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Recycled PC used in metallized tail lights
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11/07/2003
14:37
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APPLICATIONS
News
Drinks manufacturers opt for Cleartint are possible with traditional colorant technologies. The biggest improvement, it says, is in clarified polypropylene (PP) grades and in particular, random copolymer grades, where it is possible to match the transparent colour with virtually any shade. This is achieved, notes Milliken, without retooling and with only minor processing modifications. Adding Cleartint to PP moulded caps is also claimed to improve productivity by eliminating the risk of shrinkage that is usually associated with pigments. And whereas other pigments can alter the freezing temperature of PP, Cleartint does not. Every colour crystallizes at exactly the same temperature to improve consistency in
Bottle caps coloured with Cleartint technology. Cleartint® colorant technology from Milliken Chemical is to be used by three major drinks producers to colour
translucent bottle caps. According to Milliken, Cleartint makes it possible to achieve brighter colours than
processing. Milliken says the process for approving colours for the bottle caps is also much simpler than when conventional pigments are used. Each Cleartint colour is a blend of five primary colours, so once those five colours are approved for a particular application, any colour derived from them will be automatically approved. This is different to other pigments, says the company, where it is usual for every new colour to be approved on an individual basis. Contact: Milliken Chemical Tel: +1 864 503 2200 Fax: +1 864 503 2430 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.millikenchemical.com
Recycled PC used in metallized tail lights Several General Motors (GM) cars now feature metallized tail lamp assemblies made of a regenerated polycarbonate resin from Lavergne Group, Canada. The PC135 resin in use contains more than 50% post consumer polycarbonate from 19 litre (5 gallon) drinking water dispenser bottles. Lavergne regenerates the plastic and creates pellets which it says are easy to process and result in components that are stiff with high impact and heat resistance. According to Lavergne, PC135 meets all the necessary GM specifications for use. Production involves injection
moulding the pellets to form the back frame of the tail lights. The resin is designed to provide a very high quality surface on the inside of the frame, which is necessary so it can be vacuum metallized to create a reflective surface. After the tail light has been metallized, an acrylic lens cover is glued to the polycarbonate frame and light bulbs and electronics are attached through the rear of the tail light. Contact: Lavergne Group Tel: +1 412 861 9524 Fax: +1 402 861 9527 Website: www.lavergnegroup.com
Plastics Additives & Compounding July/August 2003
GM’s metallized tail lamps.
18
11/07/2003
14:37
Page 18
APPLICATIONS
News
Drinks manufacturers opt for Cleartint are possible with traditional colorant technologies. The biggest improvement, it says, is in clarified polypropylene (PP) grades and in particular, random copolymer grades, where it is possible to match the transparent colour with virtually any shade. This is achieved, notes Milliken, without retooling and with only minor processing modifications. Adding Cleartint to PP moulded caps is also claimed to improve productivity by eliminating the risk of shrinkage that is usually associated with pigments. And whereas other pigments can alter the freezing temperature of PP, Cleartint does not. Every colour crystallizes at exactly the same temperature to improve consistency in
Bottle caps coloured with Cleartint technology. Cleartint® colorant technology from Milliken Chemical is to be used by three major drinks producers to colour
translucent bottle caps. According to Milliken, Cleartint makes it possible to achieve brighter colours than
processing. Milliken says the process for approving colours for the bottle caps is also much simpler than when conventional pigments are used. Each Cleartint colour is a blend of five primary colours, so once those five colours are approved for a particular application, any colour derived from them will be automatically approved. This is different to other pigments, says the company, where it is usual for every new colour to be approved on an individual basis. Contact: Milliken Chemical Tel: +1 864 503 2200 Fax: +1 864 503 2430 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.millikenchemical.com
Recycled PC used in metallized tail lights Several General Motors (GM) cars now feature metallized tail lamp assemblies made of a regenerated polycarbonate resin from Lavergne Group, Canada. The PC135 resin in use contains more than 50% post consumer polycarbonate from 19 litre (5 gallon) drinking water dispenser bottles. Lavergne regenerates the plastic and creates pellets which it says are easy to process and result in components that are stiff with high impact and heat resistance. According to Lavergne, PC135 meets all the necessary GM specifications for use. Production involves injection
moulding the pellets to form the back frame of the tail lights. The resin is designed to provide a very high quality surface on the inside of the frame, which is necessary so it can be vacuum metallized to create a reflective surface. After the tail light has been metallized, an acrylic lens cover is glued to the polycarbonate frame and light bulbs and electronics are attached through the rear of the tail light. Contact: Lavergne Group Tel: +1 412 861 9524 Fax: +1 402 861 9527 Website: www.lavergnegroup.com
Plastics Additives & Compounding July/August 2003
GM’s metallized tail lamps.
18