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New Axel additives improve injection moulding of nylon
MATERIALS
It is also suitable for use in epoxy systems and pultrusion applications, among others, according to BYK. A loading level of 0.5–1 % additive (as supplied) based upon the ATH content is suggested, though optimal levels should be determined via laboratory tests, the company advises. BYK-W 9012 should be added to the resin mixture before homogenization and the addition of the filler or pigment. Contact: BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, Germany. Tel: +49 281 670 0, Web: www.byk.com/additives
New Axel additives improve injection moulding of nylon
A
xel Plastics Research Laboratories of Woodside, NY, USA, has launched two process aid additives that are claimed to improve the injection moulding of nylon cable ties and other mechanical parts. In recent evaluations, these latest additions to the company’s MoldWiz® range were reported to lower injection temperatures, reduce production cycle time and enhance the physical properties and appearance of the moulded nylon parts. According to Axel, achieving adequate flow and cavity fill can be challenging when moulding nylon cable ties and other small mechanical parts as these parts are often thin in width and section and, in the case of cable ties, can be quite long. Manufacturers often find that they are pushing the resin to the highest possible process temperature, often bordering on its degradation point, to ensure that each mould cavity fills completely, Axel explains. Moulding at the upper level of the resin’s temperature range (or above) can have a negative impact on physical properties and also result in discoloration of the moulded parts. Recently, several manufacturers of mechanical parts produced with nylon 6.6 have conducted injection moulding evaluations utilizing Axel’s two new process aid additives: liquid additive MoldWiz INT-PA33FRK and MoldWiz INT-38F, which is in pellet form. The flow additives were loaded at three parts per 1000 based on weight, utilizing liquid or pellet feeders as appropriate. In both cases, incorporation of the additive enabled the resin to be injected at a temperature 10°F (5.5°C) lower on average than previously, the company reports.
4
Additives for Polymers
In addition to exhibiting good flow at lower temperature, crystallinity was also said to be excellent, enabling the cooling cycle of the injection process to be reduced by 12.5% on average. These factors contributed to an overall cycle time reduction, which correlated to a 4–7% increase in the number of parts produced, according to Axel. Both flow additives were evaluated for impact on colour in natural, or un-pigmented, nylon and were considered to have no or minimal impact on colour generation. The tensile properties of the moulded parts were also measured in both a dry (or freshly moulded) state and in a conditioned state (after being exposed to elevated and extended humidity to simulate product performance in use, as nylon is hygroscopic). Improved tensile values were achieved with both MoldWiz INT-PA33FRK and MoldWiz INT-38F when compared to parts produced with flow additives currently utilized, Axel claims. At the conclusion of these trials, the two new MoldWiz products were judged to provide dependable and complete cavity fill, even in thin-walled, long parts; permit faster moulding cycles; avoid discoloration and reduced tensile properties often associated with moulding with excessive heat; and yield profits based on increased part production. Depending on their processing equipment and conditions, manufacturers can choose either the liquid-form or the convenient pellet-form flow additive to achieve improved processing of nylon resin, Axel comments. Axel is a 72-year-old, ISO 9001-registered manufacturer of proprietary mould releases and process aid additives. All its products are REACH compliant and formulated from raw materials that comply with major worldwide chemical regulatory lists, the company reports. Customers are served both through direct sales and by a network of 55 distributors located in 46 countries around the globe. Contact: Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc, Woodside, NY, USA. Tel: +1 718 672 8300, Web: www.axelplastics.com
Symphony, Janssen to develop antifungal and antibacterial technology for plastics
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K-based Symphony Environmental Technologies has signed a five-year supply and marketing agreement with Janssen
October 2013
It is also suitable for use in epoxy systems and pultrusion applications, among others, according to BYK. A loading level of 0.5–1 % additive (as supplied) based upon the ATH content is suggested, though optimal levels should be determined via laboratory tests, the company advises. BYK-W 9012 should be added to the resin mixture before homogenization and the addition of the filler or pigment. Contact: BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, Germany. Tel: +49 281 670 0, Web: www.byk.com/additives
New Axel additives improve injection moulding of nylon
A
xel Plastics Research Laboratories of Woodside, NY, USA, has launched two process aid additives that are claimed to improve the injection moulding of nylon cable ties and other mechanical parts. In recent evaluations, these latest additions to the company’s MoldWiz® range were reported to lower injection temperatures, reduce production cycle time and enhance the physical properties and appearance of the moulded nylon parts. According to Axel, achieving adequate flow and cavity fill can be challenging when moulding nylon cable ties and other small mechanical parts as these parts are often thin in width and section and, in the case of cable ties, can be quite long. Manufacturers often find that they are pushing the resin to the highest possible process temperature, often bordering on its degradation point, to ensure that each mould cavity fills completely, Axel explains. Moulding at the upper level of the resin’s temperature range (or above) can have a negative impact on physical properties and also result in discoloration of the moulded parts. Recently, several manufacturers of mechanical parts produced with nylon 6.6 have conducted injection moulding evaluations utilizing Axel’s two new process aid additives: liquid additive MoldWiz INT-PA33FRK and MoldWiz INT-38F, which is in pellet form. The flow additives were loaded at three parts per 1000 based on weight, utilizing liquid or pellet feeders as appropriate. In both cases, incorporation of the additive enabled the resin to be injected at a temperature 10°F (5.5°C) lower on average than previously, the company reports.
4
Additives for Polymers
In addition to exhibiting good flow at lower temperature, crystallinity was also said to be excellent, enabling the cooling cycle of the injection process to be reduced by 12.5% on average. These factors contributed to an overall cycle time reduction, which correlated to a 4–7% increase in the number of parts produced, according to Axel. Both flow additives were evaluated for impact on colour in natural, or un-pigmented, nylon and were considered to have no or minimal impact on colour generation. The tensile properties of the moulded parts were also measured in both a dry (or freshly moulded) state and in a conditioned state (after being exposed to elevated and extended humidity to simulate product performance in use, as nylon is hygroscopic). Improved tensile values were achieved with both MoldWiz INT-PA33FRK and MoldWiz INT-38F when compared to parts produced with flow additives currently utilized, Axel claims. At the conclusion of these trials, the two new MoldWiz products were judged to provide dependable and complete cavity fill, even in thin-walled, long parts; permit faster moulding cycles; avoid discoloration and reduced tensile properties often associated with moulding with excessive heat; and yield profits based on increased part production. Depending on their processing equipment and conditions, manufacturers can choose either the liquid-form or the convenient pellet-form flow additive to achieve improved processing of nylon resin, Axel comments. Axel is a 72-year-old, ISO 9001-registered manufacturer of proprietary mould releases and process aid additives. All its products are REACH compliant and formulated from raw materials that comply with major worldwide chemical regulatory lists, the company reports. Customers are served both through direct sales and by a network of 55 distributors located in 46 countries around the globe. Contact: Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc, Woodside, NY, USA. Tel: +1 718 672 8300, Web: www.axelplastics.com
Symphony, Janssen to develop antifungal and antibacterial technology for plastics
U
K-based Symphony Environmental Technologies has signed a five-year supply and marketing agreement with Janssen
October 2013