NEW WELDING ROD

Eastman Chemical Company and Columbine International, Ltd. announced a new technology that allows plastic sheet fabricators to obtain clear, strong bonds by welding with a rod of Spectar copolymer. The technology, developed by Columbine, can be used to bond sheet of Spectar copolymer to itself or to other plastic sheet materials.

Extrusion welding of thermoplastics can be compared in many ways to the welding of metals, especially wire feed welding. By extrusion welding with a rod of Spectar copolymer, the joint becomes as strong or stronger than the parent material, thus producing a homogenous and durable welded joint or seam. Extrusion welding is not gluing, but the actual molecular bonding of two like materials.

Extruded rods produce clear, tough joints that are well suited for a wide variety of uses including point of purchase displays, signs, building and construction. This material is especially useful for bonding seams that require clarity and strength.

The primary benefits of welding with the rod include: no messy or environmentally unsafe gluing/curing, clear, cosmetically pleasing joints; quick fabrication because no dry time is required, water tight, long-lasting joints; and diverse fastening methods for a variety of applications.

"Fabricators have tremendous design and fabrication freedom when working with sheet of Spectar copolymer. Its ease of fabrication provides lower cost solutions and more creative designs. This welding technology gives fabricators yet another process for bonding sheet products," said Rob McLean, Eastman Business Market Manager. Eastman sells Spectar copolymer to independent extruders that produce sheet products, and the sheet products are sold to plastic distributors for distribution to fabricators and end-users. "Point-of-purchase display, store fixture and industrial applications are key growth markets because of the resin's toughness, ease of fabrication and resistance to common cleaners."

For more information, contact Katherine Watkins, Eastman Chemical Company, P.O. Box 431, Kingsport, TN 37662, 423-229-3078, FAX 423-229-1008., E-mail: kwatkins@eastman.com.