specialty low-voltage power cables, appliance wire and flexible cord.

www.teknorapex.com

A new tool-specific heater platen developed by GN Thermoforming Equipment provides higher output, better product clarity, and quicker tool changeovers for large-volume applications. It is the first of its kind for contact-heat, cut-in-place thermoforming machines, according to the company.

Depending on product design, the dedicated heater platen can reduce cycle time by 20% to 30%. In addition, greater product clarity is achieved and material distribution is more consistent due to the quicker forming times. The new platen system is designed to match a specific tool by pre-engineering heater and air channel locations within the platen to optimize the process.

Instead of heating the whole plate, now only dedicated areas are heated; and the same goes for the forming air. Each dedicated heater platen has a specific cut plate that matches the design of the tool cutting die layout. An air channel is located in the platen within 1 mm of where the cutting die touches the cutting plate, allowing a high volume of forming air to reach each cavity.  The channel provides significantly more air volume than the 0.4-mm holes located within the die perimeter on a standard GN Thermoforming cut plate. A retrofittable locating feature on the mold carrier beam keeps the heater platen accurately lined up with the tool. An aluminum insert within the die perimeter is micro drilled for venting and anodized for durability. It provides more consistent heating and a clearer product.
With its new dedicated heater platen, GN Thermoforming has test run 16-mil- thick APET sheet at 26 cycles/min. for production of 40-mm-high product. This is significantly faster than the 20 cycles/min rate on a traditional GN thermoformer.

While the tool-specific heater platen adds $12,000-$18,000 per tool set, the investment can be easily recouped due to the high production efficiencies, according to the company. The new product is being used in for food packaging applications.

www.gnthermoforming.com