Polyolefins Spotlight

Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) are two of the largest volume thermoplastics used today and are available in a wide range of grades and formulations. PE is commonly grouped into Low, Medium and High density formulations’ and PP is available in homopolymer and copolymer formulations. The various formulations of these popular polyolefins impart a wide range of properties making them appropriate for countless applications. Generally speaking, polyolefins are tough, chemical resistant and offer good electrical properties with a low coefficient of friction and moisture absorption. They are relatively lightweight and easy to fabricate. Polyolefins find proven applications in a wide range of markets from medical and chemical to toys and sporting goods and oil and gas to food processing and marine. Following is an overview of a variety of materials from sheet, rod and tube to massive shapes and profiles.

New Partnership

SIMONA AMERICA Inc. has established a partnership with Specialty Plastics, Inc. to stock, distribute, develop and promote the range of SIMONA® Polypropylene AlphaPlus® and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) fabric backed linings. This alliance will significantly increase the market presence of SIMONA’s polyolefin lining laminates throughout North America. Specialty's experience, knowledge and advanced technical support will assist customers in developing specifications for their applications.

John Ploskonka, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, states: “Our target markets in the coming years are Chemical Processing and related industries that require stringent specification of materials, processing into semi finished shapes and fabrication practices to produce a finished vessel or lining. The aggressive liquids, gases and operating conditions in the CPI market place a responsibility for all involved in providing not only the highest quality of product, but also the services of professionals in every step of the supply chain. Preferred Plastics adds value in our efforts to be a recognized as a leader in these Safety Critical Applications.”

SIMONA® Polypropylene AlphaPlus® was developed with the help of special nucleating agents and targeted adjustments to process engineering. The result is a PP-H with a-crystalline properties. SIMONA® Polypropylene AlphaPlus® offers considerably improved rigidity, in addition to increased toughness. Compared with standard PP-H, SIMONA® Polypropylene AlphaPlus® is more resistant to impact at low temperatures, thereby delivering greater operational reliability. Because of the longer service life and the greater operational reliability, SIMONA® Polypropylene AlphaPlus® has set new standards in Europe for safety critical applications.

For additional information, contact John Ploskonka, SIMONA AMERICA Inc., 64 N. Conahan Drive, Hazleton, PA 18201, 866-501-2992, Fax: 800-522-4857, E-mail: mail@simona-america.com, Web: www.simona-america.com.

Thin Gauge UHMW

As the manufacturer of the DuraSurf™ family of value-based UHMW solutions, Crown Plastics in Harrison, Ohio has been helping engineers solve problems for the materials handling, agriculture, transportation, recreation and appliance industries for over 35 years. Employing their exclusive continuous compression process, Crown Plastics offers DuraSurf UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) film ranging in thickness from .003- 1/4” in continuous rolls from 1/4” to 24 inch widths or die-cut sheets. The continuous compression process produces a smoother, more consistent UHMW material and allows for special lengths with no scrap or waste for larger custom orders.

DuraSurf thin gauge pressure sensitive tapes and materials can be applied in areas where mechanical fastening is undesirable due to cost or application demands. Applications include automotive “buzz, squeak and rattle” needs, conveyor beds and side guides, package-handling surfaces, board sports, gaskets and countless friction and wear areas.

For additional information, contact Alan Rowland, Crown Plastics Company, 116 May Drive, Harrison, OH 45030, 513 367-0238, E-mail: alanr@crownplastics.com, Web: www.crownplastics.com.

Enhanced Performance Grades

Laminations, Inc.’s olefins family offers a range of textures, colors and grades with improved UV and flame resistance. Its products are recognized for consistently low internal stress that affords dimensional stability and flatness in fabrication.

The company’s Lamcorr Division offers high performance fluoropolymer and olefin products including two flame retardant polypropylene grades. LAM FRP-3 carries an FM 4910 listing for semiconductor clean room use. LAM FRPP meets UL V-0 flammability criteria and is used in many chemical processing and storage applications.

Laminations, Inc.’s early focus on playground structures led to its development of Polytone UV HDPE in a spectrum of UV resistant solid colors. It is also available in combinations of solid color inner “cores” sandwiched between exterior surface layers co-extruded in contrasting colors. Milling the exterior surface can create letters and patterns in the contrasting core color, making it a versatile option for signage and decorative applications.

Another UV resistant grade, Boat Board, has widespread acceptance for marine applications and in outdoor furniture and cabinetry. Other olefin sheet products include cutting board; Polymar HDPE used widely in school and institutional lavatory and gym structures and LamPro homopolymer and copolymer polypropylene sheet.

For additional information, contact Gary Borgia, Laminations, Inc., 101 Power Blvd. Archbald PA 18403, 800-233-4701, Fax: 570-876-0166, E-mail: gary.borgia@laminations.com, Web: www.laminations.com.

30% GF Polypropylene

GEHR Plastics offers GEHR Polypropylene, which demonstrates a high mechanical and tensile strength and is coupled with great impact strength. GEHR Polypropylene resists stress cracking and is easy to weld. Chemical and electrical properties are excellent and operating temperatures range between 41°F to 210°F. Characteristics include low density, low moisture absorption, good heat resistance, high chemical resistance, high tensile strength, high surface strength but low abrasion resistance. Natural is copolymer resin and colored is homopolymer.

GEHR also offers GEHR HiPro® 30% glass reinforced polypropylene. This material maintains the excellent chemical and corrosion resistance of unfilled PP with added superior dimensional stability (CLTE = 3.0 x 10-5 in/in°F), higher surface stiffness, higher temperature resistance with a Heat Deflection Temperature of +311°F and much better compressive strength. The color is black and is targeted for higher temperature chemical applications where cost is an issue.

For additional information, contact Bill Shields, GEHR Plastics USA, 24 Creek Circle, Boothwyn, PA 19061, 800- PVC-GEHR/610-497-8941, Fax: 610-497-8901, E-mail: info@gehrplastics.com, Web: www.gehrplastics.com.

Medical Grade PP Line

Ensinger, Inc. has set the standard for quality and innovation with their line of products developed specifically for medical applications. Tops among them is the TECAPRO™ MT line, a polypropylene based product with exceptionally low residual stress characteristics that facilitate the fabrication of dimensionally stable parts consisting of varying cross sections. The material can withstand repeated hot steam sterilization procedures without deforming and has a high resistance to detergents and disinfectants. This has historically made it an excellent material choice for surgical caddies and instrument handles.

Until now however, users who wanted to design parts in colors other than white had little choice because of those colors’ inability to receive laser etched markings of significant contrast to render the markings readable. Ensinger has now developed a black TECAPRO MT that contains an additive that enhances the material’s ability to receive laser etching. Markings laser etched into this new black material are so clear, they appear to be silk-screened. Engineers and designers alike will be drawn to this material for its versatility, and its stability.

For additional information, contact Bruce Dickinson, Ensinger, Inc., 365 Meadowlands Blvd., Washington, PA 15301, 856-227-0500, Fax: 724-746-9209, E-mail: sales@ensinger-ind.com, Web: www.ensinger-online.com.

Boosting Sales Through Innovation

Every plastics distributor and fabricator knows innovation is the key to growth. Sometimes a new product simply provides an “excuse” to reach out to an old contact. But sometimes a new product can open up entire categories of prospects and lucrative new business opportunities. King MicroShield® by King Plastic Corporation is just such an innovation. King MicroShield is a new kind of anti-microbial now available in many of King Plastic’s sheet products for medical, laboratory and institutional applications. It helps products stay cleaner between cleanings and inhibits the growth of product damaging microorganisms, including bacteria, algae and fungi on the surface. Microbe cell walls that come into contact with the material are physically destroyed on contact, without creating opportunities for adaptive or resistant strains to form. It is bonded at the atomic level throughout the sheet, so it retains its effectiveness for the life of the product and will not leach out and harm the environment.

King Plastic Corporation has a history of innovation spanning more than four decades. The North Port, Florida-based company manufactures dozens of varieties of polymer sheets, slabs and massive shapes used in a broad range of applications. These include waterproof cabinetry and casegoods (commercial and residential), restroom partitions, pipe-grade and chemical resistant fabrications, cutting boards, signage, neutron shielding and, of course, boat parts.

For additional information, contact Lou Stegner, King Plastic Corporation, 1100 N. Toledo Blade Blvd., North Port, Florida 34288, 941-493-5502, Fax: 941-497-3274, E-mail: sales@kingplastic.com, Web: www.kingplastic.com.

Petro Extrusion Technologies Inc., (PET Inc.) specializes in engineering grade thermoplastics as well as custom and stock products in low, linear low, medium and high density polyethylene. PET, Inc. carries a stock line of 6 different PE channel shapes. The stock channels can also be made-to order in any desired cut lengths. PET Inc., also produces an endless variety of custom shapes and tube sizes ranging from 1/32” diameter up to 6” diameter. Petro has custom co-extrusion capability and can extrude in any combination of compatible PE materials or colors as your requirement dictates. They specialize in neon and specialty custom colors, as well as all standard colors.

For additional information, contact Robert Petrozziello, Petro Extrusion Technologies, Inc., P. O. Box 99, 490 South Ave., Garwood, NJ 07027, 800-229-3338/908-789-3338, Fax: 908-789-0434, E-mail: rpetro@petroextrusion.com, Web: www.petroextrusion.com.

Monster Extrusion Line

Premier Material Concepts (PMC) announced that its new monster extrusion line will soon be “on the prowl.” One of the largest sheet extruders of its kind, “The Beast” is currently being fired up in PMC’s new 20,000 square foot facility expansion.

The extruder will offer many benefits to help better serve both current and new valued customers, significantly increasing PMC’s operational capacity and expanding its custom sheet offering. This monstrous line will have greater flexibility with the capability to produce one, two and three-ply sheet materials up to 120” wide and in gauges up to .375” thick. It will also feature a state-of-theart gauge scanner, an advanced database management and reporting system, as well as high velocity blowers for controlled sheet cooling.

For additional information, contact Kristin Larmore, Premier Material Concepts, 2040 Industrial Drive, Findlay, OH 45840, 877-BUYPMC6/419-429-7017, E-mail: klarmore@rowmark.com, Web: www.buypmc.com

Close Tolerance Rod

Artek offers rod dowelling services to provide close tolerance Duravar® rod stock with excellent concentricity to meet the needs of today’s critical machine and job shop operations.

Artek is a leading supplier of UHMW rod stock to the plastic distribution market place. Their full line of extruded UHMW-PE rod is offered in diameters from 1/4" up through 10" in virgin, reprocessed and enhanced formulations. Artek provides a large range of standard diameters, dowelled to close tolerance, ranging from 1" up through 3" diameter. In addition they will quote custom dowelled diameters upon request.

The rod is available in a variety of standard and custom colors that meet FDA and USDA requirements. Artek can also color match to meet the needs of the project. In addition to the traditional 5' and l0' industry standard lengths, Artek can provide up to 20' lengths.

Full Sheet Stock

Artek also introduced the newest member of the Duravar UHMW-PE family of extruded and skived full sheet as a standard product line.

Artek’s in-line stress relieving process reduces stress, improves productivity and minimizes waste when cutting this prime material into blocks or strips. The sheet has excellent surface finish and thickness consistency. Sheet sizes are 48" x 96" and 48" x 120" - in thickness from 1/8” up to 2".

For additional information, contact Randall Kirkpatrick, Artek, Inc., 3311 Enterprise Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808, 800-762-6808, Fax: 260-484-6914, Web: www.artek-inc.com.

Polygal offers a unique 8mm polypropylene sheet for the building materials and commercial greenhouse markets. The sheet, designed for use as side and end walls in the greenhouse market, can also be specified and installed for interior applications in the architectural market where privacy and/or back lighting is desired. The new 8mm polypropylene sheet by Polygal is UV protected through the entire sheet, not just co-extruded on one or two surfaces.

For additional information, contact Nick Koszegi, Polygal, Inc., P. O. Box 410592, Charlotte, NC 28241, 800-527-0095, Fax: 704-588-7400, E-mail sales@polygal.com, Web: www.polygal.com.

CS Hyde’s UHMWPE tape has all the benefits of strong, slippery, abrasion resistant UHMWPE, plus a superhigh bond adhesive. UHMW High Bond is an excellent choice for difficult to bond, low surface energy surfaces such as plastic, powder-coated, foam, oily metals or slightly textured materials. UHMW-HB even sticks to high slip surfaces: Teflon®, Acrylic, PE, Glass, etc.

Bond strength of this product increases with time and temperature. High humidity has minimal effect. UHMWHB is also water and chemical resistant. UHMW substrate is FDA and USDA approved.

UHMW thickness ranges from .005” to .060”. The adhesive is .002” thick: black semi-conductive, anti-static product is also available. Widths range from .5” up to 24”. It is sold in rolls, sheets, continuous footage and custom die-cut shapes.

For additional information, contact Tiffany Hoerle, CS Hyde Company, 1351 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa, IL 60046, 847-395-0325, Fax: 847-395-0334, E-mail: sales@cshyde.com, Web: www.cshyde.com.

Fabricated and molded tank manufacturers are finding there is no longer a need for trips to a machine shop because economical heavyduty tank couplings, designed for their application, are now available. IPW tank couplings are easy to install and are sized to fit standard hole saw dimensions. They have a shoulder that gauges installation depth and provides for guaranteed square installations on flat surfaces. The shoulder also provides better weld strength and easy installation on round tanks. The shoulder and the low profile design, combined with thick cross sections, practically eliminate couplings shearing off from side impact. The thick cross-sections prevent the splitting commonly seen with FPT threaded couplings. IPW features sizes 1/2" through 4" from stock in natural HDPE, black HDPE, natural PP and black Type II (copolymer) PP. Eurogray PP, PVDF, PVC and CPVC materials and sizes 1/8" to 24" are now available on request. IPW provides full couplings when interior piping is needed and for vertical installations on domed tanks.

For additional information, contact Phil Holt, Industrial Plastic Works, 6220 Enterprise Drive, Knoxville, TN 37909, 800-966-1450, Fax: 865-637-4540, E-mail: sales@ipw.us.com, Web: www.ipw.us.com.

Hex Rod

Plastic Products, Inc. (P.P.I.) offers hexagonal rod machined to close tolerance (+/-.005”) starting at sizes of 3/8” across the flats. Hex rod is available from engineered materials including Nylon, Delrin®, UHMW, Polypropylene, Polysulfone, P.E.E.K., Noryl®, UHMW-PE tape, Ultem®, Teflon® and many more.

P.P.I. can supply hex rod in lengths of 5, 8 or 10 foot. Other lengths can be quoted upon request. P.P.I. is also one of the largest stocking distributors of plastic rod on the east coast and can supply rod in a large variety of materials cut to any length.

For additional information, contact David Windt, Plastic Products, Inc., P.O. Box 188, Bessemer City, NC 28016, 800-752-7770/704-739-7463, Fax: 704-739-5566, E-mail: dwindt@plastic-products.com, Web: www.plasticproducts.com or www.HexRod.com.

Multi-Hinge in Rainbow of Colors

The Multi-Hinge, from Allen Company, is now available in a rainbow of colors. Allen Company offers the HDPE Multi- Hinge in over 100 standard colors or can match your color sample. The Multi-Hinge is also available in seven other formulations including high-impact acrylic and PVDF (Kynar®).

This hinge is available in two configurations. It can be assembled for either flush or 3/8” off-set mounting by simply reversing one leaf. This allows the fabricator to choose the best combination to meet their needs for appearance, rigidity and heat or chemical resistance.

These heavy-duty hinges are suitable for a variety of commercial and industrial applications.

The PVDF formulation is easy to weld and is ideal for applications requiring high purity, resistance to corrosives and higher temperatures. All hinges can be fastened either by heat welding, solvent welding or mechanically fastened.

Many formulations are in stock. Call for samples. Handles are also available in polypropylene, PVC, HDPE and PVDF.

For additional information, contact Dave Anderson, Allen Company, 5700 Baker Road, Minnetonka, MN 55345, 952-829-1831 Fax: 952-829-5721, E-mail: sales@allencomfg.com, Web: www.allencomfg.com.

Adhesive for PE

Advanced Adhesion Inc., the manufacturer of Mr. Sticky’s Poly-Bonder, has formulated a groundbreaking adhesive for the structural bonding of the polyolefins. Mr. Sticky’s Poly-Bonder offers structural bonds to HDPE approaching 2,000 psi lap shears. This means that HDPE can be fabricated without welding and can also be bonded to other plastics, metal, wood, ceramics, glass and more.

The adhesive is toughened with the inclusion of rubber to avoid the typical epoxy pitfall of brittleness. Its toughness, imparted by flexibility, causes the energy required to break a bond to be significantly higher than brittle epoxies.

Most epoxies’ elongation is limited to 1 to 3%. To bond plastics or flexible substrates an adhesive must be quite flexible to match plastic elongation. Poly-Bonder’s elongation is 108% allowing it to resist shrinkage, expansion, bending, vibration, shock and fatigue.

Poly-Bonder also bonds LDPE, UHMW, PP and PVC. Structural bonding of the olefins does require a quick flame treatment. Poly-Bonder is paintable, sandable and UV resistant. It is formulated in an ISO facility in the United States.

For additional information, contact Art Quinn, Advanced Adhesion Inc., 8004 California Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, 916-961-4700, Fax: 916-961-3010, E-mail: art@a-a-i.net, Web: www.mrstickys.com.

Polyolefin Website Directory
Advanced Adhesion Inc	www.mrstickys.com
Allen Company	www.allencomfg.com
Artek, Inc.	www.artek-inc.com
Crown Plastics Company	www.crownplastics.com
CS Hyde Company	www.cshyde.com
Ensinger, Inc.	www.ensinger-online.com
GEHR Plastics USA	www.gehrplastics.com
Industrial Plastic Works	www.ipw.us.com
King Plastic Corporation	www.kingplastic.com
Petro Extrusion Technologies, Inc	www.petroextrusion.com
Plastic Products, Inc.	www.plastic-products.com www.hexrod.com
Polygal, Inc.	www.polygal.com
Premier Material Concepts	www.buypmc.com
SIMONA AMERICA Inc.	www.simona-america.com