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U-Pica mat is cheaper and lighter than others
MATERI$&&$ U-Pica mat is cheaper and lighter than others U-PICA Mat can replace other glass mats in fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) laminates at lower cost and weight, say its Japanese developers. The mat, which is said to have remarkable workability, was the result of collaboration between Toyobo Inc, Toyo Cloth Co Ltd and Japan U-Pica Co Ltd. It is a low-density, non-woven continuousstrand laminate, bulkeri print control mat, containing approximately 45% by volume of microballoons. Thanks to this filler, it has a laminated density of only about half of that of standard fibreglass laminated mat. Yet, when U-Pica Mat is incorporated into a laminate, it can form a stronger composite than solid FRP of the same weight,
claims Japan U-Pica. Applications include: spoilers, wings, roofs and container panels for motor vehicles; bathroom units, water tanks, septic tanks, drain lids and floor linings for the housing industry; and hulls, decks, roofs, bridges and other riggings for ships and boats. U-Pica Mat is a available in five thicknesses (l-5 mm) and is 1 m wide. A softer version of UPica Mat has recently been developed called S-Type. This softness leads to better conformability. It also features improved surface smoothness, even thickness and very good impregnation and fast wetout, says the company. FRP Services and Co; tel: + 33 4296-925 7;
fax:
New engineering WATCH out nylon and polycarbonate: Carilon could be the next most significant polymer development, says manufacturer Shell Chemicals. The company launched the aliphatic polyketone family, trademarked CariIon, at K95 mentioning that reinforced and filled grades will be available. “Our current investment in the world’s first production plant for Carilon, at Carrington in the UK, is just the start of a new core. global business in which we intend to be the acknowledged leader”, says Steve Wood, Shell’s manager for Cariion. The 20 000 tonne Carrington plant will go into full-scale produc-
Reinforced Plastics December
+ 33 42969332.
A WATER-based, styrenefree liquid polyester that is environmentallyfriendly and can reduce production costs has been developed by Arox Industries, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. According to Plastics News, the company has a patent pending on the only-known heat-formed thermoset plastic that can be used to produce moulded products. At present, preliminary tests by chemical companies are underway to validate Arox’s claims and results. Arox then hopes to license its technology to a company that will batch-mix the polymer and sell it. However, certain cautions have been raised about Arox’s claims. Terry
thermoplastic
tion in the second half of 1996. The engineering thermoplastic will then be available for sale in Europe, North America and Japan. Until then sample quantities of the material are available from Shell’s Market Development Unit at Moerdijk in The Netherlands. The polymers are said to offer an unrivalled range and balance of performance properties. They have high melting points and retain their properties over a wide range of temperatures. They exhibit excellent stiffness, strength and impact resistance, good wear and friction characteristics together with high resilience.
1995
New Polvester is stvrene , free Sprow, vice-president of technology for Alpha/ Owens-Corning is reported to have said that mechanical strength and shrinkage would be of concern. Water would come out of a composite over a period of time, says Sprow. This may be a niche area in which the new polymer system will not work. Arox, however, is highlighting the polymer’s environmental benefits. It eliminates styrene and its emissions, as well as methyl ethyl ketone and other activators. The new polyester was developed over eight years in pursuit of a material for the construction industry that was flame-proof, fire retardant, cheap and could bond to styrene foam.
enters the market
A 30% glass Bbre filled grade will be Shell’s standard reinforced product, but there is capability to load O-50%, says Pim Braat, international marketing manager. The current price is DM12/kg for reinforced and non-reinforced grades. “However we expect to be even more competitive with the higher end of the engineering thermoplastics when the capacity increases”, Braat told Reinforced Plastics,
Injection moulded parts are said to have good mould definition with mar resistant surfaces that show no warping or distortion. According to Wood, potential customers have
been evaluating and developing applications for Carilon for several years. The polymers are especially resistant to fuels and automotive fluids, as well as many industrial solvents and corrosive chemicals. A potential market therefore is likely to be under-the-bonnet applications thanks to the high temperature capabilities of the material. Air intake manifolds, cooling systems and technical parts such as bearing cages are just some of the named applications. Julian Barnes, Shell International; tel: t 44-
171-934-3045; fax: + 44- I71-9345252.
claims Japan U-Pica. Applications include: spoilers, wings, roofs and container panels for motor vehicles; bathroom units, water tanks, septic tanks, drain lids and floor linings for the housing industry; and hulls, decks, roofs, bridges and other riggings for ships and boats. U-Pica Mat is a available in five thicknesses (l-5 mm) and is 1 m wide. A softer version of UPica Mat has recently been developed called S-Type. This softness leads to better conformability. It also features improved surface smoothness, even thickness and very good impregnation and fast wetout, says the company. FRP Services and Co; tel: + 33 4296-925 7;
fax:
New engineering WATCH out nylon and polycarbonate: Carilon could be the next most significant polymer development, says manufacturer Shell Chemicals. The company launched the aliphatic polyketone family, trademarked CariIon, at K95 mentioning that reinforced and filled grades will be available. “Our current investment in the world’s first production plant for Carilon, at Carrington in the UK, is just the start of a new core. global business in which we intend to be the acknowledged leader”, says Steve Wood, Shell’s manager for Cariion. The 20 000 tonne Carrington plant will go into full-scale produc-
Reinforced Plastics December
+ 33 42969332.
A WATER-based, styrenefree liquid polyester that is environmentallyfriendly and can reduce production costs has been developed by Arox Industries, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. According to Plastics News, the company has a patent pending on the only-known heat-formed thermoset plastic that can be used to produce moulded products. At present, preliminary tests by chemical companies are underway to validate Arox’s claims and results. Arox then hopes to license its technology to a company that will batch-mix the polymer and sell it. However, certain cautions have been raised about Arox’s claims. Terry
thermoplastic
tion in the second half of 1996. The engineering thermoplastic will then be available for sale in Europe, North America and Japan. Until then sample quantities of the material are available from Shell’s Market Development Unit at Moerdijk in The Netherlands. The polymers are said to offer an unrivalled range and balance of performance properties. They have high melting points and retain their properties over a wide range of temperatures. They exhibit excellent stiffness, strength and impact resistance, good wear and friction characteristics together with high resilience.
1995
New Polvester is stvrene , free Sprow, vice-president of technology for Alpha/ Owens-Corning is reported to have said that mechanical strength and shrinkage would be of concern. Water would come out of a composite over a period of time, says Sprow. This may be a niche area in which the new polymer system will not work. Arox, however, is highlighting the polymer’s environmental benefits. It eliminates styrene and its emissions, as well as methyl ethyl ketone and other activators. The new polyester was developed over eight years in pursuit of a material for the construction industry that was flame-proof, fire retardant, cheap and could bond to styrene foam.
enters the market
A 30% glass Bbre filled grade will be Shell’s standard reinforced product, but there is capability to load O-50%, says Pim Braat, international marketing manager. The current price is DM12/kg for reinforced and non-reinforced grades. “However we expect to be even more competitive with the higher end of the engineering thermoplastics when the capacity increases”, Braat told Reinforced Plastics,
Injection moulded parts are said to have good mould definition with mar resistant surfaces that show no warping or distortion. According to Wood, potential customers have
been evaluating and developing applications for Carilon for several years. The polymers are especially resistant to fuels and automotive fluids, as well as many industrial solvents and corrosive chemicals. A potential market therefore is likely to be under-the-bonnet applications thanks to the high temperature capabilities of the material. Air intake manifolds, cooling systems and technical parts such as bearing cages are just some of the named applications. Julian Barnes, Shell International; tel: t 44-
171-934-3045; fax: + 44- I71-9345252.