Strictly-Extrusion

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There is an increasing demand for PE pipes worldwide due to a surge in public works projects and state stimulus packages to revive local economies. Polyolefin pipes are used for a wide range of applications, e.g. floor heating, gas distribution and drinking water supply. This is one of the reasons why the high-speed polyolefin pipe extrusion line LeanEx™, developed by B+C Extrusion Systems Ltd. (www.bcc-extrusion.com), has become such a success since its launch in May 2009. The new LeanEx™ system is a complete extrusion line for the production of polyolefin pipes in a diameter range of 16 mm to 63 mm. B+C Extrusion Systems Ltd. is the Chinese operation of Battenfeld-Cincinnati.

Photo: B+C Extrusion Systems Ltd.

The grooved 60 mm single-screw extruder with a 30 L/D ratio is able to deliver a maximum output of 320 kg/h (HDPE pipes). The extruder is equipped with a 90 kW DC motor and B&R control system (incl. 5.7″ TFT colour touch-screen). Different designs of die sets and calibrating sleeves can be supplied for a wide range of materials, incl. PE-RT, PP-R, PE-HD and PB. The right tooling is crucial and the key to achieve high line speeds. For instance, a maximum line speed of 25 m/min for the production of PE-RT pipes (dimension 20×1.9 mm) can be guaranteed.

The company offers two different types of belt haul-off. Both models have in common that each belt is driven by a separate drive, which ensures synchronized speed of the upper and lower belt. The two models are different regarding the belt contact length and the size/ratio of the drives. The different executions ensure sufficient and constant haul-off force over the entire speed range.

Cutting of pipes at high speed can be critical. Besides the very cost-effective flying knife cutter for pipes of up to 40 mm, LeanEx63™ provides another solution for the swarfless cutting of polyolefin pipes of up to 63 mm. This PC63 cutter can be used to cut pipes with a wall thickness of up to 13mm at high line speeds. Hence high pressure polyolefin pipes, e.g. the S2 series PP-R pipes, can be produced.

As an option the line can be equipped with a double-station coiler. Two different models are available, one for pipes of up to 40 mm and another for up to 63 mm. Both are equipped with a continuous traversing unit for a smooth winding of the pipes. Due to the mechanical design and the electrical control, one operator can master the challenging task to change-over and start a new bobbin at a speed of 25 m/min.

For more information: yang.c@bcc-extrusion.com

Sarlink TPV (www.sarlink.com) has announced that it has developed a new series of low durometer Sarlink TPVs based on dynamically vulcanized rubber in a polypropylene matrix, thus combining superb elastic properties with the processing ease of thermoplastics. These Sarlink 5725 and 5735 grades are characterized by their extremely low hardness of 25 and 35 Shore A in combination with excellent processing behavior.

Low durometer Sarlink TPV instead of EPDM foam
Sarlink 5725 and 5735 can replace thermo set EPDM foam materials, used in many extrusion applications in the automotive industry as well in the building and construction industry. Very low compression deflection forces in combination with excellent elastic recovery are typical characteristics for EPDM foamed products.

Processing and performance advantages
These new Sarlink grades are an addition to the existing Sarlink 5700 series of products, which are characterized by their fully optimized and superb UV resistance and improved fogging properties, combined with excellent elastic and sealing performance. What makes this new Sarlink series unique is its extremely low hardness of 25 and 35 Shore A in combination with excellent processing behavior, such as good collapse resistance and superb flow behavior to obtain good surface finish. Another great advantage is that these low durometer Sarlink grades can be co extruded in combination with higher hardness grades to create complex sealing systems.

Focussing on performance, these new Sarlink grades show low compression set and deflection forces in combination with good relaxation behaviour. These are typical characteristics to obtain excellent elastic and thus sealing performance.

Sarlink TPV: considering the environment
Looking at the advantages of Sarlink 5725 and 5735, these new products offer numerous new potentials compared to EPDM foam materials, especially in the automotive industry. Ger Vroomen, Business Development Manager at Sarlink: “Many EPDM foamed products are used in combination with spray coatings to obtain specific functional properties. The industry sees the use of spray coating systems as an environmentally questionable system in combination with relatively high cost. These new Sarlink grades can be co-extruded in combination with the Sarlink proprietary slip coatings (like GRC 03 and GRC 22). The combination of both material groups could result in a cost reduction in an environmentally friendly way, as the application of the slip coating occurs in the same processing stage as the product itself. In addition to the reduction of the coefficient of friction and improvement of abrasion resistance, these material combinations can also result in easier assembling of parts. This is just a glimpse of numerous possibilities.”

Continuous innovation process
Sarlink’s Global Marketing Director Rolf Schrauwen about Sarlink 5225 and 5735: “In general, compared to thermoset rubber, using Sarlink products will reduce production costs due to its shorter cycle times, reduced energy needs, and a very high material efficiency as a result of its recyclability. Add to that all the benefits these new Sarlink 5725 and 5735 offers and we have what we call ‘a winning number’. Our key message is that there are plenty of applications that demand to be converted to Sarlink TPV and we are making continued and continuous investments in our products and our resources to help make this happen. The 5700 series is a good example of this continuous innovation process; more grades with an even lower hardness will be added to the range of grades soon. This means that, again, new applications can benefit from the great advantages offered by Sarlink TPV.”

Merquinsa (www.merquinsa.com) today announced its participation at CHINAPLAS 2010 in Pudong, Shanghai from April 19-22, where it will collaborate with its recognized Chinese distributors Ngai Hing Engineering Plastic (Hong Kong) Ltd. and Paceco Industrial Supplies Pte Ltd.
Merquinsa will present on this occasion its new Bio polyester and polyether based TPU (thermoplastic polyurethanes) PEARLTHANE® ECO resins along with its TPU specialties PEARLCOAT®, & PEARLTHANE® portfolio, including special extrusion polyether TPU grades & non-yellowing aliphatic TPU resins.
Merquinsa’s Green TPU with a bio content from ca. 20 to 90%, according to ASTM D-6866, offers outstanding performance and sustainability benefits vs. standard petroleum-based TPUs for a wide range of sport & leisure, consumer electronics and automotive applications.
“We are pleased to contribute to the promotion of Merquinsa’s unique range of Bio TPUs for the Chinese Market and support Chinese customers to turn to Green Plastics & Green TPUs, said Jackson Ng Sales Director of Paceco. “Merquinsa has built its name for a premium supplier of High Quality TPUs. Ngai Hing specializes in supporting application development with unique aliphatic TPUs for the Chinese automotive, electronics and sport industries“, said Ben Ng President and Co-Founder of Ngai Hing Engineering Plastic (Hong Kong) Ltd.

CHINAPLAS: Ngai Hing Engineering Booth #W2L51 & Paceco Booth #W2T01

As a result of working closely with end users to develop an in depth understanding of their requirements, American Kuhne (www.americankuhne.com) has satisfied the need for reduced floor space with a line of compact extruders. These extruders are designed to produce precision medical tubing within the space limitations that often exist in clean rooms.

The unique Compact MD series extruder is designed specifically for clean room and/or controlled environments. The electrical controls are easily serviced and integral with the extruder frame, providing the benefit of reduced machine width and reduced floor space. The low profile control panel enables the operator’s unobstructed view across the clean room production area. The machine is designed with smooth external surfaces and rounded corners that allow for quick and easy wipe down.  The ergonomically designed rotating operator control station can include simple discrete controls or the customer’s choice of three levels of AKcess touch screen control solutions. The Compact series extruder is also available with an option to include the entire main frame and safety guards to be made entirely of stainless steel in place of standard painted steel. The Compact Series is offered in 0.5” (12.7mm) to 1.75” (44mm) sizes. All extruders, systems and controls sold into Europe are CE labeled.

The Compact MD extruder is also available in an optional “Modular” variation where the barrel diameter and/or L/D can be quickly and easily changed to achieve different output ranges and/or simply to accelerate change-over and clean-out time.

Each American Kuhne extruder includes a Steward Barrier Screw that is designed specifically for the application. The Steward Barrier Screws are the heart of the process and provide a number of critical benefits. The screws are designed to maximize pressure stability for the tightest possible dimensional tolerances, ideally +/- 1.0% or better and minimize melt temperature variation, ideally +/- 1 degree or less. The screws provide the optimum melt temperature for the best possible product performance and surface finish. All design parameters and performance data is generated in AK’s Extrusion Lab and in the field, not the result of hypothetical computer modeling.