Polyplastics to highlight latest material initiatives at NPE 2024
Polyplastics will showcase its latest material technologies including the launch of a new polyetherketone (PEK) at the NPE 2024 exhibition 6-10th May at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida (Booth #S26207).
The company will offer an update on its other resin offerings including POM, PPS, LCP, PBT, and COC, along with long-fibre thermoplastics (LFT) and how they meet the requirements of the medical and packaging industries as well as expectations for environmental sustainability.
Polyplastics will introduce to its lineup SARPEK polyetherketone (PEK), an advanced material solution for metal replacement and applications requiring the highest heat resistance of any injection mouldable resin without requiring post-curing.
SARPEK PEK is an engineering plastic positioned at the top of Polyplastics’ portfolio of crystalline polymers. It is an advancement over polyetheretherketone (PEEK) that delivers a high crystallisation rate and high moulding efficiency. SARPEK PEK also features higher heat resistance than PEEK, with durability and superior strength to replace metals in harsh environments where other crystalline plastics fail and metals are heavy and noisy.
SARPEK PEK has a melting point of 370°C and a glass transition temperature of 155°C. It is available in unreinforced grades along with 30% glass-filled and 30% carbon fibre-filled grades.
Polyplastics will also showcase DURAFIDE PPS 6150T73. The material delivers outstanding heat resistance and thermal and electric insulation properties. The material improves thermal and electric insulation properties during thermal runaway without the use of heavy inorganic insulative sheet structures. It maintains the insulation properties of busbars and module covers even after exposure to environments of 1,000°C for 30 minutes.
Additionally, Polyplastics announced global availability for its LAPEROS LCP materials. With full acquisition by Daicel in 2020, Polyplastics has expanded its options for growth and geographical market coverage. The company has expanded LCP sales to EMEA and the Americas while making timely investments in capacity to better respond to market growth.
As part of the presentation of its sustainability initiatives, Polyplastics will highlight the availability of PLASTRON LFT, a long cellulose fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) resin. The eco-friendly PLASTRON LFT, which is made of specially formulated regenerated cellulose fibres, provides weight reduction plus mechanical strength, enabling manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint and meet today’s sustainability demands.
Eco-friendly resins that incorporate natural fibres, starch, wood powder, and other plant-based and natural mineral filler materials are being considered for use in a broader range of applications. Cellulose is a promising material to help reduce CO2 emissions, but low strength is a limiting factor. Polyplastics has addressed this problem by using regenerated cellulose in the development of LFT resins with a balance of physical properties. PLASTRON LFT offers lower density and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than short glass-reinforced resins while delivering the same mechanical properties.